NFL Week 6 Gridiron Guide and fantasy plays

DOLPHINS (0-4) at JETS (2-3), Monday, 8:30 p.m.

Jets by 7; O/U: 421/2TV:ESPN, Ch. 9.Radio:ESPN (1050).

I'm afraid of writing anything negative against Gang Green forfear that the Jets will convince my bosses to ship me to some weekly in Canada. (Isn't that right, new Texans WRDerrick Mason?) I think the Jets are playing for their season here. But this is a good spot for them against a Miami club that has Matt Moore at QB, with starter Chad Henne (shoulder) out for the season. The Jets haven't won at home vs. the Fins since 2007. That changes. THE PICK: Jets

RONIS FANTASY TAKE: If Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas puts in a full practice today, play him. This could be the week Jets TE Dustin Keller produces again since the Dolphins struggle to defend the tight end.

BILLS (4-1) at GIANTS (3-2), 1 p.m.

SEE PHOTOSThe NFL's 32 Super Bowl winning quarterbacks

Giants by 31/2; O/U: 501/2TV: Ch. 2. Radio: WFAN (660)I still have found no rational explanation for the Giants' inexplicable loss last week against Seattle. I know, I predicted the Sea Gulls would cover. But I wish I would have read my own column. I took the Giants as my Week 5 survivor pick. D'oh! Things don't get any easier for the G-Men, as Buffalo rolls into town. The Bills are 3-1-1 ATS this season, and lead the NFL with a plus-11 turnover margin. The Giants are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games as a home favorite. THE PICK: Bills

RONIS FANTASY TAKE: With Giants RB Brandon Jacobs uncertain, Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw is a Top 10 play.

SEE PHOTOSSuper Bowl history

1 P.M. GAMES

49ERS (4-1) at LIONS (5-0)

Lions by 41/2; O/U: 461/2Could anyone have imagined in the preseason these two teams being a combined 9-1 headed intoWeek 6? These are the two best ATS teams in the NFL (4-0-1). I'm impressed with the Niners, but the Lions are one of the NFL's best bets (18-6-2 ATS in their last 26 games overall) thanks to WR Calvin Johnson. "Megatron" has an NFL-best nine receiving TDs. Restore theRoar, indeed! THE PICK:Lions

FANTASY: The 49ers haven't allowed a rushing TD, so temper expectations for Lions RB Jahvid Best, who will have to produce in the passing game to have good stats. If you're digging deep for a tight end, take a look at the 49ers' Delanie Walker, who should see more snaps with the injury to WR Josh Morgan.

EAGLES (1-4) at WASHINGTON (3-1)

Eagles by 11/2; O/U: 47Remember those Staples"easy" buttons? They should make a new"panic" button. They'd sell out in Philly in no time!I can't remember a more important regular-season game in the Andy Reid Era. Philly is last in the NFC with a minus-10 turnover margin, and has lost four straight covers. The ax will fall for "Big Red"soon after New Year's Day, 2012. THE PICK:Redskins

FANTASY: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan won't name a starting RB, but Ryan Torain should get most of the workload. Start him against the 30th ranked defense that is allowing five yards per carry.

COLTS (0-5) at BENGALS (3-2)

Bengals by 7; O/U: 401/2Quick -- name the NFL's top-ranked defense (in terms of total yards allowed)? Would you believe the Bengals (279.6 ypg)? These are two teams at opposite ends of the ATS spectrum: Colts are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games; Bengals are 6-1 in the same span. But I think the line is too much here, even against the winless Colts. THE PICK:Colts

FANTASY: This is a good week to use Bengals RB Cedric Benson. The Colts defense allowed Chiefs RB Thomas Jones to average more than five yards per carry last week. Bengals WR A.J. Green has become a must start.

RAMS (0-4) at PACKERS (5-0)

Packers by 15; O/U: 48

I know sooner or later the Packers' magic will run out(it almost didSunday night in Atlanta). But Green Bay is 24-9-1 ATS in its last 34 games overall. Plus, the Rams have scored a meager 46 points in four games. Packers by 20! THE PICK: Packers

FANTASY: If you're desperate for a wide receiver because of bye weeks, consider the Packers' James Jones. His snaps have increased and he has eight catches for 188 yards with two TDs the last two weeks. The Rams' top three cornerbacks all suffered season-ending injuries.

JAGUARS (1-4) at STEELERS (3-2)

Steelers by 12; O/U: 40

I missed the Steelers by a week (I thought they would cover in Week 4 vs. Houston). They were impressive against a tough Titans team last week. I know the line is big, but the Jags are a brutal 13-32 ATS in their last 45 games on grass. THE PICK: Steelers

FANTASY: Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall isn't on the injury report and practiced on Wednesday and yesterday. It's safe to get him back in the lineup.

