NEWTON & HOLLERIN’!
IT’S A battle of undefeateds — the 100 Cam Newton Panthers vs. the 30 Tony Romo Cowboys. The Panthers are the better team here. They’ve covered in eight of the 10 wins, including all four on the road. Some of the competition has been weak, but they did win at Seattle. Romo’s back but it seems as if the Cowboys (37 for real) are one play away from another important injury.
The pick: Panthers (PK).
LIONS (PK) over Eagles: Sam Bradford and LT Jason Peters may return and that would help the Eagles. But what about the defense, which gave up 283 rushing yards to the Bucs along with five Jameis Winston TD passes? After losing nine in a row on Turkey Day, the Lions have won their last two by a combined 7427.
PACKERS (8 ¹/₂) over Bears: Halftime at festive Lambeau will be all about Brett Favre, but Aaron Rodgers will rule the night. He got mad after his girlfriend Olivia Munn was blamed for the Packers’ losing streak. When Rodgers gets rolling, he’s hard to stop.
SUNDAY
Giants (2 ¹/₂) over REDSKINS: If the Cowboys and Eagles lose, the Giants can just about put away the NFC East by beating the Skins, which they’ve done five times in a row (the last four by doubledigits). If the division tightens, the Giants will feel more urgency, which is good anyway. Skins have won four in a row at home but that streak stops here.
Dolphins (+3¹/₂) over JETS: This line should fall some if and when Darrelle Revis is declared out, so it’s good to buy high. And with Nick Mangold iffy with a lacerated hand, don’t expect the Jets’ running game to perk up.
Saints (+3) over TEXANS: Rob Ryan is gone from the Saints’ NFLworst defense, which will face the returning Brian Hoyer. Taking a shot with Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense on the carpet off a bye against a Texans team that’s banged up in the secondary.
Vikings (+2) over FALCONS: Chalking up last week’s loss to the intersection of a fivegame Vikings winning streak and threegame Packers skid. Happy to take the Purple People with points against a Falcons team that has lost three in a row (including two at home).
BENGALS (9) over Rams: Usually like the Rams with big points like this, but the
Bengals can really roll it up on teams that lose focus. The Rams have dropped three in a row and you have to wonder if they will be up for this after the Case Keenum possibleconcussion debacle.
Buccaneers (+3) over COLTS: Bucs have gotten their defense in order, allowing 23 points in two weeks to the Cowboys and Eagles. Now they go up against another backup quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck. And Jameis Winston is getting better and better.
Raiders (1 ¹/₂) over TITANS: Raiders have lost three in a row and travel east for the third time in four weeks. But even though the offense has flagged some (13 and 14 points the last two games), they have more firepower than Tennessee, which has put up 13 points or fewer in six of the last seven.
CHIEFS (5) over Bills: Who would have thought we’d be worried about who will replace Charcandrick West if he’s out, but Spencer Ware put up 92 yards and two TDs last week in the 333 rout in San Diego. Third straight road game for the Bills, who may be without Tyrod Taylor.
JAGUARS (3 ¹/₂) over Chargers: Going into last week, San Diego had lost five in a row, but by 4,3, 8, 3 and 3. But the dam burst last week. Now this injuryriddled mess flies cross country in a holiday week to take on a feisty Jags team looking for a fifth win.
Cardinals (10) over 49ERS: Have to agree with the Steele Trap on this one. Don’t see what’s so different here from the 477 Cardinals beatdown of the 49ers in September.
Steelers (+4) over SEAHAWKS: Long trip for the Steelers, but at least they’re off a muchneeded bye week after Ben Roethlisberger’s 379yard masterpiece in relief against the Browns. Marshawn Lynch is expected out again for Seattle.
BRONCOS (+3) over Patriots: Too early in the week to know if Danny Amendola will join Julian Edelman on the sidelines. If so, that’s a huge problem for Tom Brady against the NFL’s No. 1 yardage defense. The Pats actually have given up the NFL’s fewest points (182 to Denver’s 183) and Bill Belichick goes up against a neophyte QB in Brock Osweiler. This should be tight all the way.
MONDAY
BROWNS (2 ¹/₂) over Ravens: Not often is a 28 team favored, but one is here against a 37 team that just lost its quarterback and top running back and was decimated before that. Browns coach Mike Pettine may get some backing from his players for benching Johnny Manziel for his byeweek partying. BEST BETS: Jaguars, Giants, Bengals LAST WEEK: 581 overall, 12 Best Bets
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Jaguars (Locks 37 in 2015)