Dog of the week

CHIEFS (0-1) at BILLS (0-1)

Line: BUF by 3.

Cote’s pick: BUF 24-20.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Dog of the Week refers to worst game, not a betting underdog, and Chiefs-Bills staved off a late charge by Browns-Bengals. KC and the Buffs both hugely disappointed last week, the Injuns crushed by Atlanta and the Williams dominated by NYJ. See this game as coin-flip even so make it a venue call. It’s the home opener for the Bison, and they’ve won seven of past eight at home in this series. I don’t trust Ryan Fitzpatrick. But I trust Matt Cassel even less.

BROWNS (0-1) at BENGALS (0-1)

Line: CIN by 7.

Cote’s pick: CIN, 21-17.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Brownies have not won a division game since Oct. 3, 2010. Why start now? Cincy got crushed by Baltimore last week but is due a big home rebound vs. a rival it has beaten in 12 of past 15 meetings including three in a row. Play it close, though. Earthtones gave Philly a game last week, and Brandon Weeden can’t possibly be that bad again … can he?

VIKINGS (1-0) at COLTS (0-1)

Line: MIN by 1 1/2.

Cote’s pick: IND 27-23.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Upset! Hunching Colts at home here largely because of Andrew Luck facing a susceptible, beatable Minnesota secondary. Luck topped 300 yards in his debut last week, although the feat was thoroughly overshadowed by the QB quiniela of Robert Griffin III’s coming-out party and Peyton Manning’s comeback party. Besides that, Vikes tend to shrink on the road.

SAINTS (0-1) at PANTHERS (0-1)

Line: NO by 2 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NO 34-31.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

N’Awlins opened as a mere 1-point favorite before the line understandably plumped a bit. Anybody jumping off Drew Brees’ bandwagon after one loss is knee-jerking to say the least. Brees and Cam Newton should make this one a shootout, and Cam gets a lift with expected return of RB Jonathan Stewart. But give me Brees. Just can’t picture Saints 0-2.

TEXANS (1-0) at JAGUARS (0-1)

Line: HOU by 7 1/2.

Cote’s pick: HOU 27-13.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Seven-plus is lot of points to give a home team in a division game, but I can’t see Jax covering. Houston has won three in a row in series and Matt Schaub (106.3 passer rating) and Arian Foster (103 rushing yards) have big career averages against Jags. Plus, Blaine Gabbert is headed for a nightmare behind a seriously beat-up offensive line.

CARDINALS (1-0) at PATRIOTS (1-0)

Line: NE by 13 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NE 38-17.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Tom Brady with a much-improved defense is a scary thing, which is why Pats are Super Bowl faves at the moment. And the English have won an NFL-best 10 consecutive home openers at Razor Blade Stadium, which is why this is the biggest point spread in Week 2 by a lot. Can’t see Kevin Kolb and the Cacti hanging within two TDs of this opponent in this place.

BUCCANEERS (1-0) at GIANTS (0-1)

Line: NYG by 7 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NYG 24-20.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Doesn’t it seem like the Giants and Cowboys opened the season about a month ago? Playing a week ago Wednesday gives NYG a huge edge in rest and prep time. Love Biggies outright but hunch Bucs with points. Jersey homecoming for TB coach Greg Schiano (11 years at Rutgers) and O-boss Mike Sullivan (eight years a Giants assistant).