PANTHERS (1-4) at FALCONS (2-3)

Falcons by 4; O/U: 51

The Panthers are one of the best ATS teams (4-1), while the Falcons have been one of the worst (1-4). I've been disappointed by the Falcons, who were my pick to win the NFC. I'm not sure who wins here, but it's hard to bet against Carolina and QB Cam Newton.THE PICK: Panthers

FANTASY: Look for the Falcons to emphasize the run and give RB Michael Turner a lot of carries against a bad Panthers defense.

4 P.M. GAMES & LATER

BROWNS (2-2) at RAIDERS (3-2), 4:05 p.m.

Raiders by 61/2; O/U: 441/2I read somewhere that the Raiders had just 10 men on the field for the final play of last week's emotional win vs. Houston.Oakland (4-1 ATS) intercepted TexansQB Matt Schaub in the end zone as time expired for a thrilling victory. They did exactly what their late owner, Al Davis, would have said -- just win, baby! The winning continues. THE PICK: Raiders

FANTASY: Browns WR Greg Little will start and is someone to acquire off the waiver wire. He has the ability to make things happen after the catch and should see more targets.

TEXANS (3-2) at RAVENS (3-1), 4:05 p.m.

Ravens by 71/2; O/U: 441/2Everyone keeps thinking this will finally be the season the Texans win the AFC South. But the injuries continue to mountfor Houston, which just lost LB Mario Williams (pectoral tear) for the season. The Ravens are 8-2 ATS after a bye week, while the Texans are 1-4 in their last five games off a bye. THE PICK: Ravens

FANTASY: The only safe play in the Texans passing game is TE Owen Daniels. Texans WR Kevin Walter is a WR3.

COWBOYS (2-2) at PATRIOTS (4-1), 4:15 p.m.

Patriots by 7; O/U: 551/2TV: Ch. 5. Radio: WBBR (1130).

Can you imagine if Pats coach Bill Belichick was a baseball manager? Do you think he would allow guys to play video games, eat fried chicken, and drink beers in the clubhouse during games as reported in Boston this week? I think not. At least New England has their beloved Pats, who have won 19 straight regular-season home games.New England wins this one for Bus the Pats fan. Get back to work, kid, the office is almost normal without ya!THE PICK: Patriots

FANTASY: Just about every relevant player on offense is active this week in what should be a shootout between two of the worst teams against the pass.

SAINTS (4-1) at BUCS (3-2), 4:15 p.m.

Saintsby 41/2; O/U: 491/2Radio: WFAN (660) joined in progress.

I was shocked by the Bucs' 45-point loss last week, which matched a franchise-worst drubbing. Interesting series note: the road team is 13-3 ATS in the last 16 games between these two teams.The Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last five games in Tampa, which is 3-13 ATS in its last 16 games as a home 'dog. THE PICK: Saints

FANTASY: If you're relying on Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman as your starter, go get Broncos QB Tim Tebow and play him after the Broncos return from the bye. Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount is likely out, so RB Earnest Graham becomes a good bye week fill-in, especially in PPR leagues.

VIKINGS (1-4) at BEARS (2-3), 8:20 p.m.

Bears by 3; O/U: 42

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

The heck with all the stories about Vikings QB Donovan McNabb's poor throwing mechanics (People, didn't you watch him in D.C. last season, and all those years in Philly?)Just have him hand the darn ball to RB Adrian Peterson (498 yards rushing, 6 TDs). NFL sack leader Jared Allenwill get at least two more sackson hapless Bears QB Jay Cutler. Someone block for the poor guy! THE PICK: Vikings

FANTASY: As frustrating as it has been for owners of Vikings WR Percy Harvin and the way the team has failed to use him correctly, he's still a WR3 with six teams on bye.

WEEK 6 BYES

Cardinals, Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Seahawks, Titans

STAFF PICKS

John Boell 39-34-4 (2-3 best bets)

Jets
Bills
Lions
Redskins
Colts
Packers
Steelers
Panthers
Raiders
Ravens
Patriots
Saints
Vikings

Bob Glauber 34-39-4 (2-1-2)

Jets
Bills
Lions
Eagles
Bengals
Packers
Steelers
Falcons
Raiders
Ravens
Patriots
Bucs
Bears

Tom Rock 39-34-4 (3-1-1)

Jets
Bills
Lions
Redskins
Bengals
Packers
Jaguars
Falcons
Raiders
Ravens
Patriots
Bucs
Bears