Line: CLE by 6 1/2.

Cote’s pick: CLE 27-17.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

The Dog of the Week panel might have spared the Chiefs because of the team tragedy involving Jovan Belcher’s murder-suicide last week; alas, the panelists are not a sentimental lot. They looked instead, coldly, at a matchup with six combined wins and showing zero on the playoff-contention meter. K.C. has been bad on the road, and the earthtones have the run defense to limit Jamaal Charles and thus make it tough on Brady Quinn in his unballyhooed return to Cleveland. First time Brownies have been favored all season after three consecutive wins.

RAMS (5-6-1) at BILLS (5-7)

Line: BUF by 3.

Cote’s pick: BUF 19-17.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Welcome to the far, far periphery of ostensible playoff contention, where pretend dreams live. Here’s a venue pick all the way. Rams are both a soft road team and a dome squad facing a wintry Buffalo, with temps in the 40s and maybe rain. St. Lou sackers will test a damaged Bison O-line, but C.J. Spiller and company will get it done in Bufftown.

FALCONS (11-1) at PANTHERS (3-9)

Line: ATL by 3 1/2.

Cote’s pick: ATL 27-20.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

This week, Carolina DE Greg Hardy said his team is better than Atlanta. Get that man a Breathalyzer! Falcs have won five in a row in series, although Dirty Birds did need a last-second field goal for a 30-28 escape in late September. Atlanta has clinched playoffs but has first-round bye in mind. Panthers secondary a bad match for Matt Ryan and all those weapons.

COWBOYS (6-6) at BENGALS (7-5)

Line: CIN by 3.

Cote’s pick: DAL 24-23.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Here is a vital game in the playoff chase, with both teams just outside their conference’s top six but each well in the hunt. Both teams are hot, especially Cincy with four consecutive Ws, but I like ’Boys in a road upset on a pure hunch, taking the leap they won’t self-destruct with turnovers. Tony Romo has been really good lately, and having RB DeMarco Murray back from injury is big.

TITANS (4-8) at COLTS (8-4)

Line: IND by 5 1/2.

Cote’s pick: IND 28-21.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Indy is 5-1 at home, has won 15 of past 19 in this series including 19-13 in October, and has more to play for here in terms of jockeying for the postseason. I might also mention that Tennessee is awful on defense, allowing 30 points per game, and allowing a 101.7 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. Legend of Andrew Luck? Please continue, governor.

JETS (5-7) at JAGUARS (2-10)

Line: NYJ by 2 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NYJ 20-17.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Our Dog of the Week runner-up finds Mark Sanchez with another shot for the Planes — and probably better off on the road, given the vitriol shouted at him at home last week. Especially on the road in J’ville, where the Jags are 1-5 and no home-field advantage is discernable. Maurice Jones-Drew is doubtful. So is Jax’s chance of winning.

CHARGERS (4-8) at STEELERS (7-5)

Line: Off board.

Cote’s pick: PIT 24-16.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

I’m not a slave to stats or trends, but dig this: San Diego is 0-14 all-time at Pittsburgh! (Does anybody even say “dig this” any more?) Game stayed off bet boards because of QB Ben Roethlisberger’s status but it was looking more and more like he’d play. The stinking, sinking Chargers have not beaten a team with a winning record all season. Why start now?