CHALKS & amp; 'DOGS \ Pro picks


December 31, 2004 at 12:00a.m.


Indianapolis (+ 8.5) at Denver: The Broncos need to beat the Colts to make the playoffs. The Colts need nothing except to stay healthy: They are locked in as the third-seeded team in the AFC and could very well be playing the Broncos again a week later in Indianapolis. BRONCOS, 27-6
Pittsburgh (+ 9) at Buffalo: Another glorified exhibition, except that Buffalo needs to win. Real line would probably favor the Steelers by 3 to 6. BILLS, 20-6
Kansas City (- 3) at San Diego: A 6-point swing here; the Chargers originally were favored by 3. Same theory. CHIEFS, 32-16
New York Jets (- 3) at St. Louis: Surprise! A game that means something to both teams. JETS, 24-20
New Orleans (+ 7) at Carolina: Ditto. PANTHERS, 24-20
Minnesota (- 4) at Washington: The Vikings need the win, the Redskins are out of it. But Washington will play hard. REDSKINS, 18-17
San Francisco (+ 14) at New England: The Patriots could play Troy Brown at QB and win. Rohan Davey is more likely. PATRIOTS, 31-3
Cincinnati (- 3) at Philadelphia: Marvin Lewis gets his second straight 8-8 season. BENGALS, 24-7
Miami (+ 11) at Baltimore: Jim Bates saved the little that was left of the Dolphins' season. He'll keep his finale close. RAVENS, 17-13
Dallas (+ 2.5) at New York Giants: Eli finally gets over the top. GIANTS, 20-19
Green Bay (+ 3) at Chicago: Another line-flipper: Packers were favored by 2 at the start. Favre will start to keep his streak, but ... BEARS, 20-16
Jacksonville (off) at Oakland: Jaguars are still alive but realistically blew a playoff berth last week. JAGUARS, 21-20
Tampa Bay (+ 3) at Arizona: And flip again -- Bucs were favored by 2. CARDINALS, 19-14
Cleveland (+ 10.5) at Houston: Texans have their first .500 season on the line. TEXANS, 28-7
Atlanta (+ 5.5) at Seattle: Michael Vick practiced this week. Will he play? Seattle tries to clinch the West. SEAHAWKS, 24-16
Detroit (- 3) at Tennessee: The Titans have few healthy bodies. LIONS, 31-23
XLast weeK: 7-8-1 (spread), 10-6 (straight up). Season: 104-115-5 (spread), 147-77 (straight up).
Associated Press