Line: NE by 14 1/2.

Cote’s pick: NE 38-10.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Longtime readers know the Dog panel prefers two bad teams for its awful matchup of the week but occasionally puts a saddle on expected lopsidedness, as here. New England will be bound to regather momentum and be in no mood for mercy after last week’s loss to the Niners. Pats are still fighting (uphill) for a first-round bye and are 6-0 vs. teams with losing records, while Jags are 0-6 vs. teams with winning marks.

FALCONS (12-2) at LIONS (4-10)

Line: ATL by 4.

Cote’s pick: ATL 31-17.

TV: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN (airing in South Florida).

NFL Week 16 kicks off with this lone Saturday game, and Atlanta must beware a letdown after that impressive shutout of Giants. Falcons clinch NFC home-field throughout playoffs by winning, and playing spoiler is all reeling Detroit has left.

SAINTS (6-8) at COWBOYS (8-6)

Line: DAL by 3.

Cote’s pick: DAL 34-27.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Dallas controls its path to division title by winning its last two games and cannot afford to lose here. Saints are all but eliminated and an oh-so-dangerous spoiler here. I’m concerned Dallas is 0-5 against the spread as a home fave, but N’Awlins hasn’t been a strong road squad.

TITANS (5-9) at PACKERS (10-4)

Line: GB by 13.

Cote’s pick: GB 30-13.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Titans have won past three meetings with Green Bay. “Really?” Yes really. Now ignore that completely. Gee Bees are a strong team with something to play for, still trying to work into a first-round bye. And Aaron Rodgers tends to eat AFC teams alive. Just cannot see Tenners staying close.

COLTS (9-5) at CHIEFS (2-12)

Line: IND by 6 1/2.

Cote’s pick: IND 28-10.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

Indy clinches a playoff spot with a win here or a loss by Pittsburgh. Colts shouldn’t count on the latter. Andrew Luck needs only 73 passing yards to break Cam Newton’s season rookie record. The poor, pitiful Chiefs have forgotten they were once a feared home team and also fogotten where the end zone is or how to get there.

CHARGERS (5-9) at JETS (6-8)

Line: NYJ by 2.

Cote’s pick: SD 24-20.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

A meeting of major disappointments immersed in turmoil, and one of only two games (Raiders-Panthers) in which both teams are officially out of playoff contention. Desperate Jets benched Mark Sanchez in favor of a first career start for Greg McElroy, while Bolts are about to get Norv Turner fired. SD not much on road but Planes off a short week. Give me Philip Rivers here. Upset!

REDSKINS (8-6) at EAGLES (4-10)

Line: WAS by 51/2.

Cote’s pick: WAS 27-20.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

Washington beat Philly 31-6 in November, and Robert Griffin III had a near-perfect four-TD game. Now RG3 (likely) returns from injury in what figures to be Andy Reid’s final home game as Birds coach. Hot Skins can clinch playoffs with a win if three others games all fall right.

RAMS (6-7-1) at BUCCANEERS (6-8)

Line: TB by 3.

Cote’s pick: TB 21-17.

TV: 1 p.m., Fox.

It is technically possible for St. Louis to still make the playoffs, in much the same way it is technically possible a bundle containing $1 million could fall from a plane and land in your backyard. Bucs have stunk lately but have the run defense to limit Steven Jackson, so make it a venue pick.