NFL PICKS

No. 3 EAGLES (plus 3½) at No. 5 Carolina:

The winner must be considered a dangerous playoff contender. PANTHERS, 26-23

KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIP

OK, the Steelers did us in, specifically Big Ben playing as he was colorblind and throwing all those picks. So if anyone still has faith in our choices here, go with only because we’ve already picked New England and Denver.

BALTIMORE No. 7 New England (minus 9½) at No. 22 New York Jets:

We expect reality to settle in at the Meadowlands. If the NFL has any reality this year.

BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 45-17 No. 19 Tampa Bay (minus 2½) at No. 26 Arizona:

not ready

Still to trust Bucs on road.

UPSET SPECIAL: CARDINALS, 21-20 No. 30 New York Giants (plus 12) at No. 6 Denver:

Also were tempted to make this BEST BET with Giants so banged-up and inept.

BRONCOS, 22-6 No. 10 Pittsburgh (plus 4) at No. 1 Kansas City:

Afraid we didn’t learn our lesson with Steelers’ flop vs. Jaguars.

STEELERS, 24-23 No. 2 Green Bay (minus 3½) at No. 14 Minnesota:

Packers look better away from Lambeau than at it.

PACKERS, 29-13 No. 32 Cleveland (plus 10) at No. 18 Houston:

Injuries probably will cost Texans shot at division title. Won’t cost them much here.

TEXANS, 23-10 No. 11 Los Angeles Rams (plus 3) at No. 13 Jacksonville:

Two teams that have surprised so far.

TITANS, 20-13

2017 RECORD Last week:

(10-3).

Season Totals: Best Bet: Upset special: JAGUARS,

21-16 No. 9 Detroit (plus 4½) at No. 21 New Orleans:

Rested Saints get enigmatic Lions. Spread seems high, shootout likely.

SAINTS, 34-31 No. 25 Miami (plus 11½) at No. 4 Atlanta:

Another rested NFC South team ready to pounce.

FALCONS, 27-13 No. 31 San Francisco (plus 9½) at No. 15 Washington:

Niners playing everyone tough, even if they can’t get Ws.

REDSKINS,

26-20 No. 29 Chicago (plus 7) at No. 17 Baltimore:

Young man Trubisky, meet veteran sackmaster Terrell Suggs.

OUCH!

RAVENS, 20-3 No. 28 Los Angeles Chargers (plus 3) at No. 20 Oakland:

Derek Carr’s return key to Raiders’ chances Sunday and beyond.

RAIDERS, 22-20 No. 27 Indianapolis (OFF) at No. 24 Tennessee, Monday night:

No Luck? No Mariota? No way we’re watching. Against spread Straight up (8-6) Against spread (37-36-1). Straight up: (46-31) 3-2 against spread, 3-2 straight up. 5-0 against spread, 5-0 straight up