Miami at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. — Is it true that Mangini in Italian means “stool pigeon?”

Arizona at Baltimore, 1 p.m. — The Cardinals have to learn how to win on the road before they can be considered a playoff contender. Arizona PK Neil Rackers, who is almost a guaranteed three points whenever he lines up for a field-goal attempt, poses an even bigger threat against the Ravens, who struggle to put up points week after week.

San Diego at Green Bay, 1 p.m. — Does anyone want to talk about the San Diego Chargers? What’s to talk about after what Bill Belichick & Co. did to them last week? Brett Favre breaks NFL records, good or bad, every time he sneezes.

Indianapolis at Houston, 1 p.m. — Houston is 2-0 for the first time in franchise history and beat the defending NFL champs at home last season. Texans QB Matt Schaub could run for governor in The Lone Star State these days, but without his favorite target, WR Andre Johnson, who is injured, he may be forced to run for his life.

Minnesota at Kansas City, 1 p.m. — The Chiefs are 0-2 and have been charged with six turnovers, seven if you include the one late owner Lamar Hunt did in his grave. The Vikings’ offense looks like it could be ready for a nice cruise in the near future.

San Francisco at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. — If 49ers coach Mike Nolan continues his conservative ways on offense, his team will undoubtedly try to run the ball down the Steelers’ throats. I’ll spare you the Gore-y details.

St. Louis at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. — All eyes in New England will be in Tampa this week for the big game. Take the Red Sox, giving 3 to the Devil Rays. If you have a heavy interest in the football game, get a life.

Detroit at Philadelphia, 1 p.m., Ch. 64 — A note to NFL commish Roger Goodell: Be less concerned about “camera spies” and more concerned about a team’s medical staff that would allow a player (Jon Kitna) who suffered a concussion to return to finish the same game. The Lions may be 2-0, but the franchise continues to do foolish things under Matt Millen.

Cleveland at Oakland, 4:05 p.m. — Blame greed as the reason this game went from potentially being one of the most interesting of the season to potentially one of the least interesting. Had the future QBs of both teams signed their contracts before training camp started, they probably would have been ready to start for their respective clubs by the time this one rolled around. But instead of a Brady Quinn-JaMarcus Russell showdown, Oakland fans will be treated to a Derek Anderson-Josh McCown pillow fight.

Cincinnati at Seattle, 4:05 p.m. — Bengals coach Marvin Lewis spent much of the offseason trying to repair the damage done to his team’s reputation after nine of his players were arrested on separate occasions last year. However, it appears as though he wasted his time because the way his defense played against the Browns last week was a crime.

Jacksonville at Denver, 4:05 p.m. — The Broncos are 2-0, but if it weren’t for the heroics of PK Jason Elam, they could just as easily be 0-2. Last week, Mike Shanahan showed his NFL coaching brethren why saving timeouts is not such a bad thing. Shanahan waited a split-second before Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski booted what would have been a game-winning field goal. But because of the timeout, Janikowski’s ecstasy turned to agony as he was forced to kick again, and this time he missed. Elam then booted the Broncos to victory in overtime.

Carolina at Atlanta, 4:15 p.m. — I think the Falcons owe me a finder’s fee for a point I made in this column last week. I questioned why Joey Harrington is a starting NFL QB and why Byron Leftwich was still unemployed. Well, who did the Falcons add to their roster after losing their second straight game? That’s right, Lord Byron. If Falcons owner Arthur Blank gets wind of this, please send the check to “Super Scout” in care of the Providence Journal.

N.Y. Giants at Washington, 4:15 p.m., Ch. 64, 25 — While pouring milk on my cereal this morning, I noticed that a picture of the Giants’ defense was on the back of the milk carton.

Dallas at Chicago, 8:15 p.m., Ch. 10, 7 — When Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb complained on HBO last week that African-American quarterbacks in the NFL face more scrutiny than white signal-callers, he obviously didn’t consider the Bears’ QB and how the national media wrecks Grossman week after week.

TOMORROW

Tennessee at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m., ESPN — It will be draft pick No. 1 vs. draft pick No. 2 of 2006, but with not as much at stake as the first time they met. QB Vince Young of the Titans leads his team into New Orleans to face RB Reggie Bush and the Saints. The two stars last faced each other in the 2005-06 college season, when Young’s Texas Longhorns upset Bush’s USC Trojans for the national title.

bmcgarry@projo.com