THERE was some snickering about new offensive coordinator Al Saunders’ phonebook-thick playbook during the Redskins’ 0-4 preseason and 0-2 start. Nobody’s singing that tune anymore, however, after the ‘Skins put up 36 points on the physical Jaguars defense.
Last season, the Giants hammered the ‘Skins here 36-0 behind Tiki Barber’s 206 yards. But it’s the rematch, a 35-20 Washington win on Christmas Eve, which might be a better harbinger for this Sunday.
Santana Moss burned the Giants for three TDs, and with Antwaan Randle El, Chris Cooley and a healthy Clinton Portis, the ‘Skins have weapons all over the field to test a Giants defense that’s off to a very tough start. Also, you have to factor in the Giants’ inexplicable 3-14 record after bye weeks.
The pick: Redskins +41/2.
Jets (+7) over JAGUARS:
Jets are 2-0 on the road already, and with menacing Jags DT Marcus Stroud out with an ankle injury, Chad Pennington may not have to face the full fury of the NFL’s most physical D, which ended his 2005 season.
Jags also will be missing their most dynamic offensive player, WR Matt Jones.
COLTS (-18) over Titans:
Vince Young should be able to make some plays with his feet against a banged-up Colts D.
But the math says if Peyton Manning puts up his customary 38, Vince will need 20, and just don’t see that.
Lions (+61/2) over VIKINGS:
Have been doing well picking against the Lions thus far, and Vikes have beaten them eight in a row. But Jon Kitna (65 percent, 1,081 yards) has been good enough to make you believe it’s time for Detroit to win a game.
SAINTS (-61/2) over Bucs:
With rookie Marques Colston from Hofstra adding 86-yard TD catches to the Drew BreesReggie Bush-Joe Horn-Deuce McAllister mix, that’s way too much firepower for Bucs’ firsttime starting QB Bruce Gradkowski to match.
Rams (-3) over PACKERS:
Expect Brett Favre, knocked senseless by the Eagles Monday night, to play. But that could spell trouble vs. Rams team that’s NFL-best plus-10 in turnover ratio.
Dolphins (+91/2) over PATRIOTS:
At 1-3 vs. a weak schedule, the Dolphins are off to the most disappointing and puzzling start in the NFL. Still, have to believe they’ll be energized by the sight of the Pats and give them a tough battle as near double-digit ‘dogs.
BEARS (-10) over Bills: Rex Grossman has been outrageous, and the Bears should turn J.P.
Losman’s mistakes into more points to cover a scary-big spread.
Browns (+8) over PANTHERS:
Two close, late wins have taken the Panthers from the endangered list to 2-2. Browns’ confidence also is high after their big comeback at Oakland, and Romeo Crennel’s team plays a lot of close ones.
CARDS (+31/2) over Chiefs:
Probably the most intriguing game on the board as Matt Leinart makes his first NFL start. If the Cards can find a way to get Edgerrin James more than 3.1 yards per carry, this offense can take off in a hurry.
49ERS (-31/2) over Raiders:
Going to break the rule that forbids giving points with a team that lost 41-0 the previous week. It beats relying on a guy with a 29.2 QB rating (Andrew Walter).
Cowboys (+2) over EAGLES:
Andre Gurode, the victim of Albert Haynesworth’s head stomp, is the only name on Dallas’ injury list. The Eagles are hurting now at wide receiver to go along with Brian Westbrook and several key dbacks.
Have to hope Drew Bledsoe can handle the blitzes.
CHARGERS (-31/2) over Steelers: Tough to go against a desperate Steeler team off a bye on national TV. But the Chargers are coming off a loss and will be out to avenge last October’s 24-22 home loss to Pittsburgh.
MONDAY NIGHT BRONCOS (-4) over Ravens:
Skeptics (like this one) said the Ravens beat nobody to get to 30; then they beat somebody, the Chargers. But the Broncos had a bye after their dominating win at New England, and will be ready to roll again under the lights.
BEST BETS: Broncos, Dolphins, Lions.
LAST WEEK: 8-5-1.
BEST BETS: 0-3.
THE WILDCAT BETTOR’S GUIDE: WEEK 5 St. Louis is 4-1 in its last five and the favorite has covered the last three in this series. Green Bay is 1-8-2 in its last 11 overall and 05-2 in its last seven at Lambeau.
The underdog has won six of eight in this series. The home team has lost four of five.
Tampa Bay is 6-2 in its last eight following a bye, including four wins in a row.
Dallas has been an underdog the last three times in this series, and covered all three. The Cowboys are 4-0-1 in the last five October games.
The Eagles are 1-8 the last nine vs.
the NFC East.
LAST WEEK: 3-2 OVERALL: 9-10-1 BUCCANEERS (+61/2) AT SAINTS, 1 P.M.
COWBOYS (+2) AT EAGLES, 4:15 P.M.
By Tim Sullivan THE ODD COUPLE TAKE THE JAKE: Denver quarterback Jake Plummer will lead the Broncos (-4) to victory on Monday night. WireImage.com SAFEWITH ‘SKINS [email protected] T H E T O P P L A Y S Terrell Owens WireImage.com RAMS (-3) AT PACKERS, 1 P.M.
Cadillac Williams Still in first place, thanks to a three-week run of 28-13-3, The Odd Couple (Dick Klayman & Peter Tocco) plans to widen its lead with these 14 winners:
SUNDAY: Redskins, Jaguars, Colts, Lions, Bucs, Packers, Patriots, Bears, Panthers, Cards, Raiders, Cowboys, Steelers.
MONDAY: Ravens.
BEST BETS: Cowboys, Steelers, Ravens.
MS. CHARLEEN SUNDAY: Redskins, Jaguars, Titans, Vikings, Saints, Rams, Patriots, Bills, Panthers, Chiefs, Raiders, Eagles, Chargers.
MONDAY: Broncos.
BEST BETS: Rams, Chiefs, Eagles.
AP DAVE BLEZOW Steven Jackson Tom Coughlin’s crew knows how to bounce back. The Giants have won seven straight following a loss. The favorite in this series has won three straight, and the home team has won four straight.
GIANTS (-41/2) VS. REDSKINS, 1 P.M.
WireImage.com Buffalo has won four straight as a road dog and is 4-1 in its last five on grass. The Bills are 3-1 this season, including 2-0 away from home. The Bears are 2-7 in their last nine vs.
the AFC.
BILLS (+10) AT BEARS. 1 P.M.
BLEZOW’S LOCK OF THE WEEK All records and numbers against the spread.