BEAT’EM JUICE
Re-energized Giants could put crimp in Cowboys’ playoff plans
THE GIANTS did the right thing firing Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese on Monday. Now, Giants fans can replace their anger with thoughts of the perfect new coach/GM tandem and the looming high draft pick.
The question is whether the big moves — which include Steve Spagnuolo’s ascension to interim head coach and Eli Manning’s return as starting quarterback — will have an impact on the field. Don’t forget, the Giants are 2-9 in Eli’s starts, and Spags’ defense was a major culprit for this terrible season.
Even if it might not last, the expectation here is for the Giants to rally to their new circumstances and put together one good game that would go a long way toward ruining the Cowboys’ playoff chances.
The pick: Giants +3¹/₂.
Jets (-1) over BRONCOS: If you had predicted at the beginning of the season the Jets would be favored at Denver in Week 14, take a bow. Should get the standard Jets effort that’s been there every game except Week 10 at Tampa Bay. Broncos have lost eight in a row and haven’t topped 17 points in any of the past four.
BUCCANEERS (Pick) over Lions: Matthew Stafford, who had been limping all over the place, now has a badly bruised hand. The Lions rely on him for so much and he may be too banged up to deliver, even against disappointing 4-8 Tampa Bay.
Bears (+6½) over BENGALS: LB Vontaze Burfict and RB Joe Mixon suffered concussions in the brutal Monday nighter versus the Steelers. Quick turnaround against a 3-9 Bears team that’s easy to overlook.
BILLS (Pick) over Colts: After 10-15 inches of snow late in the week, it’ll be 30 degrees with more snow on Sunday in Orchard Park. Huge advantage for the Bills against the mostly indoor Colts, even if Nathan Peterman has to start.
Raiders (+4) over CHIEFS: Kansas City’s offense perked up against the Jets, but the defense was a disaster, and now Andy Reid has suspended CB Marcus Peters for tossing a penalty flag into the crowd. Raiders get WR Michael Crabtree back.
PANTHERS (+2 ½) over Vikings: Respect the Vikings, but this is their third road game in a row and at 10-2 they have a ton of breathing room in the NFC North. Panthers (8-4) need this if they hope to catch the Saints in the NFC South.
Packers (-3) over BROWNS: Browns are 0-12, and their cover last week in a 19-10 loss at the Chargers was just their third of the season. This is a small price to pay for the Packers, who are still in the NFC wild-card race at 6-6 and could be getting Aaron Rodgers back next week.
TEXANS (-2½) over 49ers: Home team minus-2½ is Vegas telling us this is virtually a dead-even matchup, and the feeling here is that’s undersell- ing the Texans a bit. Niners won a road game in Chicago last week, but Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t put the ball in the end zone there.
Redskins (+6) over CHARGERS: The ’Skins have won West Coast games this season at the Rams and Seahawks, and always like the idea of getting Kirk Cousins with big points. ’Skins are 2-5 in their past seven and have given up 33 points or more in five of those games, so go lightly.
Titans (-3) over CARDINALS: Titans are tied for first in the AFC South and are 8-4, but amazingly have given up 16 more points than they’ve scored. No t sold on this team, but this is a reasonable price against the 5-7 Cardinals.
JAGUARS (- 2 ½ ) over Seahawks: Cross-country trip after a big Sunday night win for the Seahawks, who get a break with kickoff being flexed to 4:25. “Sacksonville” might be the one team with a defensive line that can counteract Russell Wilson’s scrambling magic.
Eagles (+2) over RAMS: This should be Sunday’s best game. Eagles already would have clinched the NFC East if the Cowboys lose or tie versus the Giants, so that’s a bit of a situational concern. But after the loss in Seattle, figure on the Eagles bringing their “A” game against a team they could face in the playoffs.
Ravens (+5) over STEELERS: The handicapping of NFL games grows tougher, as it’s impossible to predict misconduct that determines winners and losers. The Steelers will enter another one of those “AFC North street fights” without WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (suspended) and excellent LB Ryan Shazier (bruised spinal cord).
MONDAY
DOLPHINS (+10 ½) over Patriots: With Rob Gronkowski suspended and the AFC Game of the Year coming up next week in Pittsburgh, Bill Belichick likely will be looking to get out of Miami with any win. Two weeks ago, the Dolphins put some big hits on Tom Brady, and that could lead to a more conservative game plan here. BEST BETS: Texans, Bills, Packers LOCK OF THE WEEK: Texans (Locks 4-9 in 2017). LAST WEEK: 11-5 overall, 1-2 Best Bets. THURSDAY: Falcons (W)