By BARRY WILNER
AP Football Writer

At the end of September, the Miami Dolphins and Carolina
Panthers already were being written off. Both were 0-3 and their
2008 division titles were being termed flukes.

Guess who is back in the playoff chase, albeit on the fringes
right now? Yep, the Dolphins and Panthers almost certainly won't
repeat their first-place finishes of a year ago, but at 4-5,
each can think wild card.

Of course, the loser Thursday night in Charlotte will have a
much tougher chore to get into the playoffs. But the winner will
have positive vibes and an impressive 5-2 mark since such a
spotty beginning.

The Panthers, favored by three points, might be the more
desperate team because their last four games are against current
winners who might win their divisions: the Patriots, Vikings,
Giants and Saints. Not that Miami has a leisurely swim through
December and early January: New England, Jacksonville, Houston
and Pittsburgh still remain. All of them have winning marks,
too.

Carolina has found southern comfort in the no-huddle offense.

"It presents some challenges, particularly in a short week,"
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said.

Miami's wildcat does the same, but without Ronnie Brown running
it, the Dolphins could struggle to move the ball against an
improved Carolina defense.

PANTHERS, 17-16


N.Y. Jets (plus 10) at New England=

Belichick will go on fourth down every time - and make it.

BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 30-17


Baltimore (minus 1) at Indianapolis=

Doesn't seem quite fair to make it UPSET SPECIAL, but the Colts
are underdogs. Ravens didn't show much against putrid Browns.

COLTS, 24-20


Tennessee (plus 3 1/2) at Houston, Monday night=

Beginning to like what we're seeing from Titans.

TITANS, 20-17


San Diego (no line) at Denver=

Ditto from Chargers, and uncertainty about Denver QB Kyle Orton
makes them look even better.

CHARGERS, 23-10


Seattle (plus 11) at Minnesota=

Matt Hasselbeck will get hassled by Jared Allen and company all
day.

VIKINGS, 30-13


Washington (plus 12 1/2) at Dallas=

Even with Redskins coming off nice upset and Cowboys coming off
stinker, spread is big. Too big.

COWBOYS, 21-13


New Orleans (plus 12 1/2) at Tampa Bay=

Saints had a scare last week against Rams, and Bucs are playing
better. Still, it's a mismatch.

SAINTS, 32-17


Arizona (minus 9 1/2) at St. Louis=

Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald: Greatest Show On Turf Redux. In
St. Loo.

CARDINALS, 27-16


Cincinnati (minus 9 1/2) at Oakland=

WE BELIEVE. WE BELIEVE.

BENGALS, 24-9


Philadelphia (minus 2 1/2) at Chicago=

Two disappointing teams still in NFC wild-card race. What does
that say about the conference?

EAGLES, 17-16


Buffalo (plus 8) at Jacksonville=

Will coaching change make a difference? Not if Maurice
Jones-Drew runs for 200.

JAGUARS, 20-10


Kansas City (plus 9 1/2) at Pittsburgh=

Steelers are banged up, but Chiefs aren't in their class.

STEELERS, 24-9


Atlanta (no line) at N.Y. Giants=

Michael Turner's likely absence means no spread. Two teams in
dire need of a win. Giants snap four-game slide.

GIANTS, 22-14


San Francisco (plus 5 1/2) at Green Bay=

Aaron Rodgers won't be throwing five balls to Niners the way Jay
Cutler did.

PACKERS, 20-17


Cleveland (plus 4 1/2) at Detroit =

Sales should be brisk on "We Are Terrible" towels.

LIONS, 13-6


---=

RECORD:

Versus spread, 10-5 (67-70-2 season); Straight up, 9-6 (96-48
season)

Best Bet: 4-6

Upset Special: 7-3