JIM RUBERA
(Rubera writes for The Spop)

Last Week: 8-4-1 / Overall: 38-36-3 / Best Bets: 5-6-2 / Monday Night: 3-3 / Against Cincy: 1-4

San Francisco +4 @ Detroit

Gotta love the Lions, but the big plays won’t be there this week.  San Fran’s defense is formidable.  One day less of practice and rest for Detroit plus an emotional hangover from Monday night should mean a close game.

Indianapolis +7 @ Cincinnati

Even if I didn’t have it out for the Bengals I would still take a high school team getting a touchdown against them.

Buffalo +3 @ NY Giants

Neither the wind nor the cold is going to be a shock to the Bills.  They continue to surprise us all with wins and the Giants continue to surprise us all with losses.  I see nothing indicating otherwise this week.

Philadelphia -2 @ Washington

If Philly was playing anybody I took seriously I would pick the other way.  But Washington has beaten two of the worst teams in the league (STL & ARI) and a suspect Giants team at home.  There’s a lot of anger (and talent) in the Eagles’ locker room and this is the perfect team to unleash it on.

Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh -13

Same argument as Philly.  Jacksonville is a joke.  The Steelers will be a bit healthier than last week and know they have to keep winning to catch Baltimore.  Roethlisberger is Superman and his only Kryptonite is league suspensions.  He’ll keep playing and playing well with a bum foot.

St. Louis @ Green Bay -15

Other than “They’re due”, I don’t think there’s a single argument that can be made for taking the Rams here.  I’ll admit that’s a fun argument to make and watch it play out, but not against the Packers this year.

Carolina +4 @ Atlanta

All the pressure is on the Falcons and that’s when they perform their worst.  Carolina has nothing to lose and is playing phenomenal offensive football.  If Newton comes out and puts a couple of touchdowns on the board early, the Georgia Dome will be quieter than it as been in a long time.

Houston @ Baltimore -7.5

Andre Johnson – out.  Mario Williams -out.  Arian Foster – gimpy.  Ravens – off a bye.

Cleveland @ Oakland -6.5

Not sure when the last time Oakland was favored by this many points was.  But it’s for a reason.  They’ve somehow tricked themselves into playing inspired after the passing of their despicable owner.  They had no reason to do it last week.  Why stop now?

Dallas +7 @ New England

The Cowboys got a much needed bye week to rest some boo-boos.  The Patriots defense is atrocious.  Romo may make a few mistakes here and there or give it away in the end, but he should put up enough points in between to hang in there to make it a close game.

New Orleans -4 @ Tampa Bay

The Saints are a top 3 team with a top 2 offense.  The Bucs are either losing or winning by the skin of their teeth to bad teams.  Both simple mathematics and the eyeball test says that this should be a double digit win for New Orleans.

Minnesota +3 @ Chicago

Brandon Merriweather was the goat on both big Lions plays Monday night, one 73 yard reception by Calvin Johnson and one 88 yard run by Jahvid Best.  If either Harvin or Peterson break primary coverage, they’re gone.  Jared Allen already has 8.5 sacks and gets to go against the Bears offensive line.  Barring two Devin Hester return touchdowns this should be a rout.

Miami @ NY Jets -7

I’ve seen crazier things happen, but the Jet’s really can’t afford to lose four in a row.  They’ll be out for blood at home against a zero win Dolphins team.  Miami’s only real threat is Brandon Marshall and he has Matt Moore as a quarterback and will be on Revis Island for a three hour tour.

Best Bets: Philadelphia, Minnesota, NY Jets

Photo: Reuters

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