Picks for upcoming National Football League games:

Baltimore (minus 8) at Carolina — When will the Ravens begin looking like a Super Bowl contender? How about in Charlotte on Sunday against the awful Panthers? ... BEST BET: RAVENS, 20-10

Tampa Bay (plus 4) at San Francisco — Buccaneers are an NFC contender. Niners still think they could be one at 3-6. Maybe not after they fall to 3-7. ... UPSET SPECIAL: BUCCANEERS, 21-16

Indianapolis (plus 3) at New England —The annual Manning-Brady get-together. Unfortunately for Indy, much of Peyton’s supporting cast is unrecognizable due to injures. ... PATRIOTS, 24-20

Oakland (plus 8½) at Pittsburgh — Remember when this was the nastiest rivalry east of Chiefs-Raiders? Oakland has won three straight, now steps up in class. ... STEELERS, 27-20

N.Y. Giants (plus 3) at Philadelphia — Can the Giants stay with Philly’s video-game offense, led by dynamic Michael Vick? If they were healthy, perhaps, but they aren’t. ... EAGLES, 28-21

Green Bay (minus 2½) at Minnesota — One last chance for Brett Favre to recapture the glory, make some positive headlines and begin Minnesota’s turnaround. Nah. ... PACKERS, 21-20

Atlanta (minus 3) at St. Louis — Falcons have been far better at home, Rams have been far better at home. So, of course ... FALCONS, 23-21

Seattle (plus 12½) at New Orleans — Rested Saints begin their second-half push with perhaps their healthiest group since September. ... SAINTS, 30-16

Denver (plus 9½) at San Diego, Monday night — History says the Chargers get charged up for November and December — but not for January. It’s November. ... CHARGERS, 30-23

Washington (plus 6½) at Tennessee — Two teams coming off weak performance in big spots last weekend. The Titans have more talent, but they don’t blow out many opponents. ... TITANS, 20-17

Detroit (plus 7) at Dallas — The Big D revival continues. Then again, everybody beats the visiting Lions. ... COWBOYS, 20-14

Cleveland (plus 3) at Jacksonville — Do the Browns know how to defend the desperation pass? ... JAGUARS, 17-16

Arizona (plus 7½) at Kansas City — Chiefs are beginning to wobble in the AFC West. Luckily for them, the Cardinals are sinking in the NFC West. ... CHIEFS, 21-10

Houston (plus 6½) at N.Y. Jets — Jets haven’t played a complete game in more than a month, yet are 7-2. If the Texans can find defensive backs who can cover, they have a chance. ... JETS, 22-14

Buffalo (plus 4½) at Cincinnati — Two bad teams, only one of which seems to care about getting better. ... BILLS, 10-9

Note: Wilner picked Miami to beat Chicago in Thursday night’s game ... DOLPHINS, 16-13

RECORD:
Versus spread — 8-6 (overall 77-59-1)
Straight up — 9-5 (overall 91-53)
Best Bet — 4-6 against spread, 6-4 straight up.
Upset Special — 6-4 against spread, 6-4 straight up.