At 4-5, Panthers and Dolphins on rise as they meet Thursday night

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 time getting to the playoffs. But the winner will have positive vibes and an impressive 5-2 mark since such a spotty beginning.

The Panthers, favoured 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 offence.

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

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

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 the putrid Browns.

COLTS, 24-20

Tennessee (plus 3½) 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 quarterback Kyle Orton(notes) makes them look even better.

CHARGERS, 23-10

Seattle (plus 11) at Minnesota Matt Hasselbeck(notes) will get hassled by Jared Allen(notes) and Co. all day.

VIKINGS, 30-13

Washington (plus 12½) 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 12½) 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 9½) at St. Louis Kurt Warner(notes) to Larry Fitzgerald(notes): Greatest Show On Turf Redux. In St. Loo.

CARDINALS, 27-16

Cincinnati (minus 9½) at Oakland WE BELIEVE. WE BELIEVE.

BENGALS, 24-9

Philadelphia (minus 2½) 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(notes) runs for 200 yards.

JAGUARS, 20-10

Kansas City (plus 9½) 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(notes) likely absence means no spread. Two teams in dire need of a win. Giants snap four-game slide.

GIANTS, 22-14

San Francisco (plus 5½) at Green Bay Aaron Rodgers(notes) won't be throwing five balls to Niners the way Jay Cutler(notes) did.

PACKERS, 20-17

Cleveland (plus 4½) 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