New York Giants @ Detroit Lions,
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Lions -4.5. O/U: 47:
Eli Eli Eli. Last year as abysmal to watch Eli behind center as far as his TD/INT ratio goes. To have such a drastic swing in that ratio from 2012 to 2013 was extremely surprising for a 2-time Super Bowl champion not to mention the offense in general, being 28th in the league in scoring. This year is hopefully going to be different bringing in Ben McAdoo from Green Bay to liven up the offense by installing his West Coast play scheme. The Lions had a fiery coach and played fiery, even taking bad penalties. Jim Schwartz wanted them to play tough but let it get out of hand and couldn’t control the team as it spiraled out of control losing 6 of their last 7 games. This year under Jim Caldwell, they got Stafford a secondary weapon in Golden Tate. The future looks bright for both teams and Manning is a pro who’s been around and who has carried himself very well in the shadow of his father and big brother Peyton, he should bounce back. Eli will have to wait after this week however since the Lions will take them handily. Take the Lions and Megatron to win with the points -4.5 in the Under, 31-14.
San Diego Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals,
TV: 10:20 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Cardinals -3. O/U: 45:
These teams don’t meet often but when they do, it’s all Chargers. The Chargers have won 7 of the 9 meetings between the two. Phillip Rivers has had some slow starts to the season and lead the Chargers to their first playoff appearance since 2009, even picking up a wild card win. It has also been since 2009 that the Cardinals had made the playoffs however they failed to do so even after a turn around year with their first winning record since 2009. That may have something to do with having a stable, willing and able QB like Carson Palmer. In his first year with the team, he made the most of his weapons, throwing for his 4th 4,000 yard season (second in a row). Ken Whisenhunt was fired after a disappointing 5-11 showing in 2012 in which they were predicted to go to the playoffs with a stout defense. With Bruce Arians first year, a successful season, under their belts, the sky is the limit. Andre Ellington showed a flash of what he can do and now with his rookie year past him, he can only explode in this offense from here. Look for this one to be close but for the Cardinals to win but pick the Chargers for the points +3 in the Under, Cards 27-24.
Necessary Roughness 