[playersare]

since the saints announced the QB change as well as Haslett's resignation (though he remains coach until the end of the season), the Panthers moneyline has been bet down to -420, which now makes it slightly better pick than the Dolphins, at least mathematically speaking.

of the four teams involved in these two games, Carolina is the only one that "must" win this weekend (though miami still has a slim outside chance of winning the AFC east). on top of that, they're now reading the newspaper realizing that the Saints are on their knees and virtually sitting ducks in their own home. after underachieving at home against Tampa last week, the Panthers will probably be one of the most formidable road opponents of the season here.

with the dolphins game, it's not so much that they are good (though their record is finally catching up with their stats), but how BAD the jets are, especially on the road. Bollinger has not thrown a SINGLE touchdown pass away from the meadowlands ALL SEASON, they've scored 7 points or less in 5 out of 6 road games, and they've lost all of those games by 10 points or more, including a combined 73-6 in their last 3 away. Frerotte on the other hand, just had his best game of the season (if not his whole damn career), and if he finds chambers in the end zone more than once, this game is over. even if miami's defense isn't up to snuff, they still have a lot more offensive weapons to win in a shootout, just like they have in the last three games.

you could argue that both of these games are still a coinflip, but the unwritten suicide pool rules still dictate that you favor a team playing at home. my pick is still Miami.