Line: OAK by 3.

Cote’s pick: OAK 31-20.

TV: 4:25 p.m., CBS.

You know how bringing a piñata to a kids’ party is can’t-miss? So is bringing a 5-21 combined record to the Dog of the Week meeting. These teams were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs during the Clinton administration. An upset here would hardly be an upset at all considering KC has won eight of its past nine trips to Oaktown. But Raiders won first meeting, 26-16, and I like ’em again despite being at home.

GIANTS (8-5) at FALCONS (11-2)

Line: ATL by 1 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NYG 31-27.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Atlanta has clinched playoff spot. NYG is headed there but needs the win more to stay in solid shape. Matt Ryan is 32-4 at home and 6-0 this season so a venue pick really tempts here, but Giants are the better team right now. Also recalling Biggies’ 24-2 swamping of Falcons in last year’s playoffs. Closer this time, but same result.

VIKINGS (7-6) at RAMS (6-6-1)

Line: STL by 3.

Cote’s pick: MIN 21-20.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Both teams are still playoff-contending but needing help, so this is tantamount to an elimination game. I get the point spread. Rams are (relatively) hot, and Vikes are 1-5 away. Still, Christian Ponder is on a 7-1 run in domed stadiums, and Adrian Peterson (1,107 rushing yards his past seven games) is about as hot as you can get without simply bursting into flames.

PACKERS (9-4) at BEARS (8-5)

Line: GB by 3.

Cote’s pick: GB 27-20.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Pack has won five in a row over Grizzlies including 23-10 in September. That allows Gee Bees to clinch division title with a win here, while Chitown also needs a win to maintain its own playoff path. Bears are fighting a 1-4 skid, and Packers are looking to get two very big injured players back in receiver Jordy Nelson and defensive hub Clay Matthews. That tips the pick.

REDSKINS (7-6) at BROWNS (5-8)

Line: Off board.

Cote’s pick: WAS 23-21.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Game stayed off the bet boards into Thursday because of Robert Griffin III’s questionable status, though it seemed increasingly likely RG3 (sprained knee) would be good to go. Both teams coming off nice wins, and both teams hot. Skins sit seventh for six playoff spots and really need this. Earthtones alive only in a technical sense. Pick assumes Griffin is pitching.

COLTS (9-4) at TEXANS (11-2)

Line: HOU by 8 1/2.

Cote’s pick: HOU 28-21.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Good teams usually bounce back from rare spankings, and Texans got spanked pretty good (dare say embarrassed) by Pats on Monday night, so expect a big home rebound. But I like hot Nags to keep it inside a big bet number, even though J.J. Watt could be feasting upon Andrew Luck considering three-fifths of Luck’s O-line is banged up. With a win, HOU clinches division and Indy a playoff spot.

BUCCANEERS (6-7) at SAINTS (5-8)

Line: NO by 3 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NO 34-27.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Both teams are still mathematically alive in the playoff hunt, an indictment of math if ever there was one. Saints rallied to beat Bucs in first meeting 35-28. Josh Freeman (110.5 rating in past four vs. NO) will keep Tampa close, but Cajuns are the safe play at home against an opponent that has flushed its once-realistic postseason shot with three losses in a row.