NFL Week 9 Gridiron Guide and Fantasy Take

JETS (4-3) at BILLS (5-2), 1 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2. Radio: ESPN NY 1050.

Bills by 2; O/U: 44

I believeGang Green's playoffs hopes are strongly tied to their next four games, including next week's game against the Pats, and vs. the Bills on Sunday and Nov. 27. Both teams have great numbers in tight-spread games (Jets are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 as road underdogs with spreads of 0.5-to-3 points; Bills are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as a home favorite with the same spread). Jets win Round 1.

THE PICK: Jets

RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Jets RB Shonn Greene needs volume to be efficient and he has three consecutive games of at least 20 carries. He’s a good start. Bills WR Steve Johnson gets downgraded against Jets CB Darrelle Revis.

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

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

Patriots by 9; O/U: 51

I love Tom Coughlin’s approach to his club’s brutal run of games — “We’re playing one game this week, I think. Not all the other ones.” True, but this is a big one. Ahmad Bradshaw is likely out with a cracked foot. Ouch!

THE PICK: Patriots

FANTASY: Giants QB Eli Manning is a Top 5 QB against Pats’ last-ranked ‘D’. Also start WRs Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz. 

1 P.M. GAMES

SEAHAWKS (2-5) at COWBOYS (3-4)

Cowboysby 11 1/2; O/U: 44It seems to me Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will have his 'D' ready to play as crazy and wild as his salt-n-pepper locks after last week's 27-point loss to Philly. I know this is a big line, but the Sea Gulls are 6-20-1 ATS in their last 27 games as road underdogs.

THE PICK: Cowboys

FANTASY: The Seahawks are excellent against the run, but Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray is still a good start. Seahawks WR Sidney Rice is much more productive with Tarvaris Jackson at QB.

49ERS (6-1) at REDSKINS (3-4)

TV: Ch. 5.

49ers by 3 1/2; O/U: 37 1/2

The Niners (6-0-1) are the best ATS team in the league right now. The 'Skins are on the other end (7-16-2 ATS in their last 25 home games). THE PICK: 49ers

FANTASY: 49ers RB Frank Gore has at least 125 yards rushing and a TD in four consecutive games. Redskins TE Fred Davis is the only player to trust from the team right now. He does have an ankle injury, though.

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

Chiefs by 4; O/U: 40

The Fins gave the Giants all they could handle last week. They're still winless, but hey, they did get their first cover! The Chiefs are one of the hottest teams with four straight wins (and five consecutive covers). Hail to the Chiefs, yet again! THE PICK: Chiefs

FANTASY: Chiefs RB Jackie Battle isn't very talented or fast, but he is getting the carries in an offense that looks better. He's a solid RB2. Chiefs WR Jonathan Baldwin is a good pickup.

BUCS (4-3) at SAINTS (5-3)

Saints by 8; O/U: 50

Guess which QB has thrown the most INTs the last two seasons? Can you believe it's the Saints' Drew Brees (32)? The numbers tell me this should be a close game: the Bucs are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 road games. Plus, the Saints are Saints are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 vs. NFC South foes.

THE PICK: Bucs

FANTASY: Bucs RB Legarrette Blount is expected to return and will see more third-down work. He's a good play against a defense that has allowed 6.8 yards per carry the last four games.

BROWNS (3-4) at TEXANS (5-3)

Texans by 11; O/U: 41

Things keep getting worse for Browns injured RB Peyton Hillis. The NFL Madden 12 cover player has missed three games due to injury, including the last two weeks. Now it comes out Hillis missed a Halloween event on Monday to hand out candy to children at a Boys & Girls club in Ohio. (Boo!) THE PICK: Texans

FANTASY: Hillis practiced yesterday and reportedly looked good. Browns RB Montario Hardesty is out with a calf injury, so Hillis could get a big workload. Texans WR Andre Johnson will be a game-time decision.

FALCONS(4-3) at COLTS(0-8)

Falconsby 7; O/U: 44 1/2

I'm tired of all the talk about Peyton Manning, and probable No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck.

