National Football League

The Cheat Sheet

Published Oct. 15, 2010 10:11 p.m. ET

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BEST BET

JETS AT BRONCOS

Time: 3:05 p.m., Ch. 2. Line: Jets by 3. Total: 41.

Records (overall/ATS): Jets 4-1/4-1; Broncos 2-3/2-3.

JETS THINK THEY'RE TOUGH -- AND THEY ARE

After a big buildup that was only magnified by being featured in HBO's ''Hard Knocks,'' the New York Jets looked like they were going to crumble under the weight of coach Rex Ryan's bravado.

The Jets not only lost their opener to the Baltimore Ravens, they also lost nose tackle Kris Jenkins to a season-ending knee injury on the sixth play of the game. With Mark Sanchez looking totally lost (10-for-21 for 74 yards, 56.4 passer rating) and the New England Patriots up next, many of those waiting for the Jets to fail were celebrating early.

Too early, it looks like.

In the four weeks since the opening loss, Ryan, Sanchez and the Jets have shown they're as tough as they think. And maybe as good.

The Jets have beaten the Patriots (28-14), Dolphins (31-23) and Bills (38-14) on the road and the Vikings (29-20) on Monday night at the New Meadowlands. They've won. They've covered. They've beaten Randy Moss as a Patriot and a Viking.

Following the lead of their brash coach, the Jets have a mental toughness that has to be respected. They win on the road. They win marquee games. They win after marquee games. They're 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games, including two playoff wins last year.

So a road game on a short week after a marquee game is a challenge they can handle.

Pick: Jets 30, Broncos 17.

THE EXPERTS

Mark Potash Silvy Doug Buffone

Sun-Times ESPN 1000 WSCR-AM

BEARS -6? vs. Seahawks Bears Bears BEARS

Chargers -8 at Rams Rams Rams Chargers

Texans -4? vs. Chiefs Texans Chiefs Texans

Patriots -2? vs. Ravens Patriots Ravens Ravens

Saints -4 at Buccaneers Saints Bucs Saints

Eagles -3 vs. Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons

Giants -10 vs. Lions Lions Giants Lions

Packers OFF vs. Dolphins Packers Packers Dolphins

Steelers -13? vs. Browns Browns Steelers Browns

Jets -3 at Broncos JETS Jets Broncos

49ers -6? vs. Raiders 49ers Raiders Raiders

Vikings -1? vs. Cowboys Vikings Vikings Cowboys

Colts -3 at Redskins Colts COLTS Redskins

Titans -3 at Jaguars Titans Titans Titans

Last week (season) 7-7 (36-36-4) 3-11 (31-41-4) 8-6 (33-39-4)

Best bet (season) 0-1 (1-4) 0-1 (2-3) 0-1 (2-3)

Best bet + top plays (season) 2-2 (10-10) 2-2 (11-9) 3-1 (8-11-1)

TOP PLAYS

CHIEFS AT TEXANS

Time: Noon.

Line: Texans by 4?. Total: 45.

Records (overall/ATS): Chiefs 3-1/3-1; Texans 3-2/2-2-1.

Fast fact: Chiefs are No. 3 in the NFL in rushing (148.8 y/g); Texans are No. 5 (142.4).

Outlook: Both teams are trying to rebound from a loss -- Chiefs have more experience at it, but Texans have more to work with. Matt Schaub, without a TD pass for only the second time in 21 games, usually responds after a bad game.

Pick: Texans 27, Chiefs 10.

FALCONS AT EAGLES

Time: Noon.

Line: Eagles by 3. Total: 42?.

Records (overall/ATS): Eagles 3-2/2-3; Falcons 4-1/2-3.

Fast fact: Falcons are No. 2 in rushing (149 y/g); Eagles are No. 24 in rush defense.

Outlook: Michael Turner-Matt Ryan combo makes Falcons well-suited to face a big pass-rushing team on the road. Kevin Kolb expected to start in place of Michael Vick (ribs). Eagles are 0-2 ATS at home.

Pick: Falcons 23, Eagles 13.

SEAHAWKS AT BEARS

Time: Noon, Fox-32.

Line: Bears by 6?. Total: 37?.

Records (overall/ATS): Bears 4-1/3-2; Seahawks 2-2/2-2.

Fast fact: Seahawks are 0-2 on the road -- losing to the Broncos 31-14 and Rams 20-3.

