JIM RUBERA
(Rubera writes for The Spop)

Last Week: 6-6-1  /  Overall: 51-47-5  /  Best Bets: 8-9-2  / Monday Night: 4-4 /  Against Cincy: 1-5

Jacksonville +10.5 @ Houston

Gotta like the way the Jags handled themselves the last two games against Pittsburgh and Baltimore.  The short week and road trip will be a factor and I don’t think they’ll win, but they should keep it close.

Arizona +14 @ Baltimore

After Joe Flacco pulled a McNabb on Monday night I just can’t pick his team to win by more than two touchdowns.  The Cardinals have much more firepower than Jacksonville and the Ravens have one less day of rest and preparation.

New Orleans -14 @ St. Louis

From the booth Sean Peyton must think it looks like a college game because he ran the score up on Indy like there were BCS points at stake.  I don’t see anything different happening against another winless team this week.

Miami +10 @ NY Giants

Somehow some day Brandon Marshall, Reggie Bush, and the Miami defense has to step up.  Why not against the Giants, who are always looking for a letdown?

Indianapolis +10 @ Tennessee

I sat for ten minutes staring at this game trying to figure out what to pick and why.  I can’t because I have no idea how bad either team is or how much the Colts are actually trying.  Both teams were annihilated last week.  I’ll take the double digit points in this toss up.

Minnesota +3.5 @ Carolina

The Panthers are the fan favorites, but Christian Ponder and the Vikings gave the Packers a serious scare and have nothing to lose.  Should be a shootout and a close game.

Washington @ Buffalo -6

This should be easy.  This Skins, already inept on offense, lost their running back and best receiver.  I don’t know where the points are going to come from.  The Bills are rested and itching to erase that Giants loss from their short term memory.

New England -3 @ Pittsburgh

When you have somebody’s number, you have their number.  The Patriots own the Steelers.  The only thing they have to worry about is Mike Wallace.  They’ll double him all game and he can still get away with a big play or two and it still won’t matter.

Cleveland @ San Francisco -10

The Browns could only muster six points against Seattle at home.  It will be interesting to see what they do on the road against a top defense.  Can a team score negative points?

Cincinnati @ Seattle -2.5

No Bengals picks this year.  This is turning out to be my worst prediction ever, but I have to stand by it and see what happens.

Dallas @ Philadelphia -3.5

Finally a good night game.  Get your calculators out to add up all the points that will be scored.  Both teams should play with a sense of urgency.  Both QBs make big mistakes.  I say Romo makes the bigger ones.

San Diego @ Kansas City +3.5

Neither team is playing like they should.  That’s a good thing for the Chiefs and a bad thing for the Chargers.

Best Bets: Buffalo, New England, San Francisco

Photo: Reuters

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