I'm backing the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. I went against SFO last weekend and we cashed with the Arizona Cardinals. I mentioned in that write-up that it was a bit of a letdown spot for SFO. But after losing 2 of their last 3 games, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town on the Monday night stage, I suspect Jim Harbaugh will have his team motivated on Monday. First the injury news. Most reports from back east are saying that Ben Roethlisberger is going to play. Most official injury reports say the decision will be made on Monday. Whether he plays or not, Big Ben is suffering from a high ankle sprain and didn't complete a single full practice this past week. If he plays, or stands on the sideline, the Steeler offense will be facing a fired-up SFO defense that's 4th in the league in total yards allowed per game. They're tops in the league in yards rushing allowed, scoring defense, (allowing just 14 ppg), and in red zone defense. Patrick Willis (hamstring) is doubtful, but the Steeler offense will likely be without starting center Maurice Pouncey (ankle) who is doubtful. I've read a few reports talking about the weak numbers being put up by SFO QB Alex Smith and the Niner offense. But it should be noted that Smith has been at or near the top of the league on 1st down passing percentage for most of the season. The team has also thrown the fewest 3rd down passes in the league. This means the offensive coaches, including Harbaugh, are managing the game well, giving Smith less opportunity to make costly mistakes. But at the same time, don't be surprised to see SFO attack deep in this one. The 49ers have the receivers to get down field in a hurry and may choose to open things up a bit, rather than settling for a Smith to TE's attack. SFO heads into this one 10-2 ATS this season. They're 6-0 ATS at home and 6-0 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite. I believe both of those spots will stay perfect. I'm laying the points with the 49ers on Monday. Thanks! GL! Scott.

I'm backing the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon. We watched Carson Palmer struggle badly in his first start with the Raiders, ending in a bad loss to Denver. But we felt it was just a case of a QB having to shake off the rust, not to mention learn a new playbook. We played Oakland each of the next 3 weeks and cashed 3 straight tickets. The Raiders have since been smashed by Miami and Green Bay, getting outscored 80-30. And now that Oakland is once again being counted out by the media, we'll jump back in. I'm not worried about Suh being back on the field for the Lions. This is a defense that has had problems with and without him at times this season. Detroit has allowed 158 points in their last 5 games, an average of 31.6 ppg. Of course, it's not all the fault of the defense, but the unit is banged up and will now face a team that runs the ball well and owns speedy, deep threat wideouts, although Ford is doubtful. Denarious Moore is listed as probable for this one, but I suspect Oakland will be able to adjust if he's unable to go thanks to their strong run blocking ability. Defensively, the Raiders offer a strong and aggressive pass rush and the Lions are quite vulnerable at OLT. I believe there's enough matchup situations on both sides of the ball for Oakland to get the win. And let's not forget that Detroit has been outscored 68-30 in their last 2 road games. Detroit is on a 3-14 ATS slide laying 7 points or less away from home. I'm wagering on the Raiders on Sunday.

The 69-11 combined situations include: The 9-0 and 34-8 ATS spots in the Redskins' game; the two 6-0 spots (12-0) in the Carolina contest; and the 14-3 mark going against Detroit. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with the Redskins on Sunday. I give the Giants credit for playing hard throughout last Sunday night and coming back from a double-digit defecit. But let's call it like it was -- Dallas failed to put the Giants away. The Skins lost to the Patriots last weekend, but did cover the spread. And while the won/lost ledger looks pretty ugly for Washington, I do like the way they have adjusted their offensive play calling. Washington ran all over New England last week, gaining 170 yards on 34 carries. Roy Helu has hit the "century mark" in 3 straight games and the Redskins have outgained each of their last 3 opponents and took Dallas to OT before that. The Giants are a battered and bruised football team and I believe they're going to have their hands full in this one. New York doesn't run the ball well (3.3 yards per carry) and they allow 4.7 yards per pop. Bad numbers for a team laying a TD. The Giants also allow 6.2 yards per play, overall. The Skins head into this one on a 9-0 ATS run against defenses that allow at least 6 yards per play. And you're 34-8 ATS going against favorites of 3 1/2 to 10 points if they own a .510 to .600 win percentage and they're playing a team with a losing record in the second half of the season. My money is on the dog. I'm taking the points with the Redskins.

I'm taking the points with the Panthers on Sunday. Houston has done everything right on the defensive side of the football and would be a serious Super Bowl contender if not for the ridiculous amount of key injuries suffered on the offensive side of the football, primarily at the QB position. Asking this team to continue to play at such a high level this week - after all they have done (including already winning a division title) is not going to be easy in my opinion. And no matter how "heady" he has been, T.J. Yates is still a back-up to the back-up. Carolina, meanwhile, continues to play hard and also utilize an aggressive attack on offense. Cam Newton can burn teams deep with his arm and he's one of two Texans to run for more than 5 yards per carry. And it should be noted that Houston is on a 0-6 ATS slide (second half of the season) against offenses that average at least 5.65 yards per play. Carolina checks in with a 6-0 spread run against teams that average at least 375 total yards per game. The Panthers have outscored those teams by an average of 7 points per game. More of the same. I'm grabbing the points with Carolina, my top dog Situational on Sunday.

