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PREDICTIONS

November 1, 2009

VIKINGS (6-1) at PACKERS (4-2)

Line: Packers by 3

Time: 4:15 p.m.

In “The Return of Brett,” conflicted Cheeseheads will wear green No. 4 jerseys under their Packers gear while hoping to see Favre humbled. There’s nothing like anguish to make a fan feel alive. Minnesota again will exploit the Pack’s shaky offensive line and rebound from a tough loss in Pittsburgh.

The pick: Vikings

BRONCOS (6-0) at RAVENS (3-3)

Line: Ravens by 3 1/2

Time: 1 p.m.

Big-picture handicapping and the line say this is a logical spot for Denver’s first loss. The Broncos are for real but not an elite team. After three straight down-to-the wire losses, the desperate Ravens will be fired up at home.

The pick: Ravens

FALCONS (4-2) at SAINTS (6-0)

Line: Saints by 10

Time: 8:30 p.m. Monday

Saints fans will be tanking up on Bourbon Street, pregaming for prime time. They can’t wait to see Jeremy Shockey stiff-arm and strut and Marques Colston glide. The league’s top offense burns an undersized defense in the deafening Superdome.

The pick: Saints

GIANTS (5-2) at EAGLES (4-2)

Line: Pick ’em

Time: 1 p.m.

If a Mets fan saw a Yankees fan fighting a Phillies fan, would he try to slug both? If he did, he’d miss with a left hook and tweak a hammy. In the opener of the New York-Philadelphia day-night hatefest, the Giants have a double-revenge angle working. Last year the Eagles exposed the Giants’ problems without Plaxico Burress and later slapped Big Blue in the playoffs. Philly’s offense is erratic, and Brian Westbrook (concussion) might sit. If the Giants pick up the Eagles’ blitzes, they’ll be fine.

The pick: Giants

DOLPHINS (2-4) at JETS (4-3)

Line: Jets by 3

Time: 1 p.m.

Why watch: To see Mark Sanchez, whose range of emotions shames most actors. Too light: The Jets’ run defense without 360-pound nose tackle Kris Jenkins. Too heavy: Rex Ryan, who would beat any Sumo wrestler in a belly-bumping contest. Don’t get carried away by the rout of the Raiders, who can make anybody look overpowering, and losing playmaker Leon Washington was a major hit. Even with Jenkins, the Jets couldn’t stop the Wildcat in Miami. Expect more of the same.

The pick: Dolphins

TEXANS (4-3) at BILLS (3-4)

Line: Texans by 3 1/2

Time: 1 p.m.

Bob the long-suffering Bills fan is so grateful for a two-game winning streak, but he doesn’t expect it to reach three.

The pick: Texans

BROWNS (1-6) at BEARS (3-3)

Line: Bears by 13

Time: 1 p.m.

The Bears had an unscheduled bye and didn’t show up for a 45-10 slaughter in Cincinnati. Embarrassment and Browns tapes will get their juices flowing. The good Jay Cutler reappears.

The pick: Bears

SEAHAWKS (2-4) at COWBOYS (4-2)

Line: Cowboys by 9 1/2

Time: 1 p.m.

The erratic Cowboys used the open week to get their minds right (for the time being) and pummeled Atlanta. Seattle is soft, bad on the road and riddled with injuries, so a repeat performance seems likely at the Jerrydome.

The pick: Cowboys

RAMS (0-7) at LIONS (1-5)

Line: Lions by 4 1/2

Time: 1 p.m.

Will last year’s 0-16 Lions do a Bizarro World spin on the 1972 Dolphins and party after every team has a win? Lions QB Matthew Stafford (knee) is questionable. The Rams, losers of 17 straight, nearly beat the Redskins and Jaguars on the road.

The pick: Rams

49ERS (3-3) at COLTS (6-0)

Line: Colts by 12

Time: 1 p.m.

Favorites are 56-45-2 ATS, but home teams are only 48-53-2 after a 3-9-1 week. Alex Smith starts for the 49ers after throwing three second-half TD passes vs. Houston. Indy (5-1 ATS) has won an insane 15 regular-season games in a row, and the 49ers’ pass defense is lousy.

The pick: Colts

RAIDERS (2-5) at CHARGERS (3-3)

Line: Chargers by 16 1/2

Time: 4:05 p.m.

Double-digit favorites are 12-4 ATS, and here’s the season’s biggest line yet. Are the Raiders that bad? Unquestionably, but they almost beat San Diego in Week 1 and wasted no energy against the Jets. The Chargers could play down to Oakland’s level again.

The pick: Raiders

JAGUARS (3-3) at TITANS (0-6)

Line: Titans by 3

Time: 4:05 p.m.

The Jags struggle at Tennessee (3-7 ATS), and their .500 record is a mirage. The Titans’ schedule is tough, and they could go 3-13 if they lose here. Maybe the switch to Vince Young at QB will provide a spark. As Jeff the Giants fan says, “Whose turn is it to win?”

The pick: Titans

PANTHERS (2-4) at CARDINALS (4-2)

Line: Cardinals by 10

Time: 4:15 p.m.

It’s a rematch of the playoff upset that began Jake Delhomme’s turnover pandemic. Bumbling Carolina (1-5 ATS) even struggled against the Bucs, the worst of the many bottom feeders.

The pick: Cardinals