Had Dolphins over Saints as my Upset of the Week last week, and with Miami up 24-3 late in first half the Upset Bird was preening insufferably up in the press boxAnyhow, the Dolphins choked, of course, but it was all good. I emerged a solid 7-4-2 against the spread anyway, and my sports writing colleagues delighted to violate the no-cheering-in-the-press box edict by showering the unpopular Upset Bird with invective and derision in lockstep with the Dolphins' collapse. ``Aaawwwk!'' mocked a grinning Edwin Pope. ``Awww.''

Last week: 9-4 overall (.692); 7-4-2 vs. spread (.636).

Season: 66-37 overall (.641); 52-46-5 vs. spread (.531).

This week's selections:

When: 1 p.m. Sunday (CBS)

Line: NYJ by 3 ½ Cote's pick: NYJ 27-20

Nothing about this series surprises me anymore. I can envision either team winning with relative ease as readily as I can see a tense shootout seeping into overtime. Surest bet is a physical, bruiser-game with roiling tempers befitting one of NFL's most intense division duels. Alas, I think the intangibles side with NYJ here, beyond the venue. Miami is trying to rebound from a truly demoralizing loss to N'Awlins, while Planes have the added fuel of having lost in Miami only three weeks ago on Ronnie Brown's last-second TD. Other factors:Mark Sanchez has better pass-catchers than Chad Henne, and Jets defense is in a better place right now than Miami's.

When: 4:15 p.m. Sunday (FOX)

Line: GB by 3 Cote's pick: GB 34-27

I'm not totally convinced Brett Favre's first return to Lambeau Field as an ex-Packer is the stuff of rapturous, near-orgasmic anticipation outside of the two competing markets and the shills at Fox-TV. But it's enough to merit Game of the Week honors. Matchup only a month after Favre pitched an exciting 30-23 win over the Gee Bees in Minny. Pack's defense has solidified since a key to this pick. Also remember that Aaron Rodgers threw for 384 yards in the first meetingI expect Packers fans to cheer before the game as Favre mostly gets the hero's welcome he deserves. And then cheer after the game as No. 4 is sent a packing as a loser.

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Line: HOU by 3 ½ Cote's pick: BUF 23-21

``AAWWK!'' booms the Upset Bird. ``Buffalaawwk!'' Ryan Fitzpatrick starts a second straight game at QB for BuffsI make this a venue pick on what should be a chilly, see-your-breath day. Also think Texans WR Andre Johnson, coughing up blood last week with a bruised lung, won't be his usual dynamic self. ``Coughing up blaawwk,'' nods U-Bird. ``Bills last made the playaawwk in 1999, and to make matters worse they are situated in Buffalo. Their poor, doubly suffering fans deserve a break. Deserve a braawwk!''

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Line: OFF Cote's pick: DET 23-20

``Dog of the Week'' does not do this putrid game justice. Judges are sentencing petty criminals to watch this game, in lieu of community service. It promises such awful football that even the TV announcers will have paper bags on their heads. The game stayed off betting boards, either because of doubt whether Matthew Stafford or Daunte Culpepper would start at QB for Detroit, or because no bettor wanted to get close enough to the stink t

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