GIVE ’EM A TROY: With Troy Polamalu back, the Steelers will take down the Eagles in a Heinz Field cover. (
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The quick plunge in the Giants-Browns line from 10 1/2 to 9 suggests there are some out there who believe Sunday’s game won’t be a Big Blue cakewalk.
While that in part has to do with clusters of Giants injuries at wide receiver and in the secondary, bettors also may be giving the 0-4 Browns a harder look and liking what they see.
They stood up to the Ravens physically last Thursday night in prime time in Baltimore, and their two rookie prizes are starting to pan out. Trent Richardson is a beast who can exploit the edges of the Giants defense like LeSean McCoy did, while also being able to run over people. And Brandon Weeden is showing to be plenty tough and quite accurate when he gets time to throw, having topped 300 yards twice in the last three games.
Thinking this will be a battle to the end.
The pick: Browns +9.
REDSKINS (+3) over Falcons: Thought last week’s Falcons-Panthers line was suspiciously low, and feel this number is also light for a 4-0 vs. a 2-2. What’s wrong with the Falcons that Vegas has to keep begging you to bet them? Counting on Robert Griffin III to figure that out.
STEELERS (-3 ½) over Eagles: For a team that is 3-1 with wins over the Ravens and Giants, it’s not a stretch to say the Eagles really could be 0-4. Just watching them, it looks as if some disaster is always lurking on the next play. Steelers will be fresh and mean off bye with Troy Polamalu and James Harrison possibly returning from injury.
Packers (-7) over COLTS: Will coach Chuck Pagano’s leave for leukemia treatment be a detriment or a rallying cry for the Colts? How much damage can Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney inflict on a Packers offensive line that was ransacked in Seattle two weeks ago? Good questions, but thought here is the Packers are ready finally to hammer someone.
VIKINGS (-5 ½) over Titans: Tennessee has been blown out three times around a crazy home win over the Lions and are giving up a tick under 38 points per game. Christian Ponder has a sore right knee but playing against the Titans’ defense is just what the doctor ordered.
BENGALS (-3 ½) over Dolphins: Miami has lost its last two by a field goal in overtime to the Jets and Cardinals, and Ryan Tannehill’s 431 yards was an astonishing number against a good Arizona D. But with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 2 to 6, Tannehill can’t be relied upon to go to toe-to-toe and throw-to-throw with Andy Dalton, whose TD-INT ratio is 8 to 4.
CHIEFS (+6) over Ravens: Kansas City offense is pumping out 419 yards a week while the Ravens are allowing a shockingly high 390. The opportunity is there for the Chiefs to not only keep this close but pull it out at home, if they ever can figure out how to protect the ball. They are a mindboggling minus-13 in turnovers.
Seahawks (+3) over PANTHERS: Covered with the Panthers in Atlanta last week, but that 99-yard drive by Matt Ryan at the end could be a lasting dagger in Carolina’s heart. Look for Cam Newton to revert to something resembling his performance against the Giants when facing the NFC’s top-ranked defense.
JAGUARS (+4 ½) over Bears: Admit the Bears are way better, and they will have huge fan support at this game. But taking points with the home dog on the theory that this is a tough turnaround for the Bears, traveling again after a substantial Monday night win in Dallas.
Broncos (+6 ½) over PATRIOTS: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady romped over the Broncos twice last year, so there’s very recent double revenge in play here. Just can’t resist Peyton Manning with a near-TD head start.
49ERS (-9 ½) over Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the NFL with 12 touchdown passes, but his seven picks suggest he at some point is going to put some points on the board for the Niners. The Bills have given up 48 to the Jets and 52 to the Patriots, so clearly they’re having trouble stopping the bleeding.
Chargers (+3 ½) over SAINTS: The Saints almost pulled one out at Lambeau and will be breathing fire at home to try to break their 0-4 skid. But at this price, don’t see how to recommend a New Orleans defense that is giving up an ungodly 463 yards per game.
MONDAY NIGHT
JETS (+8) over Texans: Jets deserve to be eight-point dogs at home against the top defense in the NFL. Maybe more. But after being destroyed by the 49ers and called quitters by Carlos Rogers, you have to figure coach Rex Ryan will bring his team to this prime timer with brass knuckles. They may not have enough talent, but they should be able to at least show some fight.
BEST BETS: Steelers, Bengals, 49ers
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Steelers
(Locks 1-3 this season)
LAST NIGHT: Rams (W)
LAST WEEK: 8-6-1 overall, 1-1-1 Best Bets
dblezow@nypost.com