’HAWKS BET A ST. LOSER
Cash in on Super Seattle hangover
SUNDAY
RAMS (+4) over Seahawks: Off bitter Super Bowl loss, will look to fade ’Hawks where they’ve endured recent difficulties, despite their backtoback Bowl appearances. St. Louis has a serviceable quarterback standin with Nick Foles, while gnawing salary issues muddy the Seattle picture — especially given the refusal of safety Kam Chancellor to come to terms.
JETS (-3 ½) over Browns: It’s tough to go fulltilt with the JETS in Todd Bowles’ headcoaching debut, but journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick can find his way against lesser sides, and the Browns are notorious for slow seasonal starts, having dropped their past 10 openers.
Giants (+6) over COWBOYS: With RB DeMarco Murray gone, and with meaningful injury issues, especially in the secondary, the Cowboys are virtually certain to regress. This is fishorcutbait year for coach Tom Coughlin, and intense underdog desperation can be key in a divisional clash when catching this many points — especially with Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. on your side.
Packers (-6 1/2) over BEARS: Road favorites of this magnitude can explode in your face, as the backdoor cover’s a constant threat. If the Bears score a lastminute garbage TD, why should
the Packers care, if already up by 10? That noted, the iffy Green Back secondary knows Jay Cutler cold, and have frustrated him at virtually every turn since ’09.
Chiefs (+1) over TEXANS: Kansas City coach Andy Reid tends to enjoy schematic advantages with earlyseason preparation edge. There’s no Arian Foster for the Texans, while Jamaal Charles should eat up yards and clock. Alex Smith should get his tempo, while Houston’s left with QB Brian Hoyer. “Hard Knocks” distractions diminish teams.
BILLS (+2 ½) over Colts: Rex Ryan is licking his chops at a likely tempo advantage, with his running game — with LeSean McCoy at least functional. Given the cheesy consistency of the Colts’ front, Buffalo is capable of playing keepaway. Longflattered by their presence within the AFC South, the Colts are diminished when away from Lucas Oil Stadium.
Dolphins (-3 ½) over REDSKINS: If assigned backtoback nondivisional roadfavorite roles in this league, it’s hard to imagine having it easier than these Dolphins (with a visit to Jacksonville, next). We’re skeptical about QB Ryan Tannehill’s alleged vast upside, but with Miami’s improved defense, the chaotic Washington prospects are unlikely to brighten anytime soon.
JAGUARS (+3) over Pan- thers: With points at premium, reluctantly will lean to slowdeveloping Jags at the market against a bigrep Cam Newton cursed with limited weaponry.
CARDINALS (-2 ½) over Saints: QB Carson Palmer is back for Cards, which should key return to proficiency for wellbalanced Arizona units. We benefitted from much of New Orleans’ solid road performances during the latter half of the ’14 season, but anticipate reversion to injuryridden Saints’ noshow form, when operating out of suitcases.
CHARGERS (-3) over Lions: Detroit QB Matthew Stafford played with distinction in the Li ons’ unlucky playoff loss to Dallass, but he often has disappointed in crunch times despite Detroit’s recent development. Both sides have endured net losses in talent, but will lean to the Bolts and Philip Rivers against a Lions team enduring a surface switch.
Bengals (-3) over RAIDERS: Yes, Raiders QB Derek Carr could be the goods, and the Silver and Black’s last three home games resulted in straightup underdog wins — but each victim (Chiefs, Niners, Bills) was enduring a lateseason descent. The Bengals remain offensively blessed, and have a sustained habit of punish ing clear inferiors.
Ravens (+4) over BRONCOS: Acknowledge Denver’s meaningful stopunit improvement, but their offensive line (the rapidlyaging Peyton Manning’s lifeline) is shakier than ever. In a challenging schedule spot (with a visit to Raiders on deck), visiting Broncokillers have greater need.
Titans (+3) over BUCCANEERS: You might prefer Jameis Winston over Marcus Mariota, but Tampa Bay’s shoddy offensive line grants the Titans meaningful advantages, and Tampa Bay’s gross level of underperformance at home in recent seasons leaves us in “showme” mode.
MONDAY
Eagles (-3) over FALCONS: PackersBears redux. The obvious side has been played up markedly, and you’re paying Tiffany’s prices for hyped road favorite — but onfield proof if needed that new Falcons coach Dan Quinn has taught his troops how to close out tight games.
49ERS (+2 ½) over Vikings: Thanks to Jim Harbaugh and the controlling York family’s broad inability to get along, the oncehaughty Niners are a smoking ruin. But, though improved, the Vikes are a long way from home, and Colin Kaepernick could prove a handful in this instance, with so much to prove.
2014 REGULAR SEASON: 1201124.