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nfl picks

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning watches his team play the San Diego Chargers from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of their NFL game in Indianapolis November 28, 2010.BRENT SMITH

Sunday

Dallas Cowboys (3-8)

at Indianapolis Colts (6-5)

DALLAS plus 51/2

Imagine: The Colts were 11-0 a year ago. Now, they could fall to 6-6 as Peyton Manning struggles to carry an injury-ravaged squad.

The Pick COLTS

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

at Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

PITTSBURGH plus 3

Another game with two strong AFC teams, albeit not nearly as solid as projected when the season began. The winner has a leg up on a division title and a postseason bye.

The Pick RAVENS

Atlanta Falcons (9-2)

at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)

ATLANTA minus 3

True Super Bowl-calibre teams also are dangerous on the road. Here's a chance to prove it.

The Pick FALCONS

Oakland Raiders (5-6)

at San Diego Chargers (6-5)

OAKLAND plus 13

Here come the Chargers! There go the Raiders?

The Pick RAIDERS

San Francisco 49ers (4-7)

at Green Bay Packers (7-4)

SAN FRANCISCO plus 9 1/2

Even with Frank Gore out, the 'Niners have the best running back in this game in Brian Westbrook. Problem is, Green Bay is far better in every other area.

The Pick PACKERS

Carolina Panthers (1-10)

at Seattle Seahawks (5-6)

CAROLINA plus 6

If Seahawks don't win this one at home, they can kiss any playoff hopes goodbye.

The Pick SEAHAWKS

Denver Broncos (3-8)

at Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)

DENVER plus 8 1/2

Chiefs need to keep winning with San Diego on its November-December run. All the karma in Denver is bad. Wonder if coaches Haley and McDaniels will shake hands this time?

The Pick BRONCOS

New Orleans Saints (8-3)

at Cincinnati Bengals (2-9)

NEW ORLEANS minus 6 1/2

Saints are beginning to find their stride. Bengals have been in reverse for two months.

The Pick SAINTS

St. Louis Rams (5-6)

at Arizona Cardinals (3-8)

ST. LOUIS minus 3

Are the Rams really leading the division? Are the Cardinals really this bad? Yes and yes.

The Pick RAMS

Chicago Bears (8-3)

at Detroit Lions (2-9)

CHICAGO minus 3 1/2

Time to give Bears some Lovie?

The Pick LIONS

Cleveland Browns (4-7)

at Miami Dolphins (6-5)

CLEVELAND plus 4 1/2

Browns nearly lost at home to Carolina. That's enough evidence for us that Dolphins will get second home win.

The Pick DOLPHINS

Washington Redskins (5-6)

at New York Giants (7-4)

WASHINGTON (plus 8)

Which Washington team shows up for a still-undermanned Giants squad: The one that's beaten Philly, Green Bay and Chicago? Or the one that lost to Detroit and Houston?

The Pick GIANTS

Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)

at Tennessee Titans (5-6)

Jaguars are in contention in part because Titans and Texans have fallen apart and Colts are banged-up.

The Pick TITANS

Buffalo Bills (2-9)

at Minnesota Vikings (4-7)

BUFFALO plus 6

Vikings showed some passion and positive emotion last week. Bills have to forget last week's heartbreaker.

The Pick VIKINGS

Monday

New York Jets (9-2)

at New England Patriots (9-2)

NEW YORK plus 3 1/2

The always-entertaining coach Rex Ryan and his band of personalities against the always-staid Bill Belichick and his band of automatons. Except that Tom Brady has shown the kind of fire this year that Ryan would welcome.

The Pick PATRIOTS

GLOBE AND MAIL RESULTS

Last week 4-12; Season 83-90-3

The Associated Press

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