JIM RUBERA
(Rubera writes for The Spop)

Last Week: 7-9  /  Overall: 102-96  /  Best Bets: 21-16-3  /  Monday Night: 8-7  /  Against Cincy: 4-8-1

Dallas -7 @ Tampa Bay

The Cowboys have too much talent and too much on the line to blow this game.  I don’t feel good about it though.  How could you after their last two games?  Now they travel on a short week to the East Coast to play outside where they are always sketchy.  Nevertheless, if the lose this game their playoff chances go down to next to nothing and they should play accordingly and soundly beat the fading Bucs.

Washington @ NY Giants -6.5

The Redskins should be gassed after playing a ping pong game on offense and defense last week against the Patriots.  Now they get to visit the Giants, who are all of a sudden in control of the NFC East.  Eli Manning is playing out of his mind and should guide the home team to an easy win.

New Orleans @ Minnesota +6.5

Even if Joe Webb starts I think that the Vikings make a game of this.  Adrian Peterson should be in the backfield and that makes things a whole lot easier for everybody in purple.  The Saints are obviously a legit contender, but Minnesota is always a tough place to play and Jared Allen will be all over Brees.

Seattle +3.5 @ Chicago

Caleb Hanie and Marion Barber are not getting it done.  Tavaris Jackson and Marshawn Lynch are.

Green Bay @ Kansas City +13.5

Word is that Kyle Orton is back in for his new team.  He is a tremendous upgrade at the quarterback position for the Chiefs as Tyler Palko has proven to be a joke.  Everybody will be gunning to take down the Packers for the short remainder of the season and Arrowhead will be a very tough destination for them.  In addition to that, there are too many scenarios for Green Bay to not go all out here.  They may rest Rodgers and other key players in the second half.  They may take the foot off the gas early and allow KC to harmlessly crawl back to ten points if it’s a blowout.  They also may simplify the playbook to save the good stuff for the playoffs.   Put all those together and it’s tough to see the Packers doing what they did to Oakland last week.

Miami @ Buffalo +1.5

The Bills will face either a concussed Matt Moore or old pal J.P. Losman Sunday.  Yikes.  The Dolphins typically struggle up north when the temperature drops and the Buffalo forecast calls for 30 degrees and light snow.

Carolina +6 @ Houston

Even though he has not let anybody down yet, I still just don’t trust T.J. Yates to put up points.  And that’s what he’ll have to do when the Panthers roll in.  Cam Newton continues to impress with his arm and his legs and will deal the AFC’s #1 seed a long overdue loss.

Tennessee @ Indianapolis +6.5

Just a hunch.  The Colts “hung in” on the road against Baltimore, only losing by 14.  Now they get a home division game against an opponent that lost a heartbreaker last week.  It’s gotta happen sometime, right?

Cincinnati @ St. Louis +6.5

One of the few times I’ve picked against the Bengals and not felt good about it.

Detroit +1 @ Oakland

The Lions need this game bad.  There are too many teams competing for NFC wild cards right now and they have to close the season out against San Diego and Green Bay after this one.  Carson Palmer has been a disappointment and might not last long with Suh returning from his suspension.

New England @ Denver +7.5 straight up

Don’t ask me how it’s gonna happen.  It’s just gonna happen.

NY Jets @ Philadelphia -3

The Jets win streak is smoke and mirrors.  They’ve beaten the Bills, Redskins, and Chiefs.  None of those teams are on the same talent level or have the speed of the Eagles.  This one might knock the Jets out of the playoffs.

Cleveland @ Arizona -6.5

The Cardinals are rolling along winning games and have an underrated defense that may pitch a shutout against the Browns.

Baltimore -2.5 @ San Diego

If Houston loses earlier in the day, look for the Ravens to be pumped up more than usual.  Chances are Pittsburgh will lose Monday night (see next game), which means this win against the Chargers will lock them into a first round bye and a second round home game, which Joe Flacco hasn’t played in.  Ever.

Pittsburgh @ San Francisco -2.5

I don’t like the chances of a gimpy Roethlisberger or a healthy Charlie Batch or a healthy Dennis Dixon going cross country and beating a top five team with a top two defense.

Best Bets: Buffalo, Philadelphia, Arizona

Photo: Reuters

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