The NFL has turned upside-down. Four teams already have equaled or bettered their victory totals of last season.

        Chicago is 5-1 after going 5-11 last year. Cleveland, the Bears' opponent Sunday, is 4-2 after finishing 3-13. San Diego is 5-2 following its 1-15 disaster. And the Bengals, who are off this week, are 4-3 on the heels of consecutive 4-12 seasons.

        And today, two more teams, Arizona and Atlanta, can equal their 2000 victory totals.

        “That's the NFL now,” said coach Steve Mariucci of the 49ers, one of four teams to lose last week after blowing double-digit leads. “Don't we say that every year now? It's just crazy. It's hard to pick winners from week to week, which means the margin for error in every game is very small.”

        This week's games:

        RAVENS (4-3) at STEELERS (5-1): This game will feature the league's top two defenses. Steelers have won each of the past eight games in which Kordell Stewart completed 59 percent or more of his passes. Ravens will make him beat them because they won't allow 100-yard individual rusher for 41st straight game. RAVENS 13-10.

        PANTHERS (1-6) at DOLPHINS (4-2): Miami will get its fifth consecutive start of 5-2 or better in this first-ever meeting between these two teams. Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler is AFC's best passer on third down and looks to have a big game. DOLPHINS 24-14.

        BROWNS (4-2) at BEARS (5-1): Browns/Bengals founder Paul Brown had a 3-1 edge over Bears founder George Halas in games played between the Browns and Bears from 1951-61. But if 2001 Bengals are a barometer, Bears have edge, especially at home. BEARS 20-13.

        COWBOYS (2-4) at GIANTS (3-4): Dallas really can't be thinking about starting Ryan Leaf at quarterback. New York should snap losing streak behind quarterback Kerry Collins, who's thrown for 950 yards and seven touchdowns in five career starts against Cowboys. GIANTS 27-13.

        LIONS (0-6) at 49ERS (4-2): San Francisco's NFL-best rushing offense should run all over (see Dillon, Corey) Detroit's defense. And SF front seven should have fun running through Lions offensive line and beating up on QB Charlie Batch. 49ERS 33-20.

        COLTS (3-3) at BILLS (1-5): Indy averages 40-plus in victories and 16 in losses. Peyton Manning needs three TD passes for 100 career and should get them today. COLTS 40-28.

        JAGUARS (2-4) at TITANS (2-4): Tennessee's Eddie George is hobbled by leg injuries and averaging just more than 50 yards rushing a game. The difference will be Jacksonville's Mark Brunell (see Stewart, Kordell) carving up Titans secondary. If Plaxico Burress can get open, imagine what Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell should be able to do. JAGUARS 24-17.

        CHIEFS (1-6) at CHARGERS (5-2): Kansas City was San Diego's only victory last season, at Qualcomm Stadium. Chargers are jumping on opponents 47-3 in first quarter and are 5-0 when scoring at least 27 points for game. More of same today. CHARGERS 31-21.

        PATRIOTS (3-4) at FALCONS (3-3): Birds, like Bolts, have been strong in first quarter, outscoring opponents 48-3. Tom Brady magic could be wearing off in New England. Bring back Bledsoe. FALCONS 27-17.

        EAGLES (3-3) at CARDINALS (2-4): Talk of Arizona getting into the thick of the NFC East race is silly. Philly plays better on the road. If Cardinals let Donovan McNabb into red zone, they're in trouble. He has 26 TD passes and one interception career inside the 20. EAGLES 27-14.

        SEAHAWKS (3-3) at REDSKINS (2-5): This is a tough road game for Seattle against suddenly confident Washington, where Stephen Davis is on pace to easily become first Redskins running back to rush for 1,000 or more yards in three consecutive seasons. REDSKINS 21-17.

        BUCCANEERS (3-3) at PACKERS (4-2): Green Bay has not lost Bay battle to Tampa at home since previous Bush administration in 1989. Brett Favre is 9-0 at home career against Bucs with 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions. PACKERS 20-16.

        JETS (4-3) at SAINTS (4-2): Conference rushing leaders Curtis Martin (Jets, 738 yards) and Ricky Williams (557) will get a lot of work. Saints defense should give Vinny Testaverde even more problems than it did Kurt Warner. New Orleans has 13 takeaways in last three games, including eight against Rams. SAINTS 28-16.

        BRONCOS (4-3) at RAIDERS (5-1): This 12th Monday night meeting ties Redskins-Cowboys for most in ABC prime time. Denver coach Mike Shanahan has won 11 of 12 meetings against former boss Al Davis, including last eight. All that said, Jon Gruden should get first win in seven outings against Broncos. Home field is big. RAIDERS 26-24.

        LAST WEEK: 7-6. OVERALL: 55-43.

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