It may not be the Giants’ Super Bowl, as Jason Pierre-Paul suggests, but Sunday’s game against the Cowboys certainly will go a long way in determining whether Big Blue can complete the miracle run from 0-6 to the playoffs. If the Giants lose, they would be two games south of both the Cowboys and Eagles, and would also lose the tie-breaker to Dallas, effectively putting them three games out.
The Cowboys come in fully loaded on offense, with Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray, Jason Witten and a new threat, rookie WR Terrance Williams, who has touchdowns in five of his last six games. But the Dallas defense has been a disaster, allowing a league worst 439 yards per game, including 625 in Detroit and 623 in New Orleans in the last three games. Eli Manning will be able to exploit Monte Kiffin’s Tampa Two zone coverage, particularly with stout MLB Sean Lee missing. And the Boys also are 1-4 on the road.
The pick: Giants -2¹/₂.
RAVENS (-3 ¹/₂) over Jets: Can we expect a bounce-back performance from Geno Smith? The two times the Rex Ryan Jets have played the Ravens, it was a rough go for Mark Sanchez: 2011 (away) — 11-of-35, 119 yards, one interception, 34-17 loss; 2010 (home) — 10-of-21, 74 yards, 10-9 loss.
Buccaneers (+9) over LIONS: Buccaneers are a tough bunch right now, winning two in a row after dropping a game they should have won at Seattle. There are plenty of holes in the Lions defense to keep this in single digits.
Jaguars (+10) over TEXANS: Perhaps this line can be justified by the numbers — Texans are minus-83 in point differential while Jags are minus-189, a spread of a bit more than 10 points per week. But the Texans have lost eight in a row and are poison, with Ed Reed’s comments about Wade Phillips and the Matt Schaub-Andre Johnson blowup.
PACKERS (-4¹/₂) over Vikings: Pack won big in the dome in Minnesota before losing Aaron Rodgers and three straight. It’ll be 21 degrees with a little snow in Lambeau and Adrian Peterson has a groin injury. Scott Tolzien’s good enough to cover this number.
CHIEFS (-4¹/₂) over Chargers: Kansas City may have earned more national respect in its loss at Denver than in all its nine wins combined. If Chiefs are not looking ahead to next week’s quick rematch, they could bop the Bolts pretty good in Arrowhead.
DOLPHINS (+4¹/₂) over Panthers: Carolina has won six in a row, the last two at San Francisco and a Monday-night barn burner against the Patriots. This seems like a close slugfest against a Dolphins team that has had its last six games decided by three, two, 10, two, three and four points.
Steelers (+1¹/₂) over BROWNS: Both teams are 4-6 and in play for the second AFC wild card. But last week’s comeback win over the Lions suggests the Steelers are ready to make this quest, while the Browns blew a 13-0 lead at Cincinnati and look as if they’ll keep being the Browns.
RAMS (-1) over Bears: What to make of the Rams’ 38-8 win at Indianapolis? On body of work and overall talent, you have to like the Bears. But what if Brian Schottenheimer really has figured out how to use Tavon Austin, who had touchdown receptions of 81 and 57 yards versus the Colts?
RAIDERS (+1) over Titans: Titans have covered all four road games but are 2-2 straight up — and that’s what this would take. Raiders have found a new weapon in Rashad Jennings, who ran for 150 yards last week in the win at Houston.
Colts (+2¹/₂) over CARDINALS: Cards may have edge with Bruce Arians having filled in as Colts head coach last season when Chuck Pagano was battling leukemia. But this is a good value play on a Colts team that has beaten the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos, and is 4-1 on the road.
Broncos (-2¹/₂) over PATRIOTS: We had this matchup in Foxborough in Week 5 last season, and the Broncos lost 31-21 despite three touchdown passes by Peyton Manning. The difference: Wes Welker, who caught 13 Tom Brady passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, now plays for Denver.
MONDAY NIGHT
49ers (-5¹/₂) over REDSKINS: The 49ers lost two in a row earlier in the season and responded with a five-game winning streak by an average of 22 ppg. Plus they will be ticked after losing to the Saints on the Ahmad Brooks penalty and subsequent $15,750 fine (that was contrary to video evidence that seemingly exonerated him).
BEST BETS: Packers, Ravens, Jaguars
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Packers (Locks 3-7-1)
LAST WEEK: 2-10-3 overall, 0-2-1 Best Bets
THURSDAY NIGHT: Falcons