WHILE the Giants’ true colors probably lie somewhere between their dismal home loss to Detroit and rousing win in Minnesota, it’s doubtful Tom Coughlin will allow them to stink up the Meadowlands on successive home games.
So you can expect big effort from Big Blue, but will it be enough to cover this big number? Bears average just 15 ppg, and they’ll be hard-pressed to match that here with Craig Krenzel. If Giants score TDs in the red zone and win turnover battle, they should have no trouble getting into at least the high 20s.
The pick: Giants -9.
Jets (-3) over BILLS
Don’t be too scared off by jinx, which says MNF winners are 1-4 (two byes) the next week. Best thing about rout of Dolphins was the productivity of the WRs against a top secondary. If Chad Pennington has open options down the field, it will make Curtis Martin and, now, Lamont Jordan, more dangerous and shorten games.
STEELERS (+1) over Eagles
With Brian Westbrook likely to miss another week, Steelers will be able to send people at Donovan McNabb from all angles. There’s nothing left to say about Ben Roethlisberger other than: pick him.
LIONS (-3 1/2) over Redskins
Joe Gibbs may get a presidential pardon for almost costing Dubya the election thanks to the Redskins’ loss last week. But there will be no reprieve for NFL’s most disappointing team as Joey Harrington gets it rolling at home.
BENGALS (+1) over Cowboys
It all depends on whether Bengals can slow down, if not stop, the run. They held Denver to 123 yards two Monday nights ago and result was 23-10 win. Also, Cincy lost on road and Dallas won at home last week, and it’s usually prudent to bank on the opposite.
PANTHERS (-7) over Raiders
Raiders have given up 223 points, most in NFL by 32. Oakland’s other astounding stat is a minus-14 turnover ratio. John Fox certainly knows all of Kerry Collins’ tendencies and that will aid Panther team that is 1-6 more because of injuries than lack of heart.
Cards (+3) over DOLPHINS
Junior Seau is done for season, putting more heat on Dolphins’ overworked corners Sam Madison and Pat Surtain just as Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald come to town. Could be Cards’ first win (0-8) vs. Miami.
CHIEFS (-3) over BUCS
Even if KC offense doesn’t approach the 56 and 45 points it put up the past two weeks, expect at least the 22.3 Chiefs are averaging in their three road games. That should be enough to cover a light spread against offensively challenged Bucs.
49ERS (+6 1/2)
over Seahawks
Though Niners’ Ken Dorsey displayed girlie-man rag arm Sunday night in Chicago, there isn’t much evidence to support Seattle as 6 1/2-point favorites on the road.
Saints (+6) over CHARGERS
Love the Chargers. Won a couple of “Locks of the Week” with them in the past month. But now the spreads are starting to climb to uncomfortable level. Saints are 2-1 on road and can hurt San Diego with their talent if they’ll only play smart.
Patriots (- 2 1/2) over RAMS
Sure, it’s scary trying to stop the St. Louis on the carpet with a banged-up secondary missing its best player, Ty Law. Still, Rams are only team in NFL to figure out how to lose to Miami. And Bill Belichick vs. Mike Martz is the sublime vs. the ridiculous of coaching matchups.
Texans (+6 1/2)
over BRONCOS
Expect Broncos to bounce back from second loss in row, a 41-28 home thumping by Falcons. But spread’s a little hefty, considering John Lynch is out and Texans are live 2-1 on the road.
RAVENS (-6) over Browns
Ravens’ offense functioned reasonably well against Eagles’ blitzes and now gets Jamal Lewis back. Home, prime-time setting will help Baltimore avenge 20-3 loss at Cleveland in season opener. Browns are 0-3 on road.
MONDAY NIGHT
COLTS (-6) over Vikings
Vikings pulled a no-show vs. Giants and very well could be on their way to another season-killing swoon. While both QBs will put up huge numbers, count on Peyton Manning for extra TD and Daunte Culpepper for extra INT.
BEST BETS: Giants, Lions, Chiefs.
LAST WEEK: 3-11.
BEST BETS: 2-1.