Nothing explosive about TNT games

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

With exclusive rights to Sunday night NFL games for half a season, TNT's lineup is hardly dynamite. The New York Giants in a season opener? The Arizona Cardinals in Week 2? Believe it or not, it gets worse -- this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take center stage. That's right, Tampa Bay at Denver, a clash of titans so grandiose, oddsmakers anticipate a two-touchdown differential.

Keep the Vivarin nearby. I think I'd rather watch the 49ers -- and this is their bye week. So much for the advancement of cable television.

A look at the Nielsen television ratings shows that ABC's "Monday Night Football" was the most-watched prime-time program in America last week, viewed in approximately 18.9 million homes. The Tampa Bay-Denver nongame is expected to reach approximately 18.9 homes, ranking it just ahead of UPN's "Home Boys in Outer Space."

It's a shame, because the network's postgame show has an innovative new feature. Scrolling across the bottom, a la stock prices and sports scores, are statistics from other games of the day. A partial box score, perfect for fantasy football players. Too bad the games are so boring you can't stay awake to see it.

When ESPN takes over Sunday night honors at the season's halfway point, teams such as San Francisco and Green Bay will appear. Until then, enjoy winless Atlanta, Cincinnati, Seattle and the highly anticipated Jets-Redskins matchup in two weeks. The same teams who played a 3-0 game three seasons ago are back at it, in prime time. Can't you see ABC trembling?

FOR THE SEASON

Last week's strong rebound (10-5 against the spread, 12-3 straight-up) was marred by Seattle's loss at home. For those who haven't figured it out by now, it doesn't take a safecracker to ruin my "lock" of the week. John Friesz can do it.

Lock of the week: 0-2

Against the spread: 15-15 (.500)

Straight-up: 23-7 (.767)

LOCK OF THE WEEK

JACKSONVILLE +7 at Oakland -- For the first time in its brief history, Jacksonville confronts the famed mystique of the Oakland Raiders, only to find that such a thing no longer exists. Prediction: Jacksonville 21, Oakland 17.

OTHER GAMES

SAN DIEGO +9 at Green Bay -- Green Bay's Robert Brooks scores an early touchdown and jumps into a crowd of fried cheeseheads. However, he doesn't come out, and the rest of the team starts crowd-diving after him. By the time he's recovered, San Diego has covered. Prediction: Green Bay 24, San Diego 20.

MIAMI -13 vs. New York Jets -- In a rare point-spread error, the oddsmakers inadvertently have posted the line for the first quarter. Prediction: Miami 34, New York Jets 10.

CHICAGO -3 1/2 vs. Minnesota -- Erik Kramer and Warren Moon have combined for zero touchdowns this season. Only Trent Dilfer has fewer. Prediction: Chicago 31, Minnesota 24.

HOUSTON -3 1/2 vs. Baltimore -- Ex-Cleveland-now-Baltimore plays at Houston-to-be-Nashville with a year layover in Memphis. Wherever they are, Jeff Fisher is putting his team on the map. Prediction: Houston 28, Baltimore 16.

DETROIT +2 at Philadelphia -- The last time these teams met, Detroit scored 37 points ... and lost by three touchdowns. The Lions get revenge. Prediction: Detroit 37, Philadelphia 30.

ARIZONA +10 at New England -- New England scored 10 points in an opening-week loss to Miami and had 10 points in last week's loss to Buffalo. It's hard for a team averaging 10 points a game to win by more than 10 points, even against Arizona. Prediction: New England 10, Arizona 9.

NEW ORLEANS +3 at Cincinnati -- The Bengals were banking on Ki-Jana Carter to bolster their running attack. His statistics for two games: 21 carries, 27 yards. Good thing he broke that 5-yarder last week. Prediction: New Orleans 26, Cincinnati 25.

DALLAS -10 vs. Indianapolis -- Deion Sanders, in search of more playing time, blocks a punt for a touchdown and kicks the extra point. Prediction: Dallas 31, Indianapolis 17.

KANSAS CITY -3 1/2 vs. Seattle -- A numbing Rick Mirer was replaced with a frigid Friesz last week for Seattle. It's enough to send a chill down your spine, but don't get cold feet this week. Prediction: Kansas City 30, Seattle 17.

NEW YORK GIANTS +2 vs. Washington -- The Giants have won 13 of 16 against the Redskins and are 12-3-1 against the spread since 1988. Brad Daluiso's overtime field goal gives a W to the G-men. Prediction: New York Giants 20, Washington 17.

DENVER -13 1/2 vs. Tampa Bay -- Tampa Bay is so overmatched that the Buccaneers are underdogs to win the coin toss. Buccaneers fans (both of them) must be wondering why Errict Rhett is not on the field, but Dilfer still is. Prediction: Denver 31, Tampa Bay 6.

BUFFALO +3 at Pittsburgh -- Mike Tomczak has been duped. The Steelers quarterback probably believes he won the starting job by making intelligent decisions on the field. Truth is, Kordell Stewart and Jim Miller are much more intelligent. Now they don't have to face Bruce Smith. Prediction: Buffalo 17, Pittsburgh 14.

SAL DEFILIPPO, news editor of the Las Vegas SUN, donates a portion of his paycheck to weekly football betting. His column appears Saturdays throughout football season. He can be reached on the Internet at sal@lvsun.com