Gridiron Guide: NFL Picks for Week 14

By JOHN BOELLjohn.boell@newsday.comDecember 9, 2010

GIANTS (8-4) at VIKINGS (5-7)

Line: Giants by 2 1/2

Over/Under: 43

TV-Radio: Ch. 5, WFAN (660), 1 p.m.

Besides the media and opposing teams, do you know another beneficiary from all of the Jets' talking this season? The Giants. It's never easy playing in the hostile Metrodome, and Eli Manning is 0-4 against the Vikings in his career. But the Giants are 10-3 ATS as a road favorite and 21-8 ATS in their last 29 road games.

The pick: Giants (BEST BET)

DOLPHINS (6-6) at JETS (9-3)

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Line: Jets by 5 1/2

Over/Under: 40

TV-Radio: Ch. 2, ESPN (1050), 4:15 p.m.

Rex Ryan buried a game ball from the Jets' 42-point Monday night shellacking before Wednesday's practice. He should've buried everything from the game, including the uniforms, play calls and the game tape after his team's Foxborough Fiasco. We'll find out a lot about the Jets this weekend. Miami (5-1 road ATS) was given an assist by Giants co-owner John Mara and was allowed to practice in the Giants' indoor facility. That's cold.

The pick: Jets

PATRIOTS (10-2) at BEARS (9-3)

Line: Patriots by 3

Over/Under: 41, 4:15 p.m.

The Peyton Manning-Tom Brady debate is a great one, but lately, it's not even close. Brady might go down as the best QB to ever play the game, and he sure looked like that Monday night. The Patriots are an AFC-best 8-4 ATS. Plus, Bears LB Brian Urlacher gave the Pats some bulletin board material when he told the Chicago Tribune: "I feel like we're the best team [in the NFL], period." I don't think so. Exclamation point.

The pick: Patriots

CHIEFS (8-4) at CHARGERS (6-6)

Line: OFF (Chiefs QB questionable)

Over/Under: OFF, 4:15 p.m.

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel underwent an appendectomy on Wednesday. His status is doubtful. What can the Chiefs expect from backup QB Brodie Croyle, who hasn't thrown a pass this season, and has just nine career starts in his five-year career? KC has struggled in its division (2-5 ATS in their last seven AFC West games). The Chargers are 7-2 ATS following an ATS loss.

The pick: Chargers

RAIDERS (6-6) at JAGUARS (7-5)

Line: Jaguars by 4 1/2

Over/Under: 43, 1 p.m.

Raiders coach Tom Cable knows his club is 5-17 in Eastern time zone day games since 2003. So Cable reportedly moved his team's meeting and practice times to get adjusted to the time difference. Perfect timing: I think the Time Travelers cover here.

The pick: Raiders

BENGALS (2-10) at STEELERS (9-3)

Line: Steelers by 8 1/2

Over/Under: 39 1/2

TV: Ch. 2, 1 p.m.

Cincy hasn't quit on coach Marvin Lewis, but they are undisciplined at the absolute worst times. Still, this line is too big for a rivalry game.

The pick: Bengals

BUCCANEERS (7-5) at REDSKINS (5-7)

Line: Buccaneers by 2

Over/Under: 41, 1 p.m.

The 'Skins' Albert Haynesworth was suspended the rest of the season without pay for detrimental behavior. If I had his $100-million contract, not only would I play, I'd be the team's groundskeeper, bus driver and equipment guy.

The pick: Bucs

EAGLES (8-4) at COWBOYS (4-8)

Line: Eagles by 3 1/2

Over/Under: 50 1/2

TV-Radio: Ch. 4, WFAN (660), 8:20 p.m.

Dallas has a new coach and a new attitude with four straight covers under coach Jason Garrett. I think the 'Boys can control Michael Vick.

The pick: Cowboys

RAMS (6-6) at SAINTS (9-3)

Line: Saints by 9

Over/Under: 47, 4:05 p.m.

The Rams are an NFL-best 9-3 ATS and need a win here in their first-place fight in the NFC West.

The pick: Rams

BRONCOS (3-9) at CARDINALS (3-9)

Line: OFF

(Arizona QB questionable)

Over/Under: OFF, 4:15 p.m.

Denver fired coach Josh McDaniels, who might go down as the only coach who's ever been caught cheating - and still lost the game! The Cardinals are an NFL-worst 3-9 ATS.

The pick: Broncos

RAVENS (8-4) at TEXANS (5-7)

Line: Ravens by 3

Over/Under: 45 1/2

TV-Radio: ESPN, WFAN (660), 8:30 p.m. Monday

Houston can't stop anyone, and Baltimore (6-2 ATS following an ATS loss) will take their frustration out on them after Sunday night's last-minute loss to Pittsburgh.

The pick: Ravens

BROWNS (5-7) at BILLS (2-10)

Line: Bills by 1

Over/Under: 39 1/2, 1 p.m.

To paraphrase Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, I gotta give these two teams a lot of credit. Both clubs play their hearts out every week.

The pick: Browns

PACKERS (8-4) at LIONS (2-10)

Line: Packers by 6 1/2

Over/Under: 46 1/2, 1 p.m.

Green Bay is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games against the NFC North.

The pick: Packers

SEAHAWKS (6-6) at 49ERS (4-8)