Week 5 Gridiron Guide and fantasy take
Tom Brady shouts instructions to his team during their game against the Oakland Raiders. (Oct. 2, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
LOCALS
JETS (2-2) at PATRIOTS (3-1), 4:15 p.m.
Patriots by 9; O/U: 49
TV: Ch. 2. Radio: ESPN (1050).
Don't be fooled by Rex Ryan, people. Ignore him yucking it up and wearing his "Hall of Fame" jacket during Wednesday's news conference. Go back to Sunday night when Ryan looked visibly upset after his team was shellacked by Baltimore. The Jets have talked all week about getting back to their "ground and pound" running attack. (They ranked 30th in rushing at 71 yards per game). That's the only shot they'll have to keep Tom Brady and the Pats' high-powered offense off the field. Getting All-Pro C Nick Mangold back makes me lean toward Gang Green. THE PICK: Jets
RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: It has been a quiet season so far for Jets WR Santonio Holmes, but it's tough to bench him against the worst team against the pass.
SEAHAWKS (1-3) at GIANTS (3-1), 1 p.m.
Giants by 10; O/U: 43
TV: Ch. 5. Radio: WFAN (660).
Could anyone have been happier on the Giants this week than Victor Cruz? Thanksgiving came two months early for the Giants' wideout. He did fumble against Arizona last week, but received a Wall Street-type bailout thanks to the officiating crew as the Giants eked out a road win. Guess who's third in QB rating behind Aaron Rodgers (124.6) and Tom Brady (111.3)? That's right, Eli Manning (105.6). I think Big Blue wins, but doesn't cover (4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as a home favorite, and 3-5 under Tom Coughlin when double-digit favorites). THE PICK: Seahawks
RONIS' FANTASY TAKE: Seahawks WR Sidney Rice has 11 catches for 188 yards with a TD in two games and is the most reliable fantasy option for the team.
1 P.M. GAMES
EAGLES (1-3) at BILLS (3-1)
Eagles by 2 1/2; O/U: 49 1/2
I never bought into the Eagles' "Dream Team" talk. (Great job, Vince Young, you big mouth!) Thank goodness Michael Vick told us on Wednesday that the "Dream Team" is "dead now." But is the Eagles' season dead? The NFL's most disappointing team blew a 20-point lead at home last week against the 49ers. I think the more desperate team wins and covers. THE PICK: Eagles
FANTASY: The Bills' offense will bounce back against a struggling Eagles defense. Bills RB Fred Jackson is a must start.
TITANS (3-1) at STEELERS (2-2)
Steelers by 3; O/U: 391/2
The Steelers opened as a 6.5-point favorite, but early Titans money dropped the line to 3. Pittsburgh is banged up, while Tennessee has been an early-season surprise. Close call. Take the points. THE PICK: Titans
FANTASY: Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall didn't practice Wednesday or yesterday, so all signs point to RB Isaac Redman getting a full workload making him a RB2.
SAINTS (3-1) at PANTHERS (1-3)
Saints by 6 1/2; O/U: 51 1/2
The talk in Carolina always revolves around rookie QB Cam Newton, the early favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year. However, let's talk about the Panthers' run 'D', which ranks 31st out of 32 teams (143.8 yards per game). The Saints (7-2 ATS in last 9 in Carolina) have the running game to exploit that weakness. THE PICK: Saints
FANTASY: Unless you have an elite QB, the Panthers' Cam Newton is in your lineup. He's the goal line back for this team with four rushing TDs and he's a better option than Chargers QB Philip Rivers in Week 5.
RAIDERS (2-2) at TEXANS (3-1)
Texans by 6; O/U: 48 1/2
Both teams are 3-1 ATS. However, I think the Texans are prone for a hiccup, especially after a big win against Pittsburgh, and even more so with talented wideout Andre Johnson out from surgery on an injured hamstring. Plus, the Raiders are the NFL's best bounce-back team (12-2 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS loss). THE PICK: Raiders
FANTASY: The injury to Texans WR Johnson makes TE Owen Daniels the top option in the passing game.
BENGALS (2-2) at JAGUARS (1-3)
Jaguars by 2 1/2; O/U: 37
All you need to know is how each team has done in its last seven games overall: Bengals (6-1 ATS), Jags (1-6 ATS). THE PICK: Bengals
FANTASY: Bengals rookie WR is A.J. Green is catching everything in his radius and turning poor throws from QB Andy Dalton into receptions. He's a Top 20 WR this week.
