Wade Phillips probably had a lot of nicknames in Dallas, and one that would have been appropriate is “The Big Excuse.” Not because he made a lot of them for the Cowboys’ disastrous 1-7 start; he didn’t. He seemed to be a stand-up guy through tough times. Rather, that moniker fits because the Cowboys were never going to win another game with Phillips standing on the sideline. As long as he was there, Dallas players had cover for loss after embarrassing loss.
Now the bull’s-eyes are squarely on the backs of Felix Jones, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware, Terence Newman and the like. That’s a pretty good group to give a two-touchdown head start if fully engaged.
The Giants are riding a five-game winning streak that includes three by 14 points or more. They will be on guard for a better Dallas effort and should win the game. But with all the injuries to the offensive line, coach Tom Coughlin won’t let Eli Manning take too many hits if the Giants get ahead.
The pick: Cowboys +14.
SUNDAY
Jets (-3) over BROWNS: It’s hard to envision how this matchup will play out because the Jets are such a different team than what the Browns faced in their upsets of the Saints and Patriots. If coach Rex Ryan commits an extra man to Peyton Hillis and Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie blanket the wideouts, then there won’t be too many options for neophyte quarterback Colt McCoy. The Jets have a better running game than New Orleans and New England, and that will open up some deep shots to a motivated Braylon Edwards.
Bengals (+7) over COLTS: Indianapolis, on average, is scoring 27 and allowing 21 per game, a margin that falls below this spread, and the Colts are decimated by injuries. Terrell Owens was a beast vs. the Steelers. Potential outright upset special.
JAGUARS (-2) over Texans: Jaguars, the far healthier team coming off a bye, will sic an improving David Garrard (67.8 percent, 13 TDs) and the Hyphens (Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker) against the worst defense in the NFL.
Titans (-11/2) over DOLPHINS: As much as this column has liked Chad Pennington, not sure he’s the answer for Miami. He might throw fewer picks than Chad Henne, but what of his immobility, lack of arm strength and rust. Titans give Randy Moss a try. He can create at least a diversion for Chris Johnson.
BEARS (+1) over Vikings: Vikings are seemingly one more bad loss away from turning Brad Childress into Wade Phillips. Not a big fan of how the Bears have played, but they are 5-3 and their defense is capable of knocking Brett Favre around.
Lions (+3) over BILLS: Love the concept of getting points from an 0-8 team. In Calvin Johnson and Ndomukong Suh, the Lions will have the best player on the field no matter who has the ball.
BUCCANEERS (-61/2) over Panthers: Bucs are 5-3 but have given up 33 more points than they have scored, a red flag considering the near-touchdown spread. But the Panthers average just 11 ppg and now go back to Jimmy Clausen, who failed the first time, likely without DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
Chiefs (-1) over BRONCOS: Chiefs will be amped after their bitter loss to the Raiders, and will be looking to press their big advantages in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Run with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.
Rams (+6) over 49ERS: Rams (4-4) are 0-3 on the road, but two of the losses were 16-14 at Oakland and 18-17 at Tampa Bay. Steve Spagnuolo’s crew should be able to stay within this margin vs. a 2-6 Niners team that incredibly is still in the hunt in the remedial NFC West.
CARDINALS (-3) over Seahawks: Interesting quote from Pete Carroll in the wake of Seattle’s 41-7 home loss to the Giants: “We’ve been trying too hard and stuff.” Oh, so that’s it! Matt Hasselbeck returns but Big Blue left a carcass for the rest of the NFL vultures to pick at.
Patriots (+41/2) over STEELERS: Have to side with the Patriots off an unsightly loss, especially because the Steelers are banged up on the offensive line, with Max Starks out for the year and Maurkice Pouncey and Chris Kemoeatu ailing.
MONDAY NIGHT
Eagles (-3) over REDSKINS: Donovan McNabb won his return to Philadelphia Oct. 3 but his relationship with Mike Shanahan has gotten rocky. The rematch is all about Michael Vick, whose lightning-quick scrambles and laser passes look as if they’re right out of “Madden.”
BEST BETS: Buccaneers, Chiefs, Eagles
LAST WEEK: 7-5-1 overall, 2-1 Best Bets
LOCK OF THE WEEK: (2-7 in 2010,
30-16-1 last 47) Buccaneers
LAST NIGHT: Ravens (L)