Strategy of the year: Picking against Indy every week in your survivor pool.

THE PICK: Falcons

FANTASY: Falcons RB Michael Turner is a top option against a soft Colts run defense. Falcons WR Julio Jones is expected to return and has a good matchup against the small cornerbacks of the Colts.

4 P.M. GAMES & LATER

BRONCOS (2-5) at RAIDERS(4-3), 4:05 p.m.

Raidersby 8; O/U: 42 1/2

I wonder if the Raiders defensive players will "strike a pose" after every sack of Broncos QB Tim Tebow?(Gotta love that Lions' D.) The road team in 6-1 ATS in their past seven games, and the underdog is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

THE PICK: Broncos

FANTASY: Raiders RB Darren McFadden didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and isn't looking good for Sunday. That makes Michael Bush an excellent start.

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

Titans by 3; O/U: 41 1/2

I know Cincy has to lose, and not cover one of these days, but the three points is too tempting. The Bengals are 5-0 ATS as an underdog and on the road, plus 8-0 ATS in their last eight games vs. AFC opponents. THE PICK: Bengals

FANTASY: Titans RB Chris Johnson should be benched until he turns it around. Javon Ringer will get more touches.

PACKERS(7-0) at CHARGERS(4-3), 4:15 p.m.

Packers by 5 1/2; O/U: 51

This one seems too easy. That's why I'm going against my better judgment and taking the Bolts, who are 5-0 ATS in their last five as a home 'dog, and 7-0 ATS in their last seven games in November. THE PICK: Chargers

FANTASY: Chargers RB Ryan Mathews might miss the game with a groin injury. RB Mike Tolbert would get a big workload and even against a tough Packers run defense, he's a solid play.

RAMS (1-6) at CARDINALS (1-6) , 4:15 p.m.

Cardinals by 2 1/2; O/U: 41 1/2

The Cardinals could only manage to do for a half (vs. Baltimore), what the Rams did for an entire game last week vs. St. Louis. THE PICK: Rams

FANTASY: Rams WR Brandon Lloyd is a must start. He has 25 targets in two games with A.J. Feeley at QB since being traded from Denver and will be even better when Sam Bradford returns.

RAVENS (5-2) at STEELERS (6-2), 8:20p.m.

Steelers by 3; O/U: 42

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

The Steelers were too old, and too slow, right? Nonsense. Just ask the Patriots. Think Piittsburgh doesn't have something special in reserve for the up-and-down Ravens, who handed Pittsburgh a 28-point pasting in Week 1? Revenge belongs to Steel City.

THE PICK: Steelers

FANTASY: Continue to roll with Steelers WR Antonio Brown. He actually has more targets than WR Mike Wallace.

BEARS (4-3) at EAGLES(3-4)

8:30 p.m. Monday

Eagles by 7 1/2; O/U: 47 1/2

TV: ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660).

One big win against the 'Boys, and the public money has been pouring in on Philly. Even at home, eight points is too much vs. a team as tough as Chicago.

THE PICK: Bears

FANTASY: Eagles TE Brent Celek has 18 targets and two TDs the last two games. He has a great matchup against the Bears' Cover 2 defense that is susceptible to tight ends.

John Boell 55-56-5 (4-4 best bets)

Jets
Patriots
Cowboys
49ers
Chiefs
Bucs
Texans
Falcons
Broncos
Bengals
Chargers
Rams
Steelers
Bears

Bob Glauber 55-56-5 (5-1-2)

Jets
Giants
Cowboys
49ers
Chiefs
Saints
Texans
Falcons
Broncos
Titans
Chargers
Cardinals
Steelers
Eagles

Tom Rock 63-48-5 (4-3-1)

Bills
Patriots
Cowboys
49ers
Dolphins
Saints
Browns
Falcons
Raiders
Bengals
Packers
Rams
Ravens
Bears

Roderick Boone 51-60-5 (5-3)

Jets
Patriots
Cowboys
49ers
Chiefs
Saints
Browns
Falcons
Raiders
Titans
Packers
Rams
Ravens
Eagles