Chargers (3-3) at Browns (1-6)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Chargers by 2½.
The skinny: This game scares me because the line looks too good to be true. I know the Browns are a respectable 3-3-1 against the spread this season, but I can’t see the Chargers not winning by at least a field goal.
The pick: Chargers.
Dolphins (3-3) at Jets (3-4)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Jets by 2.
The skinny: This game has certainly taken a cantankerous turn, huh? Jets coach Rex Ryan called out Miami running back Reggie Bush for Bush’s comments about cornerback Darrelle Revis’ sustaining a season-ending knee injury during the Jets’ 23-20 overtime win in Week 3. Now players are taking verbal shots at each other. The Dolphins are 3-1-1 against the spread in their past five games in New Jersey, but just 7-20-1 against the spread in the teams’ past 28 games.
The pick: Jets.
Falcons (6-0) at Eagles (3-3)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Eagles by 2.
The skinny: Eagles coach Andy Reid fired defensive coordinator Juan Castillo last week during the bye. Oh, yeah, Reid hired the guy in the first place. You get the picture, folks: Things are ugly in Philadelphia. The Eagles, 13-0 under Reid after the bye, are playing for Reid’s future these last 10 games. However, I think Philadelphia native and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan will be too much for the Eagles.
The pick: Falcons.
Panthers (1-5) at Bears (5-1)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Bears by 7½.
The skinny: Carolina fired General Manager Marty Hurney on Monday. Coach Ron Rivera has put everyone on notice that the final 10 games are “an evaluation process.” Well, here’s an evaluation for you, coach: Your team is an underachieving 1-5 this season, 7-22 in two years under you, and your defense is ranked 21st overall. Not so hot!
The pick: Bears.
Patriots (4-3) at Rams (3-4) (At London, England)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Patriots by 7.
The skinny: If they really want to jazz things up in jolly, old England, why not have each team dress a professional soccer player to handle all the kicking duties. How about the Patriots get Steven Gerrard and the Rams take Wayne Rooney? If you can wiggle the line below 7, do it. I’m stuck with seven, but will go with the favorites.
The pick: Patriots.
Redskins (3-4) at Steelers (3-3)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Steelers by 4½.
The skinny: Robert Griffin III has been every bit as good as advertised this season, and last week against the Giants, he just left Eli Manning with too much time. I think the once vaunted Steelers defense will show their age against the future of the NFL.
The pick: Redskins.
Seahawks (4-3) at Lions (2-4)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Lions by 1½.
The skinny: We know how streaky Seattle can be depending on if they’re home or away (9-20-1 against the spread in their past 30 road games). But the Seahawks, who boast one of the league’s best secondaries, are 9-4-1 against the spread in their past 14 games following a cover.
The pick: Seahawks.
Jaguars (1-5) at Packers (4-3)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Packers by 15½.
The skinny: The Jaguars are without running back Maurice Jones-Drew, whose injured left foot is in a boot. Rashad Jennings, who filled in for Jones-Drew during his lengthy holdout this summer, will plug the hole again. The Pack should roll.
The pick: Packers.
Colts (3-3) at Titans (3-4)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Titans by 3½.
The skinny: Indianapolis has forced a league-low three turnovers this season. Three! Meanwhile, the Titans might have finally got their running game going.
The pick: Titans.
Raiders (2-4) at Chiefs (1-5)
Time: 4:05 p.m. today.
Line: Chiefs by 1.
The skinny: The Chiefs lead the NFL with 21 giveaways and a minus-15 turnover difference. Maybe that’s why Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel recently changed a sign outside the Chiefs locker room that read “Eliminate Bad Football” to “Play Good Football.” How about: “Just win, baby!”
The pick: Raiders.
Giants (5-2) at Cowboys (3-3)
Time: 4:25 p.m. today.
Line: Giants by 1½.
The skinny: The Giants are 4-1 against the spread in their past five games in Dallas, and 5-2 against the spread in their past seven vs. the Cowboys. Dallas is 2-6 against the spread as two-point or less underdogs.
The pick: Giants.
Saints (2-4) at Broncos (3-3)
Time: 8:20 p.m. today.
Line: Broncos by 6.
The skinny: I think the Saints will get a boost as interim coach Joe Vitt returns from his six-week suspension. New Orleans is 10-2 against the spread in its past 12 games after a cover.
The pick: Saints.
49ers (5-2) at Cardinals (4-3)
Time: 8:30 p.m. Monday.
Line: 49ers by 6½.
The skinny: Arizona was one of the early-season surprises, but has dropped three in a row overall and is 0-3-1 against the spread in its past four games. The Cardinals, 5-1-1 against the spread in their past seven games as an underdog of eight or fewer points, should be desperate at home.
The pick: Cardinals
Bye week: Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Houston.
— By John Boell, Newsday
