NCAA Best Bets 1-1 last week, 3-1 last two weeks.na by 18
Wildcat defense does not have the quickness to choke many opponents, which
means a difficult time breaking anything wide open, but the Blue Devils are bereft
of playmakers on offense.na. Packers rookie place-kicker
Mason Crosby is untested at windy Giants Stadium. NY GIANTS 20-19.


*Jacksonville over Atlanta by 9
The Falcons on grass and playing their second straight road game with an
offense still learning new schemes and quarterbacked by Joey Harrington
is a recipe for disaster. But there are red flags with the Jaguars, too.When
Dennis Northcutt is your No. 1 wideout, your passing attack has problems.
Just as disconcerting for Jack Del Rio’s squad is the Jaguars surrendering a
franchise-worst 282 yards rushing last week to the Titans, who averaged 5.8
yards per carry.The Falcons’Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood are capable
enough runners to move the chains for Atlanta. JACKSONVILLE 16-7.


New Orleans over *Tampa Bay by 7
The Buccaneers are 5-2-1 ATS in their past eight as home underdogs.Tampa
Bay, however, is not in a favorable situation.The Saints have had four extra
days to prepare and are in a foul mood after being embarrassed on national
television by Indianapolis. New Orleans is 7-1 ATS with rest following a
SU loss. The Buccaneers also may be without their best running back,
Cadillac Williams, who left last week’s loss to Seattle with bruised ribs.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia temporarily got knocked out, too, and may not be
100 percent. NEW ORLEANS 27-20.


Dallas at *Miami by 7
Playing at Miami in September is rarely fun considering the brutal Southern
Florida humidity. Dallas’ defense, featuring seven first-round picks, could
have a good time causing havoc against an inexperienced Dolphins offensive
line and immobile 37-year-old quarterback Trent Green.The Cowboys
probably still will be without WR Terry Glenn (check status), but their
offense has enough weapons to get past an aging Dolphins defense that
gets very little help from a bad offense. Joey Porter still isn’t 100 percent
for Miami. DALLAS 23-16.


Seattle over *Arizona by 5
As long as they have Walter Jones, the game’s best offensive tackle, clearing
out the left side and Shaun Alexander running behind him, the Seahawks
should be fine against such a weak defense.The Cardinals have lost 18 of
their last 24 home games in September, including going just 2-11 against
NFC West foes.The dry, hot weather of the Arizona desert could be a concern
for Seattle, however.The Seahawks lost last year’s game at Arizona, 27-
21. It was just the second time the Seahawks have dropped a matchup to
the Cardinals in the past nine meetings. SEATTLE 26-21.


*Baltimore over New York Jets by 10
The Jets’ offense, which produced just one touchdown in 14 preseason
possessions with Chad Pennington at quarterback, is facing a severe challenge.
The left side of their offensive line is inexperienced at left guard and
left tackle DBrickashaw Ferguson still gets schooled too much.The Jets also
need Thomas Jones to be 100 percent healthy for this contest. Baltimore is
playing on one less day of rest, but the Jets are caught in a division sandwich
spot. The Jets faced New England opening week, host Miami next
Sunday and then travel to Buffalo.This is their only non-AFC East game this
month. BALTIMORE 24-14.


*Chicago over Kansas City by 10
As bad as the Chiefs are on offense,we can’t recommend laying too many
points with the Bears until their ground game proves it can function adequately
without Thomas Jones. Cedric Benson has done nothing so far to
show he can replace Jones, while Rex Grossman remains a turnover waiting
to happen. Larry Johnson’s workload should increase. So that should
pump up Kansas City’s meager attack. But aside from tight end Tony
Gonzalez, the Chiefs have no other real weapons on offense. Chicago
should eventually wear down Kansas City, but turnovers may keep the
Chiefs hanging around. CHICAGO 16-6.


*Philadelphia over Washington by 6 (Monday)
Washington’s defense is improved. However, the Redskins still had just one
takeaway opening week, giving them only 13 in their past 17 regular-season
games. The Redskins’ offense isn’t strong enough without having the
benefit of good field position.Washington also will be missing star offensive
right tackle Jon Jansen, who suffered a dislocated ankle opening week.
The Eagles, though, have concerns with their special teams, which caused
them to lose against Green Bay last Sunday.Donovan McNabb is still getting
in sync with his new receivers. PHILADELPHIA 23-17.



OVER/UNDER

**UNDER: Atlanta at Jacksonville – Bottom-tier quarterbacks and lots
of running plays should account for a low-scoring matchup.


OVER: Buffalo at Pittsburgh – The Bills’ young defense already is
banged-up, while the Steelers are multi-dimensional now.


UNDER: Kansas City at Chicago – Tommie Harris makes the Bears
defense dominant again, while Chiefs managed just three points against
Houston.