"ALL" refers to the staff consensus pick. HOME TEAM IN CAPS. Asterisk (*) denotes team will cover pointspread but lose game. Boldface selections indicate best bets.
BEST BETS
| New England -4½ vs. CLEVELAND |
| MINNESOTA -9 vs. Arizona |
| N.Y. Giants -6½ vs. SEATTLE |
| N.Y. Jets vs. DETROIT (42) Under |
| Last Week: 1-3 / Season: 15-16-1 |
PFW STAFF SELECTIONS
| Early Las Vegas line | Hub | Keith | Mike H | Dan A | Eric | Mike W | Dan P | Michael | Kevin | ALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATLANTA -9 vs. Tampa Bay (45) | T.B.* | T.B.* | T.B.* | T.B.* | T.B.* | Atl. | Atl. | T.B.* | T.B.* | T.B.* |
| Chicago -3 vs. BUFFALO (Toronto) (40½) | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Buff. | Chi. |
| New England -4½ vs. CLEVELAND (44) | N.E. | N.E. | Cle.* | Cle.* | Cle.* | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. |
| N.Y. Jets -4 vs. DETROIT (42) | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | Det.* | NYJ | Det.* | NYJ | NYJ | Det.* | NYJ |
| New Orleans -6½ vs. CAROLINA (41) |
N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | Car.* | Car.* | Car.* | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. |
| BALTIMORE -5½ vs. Miami (40½) | Mia.* | Balt. | Mia.* | Mia.* | Mia.* | Balt. | Mia.* | Mia.* | Balt. | Mia.* |
| San Diego -3 vs. HOUSTON (50½) | S.D. | Hou. | Hou. | S.D. | Hou. | Hou. | S.D. | Hou. | Hou. | Hou. |
| MINNESOTA -9 vs. Arizona (40½) | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Ariz.* | Arz.* | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. |
| N.Y. Giants -6½ vs. SEATTLE (41) |
NYG | NYG | NYG | Sea.* | NYG | Sea.* | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG |
| PHILADELPHIA -3 vs. Indianapolis (46½) | Ind.* | Phil. | Ind. | Phil. | Phil. | Ind. | Ind. | Ind. | Phil. | Ind.* |
| OAKLAND -2½ vs. Kansas City (40½) | Oak. | Oak. | Oak. | K.C. | Oak. | K.C. | Oak. | K.C. | K.C. | Oak. |
| GREEN BAY -7½ vs. Dallas (45) | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | Dal.* | G.B. | Dal.* | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. |
| Monday night Pittsburgh -5 vs. CINCINNATI (41½) |
Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Cin.* | Cin.* | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. |
| Last week vs. spread | 6-7 | 6-7 | 4-9 | 8-5 | 9-4 | 3-10 | 6-7 | 8-5 | 8-5 | 7-6 |
| Season to date vs. spread | 49-64-4 | 52-61-4 | 60-53-4 | 67-46-4 | 61-52-4 | 59-54-4 | 50-63-4 | 52-61-4 | 56-57-4 | 48-65-4 |
| Last week best bets | 2-1 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 2-1 | 1-3 |
| Season to date best bets | 14-9-1 | 10-13-1 | 9-14-1 | 18-6 | 10-13-1 | 11-12-1 | 11-13 | 12-12 | 10-13-1 | 15-16-1 |
| Last week straight-up | 7-6 | 6-7 | 5-8 | 10-3 | 8-5 | 4-9 | 8-5 | 8-5 | 9-4 | 8-5 |
| Season to date straight-up | 70-47 | 70-47 | 71-46 | 72-45 | 69-48 | 62-55 | 68-49 | 69-48 | 75-42 | 66-51 |
LOCK OF THE WEEK
Which of your picks do you feel strongest about and why?
Hub Arkush: It is finally absolutely last gasp, do-or-die time for the Vikings and they know it, so look for the Cardinals to pay the price as Adrian Peterson runs wild.
Keith Schleiden: Even if Bill Belichick has put the "Spygate" scandal behind him, you know he still wants to step on the gas vs. Eric Mangini. No way do the Browns stay within a TD this week.
Mike Holbrook: Matt Hasselbeck got knocked silly by the Raiders last week. The Giants should tee off on him or backup Charlie Whitehurst. Look for the Giants to get a defensive score.
Dan Arkush: Underdogs in divisional games have covered more often than not this year, and the Bucs just keep on covering on the road.
Eric Edholm: The Seahawks might have no answers for blocking the Giants, who are sure to pressure from the first snap and not stop until the game is over. Giants are well-rested and ready here.
Mike Wilkening: The Bengals haven't come close to finding their best form from last year, and the Steelers are better than they were in '09. Pittsburgh avenges last season's losses to Cincy.
Dan Parr: Their records are identical, but I think the Falcons are a much better team than the Bucs. Atlanta will be prepared, coming off a bye, and it's a tough team to beat at home.
Michael Blunda: After it got pasted by the Raiders, I don't have much hope for Seattle against one of the league's hotter teams in the Giants. Big Blue should move the ball with ease this week.
Kevin Fishbain: While it may not always be pretty, the Patriots continue to find ways to win during a five-game win streak, and Belichick will not allow them to look past Mangini and the Browns.
