NFL Week 12 Gridiron Guide and Fantasy Take

BILLS (5-5) at JETS (5-5)

TV: Ch. 2. Radio: 1050 ESPN.

Jets by 9; O/U: 42

I wonder if Jets coach Rex Ryan talked to his dad, Buddy, this week about how to handle QB Mark Sanchez? I can hear the old coach telling his son, "Shake him up a little." So Rex had backup QB Mark Brunell take some reps with the first-team unit. But what about getting on the O-line for not protecting Sanchez better? The Bills are without RB Fred Jackson, who broke his leg. THE PICK: Jets

ADAM RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Bills RB C.J. Spiller becomes the feature back with the season-ending injury to Jackson, but he's a flex play at best and not recommended in a tough matchup. Bills WR Steve Johnson isn't a good play, either.

GIANTS (6-4) at SAINTS (7-3),

Monday, 8:30 p.m.

TV: Ch. 9, ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660).

Saints by 7; O/U: 501/2

I was at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, and had a Jack Buck moment -- I don't believe what I just saw. Everyone loves booing Brandon Jacobs. But the blame also falls to the O-line. The Giants' 'D' couldn't stop Vince Young! I can only imagine what Drew Brees will do to them off a bye.

THE PICK: Saints

FANTASY: Giants WR Victor Cruz has been the best fantasy receiver on the team. Saints RB Darren Sproles will bounce back.

CARDINALS (3-7)

at RAMS (2-8)

OFF; O/U: OFF

(Cards QB Kevin Kolb questionable) After thinking about this game (for less than 10 seconds), I'm thankful for the betting line and fantasy football, which makes this game somewhat relevant. Arizona is 6-2 ATS vs. the Rams in the teams' last eight meetings.

THE PICK: Cardinals

FANTASY: Both Rams RB Steven Jackson and Cardinals RB Beanie Wells are good starts. Continue to roll with Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Rams WR Brandon Lloyd.

BUCS (4-6) at TITANS (5-5)

Titans by 31/2; O/U: 43

The Bucs snapped a three-game streak of non-covers with a good showing vs. the Packers last week. I always like Tampa away from home (13-3 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog). Conversely, the Titans are 18-42 ATS in their last 60 games as a home favorite with a spread ranging from 31/2 to 10 points.

THE PICK: Bucs

FANTASY: Look for the Buccaneers to get RB LeGarrette Blount a lot of touches. He has played limited snaps because the Bucs have been trailing and he doesn't play on most passing downs.

BROWNS (4-6) at BENGALS (6-4)

Bengals by 7; O/U: 371/2

I'm usually not a fan of taking the favorite with at least a touchdown spread vs. a division rival. But the Bengals (9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. AFC foes) need to keep pace in the AFC North.

THE PICK: Bengals

FANTASY: Bengals RB Cedric Benson is an excellent start against a defense that ranks 29th against the run. If Browns RB Montario Hardesty plays, he will start dimming the hopes of RB Chris Ogbonnaya.

TEXANS (7-3) at JAGUARS (3-7)

Texans by 31/2; O/U: 371/2

Houston was dealt a crushing blow when QB Matt Schaub broke his right foot. Enter former Cardinals first-round pick Matt Leinart, who gets a chance to show he's good enough to be an NFL starting QB again. Expect to see a lot of the Texans' second-ranked rushing attack.

THE PICK: Texans

FANTASY: Texans WR Andre Johnson is expected to play and won't be limited. The Texans rank fourth against the run, but RB Maurice Jones-Drew is the lone Jaguar who is playing with confidence.

PANTHERS (2-8) at COLTS (0-10)

Panthers by 31/2; O/U: 45

This might be one of the Colts' last chances for a 'W.' Panthers QB Cam Newton appears to have hit the "rookie wall," totaling five INTs in his last two games.

THE PICK: Colts

FANTASY: The Colts rank 31st against the run, allowing an average of 145.6 yards per game. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart is an RB2 and DeAngelo Williams can be used as a flex. Both totaled more than 100 yards last week.

VIKINGS (2-8) at FALCONS (6-4)

Falcons by 91/2; O/U: 441/2

Falcons usually beat and cover against losing teams (8-1 ATS last nine games vs. a losing team). Meanwhile, Minnesota is 2-9-1 ATS in last 12 games vs. winning teams. Also, Vikes RB Adrian Peterson has been in a walking boot with a high-ankle sprain.

THE PICK: Falcons

FANTASY: Vikings WR Percy Harvin will see more carries out of the backfield with Peterson likely out. He's a good start.

STEELERS (7-3) at CHIEFS (4-6), Sunday 8:20 p.m.

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

Steelers by 10 1/2; O/U: 40

Steelers are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games when giving more than 10 points, but Chiefs looked lost last week with young QB Tyler Palko.

THE PICK: Steelers

FANTASY: Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall has just 13 carries in three of the last four games, but has three TDs. This could be a game of 20 carries. Steelers WR Antonio Brown has been getting a lot of targets, so play him.

BEARS (7-3) at RAIDERS (6-4), 4:05 p.m.

TV: Ch. 5.

Raiders by 4; O/U: 411/2

Bears look to Caleb Hanie with Jay Cutler out. Accordingly, the line jumped to Bears +4 after the Raiders opened getting 11/2 points. The Raiders are 3-14 ATS in their last 17 games as a home favorite.

THE PICK: Bears

FANTASY: Expect another heavy workload for Raiders RB Michael Bush. Raiders QB Carson Palmer won't be asked to pass much.

PATRIOTS (7-3) at EAGLES (4-6), 4:15 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2. Radio: WFAN (660).

OFF; O/U: OFF

Whether Michael Vick or Vince Young starts doesn't matter because Iggles have no answer for TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. THE PICK: Patriots

FANTASY: If Vick is out, Young is a solid play.

REDSKINS (3-7) at SEAHAWKS (4-6), 4:05 p.m.

Seahawks by 31/2; O/U: 37

'Sea Gulls are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.

THE PICK: Seahawks

FANTASY: Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch has scored a TD in six consecutive games.

BRONCOS (5-5) at CHARGERS (4-6), 4:15 p.m.

Chargers by 6; O/U: 42

Is there a more polarizing figure in the NFL these days than Denver QB Tim Tebow? Say what you want about him, Tebow is 4-1 as a starter. Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last five games, it is getting points and it has Tebow.

THE PICK: Broncos

FANTASY: Broncos RB Willis McGahee will bounce back. Chargers WR Vincent Brown is a sleeper.