Week 14 NFL Gridiron Guide and Fantasy Take

WEEK 14

GIANTS (6-6) at COWBOYS (7-5), 8:20 p.m.

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

Cowboys by 31/2; O/U: 49

Everyone knows the deal here. The Giants must win this game, and most likelytake their final three games, which would give them the NFC East crown, perhaps their only way ofmaking the playoffs. The G-Men are good enough, and tough enough, to beat anyone, including the Cowboys. The Giants are 5-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last seven games vs. Dallas. Also for Big Blue? Cowboys coach Jason Garretthas another chance to ice the kicker. Maybe this timehewon't do it to his own guy. D'uh!

THE PICK: Giants

RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Cowboys WR Miles Austin will return and becomes a better play if Laurent Robinson, who didn't practice yesterdayThursday, sits.

1 p.m. GAMES

CHIEFS (5-7) at JETS(7-5)

TV: Ch. 2Radio: 1050 ESPN.

Jetsby 101/2; O/U: 361/2

Guess which team has scored the highest percentage of touchdowns in the red zone this season? The Packers, right? Nope. The Saints? Nah. How about the Jets, who have scored an NFL-best 25 TDs in 37 red-zone trips (67.6 percent). It's win-or-go-home time for Gang Green. I know how important these last fourgames are to the Jets, and I do see the Jetswinning, just not covering this big a spread against the Chiefs, who are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as an underdog.

THE PICK: Chiefs

RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: The Chiefs struggle at defending tight ends. This should be a good game for Jets TE Dustin Keller.

TEXANS (9-3) at BENGALS (7-5)

Bengals by 3; O/U: 38

Houston owns an AFC-leading six-game winning streak, which is no surprise considering its AFC-best plus-12 turnover margin. The Texans are 5-0-1 ATS the last sixgames., and have overcome injuries to key players all season. Welcome back to the NFL, Jeff Garcia, who was signed by the Texans to be their No. 3 QB (for now).

THE PICK: Texans

RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Bengals WR A.J. Green likely will see a lot of Texans CB Jonathan Joseph. Green already has proved he can get it done against the best. Start him.

SAINTS(9-3) at TITANS(7-5)

Saints by 31/2; O/U: 481/2

This is a game Jets fans will be following. The Titans are one of five AFC teams (including the Jets) with 7-5 records. I know the Saints aren't the best road team (2-4 ATS), but they're too hot to go against right now (5-1 ATS in their last six games overall).

THE PICK: Saints

FANTASY: If RB Mark Ingram misses the game with turf toe, upgrade RBs Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas. Titans RB Chris Johnson is finally back and a good start.

PATRIOTS (9-3) at REDSKINS (4-8)

Patriots by 8; O/U: 48

The Skins gave the Jets all they could handle last week, but the Patriots and their offense is a whole different beast. Plus, Washington's offense shouldn't challenge the Pats' weak 'D' which allowed the Colts the dreaded BDC (back-door cover) last week after nearly blowing a 28-point lead.

THE PICK: Patriots

FANTASY: Redskins RB Roy Helu received every carry last week and has 57 touches the last two games. He is safe to start. WR Santana Moss is an excellent start against the No. 32 pass defense. Redskins QB Rex Grossman is a sleeper.

FALCONS(7-5) at PANTHERS (4-8)

Falconsby 3; O/U: 471/2

The Panthers would like nothing more than to play spoiler, but the Falconsneed to win to keep pace with Chicago and Detroit (among others) for wild-card spots. Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings vs. Carolina.

THE PICK: Falcons

FANTASY: Look for a bounce- back game from Panthers WR Steve Smith. The Falcons will be without top cover corner Brent Grimes.

VIKINGS (2-10) at LIONS (7-5)

OFF; O/U: OFF (Vikings RB, Adrian Peterson, questionable)

Vikings always give Lions fits, having won 16 of last 19 head-to-head meetings.and covered at a 7-3-3 clip in last 13 encounters. Call it a hunch, but I'm going with Blue & Silver vs. banged-up Vikings.

THE PICK: Lions

FANTASY: Lions QB Matthew Stafford is a great play against an awful Vikings secondary. Lions WR Nate Burleson is a good start. Vikings WR Percy Harvin should be in lineups if he plays.

