IT’S FOOTBALL FRIDAY!
The News breaks down all this weekend’s NFL games and our experts make the calls on who to bet on
DOLPHINS at JETS 1 p.m., Dolphins by 6½, 4 4½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Jets may losing but they haven’t exactly bbeen tanking for Trevor with two straight and three out of four wins ATSS. What a difference a week makes in Miami after the Tua benching in Denver took away all their momentum. Turnovers and field position helped Tua tremendously in his first two starts as the Dolphin offense is still behind what it was with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was better able to make up for a poor running game. Gregg Williams will give Tua enough looks after he appeared confused by the Broncos. Sam Darnold’s probable return should pick up the Jets offense a tad and the Jets may even think they can steal a win here. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Jets and the under.
GIANTS at BENGALS 1 p.m., Giants by 5½, 4 2½
HANK’S HONEYS: Joe Burrow was a one-man team for the Bengals and there is no way their offense can be as effective behind former practice squad QB Brandon Allen, especially with RB Joe Mixon sidelined as well. The Giants’ defense is gaining respect with at least two sacks inn every game and a takeaway in eight of its 10 games while allowing jusst overove 20 ppg in its last five games. Daniel Jones should find time against Cincy’s feeble pass rush and pick on a defense allowing the fourth-highest yards per play in the NFL. With two straight Ws, the 3-7 Giants have more momentum than anyone in the NFC East. They have rewarded bettors with a 7-3 record ATS and are a perfect 5-0 ATS on the road with a 17-3 ATS record in their last 20. Miserable, rainy conditions should lead to an ugly, low-scoring slog. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Giants and the under.
BROWNS at JAGUARS 1 p.m., Browns by 6½, 4 9
HANK’S HONEYS: With Jake Luton benched, Mike Glennon makes his first start in three years. Even with Myles Garrett sidelined, that’s good news for the Browns defense. The Browns can flaunt a huge advantage matching Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt against an injury-ravaged defense that has allowed 12 rushing TDs and an average of 131.7 rushing yards per game. After three straight weeks of nasty Cleveland weather, Baker Mayfield and the Browns’ play action passing attack should break out in more comfortable conditions. The Browns have a clear path to the playoffs for the first time in years and there’s always a chance they’ll be the victims of swelled heads. So proceed with caution.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Browns and the over.
CHARGERS at BILLS 1 p.m., Bills by 5 ½, 5 3½
HANK’S HONEYS: Tough spot for the Chargers making the cross-country jaunt. The Bills’ offense was again cranking into the two weeks leading up to last week’s bye and the Chargers’ defense hasn’t held anyone to under 28 points (even the Jets) since Week 3. Love Justin Herbert but the Chargers are going to have to run the ball here – that’s the way you beat the Bills -- and they’ve been running into brick walls lately. The Bills are still smarting from blowing their last game in Arizona. They’ll come out ready to play this one and should cruise. With relatively mild weather expected, the over is a no-brainer. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Bills and the over.
RAVENS at STEELERS 1:1 5 p.m., Steelers by 4 , 4 6
HANK’S HONEYS: If not for the Ravens’ decimated backfield and the team’s COVID issues this week, this would be a logical spot for the Steelers’ first loss. But Lamar Jackson’s arm has been so inconsistent this year, it’s going to be hard for the Ravens to rely on it. Factor in third and long situations against the Steelers’ pass rush and this offense is in trouble. The Ravens, too, are coming off a bruising battle against the Titans on short rest. Derrick Henry wore them down in the second half and we can see the Steelers continuing that with their ground game. Unless the Ravens can coax a few INTs out of Ben Roethlisberger – and he has shown no such tendencies – Pittsburgh should roll to a 10th straight win.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Steelers and the under.
SEAHAWKS at EAGLES
HANK’S HONEYS: Time to fade the freefalling Birds. Not sure Carson Wentz, who keeps making dumb mistakes, will be able to take advantage of Seattle’s defense, which has been a bit better lately. The last thing Philly fans want to see is Wentz in catchup mode against Russell Wilson. Chris Carson’s return gives the Seahawks’ running game a boost against a Philly run defense that struggled against the Browns. Seattle is coming off 1 0 days’ rest and has had success on East Coast under Pete Carroll, including two wins in Philly the last two years.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Seahawks and the under.
RAIDERS at FALCONS 4 :0 5 p.m., Raiders by 3 , 5 6½
HANK’S HONEYS: Some consider this a trap game but we still have to give edge to Raiders with Julio Jones a game time decision. Matt Ryan is a different QB when he has his All Pro receiver on the field, although the Raiders better get some pressure on him. Conversely, the Falcons’ secondary is no match for Derek Carr, who has thrown 19 TDs against just three picks and has had only two weeks without a passer rating of 9 5 . The Falcons, meanwhile, are allowing the third-highest passer rating of the year and have made a particular mess of it against tight ends, with Darren Waller Carr’s go-to guy. This is a clear over play even with the high total.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Raiders and the over.
BEARS at PACKERS 8 :2 0 p.m., Packers by 7 ½, 4 5
HANK’S HONEYS: It’s too a big line, a big rivalry and the Bears have the much better defense. Signs point to Mitch Trubisky at QB buts does it really matter who quarterbacks this Bears’ offense? This isn’t about the Bears offense. It’s about their D. Maybe people expect Aaron Rodgers to go nuts but the Bears haven’t lost by more than a touchdown all year – and it’s not like the Packers have been blowing teams out. Truth is, the Packers’ defense can’t make big stops. David Montgomery will be back to test what has been a rubbery Green Bay run defense and if the Bears can get something out of that running game, they’ll keep this close. Cautionary note: the Bears have lost their last six games ATS after a bye.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Bears and the under.
TITANS at COLTS 1 p.m., Colts by 3½, 51
HANK’S HONEYS: Expecting a much tighter game after the Colts blew out Titans in the second half two weeks ago, thanks in part, to special teams and goofs. The Titans have a lot to prove here, just as they did last week in Baltimore. They never had the chance to use Derek Henry as a battering ram in that one but they will go into this one determined to get him established. Interesting trend: the road team has son four straight and five of the last six in the series. Keep an eye on the injury report. They are piling up in Tennessee, a reason to be cautious.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Titans and the under.
CARDINALS at PATRIOTS 1 p.m., Cardinals by 2½, 4 9½
HANK’S HONEYS: Between the Patriots’ sluggish offense and their disappointing pass defense, they are likely to lose as a home underdog for the first time since 2004. The Cardinals have had success on the road this year and the Pats’ home field advantage isn’t what it once was, that last upset of the Ravens not withstanding. The 45 degree temps will not be a factor as Kyler Murray picks up where Deshaun Watson left off last week.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cardinals and the under.