Outlook: Good spot for Jay Cutler to return after missing last week with a concussion -- Seahawks are 28th in total defense (375 y/g) and 31st against the pass (302). But pass protection bears watching.

Pick: Bears 31, Seahawks 14.

DOLPHINS AT PACKERS

Time: Noon.

Line: OFF. Total: OFF.

Records (overall/ATS): Dolphins 2-2/2-2; Packers 3-2/2-3.

Outlook: Packers have been decimated by injuries (technically that would leave them with five players), while Dolphins are rested. But if Aaron Rodgers plays, he'll find a way to win at Lambeau.

Pick: Packers 13, Dolphins 10.

RAVENS AT PATRIOTS

Time: Noon.

Line: Patriots by 2?. Total: 44?.

Records (overall/ATS): Ravens

4-1/3-2; Patriots 3-1/2-2.

Outlook: The Patriots aren't at their peak, but Bill Belichick getting two weeks to prepare and the revenge factor (Ravens ousted the Pats from the playoffs last season) is too good to pass up.

Pick: Patriots 17, Ravens 14.

LIONS AT GIANTS

Time: Noon.

Line: Giants by 10. Total: 44?.

Records (overall/ATS): Lions

1-4/4-1; Giants 3-2/3-2.

Outlook: Lions are 2-8-1 ATS after their last 11 victories. On the other hand, all that keeps this year's Lions from being 5-0 ATS is a late first-and-goal pick by QB Shaun Hill in a 24-10 loss to the Vikes.

Pick: Giants 27, Lions 20.

BROWNS AT STEELERS

Time: Noon.

Line: Steelers by 13?. Total: 37.

Records (overall/ATS): Browns

1-4/2-2; Steelers 3-1/3-1.

Outlook: Return of Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger figures to give the Steelers a lift. But they're 1-4 ATS in their last five against the rival Browns even with Roethlisberger.

Pick: Steelers 21, Browns 16.

CHARGERS AT RAMS

Time: Noon.

Line: Chargers by 8. Total: 45.

Records (overall/ATS): Chargers 2-3/2-3; Rams 2-3/3-2.

Outlook: Chargers are 0-3 ATS on the road. Rams were throttled at Detroit last week and lost WR Mark Clayton, but inconsistent Chargers can't be trusted.

Pick: Chargers 28, Rams 24.

SAINTS AT BUCCANEERS

Time: Noon.

Line: Saints by 4. Total: 43?.

Records (overall/ATS): Saints

3-2/0-5; Buccaneers 3-1/2-1-1.

Outlook: With RBs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas injured, Saints signed ex-Cowboy Julius Jones this week. Drew Brees can't do it all, especially vs. Bucs' impressive secondary (eight picks).

Pick: Saints 27, Buccaneers 17.

RAIDERS AT 49ERS

Time: 3:05 p.m.

Line: 49ers by 6?. Total: 41.

Records (overall/ATS): Raiders

2-3/2-3; 49ers 0-5/2-3.

Outlook: It was only a matter of time before former Bears great Mike Singletary finally started drawing comparisons to Bill Walsh -- 49ers are 0-5 for the first time since Walsh's 1979 team.

Pick: 49ers 17, Raiders 10.

COWBOYS AT VIKINGS

Time: 3:15 p.m., Fox-32.

Line: Vikings by 1?. Total: 44?.

Records (overall/ATS): Cowboys 1-3/1-3; Vikings 1-3/2-2.

Outlook: Brett Favre's focus usually is better when he's facing adversity. It's his inaccurate arm that doesn't seem to be cooperating. Home field is huge in a must-win game for both teams.

Pick: Vikings 27, Cowboys 23.

COLTS AT REDSKINS

Time: 7:20 p.m., Ch.5.

Line: Colts by 3. Total: 43?.

Records (overall/ATS): Colts

3-2/3-2; Redskins 3-2/3-1-1.

Outlook: Colts rallied with 10 fourth-quarter points for all-important cover vs. Chiefs. Peyton Manning won't go two straight weeks without a TD pass.

Pick: Colts 24, Redskins 14.

TITANS AT JAGUARS

Time: 7:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN.

Line: Titans by 3. Total: 45.

Records (overall/ATS): Titans

3-2/3-2; Jaguars 3-2/3-2.

Outlook: Jaguars have lost by 25 points twice (Chargers, Eagles) and have been outscored 137-107 despite 3-2 record. Titans' tough schedule should pay off here.

Pick: Titans 19, Jaguars 13.