NFL Week 8 Gridiron Guide and Fantasy Take

WEEK 8

DOLPHINS (0-6) AT GIANTS (4-2), 1 p.m.

Giants by 10; O/U: 43

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

The Giants are a reliable 21-8 against the spread (ATS) under coach Tom Coughlin in October games. The G-Men get what appears to be a gimme before their schedule gets tough the next six weeks (at New England, at San Fran, vs. Philly, at New Orleans, vs. Green Bay, and at Dallas). The Giants usually struggle to cover double-digit spreads, even at home. But there aren't many reasons I can suggest taking the abysmal Fins. Tony Sparano's days are numbered.

THE PICK: Giants

RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: If Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas plays, start him. The Giants rank 27th against the run.

1 P.M. GAMES

VIKINGS (1-6) at PANTHERS (2-5)

Panthers by 3.5; O/U: 47.5

Give the Vikings credit for playing tough (and covering) against the defending champ Packers. But Adrian Peterson (ankle) is nicked up, and Minnesota doesn't travel well (4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games). Conversely, Carolina is 5-0 ATS in its last five home games.

THE PICK: Panthers

FANTASY: Vikings QB Christian Ponder has instilled energy into the offense, making WR Michael Jenkins and TE Visanthe Shiancoe viable bye-week fill-ins.

COLTS (0-7) at TITANS (3-3)

Titans by 8.5; O/U: 43.5

If my best pick last week was Houston covering against the Titans, then my worst pick (all time?) was taking the Colts as a double-digit underdog at New Orleans, and watching them lose by 55. Boy did the guys in the office let me have it Sunday night. I deserved it. The Colts are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games. Titans RB Chris Johnson (2.9 yards/carry, 1 TD for '11) is due for a big day.

THE PICK: Titans

FANTASY: If Colts RB Joseph Addai is out, RB Delone Carter is a good flex play. If Titans RB Chris Johnson can't get it done against the Colts' 31st-ranked defense against the run, be very concerned.

SAINTS (5-2) at RAMS (0-6)

Saints by 13; O/U: 47.5

It appears the coverless Rams (0-6 ATS) will be without QB Sam Bradford (ankle) for a second week. Journeyman A.J. Feeley would make just his 17th NFL start in 11 seasons. Get this one before the spread goes any higher.

THE PICK: Saints

FANTASY: Saints RB Darren Sproles is an excellent start. So is RB Pierre Thomas if Mark Ingram sits.

JAGUARS (2-5) at TEXANS (4-3)

Texans by 9.5; O/U: 40.5

The Jaguars pulled the upset of an otherwise lackluster Week 7 against Baltimore, while the Texans were impressive at Tennessee. I know the Jags have a short week, but if they play anything like they did vs. the Ravens, they should keep this one close enough.

THE PICK: Jaguars

FANTASY: If you're desperate for a WR, the best option on the Jags is Jason Hill.

CARDINALS (1-5) at RAVENS (4-2)

Ravens by 13; O/U: 43

It was actually difficult to watch (or stomach) the Jags-Ravens game Monday night. Baltimore didn't record a first down until the 5:26 mark of the third quarter. Yikes! Heck, even Ravens LB Terrell Suggs questioned the Ravens' bad play-calling, and coach John Harbaugh agreed. Two touchdowns is a big spread, but the Cardinals are 0-4 ATS in their last four games, including a pair of road losses. Baltimore bounces back.

THE PICK: Ravens

FANTASY: Ravens QB Joe Flacco plays better at home. Expect WR Torrey Smith to get several deep looks against Arizona's poor secondary.

4 P.M. & LATER GAMES

LIONS (5-2) at BRONCOS (2-4), 4:05 p.m.

OFF (Lions QB questionable); O/U: OFF

Denver QB Tim Tebow was the most talked about player in the NFL this week after his thrilling comeback win vs. Miami. However, he didn't look too good for the first 55 minutes of that game. He goes against a tough Lions defense, which has come under fire for "trash talking" last week as Falcons QB Matt Ryan was injured. It's football, folks, not the knitting club. Lions QB Matthew Stafford (ankle) practiced Thursday and should start. The Lions' skid stops here.

