TODAY
EAGLES (-3) over Giants: For the opening 80 percent of the Bears game, Eli Manning was in December Swoon mode. Final 12 minutes made up for that, confirming Big Blue’s front-row seat for NFC wild-card berth. One more win will virtually lock it up, but easier spots beckon than this divisional match vs. foe with same-season payback in mind – and with Donovan McNabb back.
JETS (+3) over Browns: Our tech indicators and tea leaves indicate the home side enjoys the percentage edge at this spread, but won’t fault Cleveland loyalists who see their boys responding to the challenge of the wild-card battle. Will admit Brownies figure to get best of it in a shootout with Derek Anderson at controls.
Panthers (+101/2) over JAGUARS: Post-Colt ennui – and mounting pressure, which will explode if Jags somehow miss the postseason party again – makes Carolina worth a nibble. Steve Smith can make hay against modest Jacksonville secondary if Vinny Testaverde can get him the ball with measure of consistency.
LIONS (+101/2) over Cowboys: Detroit’s finishing schedule is forbidding, but can envision a competitive effort here, despite absence of WR Roy Williams (ankle). If Jon Kitna can evade Terence Newman with minimal blocking assistance, Lions have legit chance. ‘Boys sport sub-.500 record – straight up – in December the past three years, and may exhale after crusade game vs. Packers.
BILLS (-7) over Dolphins: QB Trent Edwards and returning RB Marshawn Lynch should provide needed spark to propel Buffalo past woebegone Miami, especially given projected weather conditions. With likely high of 31 degrees, winless Sea Mammals will struggle, out of their element.
Raiders (+101/2) over PACKERS: Hey, we love Brett Favre, too, but No. 4 does treasure that consecutive-starts record (269, as I type this), and his left elbow woes and shoulder separation may not leave him fully effective . . . and given Pack’s cushy remaining schedule, Green Bay’s virtually locked into the No. 2 NFC seed. Oakland’s been more than competitive last few weeks, and can hang.
TITANS (Pick) over Chargers: DT Albert Haynesworth’s participation at something resembling full effectiveness is clearly key for home side. Minimizing LaDainian Tomlinson’s damage and maximizing pressure on erratic Philip Rivers gives Tenny’s Vince Young and solid RB tandem best chance to deter Diego.
BENGALS (-61/2) over Rams: With Marc Bulger out of commission again, Brock Berlin is slated to make his first NFL appearance. Irresponsible, unreliable Bengals are seldom a gilt-edged investment, but depleted Rams forced to perform in outdoor arena in cold-weather city remain an unattractive take.
Bucs (-3) over TEXANS: Tampa’s seldom a bargain as a road favorite, especially under playoff-pressure circumstances, but without QB Matt Schaub and starting OGs Fred Weary and Chris White, it’s difficult to embrace Houston. Jeff Garcia’s anxious to play for visiting chalk and should prevail if sufficiently mobile.
Cardinals (+7) over SEAHAWKS: Seattle can end all league divisional suspense and stuff the NFC West in the bag, one more time, with a win here, and is facing a decimated Arizona defense in its quest to secure the clincher in efficient fashion. Lean ‘Zona, but prepared to scurry away if game-time decisions regarding Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin aren’t favorable.
49ERS (+81/2) over Vikings: As an observer, you have to love how Minny’s made the most of the game’s fundamentals over the past five weeks . . . by running the ball and stopping the other guys. What you can’t love is how this line’s flown away in the marketplace. Based on the glaring fundamentals, can’t argue the move, but at number (likely to reach +10), lean dog.
Chiefs (+61/2) over BRONCOS: Winless since their Week Eight bye, Kay Cee embraces last chance to affect a divisional rival. Like Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler’s a ballyhooed young quarterback with distinct upside who’s endured an up-and-down season, and state of Denver rush defense can make it difficult to maintain tempo and protect a lead.
Steelers (+101/2) over PATRIOTS: Hardly need Pittsburgh DB Anthony Smith blithely guaranteeing a straight-up win this week. Bulletin-board material, for certain! But Steelers’ fundamental soundness and overt physicality are desirable possessions when coping with a Mercedes-level finesse passing offense.
RAVENS (+9) over Colts: Murky read, as last week’s convergence of Baltimore’s “Super Bowl” (vs. Pats) and inspired play by such Miami (Fla.) products as Ray Lewis and Willis McGahee (on heels of Sean Taylor’s passing) unlikely to be reproduced here. Still, big dog number in stand-alone, late-season night game favors home team.
TOMORROW NIGHT
FALCONS (+4) over Saints: Atlanta HC Bobby Petrino tapped his ex-Louisville QB Chris Redman to start here. Redman showed to advantage in come-from-behind role against the Rams, and does get the ball away with alacrity. That’s no instant prescription for sustained success, but with Reggie Bush out with a partially torn left knee ligament, price is right.