More Top Picks Toilets
player ready...Last week: 10-4
Against the spread: 3-11
Season: 42-20 (.677)
Against the spread: 25-37 (.403)
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Noon Bengals (3-1) at Ravens (3-1)
Line: Ravens by 8 Over/under: 42
The Ravens, who swept last season’s series by a combined 51-13, will use the run to control the clock and tempo. The Bengals only seem to get their act together at the end.
Pick: Ravens 21, Bengals 13
Noon Buccaneers (0-4) at Eagles (2-1)
Line: Eagles by 14 1/2 Over/under: 43
The off week came at the right time for the Eagles, who needed to get Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook healthy to pick up where they left off.
Pick: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 10
Noon Raiders (1-3) at Giants (4-0)
Line: Giants by 15 Over/under: 39
Whether or not Eli Manning plays, the Giants should be fine against a team that’s barely averaging 200 yards of offense per game.
Pick: Giants 28, Raiders 9
Noon Cowboys (2-2) at Chiefs (0-4)
Line: Cowboys by 8 Over/under: 42 Tony Romo might struggle in big games, but he should not have problems with the Chiefs, who are allowing 250.5 yards passing per game.
Pick: Cowboys 27, Chiefs 13
Noon Redskins (2-2) at Panthers (0-3)
Line: Panthers by 3 1/2 Over/under: 37
The Redskins have looked flat three weeks in a row. The Panthers, although winless, are well-rested after a week off and ready to win a game at last.
Pick: Panthers 17, Redskins 14
Noon Browns (0-4) at Bills (1-3)
Line: Bills by 6. Over/under: 40
The Browns failed to notch a single first down rushing Sunday but still scored two offensive touchdowns, which is huge for them., They should be able to run on the Bills.
Pick: Browns 14, Bills 13
Noon Steelers (2-2) at Lions (1-3)
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2 Line: Steelers by 10 1/2 Over/under: 44
The Lions’ secondary will have a hard time putting the brakes on Ben Roethlisberger, who has completed 73.2 percent of his passes through the first four games.
Pick: Steelers 35, Lions 10
Noon Vikings (4-0) at Rams (0-4)
More Top Picks Best Wood Cutting Boards
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32 Line: Vikings by 9 1/2 Over/under: 40
The Vikings might be primed for a letdown, with a short week and coming off a big victory and all. Then again, they’re playing a team that has lost 14 in a row.
Pick: Vikings 28, Rams 10
3:05 p.m. Falcons (2-1) at 49ers (3-1)
Line: 49ers by 2 1/2 Over/under: 41
The Michael Crabtree signing comes at the right time for the 49ers, who are great on defense but struggling on offense. Plus, Shaun Hill is 7-0 at Candlestick.
Pick: 49ers 24, Falcons 21
3:15 p.m. Texans (2-2) at Cardinals (1-2)
Line: Cardinals by 5 1/2 Over/under: 49
The Cardinals were 6-2 at home last regular season but 0-2 this year. They should win this one, though, because Kurt Warner is facing a shaky Texans secondary.
Pick: Cardinals 17, Texans 10
3:15 p.m. Jaguars (2-2) at Seahawks (1-3)
Line: Seahawks by 1 Over/under: 43
The Seahawks have been hammered with injuries and that has set them back in a big way. The Jaguars don’t have the pass rushers to exploit the Seahawks’ protection problems.
Pick: Seahawks 21, Jaguars 10
3:15 p.m. Patriots (3-1) at Broncos (4-0)
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2 Line: Patriots by 3. Over/under: 41
It’s teacher (Bill Belichick) vs. student (Josh McDaniels). Hard not to like the mentor in this one. The Patriots should get a boost, too, if Wes Welker and Jerod Mayo return.
Pick: Patriots 17, Broncos 14
7:20 p.m. Colts (4-0) at Titans (0-4)
TV: WMAQ-Ch. 5 Line: Colts by 4 Over/under: 46
Even though this is the undefeated Colts against the winless Titans, it won’t be easy for them., The Colts have lost two of three games in Nashville. Pick: Colts 24, Titans 17.
MONDAY’S GAME
7:30 p.m. Jets (3-1) at Dolphins (1-3)
TV: ESPN Line: Jets by 2 Over/under: 36
Mark Sanchez had four turnovers at New Orleans and now needs to show he has the poise to bounce back strong. The Dolphins have lost three in a row to the Jets in Miami.
Pick: Jets 20, Dolphins 10