JIM RUBERA
(Rubera writes for The Spop)

Last Week: 7-5-1  /  Overall: 45-41-4 / Best Bets: 7-7-2 / Monday Night: 4-3 / Against Cincy: 1-5

Chicago @ Tampa Bay +1

The Bucs showed some stones by bouncing back from their embarrassing loss last week with a win over one of the best teams in the league.  Chicago makes the trip after a late Sunday night division game and should get back to their old tricks, letting Cutler get abused by a solid defensive line.

Washington @ Carolina -2.5

The Skins are going the wrong way and have replaced their quarterback already.  They are solid, but this is a good spot for the Panthers to snag a home win while the other team is in turmoil.

San Diego -2 @ New York Jets

I didn’t see anythings from the Jets that leads me to believe that they’re back.  They needed a 100 yard house call and a garbage time touchdown to give the appearance of a blowout of a win-less team.  The Chargers are fresh of a bye and will probably have Gates back.

Seattle +3 @ Cleveland

I don’t know how, but it seems the Seahawks are playing well in winning two of their last three games.  They are also coming off a bye and get to play a dysfunctional team in Cleveland.  The Seattle defense is overrated, but they won’t have to do much against the impotent Browns attack.

Houston +3 @ Tennessee

Xs and Os are pretty even on this one.  Just a hunch that Houston is finally for real and Tennessee isn’t.

Denver @ Miami -1.5

Hard to handicap because it’s hard to know if either team really wants to win.  But Denver just traded their best player away for a draft pick and changed their quarterback.  Miami is at home and has more talent on their roster than their record indicates.

Atlanta +3.5 @ Detroit

They may have only beaten a 1-5 team last week, but the Falcons found their clutch play in that game.  The Lions crashed back to earth and spent the first half of the week distracted by Harbaughgate.  This will be a great game and should be decided by a field goal either way.

Kansas City +4.5 @ Oakland

I think the Raiders are crazy for what they gave up for Carson Palmer.  I also think he’s going to be a good fit.  But you can’t just walk off the street and click with receivers in five days.  The Chiefs have won two in a row and are rested from their bye week and should be right in there til the end if not win straight up.

Pittsburgh -3.5 @ Arizona

A Super Bowl rematch that will look nothing like the game that was played two Februaries ago.  Each team is slowly moving towards opposite sides of everybody’s power rankings.  The Kolb trade was clearly a mistake.  One that the Steelers will gladly take advantage of this week.

St. Louis +12 @ Dallas

You just can’t play as dumb as Dallas has this year and be a 12 point favorite.  Statistically they should wipe the floor with the Rams, but they just aren’t playing up to their potential this year.  St. Louis just acquired Brandon Lloyd and he can’t do any harm to an offense that is under-performing with a competent quarterback.  Gotta take the points.

Green Bay -9 @ Minnesota

Can’t play a worse football game than the Vikings played Sunday night.  They are awful and have resorted to starting a rookie at QB.  Green Bay is just annihilating everybody on their schedule and should have no problem in this one.

Indianapolis @ New Orleans -14

The Colts have showed up big twice in prime time this year, covering the spread both times.  I think this is the week they run out of pride, steam, and motivation.  The Saints should be all business after dropping a division game last week.  Colts won’t be able to keep up.

Baltimore -7.5 @ Jacksonville

The Ravens are the best team in the AFC right now and Jacksonville is still figuring out how to get rookie Blaine Gabbert acclimated to the speed of the NFL.  Please allow Mr. Reed and Mr. Lewis to instruct this lesson.

Best Bets: Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Green Bay

Photo: AP

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