Week 3 NFL picks: Go with visitors (Texans, Bears) at MetLife Stadium

TEXANS (2-0) at GIANTS (0-2), 1 p.m.

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

TV: Ch. 2; Radio: WCBS (880)

It's been a rough couple of weeks for the Giants, and especially Victor Cruz. The receiver was named one of the Giants' captains this season. But it's been more sour cream than salsa for Cruz, who went all Keyshawn Johnson -- "Just Give Me The Damn Ball!" -- after Week 1. Cruz had five catches last week, but it was his fourth-quarter drops that helped sink the G-Men. This is getting close to "must-win" time for Big Blue, which is 3-6 against the spread (ATS) at home the last two seasons. The Giants are last in the NFL in turnover margin (-6); the surprising Texans are tied for second (+5). Houston is second in the NFL in third-down defense (24 percent). Close call.

The pick: Texans

BEARS (1-1) at JETS (1-1), Monday, 8:30 p.m.

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

TV: ESPN, Ch. 11; Radio: ESPN (98.7)

C'mon, admit it. Whether you're a Jets fan or not, you had to be shaking your head last week when Gang Green's apparent tying touchdown was wiped out because of a timeout. Only the Jets! Rex Ryan's reaction on the sideline was priceless! That TO took away a shot at OT. Now the Jets prepare for a tough test against a Bears team that rallied and stunned the 49ers last week. Interesting stat of the week: When Jay Cutler has a passing rating of 100 or higher, his teams are 29-3 in those games. He's also won three straight games on Monday night and six of his last seven on Mondays. I'll take the points in what should be a tight game.

The pick: Bears

SUNDAY's 1 P.M. GAMES

CHARGERS (1-1) at BILLS (2-0)

Bills by 2; O/U: 44 1/2

Did you circle this game when the NFL schedule was released? Me neither. The first-place Bills have been one of the league's biggest surprises, and fans got to cheer on their beloved Jim Kelly last week before the game. The best news is that Kelly is now cancer free! The Chargers shocked Seattle last week, and are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven September games. Bills are 8-23 ATS in last 31 games after a win.

The pick: Chargers

REDSKINS (1-1) at EAGLES (2-0)

Eagles by 6 1/2; O/U: 50 1/2

Washington is better with Kirk Cousins than it is with RG3. There, I said it. The road team is 10-4-1 ATS in last 15 meetings, and Washington is 5-2 ATS in last seven trips to Philly. Ex-Eagle DeSean Jackson could be X-factor.

The pick: Redskins

TITANS (1-1) at BENGALS (2-0)

Bengals by 7; O/U: 43.

Cincy is 10-1 ATS in last 11 home games while visitors have covered just four of the last 21 times.

The pick: Bengals

VIKINGS (1-1) at SAINTS (0-2)

Saints by 10; O/U: 50

Did you see Saints coach Sean Payton yelling at defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in Cleveland? They'll get on the same page this week against the Adrian Peterson-less Vikings. Saints are 20-4 ATS in their last 24 games after a road loss. After last week's loss to the Brownies, expect a cover against the Vikings to be a piece of cake.

The pick: Saints

RAVENS (1-1) at BROWNS (1-1)

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

Baltimore is 2-5 ATS in last seven divisional games, but I'll lean with its 5-1 ATS mark in last six games in the Dawg Pound. Let the barking for Johnny Football return.

The pick: Ravens

PACKERS (1-1) at LIONS (1-1)

Lions by 2 1/2; O/U: 53

This figures to be a high-scoring game with two powerful offenses. Green Bay is 5-1 ATS in last six vs. Lions, and 6-2 ATS in last eight in Motor City. Works for me.

The pick: Packers

COWBOYS (1-1) at RAMS (1-1)

Cowboys by 1; O/U: 45

St. Louis is 15-34-2 ATS in its last 51 September games. I'll fade this trend: Dallas is 8-18 ATS in its last 26 games after a win.

The pick: Cowboys

RAIDERS (0-2) at PATRIOTS (1-1)

Patriots by 14; O/U: 47

Twilight (Eastern Time) Zone: The Raiders are on a five-year losing streak in Eastern Time Zone games. However, the Pats are 3-7 ATS in games they were favorites of eight or more points dating back to September 2012.

The pick: Raiders

COLTS (0-2) at JAGUARS (0-2)

Colts by 7; O/U: 45

Jags have allowed NFL-worst 75 points + Andrew Luck's first back-to-back losses = Indy wins big.

The pick: Colts

SUNDAY'S LATER GAMES

BRONCOS (2-0) at SEAHAWKS (1-1), 4:25 p.m.

Seahawks by 5; O/U: 49

TV: Ch. 2

This can't be called "Revenge Bowl 2014." Because no matter what Denver does here, it will never exorcise the demons of a blowout loss in Super Bust, err, Bowl XLVIII vs. Seattle. This is the sixth time Super Bowl participants have faced off the following regular season. The team that lost the Big One is 2-3 in the next meeting. I'm not saying Denver wins in the Emerald City, but the Broncos, who are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games, keep this one within reach.

The pick: Broncos

49ERS (1-1) at CARDINALS (2-0), 4:05 p.m.

49ers by 3; O/U: 42

TV: Ch. 5

I love what Bruce Arians is doing in Arizona, but the numbers lean toward San Fran: It is 23-9-2 ATS the week after a loss, 9-2 ATS in last 11 vs. Cards, and has covered seven of last eight in Arizona.

The pick: 49ers

CHIEFS (0-2) at DOLPHINS (1-1), 4:25 p.m.

Dolphins by 4; O/U: 41 1/2

Radio: WFAN (660)

Miami is 9-3-1 ATS at home since Nov. 25, 2012. Kansas City hasn't won a game since Dec. 15, 2013, but the Chiefs are 8-1 ATS in last nine regular-season road games. If Jamaal Charles can't go, backup Knile Davis will carry the load. He looked good last week in Denver. Tread softly.

The pick: Chiefs

STEELERS (1-1) at PANTHERS (2-0), 8:30 p.m.

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

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

Carolina is 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 home games (regular and postseason), but I think the extra time off will benefit the Steelers, who closed last season 4-0 ATS as underdogs of four or fewer points.

The pick: Steelers

STAFF PICKS (all picks against the spread; best bets in caps)

JOHN BOELL 15-17, 0-2 best bets: Texans Bears Chargers Redskins Bengals Saints Ravens Packers Cowboys Raiders COLTS Broncos 49ers Chiefs Steelers

BOB GLAUBER 10-22, 0-2: Giants Jets Chargers Eagles Bengals SAINTS Ravens Packers Cowboys Patriots Colts Seahawks 49ers Chiefs Panthers

TOM ROCK 12-20, 1-1: Giants Bears Chargers Eagles Bengals Saints Browns PACKERS Cowboys Patriots Colts Seahawks 49ers Chiefs Panthers

KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN 13-19, 0-2: Giants Bears Chargers Eagles Bengals Vikings Ravens Packers Cowboys Raiders Colts SEAHAWKS 49ers Chiefs Panthers