Of thea four primary units in the Giants-Eagles game, the only one that has been worth a damn has been the Eagles offense. Both defenses and the Giants offense, destroyed by injuries and poor play on the line and some colossal turnovers by Eli Manning, have been terrible.
The Eagles are averaging just under 25 points per game, which is way under-performing their NFC-best 458-yard average. Consider the Giants’ D is giving up 384 yards per game, and that has translated to 36.5 ppg against (with the help of a few return TDs). So if the Birds hit their yardage average, they should put up at least 30-33 points, and maybe more.
Can Eli match that, behind a suspect line and with little help from a running game?
The pick: Eagles +2.
TITANS (+2¹/₂) over Chiefs: How-many-and-0 do you expect the Chiefs to go after last year’s 2-14 season? Titans receivers made some sensational grabs against the Jets and will help Ryan Fitzpatrick get acclimated. And Fitzpatrick has had some of his best games against KC (4-1 with eight TDs and two INTs).
Ravens (+3) over DOLPHINS: Ravens responded to opening night blowout loss in Denver with two stout defensive wins. After inexplicable no-show last week in Buffalo, John Harbaugh bashed the offensive line and vowed to get Ray Rice more involved, and GM Ozzie Newsome traded multiple picks to the Jaguars for OT Eugene Monroe. These Ravens are pros who hate to lose.
RAMS (-11½) over Jaguars: Jacksonville is losing by an average of 24.5 points and getting outgained by 163 yards per game. So you hold your nose, take the Rams, and hope Sam Bradford doesn’t give you another Mark Sanchez-style low-light film. One good Rams trend: Teams that had extra rest off a Thursday game are 5-1 against the spread (and straight up).
Patriots (+1) over BENGALS: Wondering if this spread is a bit of an overreaction to the horrible Achilles injury suffered by Vince Wilfork. A huge loss, but it’s hard to pass up Tom Brady and Bill Belichick with points (learned that the hard way Sunday night).
COLTS (+2½) over Seahawks: Seattle’s undefeated season was propped up by a big comeback in Houston, punctuated by a stunning interception return. Tough back-to-back road trips for them. Trent Richardson isn’t rushing for many yards, but is getting into the end zone, helping to balance the offense for Andrew Luck.
PACKERS (-7) over Lions: Packers blew one two weeks back in Cincinnati and had the bye week to sit and stew at 1-2. Aaron Rodgers is 8-0 in his career vs. Detroit with 18 TDs and four INTs.
Saints (pick) over BEARS: Tough early Sunday trip for a New Orleans team coming off a Monday-night win. But these two factors prompt a Saints lean: They are averaging plus-115 yards per game while the Bears are at minus-32. That difference should be worth about 10 points.
CARDINALS (+2) over Panthers: Carolina played the Seahawks close and crushed the Giants at home, but in between lost late as small road favorites at Buffalo. Not ready to embrace them in that same betting role here.
Broncos (-7 ½) over COWBOYS: Cowboys are 2-0 at home, averaging 33.5 points, and are 3-1 against the spread. So it’ll be a good game for a while. But Denver has won 15 regular-season games in a row by at least seven points, and Dallas doesn’t have the depth in the secondary to cover all of Peyton Manning’s weapons for three hours.
49ERS (-6¹/₂) over Texans: LB Brian Cushing (concussion) and DE J.J. Watt (groin, nose) stand out on the Texans’ injury report, and Candlestick is one of the last places Matt “Pick Six Burger” Schaub would choose to go to find some confidence. Also have the Thursday extra-rest angle (5-1 ATS) with Niners here.
RAIDERS (+4 ½) over Chargers: Like the Panthers, not quite ready to trust the Chargers as road favorites either. Terrelle Pryor comes back from his concussion for the Raiders. Gonna have to stay up till about a quarter to three to see if you win this one.
MONDAY NIGHT
FALCONS (-10) over Jets: Just when it looked as if the Jets actually had some go-to guys at wide receiver, they lost both Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill. So it’s another tough spot for Geno Smith, up against a desperate (1-3) Falcons team is a loud dome. And in the Battle of the Ryans, Matty Ice will hit a couple of deep ones against Rex’s D, which has been solid, but susceptible to the big play.
BEST BETS: 49ers, Ravens, Packers
LAST WEEK: 8-7 overall, 2-1 Best Bets
LOCK OF THE WEEK: 49ers (Locks 1-3)
THURSDAY NIGHT: Bills