CHIEFS (1-3) at COLTS (0-4)
Colts by 2 1/2; O/U: 38 1/2
This game could help determine the winner of the "Andrew Luck sweepstakes" also known as the 2012 NFL Draft's No. 1 overall pick. I think the Colts get win No. 1 and cover. THE PICK: Colts
FANTASY: Outside of Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe and Colts WR Reggie Wayne, there are no safe plays.
CARDINALS (1-3) at VIKINGS (0-4)
Vikings by 2 1/2; O/U: 45
Minnesota could also be a "Luck" possibility. The Vikings gotta win soon, right? Plus, the Cardinals are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games overall. THE PICK: Vikings
FANTASY: Vikings WR Percy Harvin has yet to score, but topped 100 total yards last week and is at least getting some carries. This is the week Harvin goes off against a Cardinals defense that is struggling against the pass.
4 P.M. & LATER
BUCS (3-1) at 49ERS (3-1), 4:05
49ers by 3; O/U: 41 1/2
Coach Jim Harbaugh has his Niners believin'. How else do you explain last week's comeback in Philly? But the Bucs are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 as road underdogs. THE PICK: Bucs
FANTASY: WR Michael Crabtree looked good last week and could be used as a WR3 this week with six teams on bye.
CHARGERS (3-1) at BRONCOS (1-3), 4:15 p.m.
Chargers by 4; O/U: 46
The Chargers have struggled of late (1-4-1 ATS last six games), and usually scuffle on the road (2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 roadies). But the schedule makers provide the perfect elixir: Denver! The Bolts are 7-1-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings vs. the Broncos. If the losing continues in Denver, the calls for backup QB Tim Tebow will only grow louder. THE PICK: Chargers
FANTASY: WR Vincent Jackson didn't practice yesterday with a hamstring injury, TE Antonio Gates is likely out, so expect a heavy dosage of running backs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert. Broncos WRs Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker are Top 25 at the position this week.
PACKERS (4-0) at FALCONS (2-2), 8:20 p.m.
Packers by 6; O/U: 53 1/2
TV: Ch. 4. Radio: WFAN (660).
I know the Falcons are a ridiculous 21-2 at home during the regular season since QB Matt Ryan's rookie year (2008). But is there any team playing any better than the defending Super Bowl champs? The Pack are 3-1 ATS early on, and 23-9-1 ATS in their last 33 games overall. THE PICK: Packers
FANTASY: Falcons WR Julio Jones has 17 catches for 242 yards the last two games. He's a must start.
BEARS (2-2) at LIONS (4-0), Monday 8:30 p.m.
Lions by 5 1/2; O/U: 47 1/2
TV: ESPN. Radio: WFAN (660).
Did you know that the Lions opened around a 75-to-1 shot to win Super Bowl XLVI? Know what they are now? Try 6-to-1. Why? The books are scared the Lions might cash. Yikes! Detroit, on the SI cover this week and 4-0 for the first time since 1980, has been a monster the past season-and-a-half (16-5-2 ATS in their last 23 games overall). But I think the line is too big here. THE PICK: Bears
FANTASY: It's very difficult to count on any Bears WR. If there is anyone to go with this week, it's Johnny Knox.
WEEK 5 BYES: Cleveland, Dallas, St. Louis, Miami, Washington, Baltimore.
STAFF PICKS (best bet in bold)
John Boell 33-28-3 (2-2 best bets)
Jets
Seahawks
Eagles
Titans
Saints
Raiders
Bengals
Colts
Vikings
Bucs
Chargers
Packers
Bears
Bob Glauber 28-33-3 (1-1-2)
Jets
Giants
Eagles
Steelers
Panthers
Raiders
Jaguars
Colts
Vikings
Bucs
Broncos
Packers
Lions
Tom Rock 32-29-3 (2-1-1)
Jets
Seahawks
Eagles
Steelers
Panthers
Raiders
Bengals
Colts
Cardinals
Bucs
Chargers
Falcons
Lions
Roderick Boone 31-30-3 (2-2)
Patriots
Giants
Eagles
Titans
Saints
Texans
Jaguars
Colts
Vikings
Bucs
Chargers
Packers
Bears
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