Week 4 Gridiron Guide and fantasy take
GIANTS (2-1) at CARDINALS (1-2), 4:05 p.m.
Giants by 1 1/2; O/U: 44 1/2
TV:Ch. 5. Radio: WFAN (660).
The Giants are coming off one of their biggest regular season games in recent memory. Big Blue has been a terrific travelling team. The Giants are 28-13 against the spread (ATS) in their last 41 road games. New York should double-team Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, and challenge them to run. THE PICK: Giants
RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Giants QB Eli Manning is erratic, but is a good play against a Cardinals pass defense that is one of the worst.
JETS (2-1) at RAVENS (2-1), 8:20 p.m. Sunday
Ravens by 3 1/2; O/U: 42
TV:Ch. 4. Radio: 1050 ESPN.
This might be a pivotal game in Rex Ryan's coaching career. I say that because we knew the Jets couldn't run the ball, but now we know they can't stop the run. The Ravens have beaten the Jets six straight, and are 5-1 ATS in those games. THE PICK: Ravens
RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Expect Jets WR Santonio Holmes to get a lot of targets after complaining about his usage last week.
1 P.M. GAMES
STEELERS (2-1) at TEXANS (2-1), 1 p.m.
Texans by 4; O/U: 45
TV: Ch. 2.
Maybe Pittsburgh, one of the NFL's oldest teams, should start holding their practices at a retirement home? I know the Steelers are banged up, and looked less-than-spectacular against the lowly Colts. But coach Mike Tomlin will have his Steelers (8-3 in last 11 as underdogs) ready here. THE PICK: Steelers
FANTASY: If Arian Foster puts in a full practice today, get him in your lineup.
LIONS (3-0) at COWBOYS (2-1), 1 p.m.
Cowboys by 1 1/2; O/U: 46 1/2
The Lions have been a bettor's dream last season, and in the early going of 2011. Detroit is 15-5-2 ATS in its last 22 games overall. The Lions have ewon seven in a row, and are 6-0-1 ATS, dating to last season. THE PICK: Lions
FANTASY: Look for a bounce-back game from Lions WR Nate Burleson.
PANTHERS (1-2) at BEARS (1-2), 1 p.m.
Bears by 6 1/2; O/U: 42 1/2
The Bears and QB Jay Cutler rebound after back-to-back losses. THE PICK: Bears
FANTASY: Panthers QB Cam Newton is comfortable throwing to tight end Greg Olsen and the Bears can be vulnerable against the tight end. Olsen will be motivated against his former team.
BILLS (3-0) at BENGALS (1-2), 1 p.m.
Bills by 3; O/U: 43
Buffalo fans were so amped in Orchard Park after ending a 15-game losing streak to the Patriots last week, that stadium officials raced and pulled down their own goal posts before their fans could. The Bengals are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games. THE PICK: Bills
FANTASY: Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is an every week start.
TITANS (2-1) at BROWNS (2-1), 1 p.m.
Browns by 1 1/2; O/U: 38 1/2
Tough week to pick games -- 10 of Week 4's 16 games are less than a 5-point spread. The Titans will have to rely on their No. 1 ranked D with loss of WR Kenny Britt. Browns are 1-5-1 ATS last 7 overall, and 0-5-1 ATS at home. THE PICK: Titans
FANTASY:Titans RB Chris Johnson has been a major disappointment so far. The team will split him wide more to get him the ball. If you can get him cheap, roll the dice. T
REDSKINS (2-1) at RAMS (0-3), 1 p.m.
Redskins by 1 1/2; O/U: 43 1/2
'Skins should be 3-0, and they're 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven overall. THE PICK: Redskins
FANTASY: The Rams are the worst team at defending the run, so start Redskins RB Tim Hightower.
49ERS (2-1) at EAGLES (1-2), 1 p.m.
Eagles by 8 1/2; O/U: 44 1/2
Michael Vick won't be complaining this week. I know the 49ers are much-improved under Jim Harbaugh, but I smell a double-digit Eagles' win here -- Philly is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 following a double-digit 'L' at home. THE PICK: Eagles
FANTASY:49ers TE Vernon Davis is an excellent start because the Eagles can't defend the tight end.
SAINTS (2-1) at JAGUARS (1-2), 1 p.m.
Saints by 7; O/U: 45 1/2
We know the Saints can score, but they have the sixth-worst pass D in the league. But the Jags have the worst passing attack in NFL. THE PICK: Saints
FANTASY: Saints WR Marques Colston is expected to return and play limited snaps. It won't impact TE Jimmy Graham and WR Lance Moore.
VIKINGS (0-3) at CHIEFS (0-3), 1 p.m.
Vikings by 1 1/2; O/U: 40
What happens to Minnesota at halftime? The Vikings have held halftime leads of 10, 17 and 20 points. But they've scored just six -- 6! -- second-half points, while allowing 67. They'll put a full game together this week. THE PICK: Vikings
FANTASY: The only Chiefs you can start are running back Dexter McCluster and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.
4:05 P.M. GAMES & LATER
FALCONS (1-2) at SEAHAWKS (1-2), 4:05 p.m.
Falcons by 4 1/2; O/U: 39
The Falcons are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 games following a loss, while Seattle is 5-18 ATS in their last 23 games following a win. THE PICK: Falcons
FANTASY: Seahawks WR Sidney Rice is the only safe Seahawk to start for now.
PATRIOTS (2-1) at RAIDERS (2-1), 4:15 p.m.
Patriots by 4 1/2; O/U: 55
TV: Ch. 2.
The Pats are one of the best bounce-back teams in the NFL (5-0 ATS in their last 5 following an ATS loss). New England has only lost two games in a row twice (in 2006 and 2009) since 2003. THE PICK: Patriots
FANTASY: Raiders rookie wide receiver Denarius Moore is an excellent start against a struggling Patriots defense.
DOLPHINS (0-3) at CHARGERS (2-1), 4:15 p.m.
Chargers by 7; O/U: 45
Sooner or later the Fins gotta crack the win column, right? Miami is 18-7-1 ATS in its last 26 road games. THE PICK: Dolphins
FANTASY: Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas has turned it around after a rough preseason. He's the feature back and a solid RB2.
BRONCOS (1-2) at PACKERS (3-0), 4:15 p.m.
Packers by 12 1/2; O/U: 46 1/2
Denver has lost seven straight on the road, and is 4-10-1 ATS in its last 15 games overall. THE PICK: Packers
FANTASY: Packers RB James Starks gets a bump if Ryan Grant is out because of injury.
COLTS (0-3) at BUCS (2-1), 8:30 p.m. Monday
Bucs by 10; O/U: 40 1/2
TV: ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660).
The Bucs haven't been a double-digit favorite since 2008, and are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 at home. THE PICK: Colts
FANTASY:Colts RB Joseph Addai is running well despite a terrible offense and is playable as a RB3.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.
