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).

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

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: CBS

• Line: SD by 6 ½ • 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: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: PHI by 5 ½ • 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: 8:15 p.m. Sunday • TV: NBC

• 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: 4:15 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• 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.

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