Well, let's see here. I missed on Dolphins-Jets game, missed on Vikings-Packers ``Favre Bowl,'' missed badly on my Upset of the Week pick (Houston-Buffalo), and totally misread Giants-Eagles, too. The only person in South Florida who had a worse week than me: Disgraced Fort Lauderdale attorney and accused scam-artist Scott Rothstein. Close call, though.

• Last week: 7-6 overall (.538), 5-7-1 vs. spread (.417).

• Season: 73-43 overall (.629), 57-53-6 vs. spread (.518).

This week's predictions:

When: 1 p.m. Sunday (CBS)

Line: NE by 10 ½ Cote's pick: NE 31-24

I find the Dolphins unpredictable. Based on my season record I evidently find most teams to be unpredictable, but Miami even more so. Will the Wildcat run wild or mild? Will the good or bad Chad Henne show up? Will the pass defense beat or be beaten? Will we curse Ted Ginn or love him? But the Patriots I do not find unpredictable. They are almost always good, and there is no team I trust more at home, coming off a bye. Jason Taylor would be a Patriot today if Miami hadn't wanted him back, but NE's defense is fine without him. Also, Tom Brady is hot, his ``struggles'' against Miami are overblown, and Dolphs' run of five straight division W's is due to end. Having said all that I give Miami a medium-sized outright upset shot and like the locals getting an outrageous, disrespecting 10 ½ points.

When: 8:20 p.m. Sunday (NBC)

Line: PHI by 3 Cote's pick: DAL 28-27

Two big division rivals in a showdown for first place, two hot-handed marquee quarterbacks and two cresting teams with five straight wins between them -- all on a prime-time stage. This one had the Game of the Week committee from hello. Winner here gets to count itself with Saints and Vikes as NFC front-runners. At-home Birds have won four of past six (and 14 of past 20) in series and get Brian Westbrook back from a concussion, so Eagles are a safe enough bet to do for their city what the Phillies couldn't Wednesday night. But I have a hunch on 'Boys here, just a gut feeling. Dallas' offense is clicking, with 101 points in its three-game win streak, and Tony Romo has a 100-plus on passer rating in each, shedding many of his many doubters along the way. Not a pick for the weak-hearted, but I call it an upset.

When: 4:15 p.m. Sunday

Line: SF by 4 Cote's pick: TEN 24-20

``AAWWK!'' bellows the Upset Bird. ``Tennessaawwk!'' Battle of the replacement QBs -- Vince Young vs. Alex Smith -- finds Titans finally off the schneid with last week's maiden win, and Niners tripping in off three straight losses. Frans present stout run-D vs. Chris Johnson, but hunching newly confident visitors anyhow. ``Titans coach Jeff Fisher's once-stalwart mustache had begun to droop in defeat, but after last week has regained a strutting, Wannstedt-ian vigor,'' notes U-Bird. ``Wannstaaawwwk!''

When: 4:05 p.m. Sunday

Line: SEA by 10 Cote's pick: SEA 27-14

The worst combined record of any Week 9 matchup made this easy for the Dog panel. Beyond that, slumping Seattle has been a big disappointment, and Detroit, well, what can you say? The Lions have lost 29 of their past 31 and have somehow managed to be barely better than their 2008 edition that 0-16. Matt Hasselbeck should play despite the usual sore ribs. not sure the 'Hawks should be favored over anybody by 10 but we'll take a shot.

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