NFL SELECTION OF THE WEEK: MINNESOTA - 7 over Cincinnati - Could this be a Super Bowl preview? Perhaps, as the 9-3 Bengals have been consistent all season and the Vikings lost for just the second time Sunday night in Arizona. Give all credit to the Bengals but we're learning that Division rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore are down significantly from last season. Cincy has played well defensively all season but the offense has struggled in most games. Now they face a Vikings defense that was embarrassed in Arizona Sunday night. Both teams are all but certain to make the Playoffs but the Vikings figure to bring a greater degree of intensity to this game following last week's loss. They have the better balanced offense with Favre having perhaps the best season of his storied career. The offense has lost just 13 turnovers all season, second best in the league. And the Minny defense, thought statistically slightly more permissive than the Bengals', brings a ferocious pass rush that should disrupt the Cincy offense by pressuring QB Palmer. Both teams have much to recommend them but Minnesota's explosiveness is decisive. Minnesota wins 27-16.

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New Orleans - 9 ½ over ATLANTA - New Orleans was very fortunate to remain unbeaten in Washington last week. But good teams find a way to win these types of games as they possess the confidence to make big plays at critical times. Atlanta is banged up with QB Ryan and RB Turner very questionable for this game. Expect the Saints to return to their potent form of prior weeks after playing in tough conditions outdoors last week in Washington. The comfort of the Dome - even on the road - plays to the strength of the Saints' offense while the Atlanta backups figure to struggle against the improved New Orleans defense which leads the league with 36 takeaways this season. New Orleans has significant edges in the secondary statistics, especially in pass attempts and completions on both offense and defense. The Saints should be prepared for this game as the Falcons gave them a battle in New Orleans' 35-27 home win last month when they were favored by barely more than they are here. If Atlanta were fully healthy a solid case could be made for an outright upset. But not under these circumstances. New Orleans wins 37-23.

DALLAS - 3 over San Diego - This may be the week's most attractive matchup as both teams have much to play for if they are to make the Playoffs. Dallas'' well documented December woes surfaced again last week with a loss at the Giants that dropped the 'Boys into a first place tie with Philadelphia. San Diego has won 7 straight and is looking like the most serious challenger to Indianapolis' supremacy in the AFC. Despite better efforts from RB Tomlinson in recent weeks the Chargers still have at best an average running game, only twice rushing for more than 120 yards. The running game could be decisive as the Chargers' 89 rushing yards per game pales in comparison to Dallas 130 ypg (5.0 per carry). Dallas has a greater sense of urgency with a game at New Orleans next week and having the far tougher road to follow to the post season. Despite the loss at the Giants last week the 'Pokes have won 6 of their last 8 games. Much attention is being paid to Dallas' poor December play in recent seasons but that should not be a factor in handicapping this game. After losing the first game in their new stadium Dallas has won 5 straight home games, with all but their close call against Washington by at least 14 points. Dallas' fundamental edges key the win. Dallas wins 27-20.



SAN FRANCISCO + 3 over Arizona (Monday) - An Arizona win all but clinches the NFC West Title for a second straight season. The Cardinals were extremely impressive in defeating Minnesota last week at home where they are just 3-3. Arizona has been more impressive on the road where they've won 5 of 6 times this season. The 49ers upset Arizona in week 1 and played their best football in September. But they've dropped 6 of their last 8 to virtually fall out of Playoff contention although they are 4-2 at home. The 49ers figure to put forth their best effort of the season in front of the national Monday night audience. It's a great spot for the 49ers and a potential flat spot for Arizona following their big win over Minnesota. Statistically the teams are fairly even defensively with Arizona having a decided edge on offense. But that edge is largely in the passing game as the Cardinals rushing attack is as weak as San Francisco's. Interestingly, despite the poor but similar raw numbers, the Cardinals are allowing 4.4 yards per carry while the Niners allow just 3.6, second best in the league. And although the Cards have the better QB in Warner, the Niners' Smith has shown great progress since taking over the starting job from Hill earlier this season. He did not play against the Cards in the opening day win. The Niners should make the most of their time in the spotlight in what has turned out to be a slightly more disappointing season than was expected in pre season. San Francisco wins 27-23.