NFL PRIMER / WEEK 15

GAME OF THE WEEK

Washington (8-5) at Indianapolis (11-2). Another week of watching Norv Turner squirm. Does his team show up? Does owner Dan Snyder go to the locker room at halftime to fire up the troops? Do the Redskins make any attempt to play defense? How many touchdown passes can Peyton Manning throw? The line: Indianapolis by 6 1/2.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Tampa Bay (9-4) at Oakland (6-7). The Raiders’ yearly rent-a-stiff approach to filling the quarterback position offers Trent Dilfer an employment opportunity next season. He can throw that vertical incompletion as well as anyone. The line: Pick ‘em.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Miami quarterback Dan Marino. OK, he looks like a guy who should be bowling instead of playing football. And he throws the ball as if it is a bowling ball, but the Dolphins are running out of running backs who are not in jail and Miami is playing San Diego. Since the Dolphins aren’t going to the Super Bowl, this will be Marino’s last hurrah.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer. The Bills get to leave Buffalo for a few days, and, giddy with excitement, will make Jake Plummer sweat for every yard. Arizona was going to be this year’s surprise team behind the game’s latest version of Joe Montana. But no one took into account the Cardinals’ factor: They always stink.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Look for the Indianapolis Colts, 3-13 last season, to continue one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history. Two more victories would guarantee at least a 10-game improvement, breaking the record set by the New York Giants in 1929 and matched by the Oakland Raiders in 1963.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

The New England Patriots are in dire straits. “We have one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel and that banana peel is slipping,” wide receiver Shawn Jefferson said.

AND FINALLY

Guard Tre Johnson of the Washington Redskins knows what won’t be under his Christmas tree this year. “Santa Claus is not going to bring us the playoffs,” he said. “We’ve got to go out there and snatch it.”

ON TV

* Pittsburgh at Kansas City, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Ch. 2

It’s not only fans who believe the Steelers have quit. Owner Dan Rooney thinks so too.

Line: Kansas City by 8 1/2.

* San Francisco at Carolina, Saturday, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 11

George Seifert primed for a sweep against team that no longer required his services.

Line: Carolina by 7 1/2.

* San Diego at Miami, Sunday, 10 a.m., Ch. 2

If they can end late-season swoon, Dolphins will derail Chargers’ faint playoff hopes.

Line: Miami by 7 1/2.

* Washington at Indianapolis, Sunday, 10 a.m., Ch. 11

Redskins’ defense improved, but can it withstand Manning-James-Harrison assault?

Line: Indianapolis by 6 1/2.

* N.Y. Jets at Dallas, Sunday, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 2

Texas Stadium has been elixir for Cowboys. They’re 6-0 at home, 1-6 on road.

Line: Dallas by 5 1/2.

* Buffalo at Arizona, Sunday, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Flutie and Plummer are featured gunslingers in a desert shootout under the stars.

Line: Buffalo by 3.

* Green Bay at Minnesota, Monday, 6 p.m., Ch. 7

ABC probably didn’t envision this one being a battle for third place in the NFC Central.

Line: Minnesota by 4 1/2.

THE REST

Atlanta at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

Line: None.

Detroit at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Line: Detroit by 3.

Jacksonville at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Line: Jacksonville by 14 1/2.

New England at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Line: New England by 3 1/2.

New Orleans at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Line: Baltimore by 8 1/2.

N.Y. Giants at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Line: St. Louis by 10 1/2.

Tampa Bay at Oakland, 1 p.m.

Line: Pick ‘em.

Seattle at Denver, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Denver by 1 1/2.