NFL Week 14 Gridiron Guide picks: Jets, Giants both should cover

JETS (2-10) at VIKINGS (5-7), 1 p.m.

Vikings by 6; O/U: 40

TV: Ch. 2. Radio: ESPN (98.7)

I felt genuine empathy for Rex Ryan during his news conference after Monday's loss to the Fins and the days that followed. He uttered words like "sick," "embarrassed" and "joke" to describe how he felt about his team's play. How the mighty (mouth) has fallen! Though the Jets ran to the tune of 277 yards against Miami, they can't run from some recent poor trends: They are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall and 2-6-2 ATS in their last 10 road games. Minnesota is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games and has covered five of their last six games overall. Nearly all of the numbers lean the way of the Vikings, but a 6-point spread feels too big here, so I'll take a shot that RB Chris Johnson & Gang Green keep this close.

The pick: Jets

GIANTS (3-9) at TITANS (2-10), 1 p.m.

Pick 'em; O/U: 46

TV: Ch. 5. Radio: WFAN (660, 101.9)

I never saw the Giants blowing a 21-point lead against Jacksonville last Sunday. I didn't see it because I turned off the game at halftime and chalked up a win to my season totals. I was wrong, but saved myself the aggravation. Tom Coughlin & Co. lost their seventh in a row to go with a 1-6 record against the spread (ATS) in that span. The Titans are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games. I believe the Giants play for pride and their coach.

The pick: Giants

COLTS (8-4) at BROWNS (7-5)

Colts by 3 1/2; O/U: 50

I was surprised Browns coach Mike Pettine chose Brian Hoyer to start over Johnny Manziel. Hoyer probably won't have a longer leash than the first half. If Hoyer's rough stretch continues, it's: Heeeeeere's Johnny (Football)! The Colts are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 as road favorites. Works for me.

The pick: Colts

RAVENS (7-5) at DOLPHINS (7-5)

Dolphins by 2 1/2; O/U: 45 1/2

The Dolphins didn't get to show much of their pass rush on Monday thanks to only 15 dropbacks by the Jets' Geno Smith. The Ravens, however, have allowed only 15 sacks this season. Baltimore is 11-4 ATS in last 15 games vs. winning teams.

The pick: Ravens

STEELERS (7-5) at BENGALS (8-3-1)

Bengals by 3; O/U: 47

The ultimate Jekyll & Hyde game. The Steelers are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games in Cincinnati. But I'll fade that trend for these two gems: Pittsburgh has been outscored 57-16 in two divisional road games this season, and Cincy is 12-3-1 ATS in last 16 home games.

The pick: Bengals

PANTHERS (3-8-1) at SAINTS (5-7)

Saints by 10; O/U: 49 1/2

The Saints are 25-10 ATS in their last 35 home games but are 1-4 ATS in their last five in The Big Easy. The Panthers, who haven't been this big a 'dog since September 2011, have one win since Week 5. I feel a backdoor cover for the visitors, who will be eliminated from playoff contention in the lousy NFC South.

The pick: Panthers

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

Lions by 10; O/U: 41 1/2

Detroit's final four games are against teams with a combined record of 21-27. Bucs are 5-3 ATS in their last eight as 'dogs, and 6-1 ATS in last seven roadies vs. NFC North. Worth a shot.

The pick: Bucs

RAMS (5-7) at REDSKINS (3-9)

Rams by 3; O/U: 44 1/2

This line gives me pause. The Rams, who waxed the Raiders, 52-0, last week, are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall, and 13-6 ATS in last 19 games off a win of more than 14 points. Washington is 6-15 ATS as an underdog the last two seasons. Tread softly.

The pick: Rams

TEXANS (6-6) at JAGUARS (2-10)

Texans by 5 1/2; O/U: 42

Enjoy everything you see from J.J. Watt. I think we're witnesses to the blossoming of a Hall of Fame career. The Texans aren't too shabby either, with an 8-3-1 record ATS in their last 12 games following a win of more than 14 points. Jags are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 off a win.

The pick: Texans

SEAHAWKS (8-4) at EAGLES (9-3), 4:25 p.m.

Eagles by 1; O/U: 48 1/2

TV: Ch. 5

As good as Mark Sanchez and Philly's fourth-ranked offense has looked of late, I'm not sure how they'll match up against Seattle's "Legion of Boom." The Seahawks are 10-3-1 ATS in last 14 as road 'dogs.

The pick: Seahawks

CHIEFS (7-5) at CARDINALS (9-3), 4:05 p.m.

Cardinals by 1; O/U: 40 1/2

Big game for both struggling teams, who have each dropped its last two games. Cardinals have NFL's sixth-best run defense and have covered five straight at home. Make it six.

The pick: Cardinals

BILLS (7-5) at BRONCOS (9-3), 4:05 p.m.

Broncos by 10; O/U: 48

Radio: WNYM (970)

Interesting matchup featuring the NFL's most ferocious pass rush in the Bills (league-high 48 sacks) vs. the league's best pass blocking O-line in the Broncos (NFL-low 13 sacks allowed). The difference here? The Broncos boast the AFC's top-ranked 'D'. Plus, Bills are 4-10 ATS in last 14 as road underdogs.

The pick: Broncos

49ERS (7-5) at RAIDERS (1-11), 4:25 p.m.

49ers by 8; O/U: 41

Raiders, 2-6 ATS in their last eight as home underdog, could very well bounce back from 52-0 shutout at St. Louis last week. However, tough not to follow the Niners, an outstanding 12-2-1 ATS in last 15 as road favorites.

The pick: 49ers

PATRIOTS (9-3) at CHARGERS (8-4), 8:30 p.m.

Patriots by 31/2; O/U: 51

TV: Ch. 4. Radio: WFAN (660, 101.9)

These are two of the best teams, and two of the best starting QBs, when it comes to the final four games of the season. Since 2009, both the Pats and Bolts have identical 17-3 records during that span. Philip Rivers is 29-3 (.909 win percentage) for his career in the final quarter of the season, and Tom Brady is 40-8 (.833). Amazing! The Patriots flew to So Cal right after their road loss to Green Bay. I know the Pats are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 road games since October 2013. But gut feeling says they bounce back in a big way.

The pick: Patriots

FALCONS (5-7) at PACKERS (9-3), Monday night, 8:30 p.m.

Packers by 12 1/2; O/U: 56

TV: ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660, 101.9, joined in progress)

Atlanta, which showed some heart in win last week vs. struggling Cardinals, is 2-8 in last 10 as road underdogs. I know this is a big number, but the Packers are 5-0 ATS in last five games as home favorites with an average margin of victory of 26.4 points.

The pick: Packers

STAFF PICKS

KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN (92-98-1, 4-9 Best bets): Ravens, Bengals, Colts, Texans, Giants, Saints, Lions, Rams, Jets, Broncos,, Chiefs, 49ers, Seahawks, Patriots, Packers.

TOM ROCK (90-100-1, 5-8): Dolphins, Bengals, Colts, Texans, Giants, Saints, Lions, Rams, Vikings, Broncos, Cardinals, 49ers, Eagles, Patriots, Packers.

BOB GLAUBER (93-97-1, 5-8): Ravens, Steelers, Colts, Texans, Titans, Saints, Lions, Washington, Vikings, Broncos, Chiefs, 49ers, Seahawks, Patriots, Packers.