Week 13 NFL Gridiron Guide and Fantasy Take

JETS (6-5) at REDSKINS (4-7), 1 p.m.
TV: Ch. 2 Radio: ESPN (1050)
Jets by 3; O/U: 38 1/2
Mark Sanchez has said all the right things this week. But deep down, the guy has to be seeing red after being booed during warm-ups. He’s had a shaky season, but the Jets are full of underachievers. A road game could not have come at a better time for Sanchez. The return of LT should help, too. The Jets are 10-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last 14 games against losing teams. THE PICK: Jets
RONIS’ FANTASY TAKE: Redskins Roy Helu had 30 touches last week and had 162 yards with a TD. He’s more valuable in PPR leagues and is a RB2.

PACKERS (11-0) at GIANTS (6-5), 4:15 p.m.
TV: Ch. 5 Radio: WFAN (660)
Packers by 7; O/U: 52 1/2
There’s been some talk this week about how this is a meaningless game for the Giants. That it would be almost better to rest their key players here, take a loss, and prepare for next Sunday against Dallas. Really? And then they’ll just win four straight, including the Cowboys twice? Green Bay, 8-2 ATS in its last 10 road games, gets to 12-0. THE PICK: Packers
RONIS’ FANTASY TAKE: Giants WR Victor Cruz is a must-start.

1 P.M. GAMES

BENGALS (7-4) at STEELERS (8-3)
Steelers by 6 1/2; O/U: 42 1/2
Ben Roethlisberger said Bengals’ Andy Dalton is the Rookie of the Year. Good call, Ben. Cincy is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 vs. the Steelers, but Dalton should keep them close. THE PICK: Bengals
FANTASY: Even in a tough matchup, Bengals WR A.J. Green is difficult to bench.

FALCONS (7-4) at TEXANS (8-3)
TV: Ch. 5., 1 p.m.
Falcons by 3; O/U: 38
“Who’s next?” is taking on a whole new meaning in Houston. Maybe it should be, “Who’s left?” As in who’s left to quarterback the team? T.J. Yates gets the call.
THE PICK: Texans
FANTASY: Texans WR Andre Johnson is a low-end WR2.

PANTHERS (3-8) at BUCS (4-7)
Bucs by 3; O/U: 47
Disappointing year for Tampa (7-20 ATS in its last 27 home games). THE PICK: Panthers
FANTASY: Neither team can stop the run, so start Tampa RB LeGarrette Blount and Panthers RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

CHIEFS (4-7) at BEARS (7-4)
Bears by 7 ; O/U: 37 1/2
Will KC’s Kyle Orton play against his former team? The Chiefs are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog, but I’m taking the hosts. THE PICK: Bears
FANTASY: Bears WR Johnny Knox had 10 targets last week and had four catches for 145 yards with a touchdown.

BRONCOS (6-5) at VIKINGS (2-9)
Vikings by 1 1/2 ; O/U: 37 1/2
Tim Tebow is 5-1 as a starter, but don’t forget about that Broncos ‘D’, which is allowing 15 points a game in those five wins.
THE PICK: Broncos
FANTASY: Continue to roll with Tebow, who could top 200 yards passing against Minnesota’s 29th-ranked passing defense.

COLTS (0-11) at PATRIOTS (8-3)
Patriots by 20; O/U: 47 1/2
Indy getting 20 points? I wonder if a Peyton Manning-led team got 20 points ... in a whole season! No Peyton means this isn’t the must-see game of the year. I just can’t take Indy, even getting 20. THE PICK: Patriots
FANTASY: This is the spot to use Pats RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Indy ranks 31st against the run.

RAIDERS (7-4) at DOLPHINS (3-8)
Dolphins by 3 ; O/U: 43
Carson Palmer has looked good, and Oakland’s ATS road record this season is 5-0. Pret-ty, pret-ty, pret-ty good! THE PICK: Raiders
FANTASY: The Dolphins rank 7th against the run, but Raiders RB Michael Bush has been hot of late.

TITANS (6-5) at BILLS (5-6)
Bills by 1 1/2 ; O/U: 43
Here’s hoping Bills WR Stevie Johnson has less drops and less “classless” TD celebrations. Titans are 4-1 ATS in last five overall. Bills are done. THE PICK: Titans
FANTASY: Titans RB Chris Johnson is a matchup play and the Bills have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns.

4 p.m. AND LATER GAMES

RAVENS (8-3) at BROWNS (4-7), 4:05 p.m.
Ravens by 61 / 2; O/U: 38
Cleveland has covered two straight, but is 4-15-2 ATS in its last 21 games on grass. Baltimore, meanwhile, is 28-13-1 ATS in its last 42 games on grass, which is the Browns’ home surface.
THE PICK: Ravens
FANTASY: The Ravens rank third against the run, so Browns RB Peyton Hillis is a flex play.

COWBOYS (7-4) at CARDINALS (4-7), 4:15 p.m.
Cowboys by 4 1/2 ; O/U: 45 1/2
Big Blue fans will have one eye on their game against the Pack and another on this one. Dallas isn’t losing here. THE PICK: Cowboys
FANTASY: Cowboys WR Laurent Robinson has seven touchdowns, so you can’t bench him even if Miles Austin is active.

RAMS (2-9) at 49ERS (9-2), 4:15 p.m.
49ers by 13; O/U: 37 1/2
The Rams have scored 140 points this season, the second lowest only to the Jaguars. 140? That’s one more point than the final score (Sayville 78, Lawrence 61) from last Sunday’s high school football championship.
THE PICK: 49ers
FANTASY: If you have better options, bench Rams RB Steven Jackson against San Francisco’s No. 1 run defense.

LIONS (7-4) at SAINTS (8-3), 8:20 p.m.
TV: Ch. 4. Radio: WFAN (660).
Saints by 9; O/U: 53 1/2
Repeat after me — thank goodness for the “flex”! The NFL’s flexible scheduling allows the powers-to-be to put a better game in place of a weaker game for the Sunday night game. Drew Brees and the Saints are on fire.
THE PICK: Saints
FANTASY: Expect a shootout, so many players from this game should be used.

CHARGERS (4-7) at JAGUARS (3-8), 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660).
Chargers by 3 ; O/U: 39 1/2
Repeat after me — the “flex” should be extended to Mondays, too. Jack Del Rio is out in Jacksonville; is San Diego’s Norv Turner next to go? THE PICK: Chargers
FANTASY: Inconsistent Chargers WR Vincent Jackson will have a good game against a team without its starting cornerbacks.