Gridiron guide: NFL picks & fantasy take
COWBOYS at JETS, 8:20 p.m.
TV: Ch. 4; Radio: ESPN 1050
Jets by 5; O/U 40 1/2
Buddy Ryan put off surgery to watch his sons Rex and Rob coach against each other. Will Rex and Rob go the impersonation route again? Let's hope not. The Jets are 6-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last seven September games.
THE PICK: Jets
RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Santonio Holmes, right, and Plaxico Burress will pose problems for Dallas. TE Jason Witten should be targeted a lot.
GIANTS at REDSKINS, 4:15 p.m.
TV: Ch. 5; Radio: WFAN (660)
Giants by 3; O/U 38
Anyone else injured for the Giants? Gosh, even this Eagles fan feels Big Blue's pain. The G-Men have lost six defensive players to season-ending injuries. The Giants are 4-1 in their last five at Washington.
THE PICK: Giants
RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: The Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw (left), Brandon Jacobs, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham are all solid plays.
STEELERS at RAVENS, 1 p.m.
TV: Ch. 2
Ravens by 2; O/U 36 1/2
Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley said the Ravens will never win a Super Bowl with QB Joe Flacco, who's never beaten the Steelers. Meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger is 9-2 vs. Baltimore since 2004, and 6-0 vs. Flacco. Steelers have won NFL-best eight straight openers.
THE PICK: Steelers
RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: It's a tough matchup for Ravens RB Ray Rice. Look for the Steelers to air it out against a Ravens secondary with three new starters.
COLTS at TEXANS
Line: Texans by 8 1/2
Over/Under: 43, 1 p.m.
With Peyton Manning, the Colts opened as a 1-point favorite. Now they're big underdogs. If Houston can't win the AFC South now, then forget it.
THE PICK: Texans
FANTASY: WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark should still be in most lineups, but expectations have to be lowered without Peyton Manning. Make sure you have a backup plan for RB Arian Foster.
Jaguars by 2; O/U 37
The Jaguars let David Garrard attend a team luncheon Tuesday, then cut him before practice. Really? Luke McCown gets the start. Really?
THE PICK: Titans
FANTASY: Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt is going to destroy the Jaguars, who have no pass rush and a poor secondary. Start the Jags' Mike Thomas in PPR leagues.
LIONS at BUCS, 1 p.m.
Bucs by 2; O/U 41
These were two of the best teams ATS last year. The Lions were an NFL-best 12-4 ATS; Tampa Bay 10-5-1. Who gets it going first?
THE PICK: Lions
FANTASY: Lions QB Matthew Stafford is an excellent play.
EAGLES at RAMS, 1 p.m.
TV: Ch. 5
Eagles by 4 1/2.; O/U 44
New backup QB Vince Young called the Iggles a "Dream Team." More like a "Scream Team" if they don't win a Super Bowl. The Rams (7-3 ATS last 10 games in '10) should keep this close.
THE PICK: Rams
FANTASY: Jeremy Maclin's active, but he's a risky play. Rams rookie tight end Lance Kendricks (3 preseason TDs) is a sleeper.
FALCONS at BEARS, 1 p.m.
Falcons by 3; O/U 40 1/2
Atlanta was a bettors' dream last season (second-best 11-5 ATS).
THE PICK: Falcons
FANTASY: Michael Turner is just a low-end RB2 against a stout Bears front seven.
PATRIOTS at DOLPHINS, Monday, 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Patriots by 7; O/U 45 1/2
New England is 22-10 ATS in its last 32 games as a road favorite, and 44-21-3 ATS in its last 68. The Fish were 1-7 at home last season. THE PICK: Patriots
FANTASY: If possible, sit Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco, who has had a difficult time picking up the offense. Dolphins RB Reggie Bush should get a lot of touches.
RAIDERS at BRONCOS, 10:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN; Radio: WFAN (660)
Broncos by 3; O/U 40
Oakland was 6-0 vs. AFC West foes last year.
THE PICK: Raiders
FANTASY: Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd will destroy Oakland's cornerbacks.
PANTHERS at CARDINALS, 4:15 p.m.
Cardinals by 7; O/U 37
The last time Cam Newtown was in Glendale, Ariz., he was leading Auburn to a national title. Different result this time.
THE PICK: Cardinals
FANTASY: Cardinals RB Beanie Wells is a great start. So is Carolina RB DeAngelo Williams. Both defenses can't stop the run.
VIKINGS at CHARGERS, 4:15 p.m.
Chargers by 8.5; O/U 41 1/2
Under coach Norv Turner, the Chargers' record in September and October is a combined 7-15 overall the last four seasons. That's going to change this year.
THE PICK: Chargers
FANTASY: San Diego's Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert are good RB3/flex plays.
SEAHAWKS at 49ERS,
4:15 p.m.
49ers by 5 1/2; O/U 37 1/2
The Tarvaris Jackson Era begins in Seattle; the Jim Harbaugh Era begins in San Fran. Cue the crickets.
THE PICK: 49ers.
FANTASY: 49ers WR Braylon Edwards is a decent flex play. You can't feel good about starting any Seahawks.
BENGALS at BROWNS, 1 p.m.
Browns by 6 1/2; O/U 35 1/2
In the last five seasons, NFL home teams won just 42 percent (31-42-7) ATS in season-opening games. But go with the home team here.
THE PICK: Browns
FANTASY: Bengals RB Cedric Benson and Browns RB Peyton Hillis will get a lot of touches.
BILLS at CHIEFS, 1 p.m.
Chiefs by 6; O/U 40
Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is underrated.
THE PICK: Bills
FANTASY: Chiefs QB Matt Cassel (rib injury) shouldn't be in your lineup. Expect a big game from RB Jamaal Charles, though.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.
