THE Giants have had two full weeks to hear how their 6-2 record was built beating flawed teams with bad offenses. They’ve had two weeks to reflect on how 6-2 turned into 8-8 last season. With the schedule getting tougher in the second half, capped by a date with the possibly history-seeking Patriots, the Giants know they must win this week’s showdown game against Dallas to have a chance at a high seed that could be a launching pad to Super Bowl XLII.
Two keys? Can Brandon Jacobs, who is averaging 5.6 yards per carry, move the chains and the clock against a Cowboys defense which is ranked fifth in the NFL vs. the run? Defensively, can the Giants’ front seven penetrate Dallas’ big offensive line and put heat on Tony Romo? Your answers to those questions likely will determine your pick. Here, we’ll say a tepid yes to both, throw in the Meadowlands crowd and low-40s temps, and give Big Blue the slightest nod.
The pick: Giants +11/2.
TITANS (-4) over Jaguars: Interesting scheduling quirk in that this will be the Jags’ third straight road game and the Titans’ third straight home game. Titans won 13-10 in Jacksonville in Week 1, dominating the trenches. Could happen again with Marcus Stroud on ‘roid suspension.
CHIEFS (-3) over Broncos: As bouncebacks go, have a little more faith in the Chiefs at Arrowhead off a competitive home loss to the 7-1 Packers than we do in the Broncos on the road again after a 44-7 lay-down in Detroit. KC may miss Larry Johnson, but isn’t running much with him, anyway.
DOLPHINS (+3) over Bills: Cleo Lemon keeps the starting QB job for the Dolphins, and you have to admit, he threw a nice TD pass to Ted Ginn Jr. for the backdoor cover vs. the Giants in London. Cam Cameron could get his first win if Zach Thomas and Vonnie Holliday can get back on the field.
STEELERS (-91/2) over Browns: Steelers have won 13 of their prior 14 vs. the Browns, including a 34-7 blitz in Week 1 in Cleveland. True, that was before Derek Anderson replaced Charlie Frye at QB. But if the Steelers can hang 38 on the Ravens’ No. 2-ranked D, what can they do to the 32nd-ranked Browns?
Rams (+111/2) over SAINTS: New Orleans might overlook this one a little, given its four-game winning streak and rout of the Jags last week. Rams are 0-8 and coming off a bye, which could work both ways: Some wounds will heal, but they’ve had two more weeks to quit on coach Scott Linehan.
Falcons (+4) over PANTHERS: Vinny Testaverde is back, but there’s nothing behind him should his Achilles injury flare up. Former Jets teammate John Abraham will have ol’ Vinny in his sights. Joey Harrington passed for 361 yards in the first meeting, a 27-20 Carolina win inside Georgia Dome.
REDSKINS (-3) over Eagles: The only reason for pause is the line, which shouts “Trap!” Why is a 5-3 team at home favored by just the standard three against a reeling, injured 3-5 team with a distracted coach? If you can get past that, then this is a game the ‘Skins really should win by 10-14 points.
PACKERS (-6) over Vikings: Good for Adrian Peterson and his NFL record 296 yards, but that was last week. Now it’s Brett Favre, with a 7-1 team, back at Lambeau, taking aim at the league’s 31st-ranked pass defense, possibly missing Antoine Winfield, and with Brooks Bollinger likely slingin’ for the other side.
RAVENS (-4) over Bengals: Ravens will be fired up after prime-time spanking in Pittsburgh, and could use some home cookin’ after losing two in a row on the road around a bye. Don’t expect the Bengals will get much help from Chris Henry, back from suspension but already in trouble for a parking-lot incident.
Bears (-31/2) over RAIDERS: No rock-solid rationale on either side, just a sense the Bears should be much better than 3-5, and the Raiders are about where they belong at 2-6. Could be a breakout game for Cedric Benson vs. Oakland’s 30th-ranked run defense.
CARDINALS (-1) over Lions: Detroit would be 7-2 with a victory here, which is a little much to expect. Kurt Warner and the Cards are due for some success after narrow road losses at Washington and Tampa Bay on either side of their bye.
CHARGERS (+31/2) over Colts: We’ll bite and take the Chargers as home ‘dogs after their embarrassing loss to Peterson and the Vikings. Yes, Peyton Manning will be going for the jugular here, after letting the Pats out of a 20-10, fourth-quarter stranglehold, but injuries to Dallas Clark and Marvin Harrison could make a difference.
MONDAY NIGHT
SEAHAWKS (-10) over 49ers: Seahawks won the first meeting by 20 in San Francisco on Sept. 30. Though Niners have lost six in a row and are due to play a competitive game, this should be another prime-time blowout.
BEST BETS: Seahawks, Rams, Redskins.
LAST WEEK: 4-10.
BEST BETS: 1-2.