Terrell Davis seeks his first 100-yard game of the year against the Jets' porous run defense.

There are reasons, of course, while the two teams that met in the AFC title game last year are 0-6 between them. Here are two good ones: John Elway and Vinny Testaverde.

But it's also the ripple effect.

Neither Mike Shanahan nor Bill Parcells, who might be the two best coaches in the NFL, is having a good season. Shanahan's sudden switch from Bubby Brister to Brian Griese caught his team off-guard, and Parcells seemed flustered and ill-prepared when Testaverde got hurt.

OK, neither team has sparkled on offense and the Broncos were dismal on defense until last Sunday in Tampa Bay, when they were playing against Trent Dilfer, who's not far from the Jets' Rick Mirer.

Bottom line?

Neither team is going to the Super Bowl. But both certainly have enough to salvage the season, even make a playoff run.

It starts with the first win. Or a tie. Broncos 13, Jets 13.

Tampa Bay (plus 7½) at Minnesota: The Vikings have yet to score 24 points, the fewest they scored in any game last season. They won't this week either. Vikings 17, Bucs 13.

Buffalo (plus 4½) at Miami (Monday night): Jimmy Johnson had a week off to get ready for Doug Flutie. Dolphins 20, Bills 10.

Oakland (plus 3½) at Seattle: When the Raiders and Seahawks are equal, as they seem to be, Seattle wins at home. Seahawks 14, Raiders 9.

Tennessee (off) at San Francisco: The "off," of course, is for Steve Young, who will be replaced by Jeff Garcia. An old rule that applies to Tennessee: if you're not good enough to go 4-0, you won't. Even with Garcia playing for San Francisco ... 49ers 24, Titans 13.

New England (minus 12) at Cleveland: An old rule that applies to New England: if you're not good enough to go 4-0, you won't -- unless you're playing an expansion team. Patriots 27, Browns 9.

Jacksonville (minus 3) at Pittsburgh: The home team is 8-0 in this series. Streaks are made to be broken. Jaguars 24, Steelers 20.

St. Louis (minus 3½) at Cincinnati): Why does this look like a place where the Rams may stumble? Wait 'til next week, when they'll be going for 4-0 against the 49ers. Rams 27, Bengals 10.

Arizona (off) at Dallas: Jake Plummer's in his third season, but he's suffering from the sophomore jinx. Cowboys 24, Cardinals 19.

Carolina (plus 8) at Washington: In honor of those anti-Redskins Washingtonians who hate the bandwagon jumping ... Panthers 20, Redskins 19.

Baltimore (off) at Atlanta: Tony Graziani against Stoney Case? Ravens 6, Falcons 2.

Philadelphia (plus 9) at New York Giants: The question is not whether the Eagles will win this season. It's if they'll score again. Giants 19, Eagles 2.

New Orleans (minus 1) at Chicago: Mike Ditka returns to where he really was Iron Mike. Saints 20, Bears 17.

Kansas City (plus 1) at San Diego: Home field is worth three points. Chargers 17, Chiefs 14.

Last week: 6-7-1 (spread); 8-6 (straight up). Season: 21-22-1 (spread); 27-17(straight up).