I'm laying the points with the Saints on Sunday. 20-0! That's not the prediction of the final score in this game. Instead, it's the amount of TD passes Minnesota has allowed (20) and the number of passes the Vikings have intercepted in their last 8 games. Simply ugly - and it's likely to get much worse facing the NFL's top total and top passing offense this week. Yes, QB Christian Ponder and RB Adrian Peterson are both listed as probable for the Vikings. But can this offense really hang with Drew Brees and company? I highly doubt it. In fact, my money says they won't be able to. Brees has topped 300 yards passing in 10 of 13 games and this one, like their home games, will be played in a dome on a fast track. The worst part for the battered and bruised Minnesota defense is that they will have to play an "honest" brand of football because the Saints can beat you on the ground as well as the air. Minnesota, by the way, is just 1-10 ATS following a game where they held an opponent to less than 90 yards rushing. And with their battered and brusied safeties, who can match up with Saints' TE Jimmy Graham? No one. Graham is listed as probable, but even if he sits this one out, we expect New Orleans to roll to the win and cover. The Saints are on a 5-0 ATS run. And they're 7-1 ATS in their last 8 dome games. I'm laying the spot with New Orleans on Sunday. Thanks! GL! Scott.

I'm laying the points with Dallas on Sunday evening. Tony Romo welcomes back Miles Austin on Sunday. In fact, Austin and Laurent Robinson are both listed as probable for this one. This means Romo will finally have his full arsenal to throw to. And while it may not necessarily mean we are in for a shootout, it does mean that the Cowboys' best route runner (Austin) should be back on the field. With his full set of receivers don't be surprised to see more carries for DeMarco Murray since the Giants' defense will have to play an honest brand of coverage. Even worse for New York is that they have lost another member of the secondary and will now have to start Tyler Sash if Kenny Phillips (doutbful) is unable to go. Offensively, Eli Manning's pass blockers are a MASH unit. The Giant's offensive line is down to two regular starters. Not exactly a great recipe for success matched up against a defensive pass rush that's led by DeMarcus Ware. And we're already talking about a ground game that has struggled for most of the season, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. The matchups side with the Cowboys and so do the situations. Road dogs or PKs are on a 4-23 ATS slide if they're playing between .450 & .550 football on the season, and have gone over the total by at least 21 points in their last 3 games. The Giants are 2-10 ATS during the second half of the season against teams with a winning record, losing by an average margin of 11 ppg. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are on a 10-1 ATS run at home during the second half of the season against teams that run the ball for 3.5 yards per carry or less. They're outscoring those opponents by an average of 13 ppg. Add it up and we have 43-7 ATS combined situations. I'm laying the points with Dallas on Sunday night. Thanks! GL! Scott.

I'm laying the points with the Chargers on Sunday afternoon. Could San Diego be at it again? Could it be another December of dominance (13-5 ATS Dec. run) that potentially leads to a playoff berth and saves Norv Turner's job? Well, after a big win last week, the Bolts welcome another beatable team when the Buffalo Bills roll into "America's Finest City." The Chargers aren't likely to come back and win the AFC West this season, but they are still in it. This game is a virtual "must win" affair because they have Baltimore next in the home finale before finishing up on the road against Detroit and Oakland. Lose to the Bills and the season is pretty much over. QB Philip Rivers completed 22 of 28 passes on Monday and it's no coincidence that he had Malcolm Floyd, Vincent Jackson, and Antonio Gates on the field for just the 5th time this season. In fact, Floyd had missed the previous 4 games, but looked 100% healthy against the Jaguars. SDG is also healthy, finally, on the offensive line and it showed against the Jaguars. Rivers, who has taken a ridiculous amount of criticism, looked All-Pro with the "right" players back on the field. This week, it's the Buffalo Bills who come in ravaged by injuries. Buffalo is also playing their 4th road game in their last 5. They're missing key parts on offense and in the defensive secondary. I expect Rivers and company to light the makeshift defense up. Chan Gailey teams have not fared well in this spot, currently on a 4-13 ATS slide on the road following a home game. Meanwhile, during the second half of the season, the Chargers are 16-1 ATS with Turner as coach against teams that complete at least 61% of their passes. SDG put a stop to their 6 game overall losing streak last Monday. Now they end their 3-game home skid. I'm laying the points with the Chargers on Sunday afternoon. Thanks! GL! Scott.

