INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
JETS at DOLPHINS 1 p.m., Ch. 5, Dolphins by 3, 38½
HANK’S HONEYS: Jets deserved a better fate last week and should be plenty angry as they look for a sweep in the season series with Fish. This is just the kind of game they should win, a defensive struggle decided by what plays each QB makes. In that case, go with Josh McCown, who has at least been efficient and has earned the respect of his teammates. Dolphins put together an unbelievable comeback in Atlanta but they are still averaging just 12.2 points per game behind Jay Cutler. It seems that everybody is jumping on the Fish this week, but the Jets continue to surprise. They are 4-1 ATS in last five games in Miami. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Jets and the under.
SEAHAWKS at GIANTS 4:25 p.m., Ch. 2, Seahawks by 5½, 39½
HANK’S HONEYS: It’s not the 12 points they were getting last week but the Giants are still a substantial home underdog against a Seattle team that hasn’t been steamrolling anyone. Only two teams have given up more than the 4.9 yards per carry that Seattle is allowing so Orleans Darkwa, coming off big game in Denver, has to be a factor. If Eli Manning is forced to throw against the Legion of Boom, edge goes to Seattle. Giants pass rush should keep Russell Wilson’s legs busy but back end has to guard against big plays. Seahawks are coming off a bye but have won just three of last five in those spots despite having great teams. Look for Giants, motivated by spoiler role, to at least keep this close. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Giants and the over.
JAGUARS at COLTS 1 p.m. Jaguars by 3, 43½
HANK’S HONEYS: Can’t figure out the Jags from week to week. Can figure out the Colts. They stink. Colts are 2-0 at home but those wins have come over winless Browns and Niners. Everyone else has pretty much rolled them. Jags have played well on road with wins over Texans and Steelers. Problem with Jaguars is Blake Bortles. If the game is on his shoulders, he’s not up to winning it. But Colts wear down late (85-22 fourth quarter deficit) and Jags have ultimate pounder in Leonard Fournette, as long as his ankle is OK. Colts’ back end has also been giving up big plays. Maybe Bortles has at least one in him. Colts O-line has been in a state of flux, although it did hold its own last week vs. Titans. Jags’ front can be dominant. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Jaguars and the over.
BRONCOS at CHARGERS 4:25 p.m., Chargers by 1, 40½
HANK’S HONEYS: It’s always dangerous to judge a team by the previous week. The Broncos forgot to show up against the Giants after seemingly owning the pre-game matchups but they’re back in the division here and have been served their wakeup call. Chargers have turned it around with two straight grind-out wins on the road but they still own the league’s worst run defense and that plays to Denver’s strength. Much of last Sunday night’s collapse was of the Broncos’ own doing. They should come out flying here and Chargers have been terrible in first quarters, being outscored 50-7. Broncos are 4-2-1 ATS in last seven vs. Chargers while home team is 10-3-2 in last 15 games in the series. Misplaced in LA, Chargers have worst home field advantage in league. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Broncos and the under.
BUCS at BILLS 1 p.m., Bills by 3 (NL)
HANK’S HONEYS: Ryan Fitzpatrick is no slouch. The ex-Bill beat his old team twice last year with the Jets and almost engineered a comeback win in Arizona last week. So the prospect of losing Jameis Winston shouldn’t be that alarming. Still, Bills’ stingy defense rates the advantage here, particularly since Bucs have trouble running the ball. Bills are looking to improve their rushing offense and Bucs were just gouged by Adrian Peterson. Bills are unbeaten at home and are coming off a bye. Bucs are winless on road and are traveling for the second straight week after a bad loss. Not sure they have the mental toughness needed here. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Bills and the under.
RAVENS at VIKINGS 1 p.m., Vikings by 5½, 39½
HANK’S HONEYS: Ravens have been ridiculously inconsistent except for one area. Their offense has been consistently bad. That makes this week a tough spot. They go on the road against a defense that can shut down the run and put the struggling (and immobile) Joe Flacco in third and long all day. Ravens’ protection hasn’t been the same since they lost Marshall Yanda. Case Keenum has been doing an admirable job in place of Sam Bradford. Vikes have a clear path to NFC North title. They are 15-4 SU and 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games as home favorite. Ravens are 3-7 ATS in last 10 road games. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Vikings and the under.
SAINTS at PACKERS 1 p.m. Saints by 4, 47½
HANK’S HONEYS: Don’t underestimate the home field advantage here, even if the quarterback battle is decidedly lopsided in Drew Brees’ favor. It’s never easy to win at Lambeau Field and the Saints haven’t exactly been outdoor warriors over the years. They’ve lost nine of their last 10 visits to Green Bay and haven’t been favored there since 2006. Brett Hundley has been Aaron Rodgers’ understudy for three years so it’s not like he’ll be a deer in the headlights. There’s talent around him and Mike McCarthy is savvy enough to build a game plan that plays to his strengths. At 4-2, the Packers are still in the race. As the money mounts on New Orleans, the prideful Pack is worth a play. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Packers and the over.
BOYS at NINERS 4:05 p.m., Cowboys by 6½, 47
HANK’S HONEYS: The winless 49ers have been competitive, losing five games in a row by a combined 13 points. How long can that last? The Cowboys are the more talented team and it’s a good matchup for them. They are coming off a much-needed bye week after losing two straight games. They should be fresh enough to wear down the 49ers with Ezekiel Elliott still in the lineup and the Niners having lost the physical presence of Arik Armstead and (head scratching here) NaVorro Bowman. C.J. Beathard is getting the start after nearly rallying the Niners in Washington but the Cowboys have a chance to prepare for him. Expect a determined effort.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cowboys and the over.
TITANS at BROWNS 1 p.m., Titans by 6, 46½
HANK’S HONEYS: There is one sure thing in the NFL. Bet against the Browns. After that backdoor cover on opening day against the Steelers, they’ve been easy money and it seems to get easier every week. Now they’re going back to DeShone Kizer at QB,but does it really matter? Combined, Kizer and Kevin Hogan have thrown 14 INTs. There are plenty of reasons to doubt the Titans. They haven’t been very good on the road, they’re traveling on a short week and their defense is among the worst in football. Marcus Mariota didn’t look particularly sharp as he came back from injury Monday night. Still, consider the opposition. Browns will find a way to lose . . . big. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Titans and the over.
FALCONS at PATS 8:30 p.m., Patriots by 3, 55
HANK’S HONEYS: Neither team is looking like its Super Bowl self but in a matchup of Tom Brady vs. Matt Ryan, you’ve got to go with the quarterback who is facing one of the worst defenses in football. That would be Ryan, the old B.C. bomber, who can take aim at a secondary that’s allowed over 300 passing yards every week. Brady is still Brady but he really misses Julian Edelman and that’s made the entire offense less explosive. It’s easy to see the Falcons getting out to an early lead here — and keeping it this time. (hint: run the football). Patriots’ home field advantage has shrunk lately, even in prime time where they are 2-2 SU since the beginning of 2016. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Falcons and the over.