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In a season when scoring is at a 44-year high, Oakland is the league's highest-scoring team with one of the league's oldest quarterbacks.

Rich Gannon, who will turn 37 in December, last week became just the sixth quarterback in league history to throw for 350 yards in three consecutive games.

The Raiders are scoring 40.5 points a game. Gannon, who has thrown for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns, isn't the only graybeard having a big year.

Wide receiver Jerry Rice, who is 40 today - yes, 40 - has 24 catches for a 14.2-yard average and two touchdowns.

Twelve receptions today against the Rams, a former NFC West rival when Rice was with the 49ers, will give him an even 1,400.

In 30 career games against the Rams, Rice has 158 catches for 2,409 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The numbers could pile up this season for all of the Raiders.

"We're not a conservative offense," first-year coach Bill Callahan said. "We're going to continue to press the ball down the field."

RAIDERS (4-0) at RAMS (0-5): Today is the first time in 49 total games, dating to Sept. 26, that the Rams are a home underdog. As a matter of Bengals history, the next week, on Oct. 3, the Rams came to Cinergy Field and were 38-10 winners. RAIDERS 35-14.

PANTHERS (3-2) at COWBOYS (2-3): Not a good matchup for Dallas offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet. His 24th-ranked offense goes against the NFL's No. 1 defense and its trio of fast linebackers. PANTHERS 17-15.

BILLS (2-3) at TEXANS (1-3): Texans quarterback David Carr should have a good day against a Buffalo defense on pace to allow its most points in a season. But Buffalo can score a lot of points, too. BILLS 27-17.

RAVENS (2-3) at COLTS (3-1): Cleveland's fourth-quarter comeback proves how much Baltimore depends on linebacker Ray Lewis. Indy's biggest edge is that Lewis can't play. His absence boosts the Colts' run and pass games. COLTS 23-16.

LIONS (1-3) at VIKINGS (0-4): Randy Moss poses matchup problems for Detroit's secondary. But rookie QB Joey Harrington will take advantage to lead Detroit to consecutive victories for the first time since November 2000. LIONS 27-24.

PACKERS (4-1) at PATRIOTS (3-2): Rematch of Super Bowl XXXI. Ahman Green has 12 100-yard rushing days, and Green Bay is 12-0. New England is 28th against the rush and has allowed an average of 167.3 yards in its last three games. On the other hand, Tom Brady will have no problem throwing the ball down the field. PACKERS 38-33.

FALCONS (1-3) at GIANTS (3-2): NY happy to see that Doug Johnson will replace injured Michael Vick at QB. New York cuts down its oversized playbook to focus on what it does best offensively. GIANTS 26-14.

BROWNS (2-3) at BUCCANEERS (4-1): The old Browns were 5-0 against the old Buccaneers (ugly uniforms and pre-Tony Dungy). Cleveland has scored almost 25 points a game. Tampa Bay has allowed a league-low 53. Something has to give. BUCS 20-10.

SAINTS (4-1) at REDSKINS (2-2): Washington line better had protect rookie QB Patrick Ramsey in his first start. Two quarterbacks already have been hurt. New Orleans will blitz early and often to rattle Ramsey and will score on big plays. They're 7-1 when QB Aaron Brooks has a 100.0 passer rating and scores 27 points. SAINTS 27-17.

CHIEFS (3-2) at CHARGERS (4-1): San Diego's Marty Schottenheimer faces the team he coached for 10 years (1989-98). Chargers' top three defenders - linebacker Junior Seau, safety Rodney Harrison and end Marcellus Wiley - are hurting. Dick Vermeil has his Chiefs playing like his old Rams. Still, San Diego is at home. CHARGERS 24-23.

JAGUARS (3-1) at TITANS (1-4): Tennessee's offense is struggling because of the woes of quarterback Steve McNair and running back Eddie George. Jacksonville is loaded offensively, thanks to healthy return of running back Fred Taylor. JAGUARS 31-17.

DOLPHINS (4-1) at BRONCOS (4-1): Call this the good-team bowl. One or both of these teams have been in the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons. Quarterbacks Jay Fiedler (5) and Brian Griese (6) throw interceptions, and in a close game, turnovers could be the difference. BRONCOS 23-21.

49ERS (3-1) at SEAHAWKS (1-3): San Francisco's big edge in this game is its powerful running attack (5.4 yards a carry) against Seattle's 31st-ranked run defense. Garrison Hearst has a 136-yard rushing average with five touchdowns in his last six Monday night games with SF. 49ERS 28-14.

LAST WEEK: 11-3. SEASON: 48-26.

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