SUNDAY
Ravens (+3) over DOLPHINS: Still respect Dolphins, but Ravens defense frequently came up big against Buffalo, and QBs who take down in the neighborhood of $20 mill a year tend to rebound smartly after five-interception performances.
CARDINALS (+2) over Panthers: Some will prefer Carolina off the bye, but coach Ron Rivera is far too tentative at zero hour in close games for our tastes, and Cam Newton’s unlikely to bail Rivera out if visitors can’t balance worthwhile air game with meaningful rushing forays. ’Zona looks to steal another.
Eagles (+2) over GIANTS: In Big Blue’s favor is the fact they know they need to giddy-up in a hurry, given Thursday’s trip to Soldier Field to play the Bears. Coach Tom Coughlin carries a 30-6 straight-up record coaching this bunch in Octobers, but fact speaks volumes as to why raw stats can be dangerous. Pressure’s greater on the New Yorkers, and would rather take points in a shootout, thanks.
Chiefs (-2 ¹/₂) over TITANS: Alas, fans of Bud Adams’ club aren’t getting the injured Jake Locker, but Ryan Fitzpatrick, under center. Yes, the Harvard product won games in Buffalo, but turned to mush soon after signing that most-recent humongous contract with the Bills. Andy Reid’s playing it close to the vest with Alex Smith, which makes laying points on the road chancy, but alternative unattractive.
Jaguars (+11 ½) over RAMS: At least Jags get well-regarded wideout Justin Blackmon back, after his four-game enforced vacation. Weighty lay for St. Loo, as Jax may draw measure of enthusiasm from not playing before broad swatches of empty seats.
Patriots (+1) over BENGALS: Though they’re without Vince Wilfolk, Pats just picked up ex-Colt Austin Collie to aid in running down passes for Tom Brady and Co. It remains difficult to resist the embrace of Hoodie and Brady — especially without any onerous laying of points.
Seahawks (-2 ½) over COLTS: We’ve seen how Andrew Luck can close out tight games, but the kind of smashmouth ball which carried Indy to victory at San Francisco is less likely to overwhelm this opponent. ’Hawks got their wake-up call in Houdini-esque escape at Houston, and for ex-USC coach Pete Carroll, minimizing ex-Stanford QB Luck will merely serve as a psychic bonus.
PACKERS (-7) over Lions: This is toughest divisional hurdle of all for Detroit to vault, as it seeks to pay back chits owed off last year’s horrendous 0-6 NFC North scorecard. Slight market lean to Pack, as Lions haven’t won at Lambeau in more than two decades, though still grant them legit puncher’s chance against 1-2 hosts, especially should Lions avoid the kind of multiple stupid infractions for which they’re best-known.
BEARS (pick) over Saints: N’Awlins seeks to pull through short work week off Monday night romp in dome over Miami. Visitors have their mojo workin’, but Saints’ vital, precise offensive timing isn’t nearly as crisp on natural grass, and like Joe Flacco, Jay Cutler has a multi-pick train wreck from which to rebound.
RAIDERS (+4 ½) over Chargers: Even without Darren McFadden, Raiders should have Terrelle Pryor and Marcel Reece back, and are catching Bolts off rousing upset of Cowboys. Time switch to 8:30 p.m. PDT kick (due to MLB playoff presence of A’s) likely to aid Raiders.
COWBOYS (+7 ½) over Broncos: A too-often-fatal lack of consistent concentration/focus from these ’Boys may deny the straight-up win, but Peyton Manning isn’t going to maintain his present 16 touchdown passes-zero picks run … not happening. This is a huge road lay against a relatively-healthy, hungry franchise with competitive weapons … and like horseshoes, if this winds up anywhere close, it’s good enough.
Texans (+6 ½) over 49ERS: Tune in tonight to see if Matt Schaub captures the Golden Sombrero and throws a pick-six in his fourth successive start — a feat unprecedented in modern league history! Both sides have been defensively lax in terms of points allowed, so back-and-forth shootout looms, making hefty points not-unattractive.
MONDAY
FALCONS (-10) over Jets: The return to action we’d hoped for out of Falcons’ RB Steve Jackson will now come no earlier than Atlanta’s post-bye return to action in Week 7. Without Santonio Holmes, Jets can’t afford to have Geno Smith continue to throw turnover festivals and expect to hang close in as difficult a venue as the Georgia Dome.
LAST WEEK: 7-7
SEASON: 22-35-2