THE PICK: Lions

FANTASY: Lions QB Matthew Stafford could be a game-time decision. If you don't have a good backup, get Lions QB Shaun Hill, who filled in well last season.

REDSKINS (3-3) vs. BILLS (4-2) at Toronto, 4:05 p.m.

Bills by 6; O/U: 46

TV: Ch. 5.

I usually like teams coming off the bye week, and historically they do well. But not this season. Bye teams are 3-9 overall, and 4-7-1 ATS in 2011. However, I like the Bills here, if nothing else because the Redskins have been decimated by injuries, losing RB Tim Hightower and TE Chris Cooley for the season, and WR Santana Moss until late November. Nothing like a late October trip to Toronto, eh?

THE PICK: Redskins

FANTASY: Redskins RB Ryan Torain should to get most of the carries, but RB Roy Helu is a good pickup and he will get his touches.

PATRIOTS (5-1) at STEELERS (5-2), 4:15 p.m.

Patriots by 3; O/U: 51

TV: Ch. 2. Radio: WFAN (660, joined in progress).

Not too often you see the Steelers as a home underdo, and Tom Brady is a big reason why. The Pats QB is 6-1 all-time against the Steelers with 2,008 yards passing, 14 TDs and 3 INTs. I can see him spreading the ball around and picking apart the Steelers little by little. New England is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 meetings in Pittsburgh, and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.

THE PICK: Patriots

FANTASY: Steelers WR Antonio Brown is an excellent play against a bad secondary. He's on the rise and should be owned in most leagues.

BROWNS (3-3) at 49ERS (5-1), 4:15 p.m.

49ers by 8.5; O/U: 38.5

The Niners already have a three-game lead in their division at its only Week 8. Are you kidding me? I think this game will be close. The Niners probably win, but I'm not sure about covering. The Browns are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog of 3.5 to 10 points.

THE PICK: Browns

FANTASY: Browns TE Evan Moore is a nice sleeper and bye-week fill-in if Ben Watson can't go.

BENGALS (4-2) at SEAHAWKS (2-4), 4:15 p.m.

Bengals by 3; O/U: 38.5

Cincy is one of the NFL's best ATS (5-1) clubs in the league. I know teams struggle with cross-country travel, but the Bengals should be three points better than the Sea Gulls.

THE PICK: Bengals

FANTASY: Bengals RB Bernard Scott is a good flex play with Cedric Benson suspended for the week. Bengals WR A.J. Green is a must-start.

COWBOYS (3-3) at EAGLES (2-4), 8:20 p.m.

Eagles by 3.5; O/U: 50

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

Embattled Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo must be having nightmares of 'Boys rookie DeMarco Murray, who rushed for a franchise-record 253 yards last week in Dallas' win over St. Louis. I know it's the Rams. Still, 253 is 253. Some interesting numbers: Philly is 12-0 the week following a bye under coach Andy Reid. Dallas has covered five straight vs. Philly. This is a field-goal game.

THE PICK: Cowboys

FANTASY: Murray's a good start against the Eagles, who struggle against the run. But sell high. His value won't be higher.

CHARGERS (4-2) at CHIEFS (3-3), Monday, 8:30 p.m.

Chargers by 3.5; O/U: 44

TV: ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660).

Kansas City has been hot of late, and should be bolstered by the loudest home crowd in the NFL. The Chargers are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 meetings in Kansas City.

THE PICK: Chiefs

FANTASY: Chargers WR Vincent Jackson is a top start this week and a good buy low.

STAFF PICKS

John Boell 50-48-5 (3-4 best bets)
Giants
Panthers
Jaguars
Titans
Saints
Ravens
Lions
Bills
Browns
Patriots
Bengals
Cowboys
Chiefs

Bob Glauber 50-48-5 (4-1-2)
Giants
Panthers
Texans
Titans
Saints
Ravens
Lions
Bills
49ers
Patriots
Seahawks
Cowboys
Chargers

Tom Rock 54-44-5 (3-5-1)
Giants
Vikings
Texans
Titans
Saints
Ravens
Lions
Bills
49ers
Steelers
Bengals
Cowboys
Chiefs

Roderick Boone 48-50-5 (5-2)
Giants
Panthers
Jaguars
Titans
Saints
Ravens
Lions
Redskins
Browns
Patriots
Seahawks
Eagles
Chargers