Today
CARDINALS (+3 1/2) over Eagles: Kevin Kolb aided his teammates in recognizing Eagles play calls at crunch time in last year’s Cardinals upset at the Linc. Now he can try to double down in the desert — with aid from Arizona’s wildly underrated, muscular defense. Visitors have gotten off to a 2-0 start largely through divine grace, and will have to overcome shorthanded offensive line and tendency to turn the ball over.
Jets (-2 1/2) over DOLPHINS: Should Reggie Bush get his yards, home side looms tough out, but case can be made that this is where new Jets offensive coordinator (and ex-Miami head coach) Tony Sparano gets his revenge on the Dolphins, with Tim Tebow and Sparano’s personal Wildcat stylings playing a large part.
Rams (+7 1/2) over BEARS: Oodles of grim scenario stats taint both sides, but will lean with visitor against nicked-up foe (sans Matt Forte) based on Sam Bradford’s clear-cut improvement — and ex-Bears DB (and now Rams coach) Jeff Fisher’s uncanny knack for keeping his teams in games when they’re not favored, which has panned out, thus far.
Buccaneers (+7 1/2) over COWBOYS: New Bucs coach Greg Schiano has instilled needed fire in the troops. Cowboys figure to remain less than the sum of their parts on most occasions, due at least in part to inattentive special teams and a lack of decisiveness in playcalling. Unless Tampa Bay stages epic spit-the-bit second half, they should hang in.
VIKINGS (+7) over 49ers: Frisco’s overwhelmingly impressive. But you have to wonder just how long Niners can maintain remarkable stretch with minimal turnovers, and visitors are aware they can play at less than peak form and still capture this W, with road test vs. Jets on deck. Christian Ponder coming along nicely.
Lions (-3 1/2) over TITANS: While chasing huge line moves with turf-teams-on-grass favorites is against our religion, if Lion ruffians want to get to 10 wins, need this in worst way.
Bengals (+3) over REDSKINS: If you don’t admire Robert Griffin III’s game, you’re mad. But this will be RG3’s first league game over natural grass, and the intermediate-term Redskins history when laying tangible points against non-conference foes at FedEx is an ugly one. Bengals defense getting healthier by degrees, with return of DE Carlos Dunlap.
SAINTS (-9) over Chiefs: Clashing sides enduring internal conflicts and injuries, while seeking to break into win column. New Orleans defense has been struggling because of system difficulties, but home side remains the established class, and perhaps return of burner wideout Devery Henderson can afford measure of comfort for troubled chalk.
BROWNS (+3) over Bills: Chan Gailey’s Bills caught Chiefs in depleted state, unleashed RB C. J. Spiller on ’em, and romped in a game more easily than final score indicated. But Spiller unlikely to endure sustained poundings, and Browns QB Brandon Weeden should manage against Buffalo defense.
COLTS (-3) over Jaguars: Ugly intermediate-term Indy home-chalk record not so scary when you consider the taller lays which generated it. A trey seems a low hurdle for Andrew Luck, if Chuck Pagano’s 3-4 defense holds up.
CHARGERS (-3) over Falcons: Atlanta was greatly aided by Peyton Manning trying to make some throws that he is finding difficult to complete in the autumn of his years. Norv Turner’s in job-preservation mode, and will be pleased to welcome RB Ryan Mathews back while extending overrated Falcon RB Michael (lassoed for DUI, post-Denver) Turner’s miseries.
BRONCOS (+2) over Texans: Concern reigns in Denver, especially in wake of Peyton Manning’s coy references to his performance level. But even against visiting juggernaut, confident Peyton — playing within himself — can play keepaway, even versus a defense tailored by ace coordinator Wade Phillips to give Manning trouble.
Steelers (-4) over RAIDERS: Black Hole’s been a house of horrors for Steelers for eons, but can Raiders take advantage? Given regression of the Silver & Black running game, struggling to operate behind an offensive line which run-blocks terribly, slightest of leans to banged-up Steelers.
Patriots (+3) over RAVENS: Epic clash looms, given Ravens playoff-revenge angle. Baltimore devastating home side, but even given defensive woes, Pats are devastating 11-1 behind Tom Brady when catching points off a loss. Kellen Winslow and Deion Branch signings can’t hurt.
TOMORROW
SEAHAWKS (+3 1/2) over Packers: Packers off post-Bears freshening, but this is one long trip, Seattle’s another under-the-radar defense akin to Arizona’s … and when charged with maintaining safe margins when favored, Packers coach Mike McCarthy can be one scary clock butcher.
LAST WEEK: 7-6-2. SEASON: 12-16-2
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