Losing to the Cowboys on Sunday might help, keeping the spotlight off the Colts and allowing them to finish a sedate 14-2 or 13-3, depending on how quickly they clinch what they have to clinch.

Indianapolis, the first team ever to start 9-0 in two straight seasons, is a one-point favorite in Dallas, down from 2› points in the opening line — America's fans undoubtedly started jumping on their team.

Hard call.

The Colts haven't been pretty this season, but they are better on the road against good teams (Denver and New England) than at home against bad ones (Tennessee and Buffalo). Last week they barely beat the 3-6 Bills at the RCA Dome, winning 17-16 because the defense held up against a weak offense. The Bills' only TD was on a fumble return.

The Cowboys are one of the NFL's least predictable teams, although they've been better since Tony Romo replaced Drew Bledsoe at quarterback. Romo has now started three games since replacing Bledsoe in the second half against the Giants. He's 2-1 as a starter and the loss in Washington wasn't his fault — blame it on Bill Parcells, Mike Vanderjagt, Terrell Owens, whomever.

But young quarterbacks sometimes falter after teams see them on game tape three times.

Romo, who watched from the sidelines for three seasons, could be OK against what remains a suspect Indy defense. But he'd better hope Manning doesn't get the ball last if the Cowboys lead by a TD or less.

Still, go with the words of Indy cornerback Jason David: "This year, the attitude is not worrying about going undefeated, it's winning the Super Bowl."

That comes later.

For now:

COWBOYS, 28-27

San Diego (plus 3) at Denver: For the AFC West lead. LT has never rushed for 100 in Denver. So if Jake Plummer can avoid mistakes ... BRONCOS, 22-21.

Cincinnati (plus 3›) at New Orleans: The Bengals scored 41 points last week and the Saints scored 31, but both lost. That says the whopping 50›-point over might be a good bet. SAINTS, 41-31.

Atlanta (plus 4›) at Baltimore: The Falcons' defense is hurting and Michael Vick is inconsistent again. RAVENS, 24-16.

New York Giants (plus 3›) at Jacksonville (Monday night): Tom Coughlin returns to the place he made his name with a team even more banged-up than the Falcons or the banged-up Jaguars. JAGUARS, 23-20.

Chicago (minus 7) at New York Jets: Back to the Meadowlands for Chicago. Hunch. JETS, 16-15.

St. Louis (plus 7) at Carolina: Does the second-half surge by the Panthers on Monday night foretell a real second-half surge? PANTHERS, 31-20.

New England (minus 6) at Green Bay:

The Packers have playoff dreams after beating up bad teams. PATRIOTS, 27-20.

Pittsburgh (minus 3›) at Cleveland: The Steelers have problems on defense. BROWNS, 20-17.

Minnesota (plus 3›) at Miami: Vikings are cold, Dolphins are hot — but these are very unpredictable teams. DOLPHINS, 20-10.

Washington (plus 3) at Tampa Bay: Jason Campbell vs. Bruce Gradkowski? BUCS, 9-8.

Buffalo (plus 1›) at Houston: Like a lot of teams, the Texans are hurt. But they're coming on. TEXANS, 16-13.

Seattle (off) at San Francisco: Off because Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander are questions and could be back in the lineup. Niners play Seahawks tough at home in any event. SEAHAWKS, 27-25.

Tennessee (plus 13) at Philadelphia: Philly rolls back into contention. EAGLES, 31-11.

Oakland (plus 10) at Kansas City: The Raiders' offense can't score against anyone. CHIEFS, 16-2.

Detroit (minus 2) at Arizona: No comment. LIONS, 26-20.

LAST WEEK: 7-9 (spread) 10-6 (Straight up).