DULAC'S MARK

Last week: 9-7 (.562)

Season: 112-80 (.583)

Note: does not include Thursday game.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) at New England Patriots (12-0)

4:15 p.m., Gillette Stadium

Do not fret about a loss to the Patriots, at least not now. This can be a fact-finding mission for the Steelers, just as it was in '05 when they lost in Indy to the 10-0 Colts.

Prediction: Patriots, 23-13

St. Louis Rams (3-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

1 p.m., Paul Brown Stadium

The Rams don't fare very well on the road, unless it's in a dome. The Bengals look as though they're playing in a fog, but at least it's outside.

Prediction: Bengals, 34-23

Miami Dolphins (0-12) at Buffalo Bills (6-6)

1 p.m., Ralph Wilson Stadium

The Dolphins are running out of chances to end their winless season. It won't happen in Buffalo, where the Bills have won the past three meetings.

Prediction: Bills, 24-10

Dallas Cowboys (11-1) at Detroit Lions (6-6)

1 p.m., Ford Field

The Cowboys have had some extra time off since beating the Packers. They won't need it against the Lions, who have taken the past four games off.

Prediction: Cowboys, 38-24

Oakland Raiders (4-8) at Green Bay Packers (10-2)

1 p.m., Lambeau Field

A few extra days off have probably helped Brett Favre's elbow. The Packers can clinch the division title with a victory or tie against the Raiders.

Prediction: Packers, 31-17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-4) at Houston Texans (5-7)

1 p.m., Reliant Stadium

This is the start of a four-game stretch in which the Texans play three teams with at least eight victories. They've already lost two in a row.

Prediction: Buccaneers, 23-21

Carolina Panthers (5-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)

1 p.m., Alltel Stadium

The Jaguars had the same record last season and finished 8-8. They don't want to gas it again, not with a wild-card spot in their grasp.

Prediction: Jaguars, 30-10

New York Giants (8-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

1 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles have had back-to-back near-misses against the Patriots and Seahawks. The Giants didn't have many near-misses in the first meeting when they had 12 sacks.

Prediction: Eagles, 30-28

San Diego Chargers (7-5) at Tennessee Titans (7-5)

1 p.m., The Coliseum

This would be a good time for the Titans to prove they can contend for a wild-card. It's tough for the Chargers, 2-4 on the road, to play back-to-back away games.

Prediction: Chargers, 23-21

Minnesota Vikings (6-6) at San Francisco 49ers (3-9)

4:05 p.m., Monster Park

The Vikings can't catch the Packers, but they can get a wild-card spot. They've won three in a row and four of the past five.

Prediction: Vikings, 24-13

Arizona Cardinals (6-6) at Seattle Seahawks (8-4)

4:05 p.m., Qwest Field

The Cardinals already own one victory against the Seahawks this season. If they want to win the division, they need to win another.

Prediction: Seahawks, 27-24

Kansas City Chiefs (4-8) at Denver Broncos (5-7)

4:15 p.m., Invesco Field

That barking noise you hear is the Broncos, losers of two in a row while allowing 71 points. But they have won the past six at home against the Chiefs.

Prediction: Broncos, 30-20

Cleveland Browns (7-5) at New York Jets (3-9)

4:15 p.m., Giants Stadium

The Jets scored almost as many points last week (40) as their previous four games combined (42). The Browns average 34.1 points when they win.

Prediction: Browns, 34-24

Indianapolis Colts (10-2) at Baltimore Ravens (4-8)

8:15 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium

Was it me, or were the officials who worked the Pitt-West Virginia game also working the Ravens- Patriots game? Is there a tougher two-game stretch in the NFL?

Prediction: Ravens, 23-20

New Orleans Saints (5-7) at Atlanta Falcons (3-9)

8:30 p.m. tomorrow, Georgia Dome

The Saints have never lost to the Falcons since Sean Payton has been the coach. But they're not exactly road warriors, either.

Prediction: Saints, 23-18