CHALKS & amp; 'DOGS | Pro picks

Cincinnati (+ 31/2) at Pittsburgh: The Colts have shown the Steelers that they control the AFC. The Bengals want to show the Steelers that they control the AFC North. Pittsburgh won 27-13 in Cincinnati on Oct. 23, rushing for 221 yards after the Bengals blew two early chances to score. Cincinnati catches Pittsburgh at a good time. The Steelers are on a short week, having lost 26-7 to the Colts on Monday night. Unlike most good teams, they are beatable at home, where they are 3-2 this season. ... STEELERS, 23-17
Dallas (+ 3) at New York Giants: The spread is for home field and reflects how close these teams are as they go head-to-head for the NFC East lead. Dallas won the first game 16-13 in overtime and this figures to be almost as close. New York's DE tandem of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora forces a couple of Drew Bledsoe turnovers and ... GIANTS, 24-16
Atlanta (+ 3) at Carolina: Carolina can take control of the NFC South. PANTHERS, 27-21
Tennessee (+ 16) at Indianapolis: Not much of an impediment to 12-0. COLTS, 30-6
Seattle (- 4) at Philadelphia: Seattle has to fly cross-country after a bruising win. And the battered Eagles are still trying. SEAHAWKS, 23-20
Denver (- 11/2) at Kansas City: Last chance in the division for Kansas City. CHIEFS, 31-30
New York Jets (+ 10) at New England: Fixtures like this are why the Patriots will win the East. PATRIOTS, 34-20
Green Bay (+ 7) at Chicago: The Bears have lost 11 straight home games to Favre and friends. No more. BEARS, 17-9
Minnesota (- 3) at Detroit: Mariucci's firing could inspire the Lions. Or deflate them. Inspire? LIONS, 16-15
Tampa Bay (- 31/2) at New Orleans (in Baton Rouge): Tom Benson has decided to return to Baton Rouge to sit next to Paul Tagliabue. And watch another loss. BUCS, 29-20
Oakland (+ 12) at San Diego: Depends a lot on whether Kerry Collins stops throwing interceptions. CHARGERS, 34-13
Jacksonville (- 3) at Cleveland: This kind of matchup is why the Jags will make the playoffs -- even without Byron Leftwich. JAGUARS, 17-11
Washington (- 3) at St. Louis: Jamie Martin or Ryan Fitzpatrick might struggle against the Skins' defense. REDSKINS, 27-19
Buffalo (+ 31/2) at Miami: The Bills are 0-5 on the road. DOLPHINS, 22-8
Arizona (- 3) at San Francisco: Alex Smith is back for the 49ers, who are decent at home. 49ERS, 20-19
Houston (+ 7) at Baltimore: The Ravens are bad. The Texans are awful. RAVENS, 8-5
XLast week: 10-5-1 (spread) 13-3 (straight up); Season 76-97-3 (spread) 116-60 (straight up)
Associated Press
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