Vegas Vic: Eagles should dance past Osi and the Giants
EAGLES (-2) over Giants: With an NFL-leading 12 turnovers, you would think that the Birds are looking up at the rest of the NFC East. But with a win here, they will look down at everyone else (pending the Monday night result in Dallas). We know all about the banged-up offensive line that will take the field at the Linc, but Andy Reid has consistently found a way to beat New York. How about six of the last seven? And LeSean McCoy has consistently found a way to get under the Giants' skin, especially Osi Umenyiora's. "Osi, to be honest, he is a good player," McCoy said on ESPN's "E:60." "I think he is a ballerina in a Giants uniform." Ballerina? Wow! It's a good thing McCoy has averaged 104 yards per game (5.9 yards per carry) the last four in this rivalry. You can't trash talk if you can't back it up. Obviously, LeSean can back it up. Eagles win and cover with a last-minute FG.
EAGLES (-2) over Giants: With an NFL-leading 12 turnovers, you would think that the Birds are looking up at the rest of the NFC East. But with a win here, they will look down at everyone else (pending the Monday night result in Dallas). We know all about the banged-up offensive line that will take the field at the Linc, but Andy Reid has consistently found a way to beat New York. How about six of the last seven? And LeSean McCoy has consistently found a way to get under the Giants' skin, especially Osi Umenyiora's. "Osi, to be honest, he is a good player," McCoy said on ESPN's "E:60." "I think he is a ballerina in a Giants uniform." Ballerina? Wow! It's a good thing McCoy has averaged 104 yards per game (5.9 yards per carry) the last four in this rivalry. You can't trash talk if you can't back it up. Obviously, LeSean can back it up. Eagles win and cover with a last-minute FG.
PACKERS (-7 1/2) over Saints: Kinda tough laying seven and a hook against a New Orleans team that has won the Super Bowl and been to the playoffs the last 3 years, but this ain't your daddy's Saints. Actually, they ain't even Sean Payton's Saints. Without Payton and his visor, New Orleans has bumbled to an 0-3 start, and while not quite bringing back the magic of the Aints and the brown paper bags, this team looks lost. It has given up 102 points (34 per game), worst in the NFC, and now has to face a Green Bay team that is, to put it mildly, seething. After "replacement referee-gate," the Packers will be soooooo ready to take out their anger, a sweet, old-fashioned blowout might just be the key word in this matchup. The Packers won last season's meeting, 42-34, as a five-point favorite, and should, at the very least, double the winning margin. Cheeseheads rule. Best bet, baby!
49ers (-4) over JETS: Anyone see the real Niners? That team last week certainly wasn't the team we saw all last season and in the first 2 weeks of 2012. Wha' happened? Just an off week, but San Francisco should get back on track against the Jets, who have lost one of the NFL's brightest stars, Darrelle Revis. DR is gone for the year with a torn ACL, and the last time Revis sat out (because of a concussion), the Jets lost, 27-10, at Pittsburgh, allowing 265 air yards. 49ers by at least a dime.
Chargers (+1) over CHIEFS: Losing 27-3 is awful, but losing 27-3 at home is horrible, squared. However, the picture gets considerably brighter at Kansas City. Why? Coupla reasons. In the Norv Turner era, every time San Diego has lost by more than 14 points, the next week has produced a W, or a sweet 4-0 mark. The other reason is, Kansas City's work as a favorite. The Chiefs have covered only four of the last 20 as a favorite. SD for Double VV.
BUCS (-2 1/2) over Redskins: Love him or hate, you have to like the way new head coach Greg Schiano has changed the culture down in Tampa. The Bucs have pitched a perfecto (3-0) against the spread and managed to handle another pretty good dual-threat QB in Week 1. They beat the Panthers and Cam Newton, 16-10, as a three-point underdog. And if you like history, Tampa has a big, fat 6-0 record the last six times Washington has come down to the Sunshine State.
Patriots (-4) over BILLS: After blowing a 21-point lead at Buffalo in 2011, Tom Brady will not take the Bills lightly. The Pats learned their lesson and romped at New England, 49-21. With a 15-1 mark against the Buffs the last 16, Tommy B is our man.
COWBOYS (-3 1/2) over Bears (Mon.): With running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush listed as questionable for Chicago, Dallas will be able to tee off on QB Jay Cutler. And we all know what happens when Cutler gets pressure. Loser!
LIONS (-5) over Vikings: Careful here with QB Matthew Stafford's health. If all is good, the Lions roar. If he's 50 percent healthy or less, stay away.
Panthers (+7) over FALCONS: Love to see a little feuding between teammates Cam Newton and Steve Smith. That usually leads to a spread win.
Titans (+12 1/2) over TEXANS: Double-digit 'dogs have hit better than 50 percent the last quarter century. We'll take a light pop.
RAMS (+2 1/2) over Seahawks: St. Loo is 3-0-1 as a home 'dog the last four times out, while Seattle has won only eight of the last 34 on the road.
Dolphins (+6) over CARDS: If Reggie Bush is close to 100 percent, we would have to swim with the Fish. But only in shallow water.
BRONCOS (-6 1/2) over Raiders: The D has gotta pick up Peyton Manning as it did in the opener against the Steelers, a 31-19 winner.
JAGUARS (+2 1/2) over Bengals: Nothing about this game says "watch me" or "bet me." So this is our infamous Monopoly money game of the week.