The New Orleans Saints look like the real deal this season. They are 3-0, rallying from a 20-0 deficit last week against the Chicago Bears. The comeback win was the second biggest in franchise history. First was overcoming a 21-point deficit to the Bengals in 1987.

        Unlike the 3-0 Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers, New Orleans' 2002 victories haven't come against patsies. The Bears, Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a combined 34-14 last season (.708).

        Proving again that it has a statistic for every situation, the NFL says the previous season's winning percentage of the Saints' three opponents is the best of any 3-0 team since 1970.

        SAINTS (3-0) at LIONS (0-3): New Orleans was the underdog in its first three games. Today, the Saints are justified as a favorite in Detroit. Deuce McAllister (277 rushing yards in three games) will run wild. SAINTS 30-17.

        BUCCANEERS (2-1) at BENGALS (0-3): BUCS 24-7.

        BEARS (2-1) at BILLS (1-2): Chicago lost by six points last week, ending a streak of 12 consecutive wins in games decided by seven or fewer points. Today will be another close one against Drew Bledsoe, who has a cast of excellent pass catchers. BEARS 30-27.

        PANTHERS (3-0) at PACKERS (2-1): Reality will set in for one of the league's unbeaten teams. Green Bay's offense is slightly more accomplished than any Carolina has faced. PACKERS 27-13.

        JETS (1-2) at JAGUARS (1-1): Jacksonville has never lost to a team quarterbacked by Vinny Testaverde (6-0). Jets running back Curtis Martin might be held out because of injury. The Jaguars still have offensive firepower and are third in the AFC with 396.5 yards per game. JAGUARS 23-14.

        TEXANS (1-2) at EAGLES (2-1): Philadelphia, behind the league's best player, Donovan McNabb, should roll to its third consecutive 30-point victory. EAGLES 33-9.

        BROWNS (2-1) at STEELERS (0-2): This is the 100th meeting between these teams, including one playoff game. This Rust Belt rivalry far surpasses the Battle of Ohio in importance. After a week off, Pittsburgh will be ready to defend the spread offense. STEELERS 17-16.

        DOLPHINS (3-0) at CHIEFS (1-2): This is a reunion game for the NFL's top two rushers, Miami's Ricky Williams (394 yards) and Kansas City's Priest Holmes (386), who were teammates at the University of Texas in 1996. The difference now is, Williams is the missing piece in Miami. Holmes is about all KC has. DOLPHINS 24-14.

        COWBOYS (1-2) at RAMS (0-3): Dallas comes to town just in time to help St. Louis recover from its poor start. Kurt Warner has thrown more interceptions (7) than any QB in league. Still, these are the Cowboys on the road. RAMS 27-16.

        GIANTS (2-1) at CARDINALS (1-2): New York is starting to put together a productive season. The Giants are averaging 110 more yards of offense than they are giving up. GIANTS 20-10.

        TITANS (1-2) at RAIDERS (2-0): Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon could be staring at a big day against Tennessee's weak pass defense. WRs Jerry Rice and Tim Brown always have played well against the Titans, too. RAIDERS 31-17.

        PATRIOTS (3-0) at CHARGERS (3-0): San Diego is a tempting home underdog, but New England has proven resilient. Patriots QB Tom Brady won his lone meeting against the Chargers' Drew Brees. On Oct.2, 1999, Brady threw for 250 yards and two TDs to lead Michigan over Purdue 38-12. Brees threw for 293 yards, one TD and one interception. PATRIOTS 23-20.

        VIKINGS (0-3) at SEAHAWKS (0-3): Seattle is surprisingly winless. Trent Dilfer has won 20 of his past 23 starts, including postseason, and the Seahawks should be able to capitalize on distracted Minnesota. SEAHAWKS 24-17.

        BRONCOS (3-0) at RAVENS (0-2): Denver TE Shannon Sharpe goes back to Baltimore, where he helped the Ravens win their first and his third Super Bowl ring, tied for most among active players. Baltimore's offense is in shambles with only seven points in two games, but the defense still can play. BRONCOS 21-6.

        LAST WEEK: 13-1. SEASON: 30-16.

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