LOCK: Dallas (-3) over PHILADELPHIA: Give the Giants credit ‘ they’re making it interesting; but the Cowboys are still the class of the division, if not the conference (don’t lie, you didn’t see Green Bay coming either). And Philly, though arguably better than Washington, will have a hard time making the playoffs. Just hope the money doesn’t go to Tony Romo’s head.

INDIANAPOLIS (+6 1/2) over New England: I took the Bears in the Super Bowl last year because it was easier to root for them. They were the underdog, and who could resist that? I might be making the same mistake with the Colts here. The Pats are more All Universe than Mike Van Gorder, but the Colts ‘ unlike the Bears last year ‘ are actually a formidable team. So here’s to hoping. (I’m so sick of Boston sports.)

Baltimore (-10) over PITTSBURGH: So the other day I was playing Madden ’08 (the PS2 version, of course; accept no substitutes), and my boy, No. 20 Eddie Reed (whose jersey I will be sporting in the Madden challenge), ball-hawked his way to three picks. I expect the same tonight against Gentle Ben and the Steelers.

JETS (+4) over Washington: Kellen Clemens will be wearing the fur coat.