COLTS(0-12) at RAVENS (9-3)

Ravens by 161/2; O/U: 41

Interestingly, Ravens defense has been stingier the last three weeks (allowing 13.3 ppg) without LB Ray Lewis, than with him (16.9 ppg). Ravens are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games as a favorite of 10 1/2 points or greater.

THE PICK: Ravens

FANTASY: As the Ravens emphasize the run, the numbers are down for WR Anquan Boldin. He has a great matchup against small corners, but is just a low-end WR2.

EAGLES (4-8) at DOLPHINS (4-8)

Dolphins by 3; O/U: 45

The Fins have been on fire, and have covered six straight. The Iggles are toast, but two numbers jumped out at me: Miami is 9-29 ATS in its last 38 games as a home favorite. Philly is 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games as a road underdog. Plus, QB Michael Vick is slated to return after missing three weeks with broken ribs.

THE PICK: Eagles

FANTASY: Dolphins RB Reggie Bush has five TDs in the last five games. TE Anthony Fasano is a solid replacement for those that lost the Redskins' Fred Davis to suspension.

BUCS(4-8) at JAGUARS (3-9)

OFF; O/U: OFF (Bucs QB, Josh Freeman, questionable)

Freeman is banged up, and back-up QB Josh Johnson had his shoulder popped back into place last week during loss to Carolina. But Bucs are due after six straight losses., and a 1-5 stretch ATS in those games.

THE PICK: Bucs

FANTASY: Buccaneers WR Mike Williams has at least five catches or 83 yards in the last three games. The Jaguars' defense has been decimated by injuries.

4 P.M. GAMES & LATER

BEARS(7-5) at BRONCOS(7-5), 4:05 p.m.

TV: Ch. 5.Broncosby 31/2; O/U: 351/2

This game seems like a layup, right? The Broncos have a good running game, a solid defense, and, of course, Tim Tebow at QB. Denver has won and covered six of last seven games. Plus, Bears are without QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte. Still, I think the Bears have the 'D' that finally can stifle Tebow and Co. Denver is 1-4-1 ATS in its last six home games.

THE PICK: Bears

FANTASY: Broncos RB Willis McGahee didn't practice Wednesday or yesterdayThursday because of a knee injury. He is expected to play, and if he does, play him.

49ERS(10-2) at CARDINALS (5-7), 4:05 p.m.

49ersby 4; O/U: 40

Last week's shutout of the Rams earned the Niners their first NFC West crown and postseason berth since 2002. San Fran has an NFL-best plus-18 turnover margin, and one of the league's best red-zone defenses. Niners (10-1-1 ATS in 2011) have covered six straight vs. Cards, and are 5-0 ATS in last fivetrips to the Desert.

THE PICK: 49ers

FANTASY: The 49ers defense is very good, but they can give up passing yards, so don't bench Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald.

BILLS (5-7) at CHARGERS(5-7), 4:15 p.m.

Chargersby 7; O/U: 471/2

Bills are 1-4 ATS in last five games overall. Meanwhile, Chargers snapped six-game losing and coverless streak last week, as Bolts QB Phillip Rivers improved to 21-3 as a starter in December. Guess he enjoys the holidays.

THE PICK: Chargers

FANTASY: Chargers RB Ryan Mathews is healthy again and looked terrific last week. It's another good matchup for Chargers WR Vincent Jackson.

RAIDERS (7-5) atPACKERS (12-0), 4:15 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2.

Packersby 11; O/U: 511/2

Oakland (8-4 ATS in 2011) is coming off a 20-point thumping by Miami. The Packers have won 18 straight, including last season's playoffs. Green Bay has covered 13 of those 18 games. Tough one, but I'll lean with defending champs. who average a ridiculous 35 points per game.

THE PICK: Packers

FANTASY: If you're in desperate need of a WR, consider the Raiders' Chaz Schilens if Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford don't play.

RAMS(2-10) at SEAHAWKS(5-7), 8:30 p.m. Monday

TV: ESPNRadio: WFAN (660), joined in progress.

OFF; O/U: OFF (Rams QB, Sam Bradford, questionable)

I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe Monday night is a good time to volunteer to help your partner with the holiday:shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, cleaning, etc. Anything has to be better than this game. Seattle (5-1 ATS at boisterous Qwest Field) has won 12 of 13 vs. Rams.

THE PICK: Seahawks

FANTASY: Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch has at least 22 touches in five consecutive games and scored in eight straight, making him a must-start. If the Rams start Tom Brandstater at quarterback, downgrade all their players.