By By James J. Parziale

My jaw drops thinking the NFL’s stretch run is upon us. This is a tune up for the playoffs. No more bye weeks, ladies and gents, so it’s put up or shut up. As for me, if you look at my record from last week, it’s shut up. Maybe I can play spoiler.

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Indianapolis (9-0) -5 at Cincinnati (7-2): Sure, you can say these are the two best teams in the AFC. You might even call it an AFC Championship preview and the Colts are better. But no team has gone undefeated since the 1972 Miami Dolphins and they had to win two less games. Each year, after the last undefeated team loses, the living members of that team assemble and commemorate the event by drinking champagne. This week, the bottle comes off theice. Pick: Bengals

Carolina (7-2) -3 at Chicago (6-3): Both these teams beat patsies last week, so they should be fresh to duke it out. The Panthers front seven is probably the best in football, but Da Bears just keep winning. A memo to Bears faithful: you might have moved up a notch over Philly because of the White Sox World Series win, but you’re still on the low-end of the totem poll. Pick: Bears

BEST BET

NY Jets (2-7) +12.5 at Denver (7-2): The Jets have a Super Bowl-caliber defense and a Division III collegiate offense. Brooks Bollinger is going to throw his way into the Arena League at the rate he is hoisting up ducks. I will be vacationing in Colorado this weekend and will attend this game. Is it unreasonable to ask for a refund before I even get there? Pick: Broncos

ROUND UP

Arizona (2-7) +9.5 at St. Louis (4-5): You go down the list of NFL divisional rivalries and this one doesn’t quite tickle your pickle, does it? Pick: Rams

Detroit (4-5) +8 at Dallas (6-3): Joey Harrington looked like Joe Montana last week against the Cardinals, but the Lions are 1-3 on the road this season. This won’t be an upset unless Barry Sanders makes an appearance. Pick: Cowboys

Jacksonville (6-3) -4 at Tennessee (2-7): The Titans had a bye last week. The only thing it ensured was they couldn’t lose. Pick: Jaguars

Miami (3-6) +2 at Cleveland (3-6): The Dolphins last week did their best impersonation of a typical single guy at a bar: they couldn’t score when it counted. They had a chance to move into a first-place tie with the Patriots and blew four plays at the goal line late in the game. However, these are the Browns. It’s a crapshoot. Pick: Browns

New Orleans (2-7) +10 at New England (5-4): The only thing worse than the Patriots secondary is the division they play in. Pick: Patriots

Oakland (3-6) +6 at Washington (5-4): Losing by a two-point conversion with under a minute to go against the Bucs has got to sting, but the Redskins are in luck this week. Raiders QB Kerry Collins must be colorblind the way he throws interceptions. Pick: Redskins

Philadelphia (4-5) +7 at NY Giants (6-3): The best pass Donovan McNabb threw last week was to Cowboys safety Roy Williams. McNabb is hurt and might miss this game. Somewhere, Terrell Owens has a shining I-told-you-so grin spread from ear to ear. Pick: Giants

Pittsburgh (7-2) NL at Baltimore (2-7): This has been a great rivalry over the years, but with Ben Roethlisberger out and the Ravens lacking an offense, this game’s over-under might be three points. Pick: Steelers

Tampa Bay (6-3) +6 at Atlanta (6-3): The Buccaneers are notorious for shutting down Ron Mexico (Mike Vick)-maybe it’s because every other team is scared to “catch” him. Pick: Falcons

Seattle (7-2) -12 at San Francisco (2-7): Cody Pickett completed one pass last week in the 49ers loss to Chicago. The Niners allowed an NFL-record 108-yard touchdown return on a missed field goal. They haven’t scored a touchdown in almost a month. Something’s got to give. Right? Pick: 49ers

Buffalo (4-5) +10 at San Diego (5-4): The Bills are winless in four tries on the road this season and J.P. Losman is their quarterback. Enough said. Pick: Chargers

Kansas City (5-4) -6.5 at Houston (1-8): Dick Vermeil will be crying before, during and after this game. Not because the Chiefs will lose, but because he will be laughing boisterously at the Texans lowly excuse for a team. Pick: Chiefs

Minnesota (4-5) +4 at Green Bay (2-7): Being forced to watch these teams would be more gruesome than any “game” in Saw I or II. Pick: Packers