I'm taking the points with the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. After an October 30 loss to Baltimore, Arizona owned a 1-6 SU record. However, a closer look shows that Arizona was just a handful of plays away from a 5-2 mark. After all, four of their losses came by a grand total of just 11 points. So, maybe there should be little surprise that Arizona has gone on a 4-1 SU & 5-1 ATS run. The only loss in the mix came against these 49ers in San Francisco. It wasn't pretty. Arizona QB John Skelton had a horrible day and the Niner offense had little trouble moving the ball. But Arizona comes into the rematch with a lot of confidence and a strong on-field advantage. That advantage is that SFO has nothing left to play for. They wrapped up the NFC West last weekend, and there's virtually no chance of catching the GB Packers for home field advantage. While that doesn't mean the 49ers are going to "mail it in," it does mean that any key players with bumps and bruises are not likely to see a lot of "important" action. Patrick Willis (hamstring - questionable) is one of those key players (to say the least) who is less than 100% healthy. Whether he plays or not, the Cardinals are the team I expect to be playing on all cylinders. QB Kevin Kolb and RB Beanie Wells were finally on the field at the same time this past weekend and both played well against the Cowboys. Kolb finished with a 109.9 QB rating, averaging 9.9 yards passing per attempt with 1 TD and no interceptions. Wells ran for 67 yards on 20 carries. And the Cardinal defense held Dallas to 13 points, allowing just 1 TD and a pair of FGs. Arizona has held their last 5 opponents to 17.2 ppg. The Cardinals are on an 18-7-1 ATS run as a home dog of 3 1/2 to 10 points. They're on a 10-2 ATS run against teams that average at least 24 ppg. And they're 15-4 ATS against teams that allow 14 points or less. Meanwhile, the 49ers are on a 4-17 ATS slide after holding their previous opponent to 200 yards or less. They've covered just 3 of their last 13 as road chalk, and they're 7-23-4 ATS following a win by more than 14 points. I'm grabbing the points with Arizona on Sunday. Thanks! GL! Scott.

I'm taking the points with the Titans on Sunday afternoon. Tennessee owns a 7-5 SU record and still remain under-valued by the public and underrated by the media. RB Chris Johnson has "kicked it into gear" running for 343 yards in his last 2 games on 46 carries, an average of 7.46 yards per carry. When Johnson is "picking 'em up and putting 'em down" with that kind of effeciency, the entire offense is better for it. The Titans will face a middle of the road run defense on Sunday and a Saints' "stop unit" that ranks 27th in total yards allowed per game and 30th in yards passing per game. It should also be noted that New Orleans has not exactly blown teams off the field outside of the Superdome. They're 2-2 SU in their last four on the road, with the wins coming by 3 points over Carolina and a 3 point OT win in Atlanta. The losses came against Tampa Bay and the St. Louis Rams. Yes, the Saints can be had outside of the "Big Easy." New Orleans enters on a 1-6 ATS slide as a road favorite, while the Titans are on a 9-2 ATS run as a home dog. I'm taking the points with Tennessee on Sunday. Thanks! GL! Scott.

I'm laying the points with the Atlanta Falcons who enter Sunday on a 15-3-1 ATS run following a SU loss. I had ATL on these pages last week and they simply weren't prepared for Houston's fired-up defense. But everything Carolina needs to accomplish in this matchup, Atlanta excels at stopping on the defensive side, and finds great success on the offensive side of the ball. Carolina needs to stop the run, but ATL runs the ball well and did so against the Panthers in this season's first meeting, running for 166 yards on 4.7 yards per carry. Carolina needs to slow the ATL passing game. But the Panthers have had to play a multitude of LB combinations this season and have yet to find the right one. With Michael Turner likely running at will against the Carolina defense, Matt Ryan should find plenty of openings in the soft Panther pass defense. Offensively, Carolina will need QB Cam Newton to take care of the football. Newton has tossed 5 INTs with just 2 TD passes in 4 games since the bye week, and he's been sacked 11 times. Defenses are forcing Newton to go through his progressions and he's begun to force passes. The Falcons forced Newton into 3 INTs without a passing TD to go along with a pair of sacks in their October 16, 31-17 win. I expect similar results in this one. Carolina has picked up a couple of wins over a pathetic Indianapolis team and a Tampa Bay squad that didn't have Josh Freeman at QB. But they're on a 0-6 ATS slide playing against a team with a winning record over the second half of the last 2 seasons. They are on the short end of a 34-14 average final score in those outings and with the way the passing game is struggling I expect another late season stumble in this one. The 15-3 spot mentioned above combines with the 6-0 anti-Carolina spot for a 21-3 ATS mark. I'm laying the points with the Falcons on Sunday. Thanks! GL! Scott.