Jeff George and the Vikings' big receivers will attack the 49ers' small cornerbacks.

The 49ers go into Minnesota on Sunday as 7-point underdogs, probably the longest odds they've faced since 1981, when they won their first Super Bowl.

No, these are not your normal Niners.

They're 3-3 and face Minnesota with Jeff Garcia at quarterback instead of Steve Young. They have just gotten rid of one of their starting cornerbacks, 5-foot-7 Mark McMillian. They now will try to cover Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed with 5-8 Darnell Walker and 5-9 R.W. McQuarters.

Not that the Vikings are in great shape.

They're 2-4 after losses to Chicago and Detroit, quadruple the defeats they had in their 15-1 season in 1998. Moss is squabbling with his teammates, Robert Smith is hurt again and Jeff George, who's never had a reputation as a team player, has taken over at quarterback for Randall Cunningham.

It's almost as if "Jane," the fictional prize winner in the TV commercial featuring Cunningham and Dennis Green, really is calling the plays.

That makes the 7-point spread even more unusual.

Still, George gave the offense a lift when he relieved Cunningham last week and he's saying all the right things -- for now.

Look at the diminutive San Francisco corners and make it ... Vikings 30, 49ers 17.

Denver (plus 3½) at New England: The Broncos have won two straight with Brian Griese, Olandis Gary and Byron Chamberlain starring in roles previously reserved for John Elway, Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe. New England has lost two straight by a total of three points. Patriots 24, Broncos 23.

Kansas City (minus 1) at Baltimore (Thursday night): This game is Thursday so the World Series can have Sunday to itself. For whatever it's worth, the Chiefs are unbeaten at home, winless on the road. Ravens 12, Chiefs 11.

Green Bay (minus 3) at San Diego: Strange spread, considering the state of Brett Favre's thumb. Chargers 16, Packers 13.

Atlanta (plus 5½) at Pittsburgh (Monday night): Men in Black, the sequel. Another dull prime-time game. Steelers 16, Falcons 6.

Washington (plus 2½) at Dallas: This won't be 41-35 again. Redskins 17, Cowboys 13.

Philadelphia (off) at Miami: The odds guys are cautious because they think Dan Marino will fly in disguised as Damon Huard. Damon's enough to beat the Eagles. Dolphins 24, Eagles 9.

Buffalo (plus 2½) at Seattle: Why does this game look like it will be a tiebreaker for a playoff spot? Too many Buffalo injuries. Seahawks 17, Bills 14.

Cleveland (plus 19) at St. Louis: Tim Couch is going to throw shorter in an attempt to generate offense for the Browns. Kurt Warner won't throw short. Rams 35, Browns 10.

Chicago (plus 8) at Tampa Bay: Have the Bears finally hit a wall? Bucs 20, Bears 10.

New Orleans (plus 3) at New York Giants: If Emmitt Smith got 26 yards on 22 carries with Troy Aikman at QB, what does Ricky Williams get with a Billy Joe? Giants 15, Saints 6.

New York Jets (plus 6½) at Oakland: Can the Raiders finally win one by a TD? No. Raiders 17, Jets 13.

Cincinnati (plus 10) at Indianapolis: The Colts were in Baltimore the last time they were double-digit favorites. Colts 34, Bengals 17.

Detroit (plus 4½) at Carolina: The Lions play better at home. Panthers 24, Lions 16.

Last week: 8-4-2 (spread); 6-8 (straight up). Season: 37-45-4 (spread); 49-37 (straight up).