Jim refuses to take the Bengals, but the other slate of week 3 NFL games are fair game. Pun intended

JIM RUBERA

Last Week: 4-11-1 / Overall: 14-16-2 / Best Bets: 1-2-2 / Monday Night: 2-1 / Against Cincy: 0-2

San Francisco +3 @ Cincinnati

Sticking to my guns.  No Bengals picks the whole year.

Jacksonville @ Carolina -3.5

Ok Cam, you’re the favorite now.  Let’s see what you got.  If Carolina plays like they have been and Blaine Gabbert doesn’t pull a…Cam Newton….and throw for 400 yards in his first start, this shouldn’t be close.

Detroit -4 @ Minnesota

Starcap Williams is back for the Vikings defense, but he can’t stop the Lions from murdering Donovan McNabb.  The eyeball test says this should be a blowout, but Minnesota loves the dome and were up big on the Bucs last week before faltering at the end.  Still, Stafford should put up enough points to keep the Vikings out of reach.

Denver @ Tennessee -7

This should be Chris Johnson’s welcome back party.  That combined with how well Hasselbeck and Britt are playing should be better than what we’ve seen Denver is capable of.

Miami +2 @ Cleveland

Gross.  But somebody has to win, right?  My guess is the Dolphins stick to their pattern of playing well away from Miami.  Cleveland still ha no scoring capability whatsoever.

Houston +4 @ New Orleans

Game of the week.  New Orleans has lost and has had to come back to beat an inferior team so far this year.  Gotta go with the undefeated team who has shown they can play a little defense.

New England @ Buffalo +8.5

I love taking big points.  Buffalo is obviously playing well and they gave the Pats a scare last year in Orchard Park in an eight point loss.  The Patriots are scary and could very well blowout the Bills, but I’m taking the home team with the points.

Kansas City @ San Diego -14.5

Like I said, I love taking big points.  But KC has now lost their best offensive and best defensive players.  Priest Holmes isn’t walking through that door.  Probably because he can’t walk anymore.  Larry Johnson isn’t coming through that door.  Or is he?  Miami just released him.  Anyway, San Diego is right back where they started trying to avoid a losing September.  They’re at home and coming off a bad loss.  They’ll be ready.

Baltimore -4 @ St. Louis

Much like the Steelers, Baltimore will be a bit upset and bounce back from an embarrassing loss.  The Rams looked bad mentally and physically Monday night.  Not enough time to turn that around with the injuries they’re dealing with.

NY Jets -3.5 @ Oakland

This is a gift.  The Raiders young receivers made big plays against the Bills defense.  Meet Revis and Cromartie.  Think of it in plain terms.  Oakland has squeeked out a win against the Broncos and has lost to the Bills after letting up 35 second half points.  They haven’t proven anything.  The Jets can score when they need to and should cover less than a touchdown with their eyes closed.

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay -1.5

The Falcons lucked out with the Vick injury.  They were 0-2 if he stayed intact.  Tampa showed they’re still frisky with their comeback in Minnesota last week.  Should be a close game but the Bucs will come out on top.

Arizona -3.5 @ Seattle

The Cardinals looked bad last week at Washington, but they have a reputation for playing poorly on East Coast trips.  A quick flight up the Pacific to visit Tavaris Jackson and Pete Carroll should be a quick fix.  The Seahawks knew they were headed into a buzz saw in Pittsburgh last week and should have been prepared.  Instead, they were shut out.  One Kolb/Fitzgerald hookup should do it this week.

NY Giants @ Philadelphia -7.5

Vick is a go.  As usual, I’m assuming he lasts the whole game.  If so, the Giants won’t be able to keep up with the speed of the offense.  The Giants lost yet another good player for the year last week with Hixon.  They can only survive so many injuries.

Green Bay -3.5 @ Chicago

Jay Cutler was sacked 6 times last week against the Saints.  Green Bay is a very similar team with an aggressive defense complementing an explosive offense.  The Bears have looked decent this year, but Cutler may not live to see the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh -10.5 @ Indianapolis

This looked like one of the games of the year two months ago.  Now?  No. Chance.

Dallas -6 @ Washington

Assuming Romo plays, I think this will be a wake-up call for the Skins.  They’ve been overachieving against middle of the pack teams.

Best Bets: Jets, Steelers

Photo: Getty

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