SUNDAY
Eagles (+1) over PACKERS: The shoulder injury Aaron Rodgers incurred early Monday night vs. the Bears will require weeks of recuperation — and reduced opening line on this clash by more than a TD. Philly continues to thrive away from the Linc, and not even the return of Packers LB Clay Matthews may be able to stem prevailing tides in wide-open NFC East. Nick Foles, this year: 13 TD passes, zero picks.
GIANTS (-7) over Raiders: Wary of getting giddy over Giants playing clearly-inferior competition at MetLife, but if Oakland QB Terrelle Pryor is at all the worse for wear, typical relative ineffectiveness of Raiders on East Coast jaunts compels this lean.
Jaguars (+12) over TITANS: Yes, aware this is the worst-performing franchise NFL has enabled for many a year, but in for a penny, in for a pound. … Tennessee no doubt is embarrassed that the one league game Jacksonville captured over the past season-and-a-third came against their bad selves. Titans have lost last two here, but may be caught looking ahead to Colts.
STEELERS (-3) over Bills: For this crop of Steelers, the song is over — and the malady lingers on. EJ Manuel’s returns under center for visitor. Manuel’s a talent — but a rookie, which is grist for Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau’s mill.
Rams (+9 ½) over COLTS: Yes, this is Kellen Clemens against Andrew Luck, but this is also coach Jeff Fisher coaxing a middling side in yet another of his endless quests to hang tough, stay close, and seek a way to steal win, in the end. Happy to embrace that strategy within this scenario. Do the Colts make it all the way back against Houston if Gary Kubiak is on the sidelines for that second half?
Seahawks (-5 ½) over FALCONS: Even with Matt Ryan continuing to hang up reasonable passing-percentage numbers, here comes Seattle, and if hot Seahawks secondary can cramp Ryan’s style, not much Atlanta can do about it, in this revenger for that near-miss in the divisional playoffs.
RAVENS (+1 ½) over Bengals: The loss of monstrous inside presence Geno Atkins from Cincy defensive front will be deeply-felt — and this could be spot where Bengals coach Marvin Lewis’ game-management skills are insufficient. Ravens are feeling post-Super blues, but if Joe Flacco becomes animated earlier in the first half than usual and defense holds up their end, “upset” very possible.
BEARS (-1) over Lions: Bears GM Phil Emery chose his coach, and darned if Marc Trestman hasn’t done bang-up job with Chicago attack unit, thus joining in league’s offensive explosion. Lions have had two weeks away from the wars to flatter one another after nipping Cowboys. Jay Cutler’s expected to start after quick recovery from groin injury , off confidence-builder over Packers.
49ERS (-6) over Panthers: Ace Niners LB Aldon Smith’s scheduled to return. But since Ron Rivera’s observed the percentages and started taking warranted fourth-down shots in short-yardage situations, Panthers have spent last month demolishing league’s lesser lights. Another win seems possible, but need to see this Carolina group emerge on top after contentious three-hour wrestling match, one time.
CARDINALS (-2 ½) over Texans: Again … was Wade Phillips’ stand-in stint at the Texans’ controls following Kubiak’s dire halftime troubles conducive to subsequent offensive meltdown? Texans looked nifty behind young QB Case Keenum, in that first half, but what kind of show do we get, today? It’s tough to embrace fledgling Keenum in this price range, without Arian Foster.
Broncos (-7) over CHARGERS: Historically, Bolts have found it easier to compete favorably in Mile High than standing up to Broncos here. Will acknowledge that, despite tough beat in Washington, San Diego’s form has been most respectable, and you can argue Denver might be vulnerable without coach John Fox on the sidelines.
SAINTS (-6 ½) over Cowboys: Is nearly a full touchdown plenty to hand to Tony Romo prior to opening kick? Yep. But Cowboys are in wrong place at the wrong time, catching the Saints off ugly, chilly, wind-blown loss to Jets. 2013 Mission Statement for Sean Payton’s boys is to take no prisoners in the Superdome. Darren Sproles’ expected return should highlight business as usual.
MONDAY
BUCCANEERS (+2 ½) over Dolphins: You know the question, here: Do the Dolphins circle the wagons in the wake of the Richie Incognito/Jonathan Martin imbroglio, or do they implode? Feel compelled to take points in Sunshine State, home to three of the league’s weakest entities.
LAST WEEK: 5-7.
SEASON: 50-71-2.