BAD LUCK FOR ROOKIE FAVES
First-year QBs have yet to cover
TODAY
Browns (+2 ½) over COLTS: Hellfireraw emotion can work for even marginally competitive teams a couple of times a year ... but Indy used up one of those adrenaline rushes against the Packers in Week 5, and don’t look for instant replay against side which rediscovered winning against the Bengals. Andrew Luck’s a comer, but starting rookie QBs are 0for2012 when favored this season.
Redskins (+5 ½) over GI
ANTS: Respect the fundamentalists’ side in the wake of the Redskins’ sweep of Big Blue in 2011, but the Giants have been in steamy overdrive since falling behind the Browns by two touchdowns early in Week 5. Win over the Niners was a classic “sit down and shut up” putdown, but with a visit to Dallas on next week’s agenda, Giants do just enough to beat Washington (and Robert Griffin III) without burning them. PATRIOTS (10 ½) over Jets: Gang Green’s been squeaking about the disputable legality of New England’s execution of what essentially is the Oregon Ducks’ hurryup offense. That’s sound gamesmanship — and Jets surely enjoyed the untimely brainblips which snatched Pats defeat from the jaws of victory in Seattle. But Jets figure to pay the price for the foreseeable, so long as they remain in the sights of Bill ( zero Super Bowl titles since Spygate) Belichick. BILLS (3 ½) over Titans: When Buffalo runs the ball with consistency (and with C. J. Spiller and Fred Jackson in harness, that goal is attainable), life’s a cabaret. Titans got their jollies taking out the Steelers in Thursdaynighter, and though Pittsburgh’s not worldclass without Troy Polamalu, the mental energy that upset required has been depleted.
VIKINGS (6) over Cardinals: Not eager to lay during an NFL season which has evolved into one of the great sustained underdog frolics in league annals, but after being exposed by the Bills in the desert, Cards can’t be thrilled to schlep to Frostbite Falls to face same outfit which thrashed them by two dozen last season. Fordham’s John Skelton is expected to stand in for Kevin Kolb to absorb the likely punishment.
TEXANS (6 ½) over Ravens: Wise guys are falling all over themselves rushing to establish positions on embarrassed the Texans against the nickedup Black Birds. Loss of topdrawer CB Lardarius Webb with torn ACL wounds Baltimore severely. There’s noise about Terrell Suggs’ return to action for visitor, but is he 100 percent?
RAMS (+5 ½) over Packers: Texans secondary is susceptible to strongarmed surgeons with superlative raw talent, such as renowned dome operator Aaron Rodgers. But is the Pack really back? Skeptical, given that previous offensive guru Joe Philbin guides the Dolphins. Rams have reestablished themselves, have intensitygenerating coach Jeff Fisher calling the shots, and trot out a defense which has been goaded into performing at max over the past month.
Cowboys (2) over PANTHERS: Forced to choose between the league’s primary poster children for deepfourthquarter snafus and pratfalls, we’re left with the ‘Boys, who are halfpast due off pair of losses and boast a much deeper roster than Carolina.
BUCS (+2) over Saints: With previously suspended Saints LB Jonathan Vilma possibly back for this, clash looms as barnburner on both sides of the ball, as both sides find themselves in multiple positive mental situations. But coach Greg Schiano has Tampa playing snappy defense most weekends, which could keep more disciplined Bucs in range.
Jaguars (+4) over RAIDERS: Being compelled to join forces with league’s leastefficient unit on the road is tough row to hoe, but Raiders pass defense may be bad enough to keep Blaine Gabbert out of his personal panic room, and Oakland offense remains erratic and unreliable.
BENGALS (+1 ½) over Steelers: It might be playing with fire to charge into the teeth of such a longterm pattern of dominance as Pittsburgh enjoys over these Bengals, but Steelers offense is in shreds (C Maurkice Pouncey? Ouch. RB Rashard Mendenhall? Achilles? Ouch!), and their defense wears down like an 85yearold’s molars without Troy Polamalu. Respect Steelers DNA and Big Ben Roethlisberger, but this likely won’t be easy.
TOMORROW
Lions (+6 ½) over BEARS: Even without hopedfor return of Lions RB Jahvid Best, flighty Lions made down payment on salvaging their season last week in Philadelphia. Now, toting their fine longterm Monday record, they face Bears side that’s running hot, bearing high expectations — and that hasn’t covered a Monday favorite lay at Soldier Field in two decades, plus. Loose visitors can create headaches for opponents, should they keep stupid mistakes to a bare minimum. LAST WEEK: 76. SEASON: 41413.