Jets, minus Revis, face tough test against feisty 49ers
If it’s not teams blowing big leads, it has been overtime defeats or replacement referees — goodbye, good riddance — deciding the outcomes.
Not that I ’ m complaining … Never mind, I’m complaining.
On to Week 4.
San Francisco at New York Jets
Line: 49ers 4 The big news for the Jets this week was all bad with Darrelle Revis out for the season with a torn ACL.
The loss of Revis is, of course, huge, with the Jets turning to running back Joe McKnight to play cornerback, which he hasn’t done since high school. That’s a tough assignment.
Compounding their secondary issues, the Jets have trouble stopping the run, giving up almost 150 yards per game. Expect Frank Gore to get plenty of carries as the 49ers can mix it up both on the ground and through the air.
Taking San Francisco minus the points
New England at Bu alo
Line: New England 4 Will the Patriots lose for the third straight time, something they haven’t done since 2002? Will they lose to a Buffalo team that has lost 20 of its last 24 divisional games?
Despite Tom Brady throwing for 300-plus yards the last two weeks, the Patriots lost both times — albeit by a total of three points. New England is 5-0 after allowing 28 points or more in its previous game. Taking New England minus the four points
Tennessee at Houston
Line: Houston 12 The Titans grabbed a win over the Detroit Lions last week, but find themselves 12-point underdogs to a Houston team that seems to be the NFL’s best team at this early stage of the season. Houston running back Arian Foster has had back-toback 100-yard rushing games. Under coach Gary Kubiak, Texas is 35-5 when rushing 30 times or more, so expect a heavy dose of Foster. Taking Houston minus the points
New York Giants at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles 1-½ The Eagles are a bit of a surprising favourite in this game, but it’s probably because they have won and covered seven of the last eight meetings with the Giants. Will Philadelphia pivot Michael Vick finally get untracked? Last week, he was harassed all game by Arizona. He was sacked five times.
New York’s front four should have at least the same success, especially if Vick elects to remain in the pocket.
Taking the Giants
Carolina at Atlanta
Line: Atlanta 7 The Falcons are averaging 31 scoring points per game; the Panthers are giving up an average of 31.5 points per contest.
Playing on the road against Atlanta, Carolina is just 3-11-2 against the spread (ATS), losing four straight and six of seven straight up (SU).
Taking Atlanta minus the points
Chicago at Dallas
Line: Dallas 3 Chicago has been getting by with its defence — it leads the NFL with 14 sacks. But their offence, behind Jay Cutler and his shaky offensive line, has been pretty tepid.
Dallas remains an enigma. They defeated the Giants in Week 1, then they got hammered by Seattle in Week 2 before eking out a 16-10 win over Tampa.
Taking Dallas