Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)

Season: 24-10 (70.6%)

Watching the Steelers game Sunday, The Birdie hatched a plan.

“I deserve a new contract. I’m going to hold out,” the cocky prognosticator offered. “Worked for T.J. Watt. Worked for Cam Heyward. Worked for Chris Boswell. Worked for Joey Porter Jr.”

Worked for Joey Porter Jr.?

“Yeah. He got paid Sunday without doing any work,” The Birdie explained. “That’s my dream job.”

At first, The Birdie thought he’d try a hold-in instead.

“You know how a hold-in works, right?” he asked. “You show up for work but don’t actually do anything. Then you get the new contract.”

When informed that absolutely no one would notice if he showed up at the office and didn’t do any work because that’s what he does every week anyway, he changed his tune.

“Yeah, forget that. I’m holding out,” he pouted. “No picks until my demands are met.”

When reminded that he didn’t actually receive any financial compensation for his weekly columns — he’s paid in pizza — he was not deterred.

“They announce all kinds of crazy contract details all the time, but the key are the guarantees,” he asserted. “And here’s my demand. When I get paid in Lelulo’s, I want the sweet sauce guaranteed.”

As of press time, The Birdie and management were at an impasse. Stay tuned.

Now here are the Week 4 picks in the A-K Valley.

Deer Lakes (0-3) at Valley (2-1): The Lancers desperately need a win, but the Vikings aren’t the easy out they once were. In fact, this one should be a barnburner. Valley scored 41 points last week. Deer Lakes scored 48. Deer Lakes, 41-34

Woodland Hills (2-1) at Fox Chapel (1-2): Coaching turmoil has hit the Wolverines, but they still have a ton of talent. Woodland Hills, 34-20

Freeport (3-0) at North Catholic (0-3): The Yellowjackets are flying high after beating Apollo-Ridge, but the Trojans are way better than that record indicates. Expect another slobber-knocker. Freeport, 30-27

Highlands (2-1) at Knoch (3-0): To go from nice story to conference contender, this is the kind of win the Knights need. The Golden Rams are probably an ornery bunch after a loss to Beaver last week. Highlands, 38-21

Apollo-Ridge (2-1) at Brownsville (0-3): No shame in losing to Freeport. The Vikings should bounce back big. Apollo-Ridge, 28-6

Riverview (0-3) at Leechburg (0-3): In battle of teams off to tough starts, the Raiders have more depth. Riverview, 21-20

Springdale (1-1) at Jeannette (2-1): The Dynamos have made real strides, but the Jayhawks are birds of a different feather. Jeannette, 34-12

Burrell (3-0) at Belle Vernon (2-1): What an opportunity for the Bucs. Beat Belle Vernon, and Class 3A will have to take notice. Belle Vernon, 28-20

Ringgold (1-2) at Kiski Area (0-3): Time for the Cavaliers to put a foot down. Kiski Area, 21-14

Shaler (1-2) at Plum (3-0): The Mustangs are humming along, especially on offense. Shouldn’t change this week. Plum, 42-21