Today
Cardinals (+10) over FALCONS: Wasn’t it clear from the start that these Falcons didn’t deserve to be chalk in New Orleans, with the Saints desperate for redemption? Now Atlanta must come to terms with the fact they’re not sui generis — not to mention that they arguably are not one of the top three teams in the NFC! WR Julio Jones and LB Sean Weatherspoon appear worse the wear for hosts.
RAMS (-3 1/2) over Jets: Don’t get spooked by recent negative Rams technical indicators, because coach Jeff Fisher can turn this around, given resources and time. Steven Jackson and Daryl Richardson can run on Gang Green. And do you think ex-Jets staffer and current Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer might relish a decisive win, here?
Eagles (+3 1/2) over REDSKINS: In a battle of youthful signal callers, will cast lot with young Nick Foles and beyond-desperate Philly plus points against overrated ’Skins who have found it increasingly difficult to carry their vastly-underperforming defense to victories at FexEx this season.
Packers (-3 1/2) over LIONS: Don’t let home-dog status sucker you into backing roster of low-class slugs, yours thanks to management’s lousy personnel judgment. Indoors, Aaron Rodgers can Pack ’em into Lionburger.
PANTHERS (+1 1/2) over Buccaneers: Not thrilled about fading offensively sizzling visitors, who have been playing at tops on the road, but because Tampa Bay is laying while traveling (and probably looking forward to Atlanta), we will go the other way with a side likely to respond defensively after the embarrassment endured at the hands of Peyton Manning.
Browns (+8) over COWBOYS: Yes, we know … it still is RomoNovember, historically Scrambling Tony Romo’s best month as a Dallas starter. But this pesky Browns defense poses problems. Not eager to lay significant lumber with a side of Eagles/Jets caliber in terms of red-zone agonies.
Colts (+9 1/2) over PATRIOTS: Indy RB Vick Ballard will be encouraged by what Fred Jackson, then C.J. Spiller, managed for the Bills against New England’s so-called rushing defense. The better things get for Ballard, the more opportunities will open up for QB Andrew Luck. Tom Brady remains hell to beat at Gillette, but in earlier heavy-chalk ’12 scenarios, Pats were life-and-death against the Jets and fell on their faces against Arizona. Chuck-Strong!
Jaguars (+15 1/2) over TEXANS: Off their death-cage match in Chicago rain and wind, muscular Houston knows all they need to do here is throw their helmets onto the field. Even with their broad swath of subdivisional collegiate talent, Jags continue to outperform expectations away from home, and don’t underestimate juice generated by home-loss-revenge emotion.
Bengals (-3 1/2) over CHIEFS: Woebegone Kansas City put it all on the line and got photo’d in Monday night in overtime. Nowhere to go from down, especially given the physical beating they absorbed by the rambunctious Steelers. No cinch, because Chiefs surely have some more turnovers due them … but then, do you really want Matt Cassel and Romeo Crennel in a competitively-priced game?
RAIDERS (+5) over Saints: New Orleans in full chase mode after game win over Atlanta, but am never thrilled laying appreciable points with traveling Saints show on real grass. If QB Carson Palmer has a big day, who knows?
Chargers (+7 1/2) over BRONCOS: All First Church of Peyton members are looking for a stuffing of the iffy Bolts’ offense, and a cruise-control win. But is it really that easy? Manning’s a triple-sharp handicapper, and placed himself in the right spot, as Eli did with the Giants … but if “Norv Time” remains on this year’s calendar, we’re headed into the heart of it, and with a touchdown, plus, we’ve got some cushion.
STEELERS (+3 1/2) over Ravens: Yes, Steelers remember those ’11 losses to Ravens. Heinz boys must go into battle behind backup QB Byron Leftwich, but this looms a field-goal game, either way, so must go on the take, even without Big Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall may return.
MONDAY
49ERS (-5) over Bears: Even with Jason Campbell at QB, tough to lay points to this visitor, given their defense and sheer playmaking ability, but ex-Bears QB Jim Harbaugh knows foe’s DNA, maintains an enviable defense himself, and we will take QB Alex Smith (or even backup Colin Kaepernick) at locale where Chicagoans have frequently stunk out the joint — except 1985!
LAST WEEK: 9-4. SEASON: 72-63-3.
Follow Richard Witt on Twitter: @rich_witt1.