By By James J. Parziale

My ascent from the standings abyss has been catapulted by two stellar weeks. With assitance, going 19-8-1 the past two Sundays has helped me narrow the gap almost as quickly as the 1978 New York Yankees. It’s been entertaining, which is more than can be said about this week’s slate of games. Eleven of the 14 games feature teams with losing records against winning squads. Enjoy!

GAME OF THE WEEKDallas (5-3) +3 at Philadelphia (4-4): Philly fans can finally succumb to what I’ve been saying all year: the Eagles are overrated. No Terrell Owens may equal better chemistry, but it doesn’t translate to victories. The Cowboys will drive the stake through the Eagles’ heart this week. Pick: Cowboys

UPSET SPECIALSt. Louis (4-4) +6.5 at Seattle (6-2): If the Rams new offense puts you to sleep, does that make them a sleeper team? The Rams owned Seattle last season, ousting them from the playoffs after two regular season wins. Seattle isn’t as good as its record. Pick: Rams

ROUND UPBaltimore (2-6) +7 at Jacksonville (5-3): The Ravens were my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, so naturally with my luck they will be picking in the top five in April’s draft. The Ravens are the only team in the league to not yet score 100 points. Pick: Jaguars

Houston (1-7) +17.5 at Indianapolis (8-0): After shaking the skeleton from their closet by beating the Patriots on Monday night in Foxboro, the Colts could be looking at a letdown. Then again, they play the Texans, who look more like an expansion team now than they did in 2002, their first year in the NFL. Pick: Colts

Kansas City (5-3) +3 at Buffalo (3-5): Too often in the NFL the blame falls on coaches when a team loses and not enough credit is given when they win. Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil’s decision to go for the win on the goal line last week against Oakland showed the confidence he had in his running game and his team. Vermeil deserves props for utilizing RBs Priest Holmes and Larry “Grandma-ma” Johnson. Pick: Chiefs

Minnesota (3-5) +10 at NY Giants (6-2): If you want to hear the Giants are for real, don’t read this. They barely got by a depleted 49ers squad and this week is another creampuff. Talk to me if the Giants beat the Eagles in two weeks. Pick: Giants

New England (4-4) -2.5 at Miami (3-5): The Patriots have given up 40 points twice at home this season and no longer own thier hex over the Colts. No way they should be favored here. Pick: Dolphins

San Francisco (2-6) +13 at Chicago (5-3): Da Bears found a way to win last week and Lovie Smith has them playing solid defense. QB Kyle Orton so far is this year’s rookie of the year and looks like Joe Montana compared to anyone the 49ers have behind center. Pick: Bears

Denver (6-2) -3 at Oakland (3-5): Here’s a little fun fact: Randy Moss ranks 30th in the AFC in receptions. Not quite the production the Raiders signed up for. The Broncos may run their way all to the AFC Championship game, where the Colts will run them out of the playoffs again. Pick: Broncos

NY Jets (2-6) +9 at Carolina (6-2): Herman Edwards should get a cookie for finally realizing Brooks Bollinger is superior to a cane-wielding Vinny Testaverde. A caveman would have called better plays on the final sequence of the Jets last-second loss to the Chargers. Two fade routes in four plays neutralized Bollinger’s threat to run near the goal line. Pick: Panthers

Washington (5-3) NL at Tampa Bay (5-3): Who knew Brian Griese was so valuable? The Bucs have looked abysmal the last two weeks and could be down for the count. The Redskins beat the Eagles by the skin of their teeth, but it’s a momentum-builder. Pick: Redskins

Green Bay (1-7) +9 at Atlanta (6-2): I can hear the Aaron Rodgers chants from here. Where is Brett Favre? He killed his legacy by coming back the past two years, and this year he buried it. The Falcons may as well have a bye because they can’t lose this. Pick: Falcons

Arizona (2-6) +4 at Detroit (3-5): If the worst game of the week was the best game of the week, this would be the Super Bowl. Pick: Cardinals

Cleveland (2-6) +8 at Pittsburgh (6-2): I’m not paying attention to the Steelers until they square off against the Bengals for first place. Pick: Steelers

Bye Weeks: Cincinnati, New Orleans, San Diego, Tennessee

These picks are for recreational use only.