NFL Week 8 Gridiron Guide: Take both the Giants and the Jets

GIANTS (1-6) at EAGLES (3-4), 1 p.m.

Eagles by 51/2; O/U: 52

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

Finally! I don't have to hear any more complaints about my picking of the Giants, who won their first game of the season Monday. The Giants-Philly rivalry used to be one of the NFL's best matchups. However, this hasn't been one of its better chapters. The Giants are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 meetings vs. the Eagles, but the underdog is 13-4-1 ATS in the last 18 series meetings. Philly -- which will start Michael Vick after he missed two weeks with a pulled hamstring he suffered vs. Big Blue -- is one of the worst plays in the NFL the past two-plus seasons. The Eagles are 6-16-1 ATS in their last 23 games overall, and 6-22-1 ATS in their last 29 home games. More significantly, importantly,they have lost nine straight games at home. Take the points.

The pick: Giants

JETS (4-3) at BENGALS (5-2), 4:05 p.m.

Bengals by 61/2; O/U: 41

SEE PHOTOS500-yard NFL passers in a game

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

When you have a very good defense, can run the ball on offense, and don't turn the ball over, you can be pretty successful in the NFL. And when the Jets have used that recipe this season, they've given bettors a pretty good treat. LB David Harris anchors the Jets' solid 'D' with a team-best 57 tackles. I'm not sure there's a more inconsistent/Jekyll & Hyde NFL team than the Bengals (2-2 ATS in their last four games overall). Cincy is good enough to beat teams like the Pats and Lions, but lose to the Browns. After a 20-10 Week 2 win vs. Pittsburgh, the Bengals have won their last four games by an average of just 4.3 points. I'm not sure I can say Gang Green will win this game outright, but the points sure will help.

The pick: Jets

1 P.M. GAMES

COWBOYS (4-3) at LIONS (4-3)

Lions by 3; O/U: 51

When Cowboys WR Dez Bryant was asked this week to compare himself to the Lions' Calvin Johnson, Bryant said: "I believe I can do whatever he can do." In terms of career stats, Johnson has played three more seasons so it's not a fair comparison. But this season, Bryant (42 receptions, 569 yards, 6 TDs) has out-performed Johnson (33-492-6). However, I believe Johnson & Co. will come out on top this weekend. Dallas is 6-15 ATS in its last 21 games after a win (it beat Philly Sunday), while Detroit is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 October games.

The pick: Lions

DOLPHINS (3-3) at PATRIOTS (5-2)

Patriots by 6 1/2; O/U: 45 1/2

Has the annoying whining from New England subsided yet? Would Pats coach Bill Belichick just get over last week's loss to the Jets? Your guy pushed a teammate in the back on Nick Folk's late field goal. A rule is a rule. A penalty is a penalty. Again, get over it! Miami is 2-5 ATS in its last seven roadies, while the Patriots are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a loss.

The pick: Patriots

49ERS (5-2) vs. JAGUARS (0-7) at London

49ers by 161/2; O/U: 41

The 49ers have covered four straight games, and Jacksonville, has been, uh, Jacksonville with a 1-7 ATS record in its last eight games. If one takes the 49ers out of the equation, Londoners have seen three teams (Steelers, Vikings and Jags) with a combined record of 0-13 entering their games. Poor blokes!

The pick: 49ers

BROWNS (3-4) at CHIEFS (7-0)

Chiefs by 71/2; O/U: 39 1/2

I'm proud to announce the Browns' 20th starting QB since 1999: Jason Campbell. (I'm guessing the Brandon Weeden Era is over in Cleveland.) It won't be an easy spot for the former Redskins and Raiders QB. Campbell faces the Chiefs, who are NFL's No. 5 total defense and lead the league with 35 sacks. KC has covered seven of its last 10 games in October.

The pick: Chiefs

BILLS (3-4) at SAINTS (5-1)

Saints by 11; O/U: 49 1/2

The Saints are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 home games, but I'm playing a hunch here. The Bills have covered six of their last eight games overall.

The pick: Bills

4 P.M. & LATER

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

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

Can the Steel Curtain make it three straight? They'll have a cross-country test here against the Raiders, who are coming off a bye. Interestingly, Oakland has lost 10 straight games (and are 1-9 ATS) after a bye week.

The pick: Steelers

REDSKINS (2-4) at BRONCOS (6-1), 4:25 p.m.

Broncos by 12 1/2; O/U: 58 1/2

TV: Ch. 5.

The Broncos have dropped three straight covers, including last week when they lost their first game of the season. This one could finish with a total in the 70s. The punters might as well stay home. Denver is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 October games, while Washington is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games vs. winning teams.

The pick: Redskins

FALCONS (2-4) at CARDINALS (3-4), 4:25 p.m.

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

The Falcons usually beat up on losing teams (15-8 ATS in last 23 games vs. teams with a losing record). The Cardinals are a brutal 3-10 in their last 13 October contests.

The pick: Falcons

SUNDAY NIGHT

PACKERS (4-2) at VIKINGS (1-5), 8:30 p.m.

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

Packers by 9; O/U: 471/2

The QB carousel continues to spin in Minnesota and it landed on . . . Christian Ponder. Welcome back, son! Josh Freeman, who was abysmal vs. the Giants on Monday, is suffering from concussion-like symptoms. I can't believe Vikes coach Leslie Frazier didn't think of pulling Freeman in favor of Ponder vs. the G-Men. It's like saying you're not going to call the fire department as your dream home goes up in flames. The Packers are 24-10 ATS in their last 34 divisional games.

The pick: Packers

MONDAY NIGHT

SEAHAWKS (6-1) at RAMS (3-4), 8:40 p.m.

TV: ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660,101.9).

Seahawks by 11; O/U: 42 1/2

From the sad-but-true collection: the Rams -- after losing starting QB Sam Bradford to a season-ending knee injury Sunday -- reportedly called, hold onto your hats, Brett Favre. Say what? The 44-year-old Favre, who had not played since Dec. 2010, told a radio station this week: "It's flattering, but you know there's no way I'm going to do that." And there's no way I'm going to take the Rams, who will start Kellen Clemens.

The pick: Seahawks

BYE WEEK: Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, San Diego, Tennessee