The Cincinnati Bengals survived a tough early schedule. They’re not doing as well against the softer middle part.

A week after losing to previously winless Tampa Bay, the Bengals welcome a much better NFC South team, the Carolina Panthers, to Paul Brown Stadium today. Subplot: Chad Johnson, who has just one touchdown catch this season, against Carolina’s Steve Smith, who has re-energized the Panthers.

Carolina was 0-2 while Smith was nursing a hamstring injury and is 4-0 since he has come back, including last week’s 23-21 victory in Baltimore, in which he had eight catches for 189 yards, including a game-clinching 72-yard score. Call him the MVP. He won’t argue.

These are not the same explosive Bengals. After starting 3-0, they have scored just 13 points in each of their last two games, losses to New England and the Bucs.

Still, the Bengals’ problems haven’t stopped the oddsmakers from making them a three-point favorite. And it hasn’t stopped wagerers from driving it up to 31â2.

A bit strange in a game between teams going in opposite directions.

PANTHERS, 19-13

New York Giants (plus 31â2) at Dallas (Monday night)

Forget the loudmouths on both teams, especially the Dallas guy with the initials. Go with the Giants’ pass rushers, who sacked Michael Vick seven times last week, against the immobile Drew Bledsoe.

Turnovers decide it.

GIANTS, 23-17

Minnesota (plus 61â2) at Seattle

How many times will the crowd make Steve Hutchinson jump early?

SEAHAWKS, 19-16

Pittsburgh (minus 11â2) at Atlanta

Hard to run against the Steelers. And the Falcons don’t pass very well.

STEELERS, 24-13

Denver (minus 41â2) at Cleveland

The Broncos have scored just five touchdowns all season. And given up just one.

BRONCOS 10-6.

Washington (plus 9) at Indianapolis

Did the bye week cure the Colts’ problems against the run?

Doesn’t matter here.

COLTS, 31-23

New England (minus 5) at Buffalo

Bill Belichick had a week off to tinker.

PATRIOTS 20-6

San Diego (minus 51â2) at Kansas City

Damon Huard was exposed by a good defense in Pittsburgh. The Chargers’ defense may be better.

CHARGERS, 27-10

Philadelphia (minus 5) at Tampa Bay

Bruce Gradkowski hasn’t seen anything like Jim Johnson’s blitzes.

EAGLES, 27-9

Arizona (minus 3) at Oakland

Monday night’s debacle proved that the Cardinals have talent. Matt Leinart over Andrew Walter.

CARDINALS, 24-23

Detroit (plus 31â2) at New York Jets

The Lions have their win.

JETS, 27-19

Jacksonville (minus 91â2) at Houston

The Jags are better at home. So are the Texans.

JAGUARS, 19-13

Green Bay (plus 4) at Miami

The Packers know Joey Harrington. And vice versa.

DOLPHINS, 20-15