HOW THE DARTS LANDED

Probably it is no coincidence that my aviary companion on the page, the Upset Bird, happens to be a raven, because predicting NFL games seems to be an exercise in crowing, or eating crow. So I'll mention that my 8-3-3 mark against the spread last week (two games pushed and one was off the board) is shining like a new dime. Highlights were Dolphins and Redskins with the points, and an outright Upset of the Week bull's-eye ("Aawwk!'') on Steelers winning in Jax. I bragwhile I can, knowing reality is only a Sunday away.

This week's selections:

DOLPHINS (2-2) AT TEXANS (0-4)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: CBS

• Line: HOU by 3 • Cote: MIA 27-23

For the first time in ages the Dolphins bear a legit risk of entering a game overconfident or in letdown mode, off consecutive huge victories and facing a winless foe. But Houston being favored should help take care of that. Texans have won three straight vs. Miami and will play desperate and angry after that embarrassing loss to Indy on a blown 17-point lead with five minutes left. Homies also get QB Matt Schaub back, although not quite sure if that's a good thing. I like Dolphs in an upset. I'm ridin' this bandwagon 'til the wheels come off.

PANTHERS (4-1) AT BUCCANEERS (3-2)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: FOX

• Line: TB by 1 • Cote: CAR 19-17

I can sense the GOTW committee under fire for this choice. Yes, there are sexier Week 6 matchups, such as Cowboys-Cards, Pats-Chargers, maybe even Jags-Broncs. but this is the closest to pick-'em and the only division duel of the week's best games. Tempted to make it a safe venue call here, but my ample gut says Carols in a minor upset. Cats have won three of past four in series, and Jake Delhomme is a personal 7-1 as a starter vs. Bucs. Jeff Garcia reinherits the Tampa QB job from banged-up Brian Griese, but faces a very stout Cats pass defense.

COWBOYS (4-1) AT CARDINALS (3-2)

• When: 4:15 p.m. Sunday • TV: FOX

• Line: DAL by 5 • Cote: ARI 34-30

''AAWWK!'' trills the Upset Bird. ''Ken Whisenhaawwk!'' Remember when Zona had no real home-field advantage? Redbirds are now 8-2 in Glendale under coach Ken Whisenhunt, including 2-0 this year by a combined 72-17. Anquan Boldin is doubtful, but Cacti get a boost on D with return of SS Adrian Wilson.

RAMS (0-4) AT REDSKINS (4-1)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: WAS by 13 • Cote: WAS 24-17

This game earns Dog dishonors because Washers are hot, and no NFL team is scoring fewer points or allowing more than the Rammed. Having said that, I'll chance Lous getting this many points. StL is coming off a bye and should enjoy a goose from Jim Haslett's debut as interim coach.

BEARS (3-2) AT FALCONS (3-2)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: CHI by 2 • Cote: CHI 24-20

I give Falcs a very sizable upset shot at home, where rookie QB Matt Ryan is 2-0 and has played well. But Chitown is on a little roll and feeling like a playoff team, and Kyle Orton is showing he can be more than a game manager. I like Bears' defense limiting RB Michael Turner, which is how you declaw Falcons.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@