NFL Week 11 Gridiron Guide picks: Giants' swoon will continue vs. 49ers

49ERS (5-4) at GIANTS (3-6), 1 p.m.

49ers by 4; O/U: 44

TV: Ch. 5. Radio: WFAN (660)

For one half, I thought my pick of the 9-point underdog Giants vs. the Seahawks looked pretty good last Sunday. Then the second half started. Wait, did Seattle's Marshawn Lynch just score another touchdown? What in the name of Lawrence Taylor happened to the Giants' 'D'? The G-Men allowed a whopping 350 yards rushing in a 21-point loss in Seattle. Watching Giants defenders trying to stop Lynch & Co. reminded me of a varsity vs. junior varsity scrimmage. (And you know which team was the JV squad!) The Giants are one of only three home underdogs this week (the Rams and Titans are the others). Big Blue has dropped four straight games and covers but could get a boost if RB Rashad Jennings returns from his sprained knee. San Francisco is 11-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last 15 road games, and finds itself in a fight for an NFC playoff spot. The Giants are 20-44-1 ATS in last 65 November games. Same old second-half swoon.

The pick: 49ers

FALCONS (3-6)

at PANTHERS (3-6-1)

Pick 'em O/U: 47

I'll never figure out why the Panthers allowed a gimpy Cam Newton to play the entire blowout Monday night vs. Philly. Incredibly, these two teams are in the thick of the NFC South mess. I can't count on an injured Cam here.

The pick: Falcons

TEXANS (4-5)

at BROWNS (6-3)

Browns by 3; O/U: 411/2

Call this game the Tom Brady Backup Bowl, as both starting QBs formerly carried a clipboard behind Brady in New England. Texans QB Ryan Mallett makes his first NFL start. Interesting but useless fact of the week: First-time Texans starting QBs are 7-2 overall in their debut games. Brian Hoyer is 9-3 overall as Cleveland's starting QB. The first-place Browns are 6-2-1 in their last nine games overall.

The pick: Browns

VIKINGS (4-5) at BEARS (3-6)

Bears by 3; O/U: 461/2

The Bears have given up more than 50 points in each of their last two games, and have been outscored 80-7 in the first half of those games. Yet, Chicago finds itself as a 3-point favorite. Wow! The Vikings have covered three straight games overall, but are 1-5 ATS in last six meetings in Chicago. Tread softly.

The pick: Vikings

BENGALS (5-3-1)

at SAINTS (4-5)

Saints by 7; O/U: 501/2

First-place Saints are 9-2-1 ATS at home the last two seasons, though they have dropped two of their last three at the Superdome. Bengals are 1-4-1 ATS in last six games overall, and 3-8-1 ATS in last 12 road games. This one is a gut feeling that Cincy stays close enough.

The pick: Bengals

SEAHAWKS (6-3)

at CHIEFS (6-3)

Chiefs by 2; O/U: 421/2

Quick: Name the last time the Seahawks were underdogs in a regular-season or postseason game? Seattle was a 2-point'dog in Super Bowl XLVIII. (The Seahawks have been an underdog only three times the last two seasons.) K.C., which opened here as a 1-point underdog, has covered three straight at home, after an 0-6 spell ATS dating to Oct. 20, 2013. I know K.C. has covered four straight games, and Seattle was 0-4 ATS before last week's win against the Giants. I just feel that the Seahawks (12-5 ATS last 17 road games) are the better team and will win outright.

The pick: Seahawks

BUCS (1-8) at REDSKINS (3-6)

Redskins by 71/2; O/U: 451/2

Washington is 6-22-2 ATS in last 30 home games vs. teams with losing road record. Yikes! As bad as the Bucs have been, they are 3-3 ATS in their last six games overall. Worth a shot.

The pick: Bucs

LIONS (7-2) at CARDINALS (8-1), 4:25 p.m.

Cardinals by 11/2; O/U: 411/2

This is one of four games with teams featuring .667 or better winning percentages, the latest in a season it has occurred in NFL history I feel terrible for Cards QB Carson Palmer, out for season. Arizona has covered five straight, but it can't last forever, right?

The pick: Lions

EAGLES (7-2) at PACKERS (6-3), 4:25 p.m.

Packers by 6; O/U: 55

TV: Ch. 5

Two of the hotter NFC teams (both are 4-1 ATS in last five games overall) should be freezing at Lambeau. I think Aaron Rodgers is too talented for Philly's 'D', and conversely, Packers' 'D' will be a bigger challenge for Mark Sanchez & Co. than the Panthers.

The pick: Packers

RAIDERS (0-9) at CHARGERS (5-4), 4:05 p.m.

Chargers by 10; O/U: 441/2

TV: Ch. 2

The possible returns of LBs Manti Te'o and Melvin Ingram and RB Ryan Mathews should help the Bolts. I'll fade this trend: The underdog is 10-1 ATS in last 11 series meetings.

The pick: Chargers

BRONCOS (7-2)

at RAMS (3-6)

Broncos by 91/2; O/U: 51

Rams are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games. Denver has covered five of last six games, and is 18-8 ATS in last 26 games vs. losing teams.

The pick: Broncos

PATRIOTS (7-2) at COLTS (6-3), 8:30 p.m.

Colts by 3; O/U: 58

TV: Ch. 4. Radio: WFAN (660).

Another excellent game in a great Week 11 slate. Both teams are coming off a bye. Colts are 6-1 ATS in last seven games overall, while Pats have covered four of last five games overall. Many will talk about the two QBs, Tom Brady vs. Andrew Luck. But I'm more interested in how Colts attempt to stop TE Rob Gronkowski and Pats keep WR T.Y. Hilton under control. Coin flip.

The pick: Patriots

STEELERS (6-4) at TITANS (2-7), 8:30 p.m.

Steelers by 51/2; O/U: 47

TV: ESPN. Radio: WCBS (880)

I have two thoughts on the Steelers: They're not as good as they played vs. the Colts and Ravens a few weeks back, and they're not as bad as they were last week vs. the Jets. Tough to back Titans.

The pick: Steelers

STAFF PICKS (against the spread; best bets in caps)

JOHN BOELL 77-68- 1 best bet: 5-5

Last week: 7-6

49ers Bengals Lions Steelers

Falcons SEAHAWKS Packers

Browns Bucs Chargers

Vikings Broncos Patriots

BOB GLAUBER 75-70-1 5-5Last week: 10-3

49ers SAINTS Lions Steelers

Panthers Chiefs Packers

Browns Redskins Chargers

Bears Broncos ColtsTOM ROCK 74-71-1 5-5

Last week: 8-5

Giants Saints LionsSTEELERS

Falcons Seahawks Packers

Browns Redskins Chargers

Bears Rams Colts

KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN 76-69-1 4-6

Last week: 8-5

49ers Saints Cardinals STEELERS Panthers Seahawks Packers

Browns Redskins Raiders

Vikings Rams Patriots