There are occasional drawbacks to a Thursday afternoon deadline for these picks. A lot can happen in two or three days. For example, I could pick Cincy to beat

Cleveland thinking Carson Palmer would play, and then after I made my pick he'd be declared out injured, and I'd be stuck holding a paper bag filled with dog (bleep). It's dangerous enough picking the Bengals. But the Bengals without a real quarterback!? I am dreaming up excuses here, of course. After last week, I'll take any I can get. Had the underdog 'Skins covering at Dallas and nailed our Upset of the Week vs. the line with Texans-Jags. Otherwise, a whole lot of not much.

Last week: 6-7 overall (.462); 4-7-2 vs. spread (.363).

Season: 36-24 overall (.600); 26-30-4 vs. spread (.464).

All games are listed in Hawaii times.

CHARGERS (2-2) AT DOLPHINS (1-2)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: SD by 6 ›

Cote: SD 34-30

Will the real Dolphins please stand up? Are you the team that stunk up the desert in Arizona? Or are you the team that played like champions in New England? I choose door No. 3, which is somewhere in between. Miami is a much-improved, competitive team that makes me still like my prediction of 8-8. But that means mid-pack, and this week's opponent remains closer to top 10 despite the rocky start. With Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, the return of Chris Chambers and Antonio Gates, the Chargers have too many weapons. Hunch it close, though, with Dolphonics coming off a bye. Diego is shaky vs. the pass, and Chad Pennington is a career 3-0 vs. Bolts with a 113.6 passer rating. Do I hear a shootout?

REDSKINS (3-1) AT EAGLES (2-2)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: PHI by 5 ›

Cote: PHI 24-20

GOTW committee was torn between this one vs. Steelers-Jaguars, but tiebreaker was that 'Skins-Birds is a division game in the beast of an NFC East. Risky pick either way because Philly RB Brian Westbrook is iffy and could be a game-time decision. Washers are hot, and teams split last year with D.C. winning in Philsville, but Andy Reid is 12-6 all-time vs. Redskins so I'll make it a venue call — though tighter than the betting line — with the presumption Westbrook plays. Losing to Chicago means Philly has more to prove. Donovan McNabb is 25-11 on career TDs/picks vs. 'Skins. And Eagles will bring enough defensive havoc to make hot Jason Campbell stop being NFL's only full-time QB without an interception.

STEELERS (3-1) AT JAGUARS (2-2)

When: 2:15 p.m. Sunday

Line: JAX by 4

Cote: PIT 19-17

"AAWWK!" caws the Upset Bird, rebel with a caws. "Pittsbaawwk!" Yes, five key Steelers will be out injured. And Jags have won three straight in series, including in '07 playoff. But Pitt has won two of past three in J'ville, and I like Pitt's D. Matt Schaub lit up Jags. What will Ben Roethlisberger do? "A rhetorical question," notes U-Bird. "Ben Roethlisbaawwk!"

BENGALS (0-4) AT COWBOYS (3-1)

When: 10:15 a.m. Sunday

Line: DAL by 17

Cote: DAL 42-14

Dog panel prefers a slap fight between two awful teams, but occasionally opts for lopsidedness. Terrell Owens vs. Chad Ocho Cinco to see who has the bigger ego — that would be close. This game? No. Cowboys hungry after a loss and 'Gals Carson Palmer (elbow) could be limited. Usually love a 'dog getting this many points, but making an exception for Cincy.

TITANS (4-0) AT RAVENS (2-1)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: TEN by 3

Cote: BAL 17-14

Upset! Another Game of the Week nominee, classic defensive bout with similar-style teams. Baltimore has won five of past six vs. Tenners, and I like 'dog Crows in a venue call, presuming Willis McGahee (ribs) plays. When you expect a premium on points, still hard to bet against Ray Lewis & Co. at home.

CHIEFS (1-3) AT PANTHERS (3-1)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: CAR by 9 ›

Cote: CAR 35-16

Carolina has Bucs on deck but can't afford a view from Overlook Mountain against a KayCee team that just whipped Denver. Chiefs and resurgent Larry Johnson exposed an awful Broncos D but won't find nearly the running room against very stout Cats ground-D. Also, Injuns on 2-8 road skid.

