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Predictions

November 8, 2009

CHARGERS (4-3) at GIANTS (5-3)

Line: Giants by 4 1/2

Time: 4:15 p.m. EST

Uh oh. Eli’s “confused teenager” face is back, and Tom Coughlin looks like a disapproving archbishop whose flock has become lost sheep. After back-to-back humiliations, how could the once-proud Giants not show up in Philadelphia? Suddenly, a playoff spot is not a given. Luckily for them, the Chargers are fundamentally unsound, bad on the road and haven’t beaten anyone over .500. If the Giants can’t handle them, they’re worse than anyone could have imagined a month ago.

The pick: Giants

COWBOYS (5-2) at EAGLES (5-2)

Line: Eagles by 3

Time: 8:20 p.m.

After visits by the Giants and Yankees, here come the reviled Cowboys. Any other city would be drained, but Philly fans’ venom is a bottomless pit. Their battle cry: Sportsmanship is for sissies. Hmm, Tony Romo on the road against a blitzing defense in a battle for first. That doesn’t sound like his happy place. Adding to the fun is that unhappy Roy Williams is channeling T.O.

The pick: Eagles

STEELERS (5-2) at BRONCOS (6-1)

Line: Steelers by 3

Time: Monday, 8:30 p.m.

Mike Tomlin never has to tell rookie WR Mike Wallace to play 60 minutes. The Ravens beat up the Broncos, and the Steelers hit just as hard. Pittsburgh should be refreshed after a bye and catches Denver when doubts might be creeping in.

The pick: Steelers

TEXANS (5-3) at COLTS (7-0)

Line: Colts by 9

Time: 1 p.m.

Indy struggled against the 49ers but extended its regular-season winning streak to 16. The Texans are 1-13 in the series but often cover, including twice last year. They can hang tough in a shootout, and the Colts’ magic dust can’t last forever.

The pick: Texans

RAVENS (4-3) at BENGALS (5-2)

Line: Ravens by 3

Time: 1 p.m.

Reader Rich Woodworth runs a punters-only fantasy league, “The Coffin Corner.” Rich and his pals hate long drives and love three-and-outs. So does Ray Lewis, whose Ravens want payback for a penalty-aided, last-minute loss in Week 5.

The pick: Ravens

DOLPHINS (3-4) at PATRIOTS (5-2)

Line: Patriots by 10 1/2

Time: 1 p.m.

Miami can’t stop the pass, which might be a problem against Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker. As the Jets declawed the Wildcat, Bill Belichick took notes. The Pats avenge last year’s rout at the place where the gimmick debuted.

The pick: Patriots

REDSKINS (2-5) at FALCONS (4-3)

Line: Falcons by 10

Time: 1 p.m.

Keep fantasy bad beats to yourself, because nobody cares. You don’t hear Jim Zorn complaining, and he’s the NFL parallel to the Old Testament’s long-suffering Job. Washington’s offense is suicidal but the ’D’ is OK. After a battle with the Saints, maybe Atlanta won’t bring its ’A’ game.

The pick: Redskins

CARDINALS (4-3) at BEARS (4-3)

Line: Bears by 3

Time: 1 p.m.

The Cardinals are not who we thought they were. After being crushed by Carolina, they’re 1-3 at home, where they were 8-2 last season. Kurt Warner bounces back from a five-pick implosion against a weak secondary.

The pick: Cardinals

CHIEFS (1-6) at JAGUARS (3-4)

Line: Jaguars by 6 1/2

Time: 1 p.m.

I’d love to hear New York sportscaster Russ Salzberg flex his sandpaper pipes and sing “New Yawk, New Yawk” at Friday’s parade. “Dese little town blues” . . . The concrete canyon would quiver. Jack Del Rio made the Jags practice in full pads after they let Tennessee run for 305 yards. They’ll be motivated.

The pick: Jaguars

PACKERS (4-3) at BUCS (0-7)

Line: Packers by 9 1/2

Time: 1 p.m.

Favorites are 61-52-2 ATS (1 pick ’em), but home teams are 52-61-2. If the Bucs make a serious run at 0-16, will the Lions root for or against them? Rookie QB Josh Freeman’s first start will be painful as the Pack rebounds from Brett Bowl II.

The pick: Packers

PANTHERS (3-4) at SAINTS (7-0)

Line: Saints by 13 1/2

Time: 4:05 p.m.

Double-digit favorites are 13-8 ATS after the Saints, Colts, Cardinals and Chargers failed. Ah, how the spread’s dark magic can elevate the have-nots. Carolina loses with dignity, stretching its run of Superdome covers to nine.

The pick: Panthers

LIONS (1-6) at SEAHAWKS (2-5)

Line: Seahawks by 10

Time: 4:05 p.m.

Injury-depleted Seattle can dominate bottom feeders at home, and that’s about it. Detroit is 0-3 away (average margin, 22.7 points). The Seahawks’ raucous crowd is their “12th Man,” and the Lions might have problems against 10 guys.

The pick: Seahawks

TITANS (1-6) at 49ERS (3-4)

Line: 49ers by 4

Time: 4:15 p.m.

Only the Saints and Broncos (6-1 ATS) have been better bets than the 49ers (5-1-1). They’re on an 11-3-1 run (5-1 at home). They’ll perk up after close losses at Houston and Indy.

The pick: 49ers