BEARS (2-2) AT LIONS (0-3)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: CHI by 3 ›

Cote: CHI 24-13

Detroit fired GM Matt Millen, which gives Lions a brighter future, but does not make them better right now. Cowardlies somehow swept Pandas last year, but be careful of boarding that trend. Kyle Orton is 2-0 as starter vs. Motown, and Chicago's pass rush should mean tough day for mistake-prone Jon Kitna.

FALCONS (2-2) AT PACKERS (2-2)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: Off the board

Cote: GB 28-17

Game stayed off bet-boards because sprained shoulder makes Gee Bees QB Aaron Rodgers very iffy, and it's a big drop to backup Matt Flynn. But Mr. Rodgers expects to play, and that'll be good enough for me. 'Lanta is 2-0 at home vs. bad teams but 0-2 in tough road games; this is another of the latter.

COLTS (1-2) AT TEXANS (0-3)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: IND by 3

Cote: IND 33-24

Houston finally is making its Hurricane Ike-delayed home debut, is not as bad as its record, and has won four straight at home. Still, I love Indy here, off a bye, to cover a mere three points. Colts scored 68 in an '07 sweep of Texans, and Peyton Manning has 29 TDs and only four picks in 12 career games vs. Texans.

SEAHAWKS (1-2) AT GIANTS (3-0)

When: 7 a.m. Sunday

Line: NYG by 7

Cote: NYG 30-17

Biggies missing WR Plaxico Burress to suspension, while 'Hawks finally get some catchers back healthy. Seattle has won past two trips to Meadowlands, and has a shot here. But watch out, Matt Hasselbeck. Like NYG at home to become first defense since 1999 with six or more sacks in three straight games.

BUCCANEERS (3-1) AT BRONCOS (3-1)

When: 10:05 a.m. Sunday

Line: DEN by 3

Cote: DEN 34-27

Another Game of the Week nominee, and a likely shootout as gunslingin' Buc Brian Griese (3-0 as a starter) takes aim at his ex-team's god-awful defense. Still, this a venue pick. Denver has won five straight at Mile High, Jay Cutler is en fuego, and Jon Gruden is a career 1-8 knocking skulls with Mike Shanahan.

BILLS (4-0) AT CARDINALS (2-2)

When:10:15 a.m. Sunday

Line: ARI by 1 Cote: BUF 28-23

Mini-upset! Better Team 1, Home Field 0. Have a hunch the high-scoring Cardbirds offense may sputter, with WR Anquan Boldin likely out, and with poor pass protection imperiling Kurt Warner. Also like Trent Edwards to put up fat stats vs. a 'Zona secondary sent to the burn unit last week by Brett Favre.

PATRIOTS (2-1) AT 49ERS (2-2)

When: 10:15 a.m. Sunday

Line: NE by 3

Cote: NE 38-13

New England plays San Diego next. Note to Pats: You're not good enough anymore to look past anybody, including the Niners. After embarrassing loss to Miami and coming off a bye, NE is primed for a big showing, a statement game. Goldminers can't protect J.T. O'Sullivan, and he'll be crushed.

VIKINGS (1-3) AT SAINTS (2-2)

When: 2:30 p.m. Monday

Line: NO by 3

Cote: NO 30-20

Monday nighter might not be ratings sexy but figures as an exciting O-fest in keeping with MNF's record-pace average of 59.2 points per game in '08. Adrian Peterson vs. Reggie Bush tops the marquee, but result swings on Drew Brees being hot at home, with 110.4 passer rating in past seven on Bayou.

OFF THIS WEEK

JETS (2-2; next vs. Bengals): Planes beat Arizona 56-35 and have 'Gals, Raiders, Chiefs and Rams upcoming. Who drew up NYJ's schedule? Eric Mangini?

RAIDERS (1-3; next at Saints): Oakies replace Lane Kiffin with Tom Cable. That's how weird Al Davis is. Fires his coach prematurely and hires The Cable Guy.

RAMS (0-4; next at 'Skins): Lous replace Scott Linehan with Jim Haslett. Smart move. Haslett gives Marc Bulger his QB job back. Even smarter move.

BROWNS (1-3; next vs. Giants): Earthtones beat Carson Palmer-less Bengals, now their sub-mediocrity will be displayed on the Monday stage.