THE 10 BEST GAMES TO BET
GIANTS at COWBOYS
4:25 p.m., Cowboys by 15 ½, 38 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: It’s a lot of points to give in an NFL game but then again, the Giants haven’t been looking much like an NFL team. With Tommy DeVito at the helm of a moribund offense, the Cowboys may not even need to break 30 to get it done against a worn-down Giants D and they have won each of their home games by at least 20. They certainly can’t look past the Giants after suffering a tough divisional loss to the Eagles. If you haven’t used the Cowboys in your survival pool, take the freebie as Dak Prescott rolls to his 11th straight win over the Jints.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cowboys and the under.
JETS at RAIDERS
8:20 p.m., Jets by 2 ½, 35 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Raiders’ defense rallied around IHC Antonio Pierce last week and that should carry over against another abysmal offense. They can follow the blueprint and get aggressive against Zach Wilson, who can’t see the field, let alone under pressure, which he should see plenty of from Maxx Crosby. The Jets defense continues to carry the team but at a certain point, it has to crack. Aidan O’Connell may be making his second career start but with his live arm, he’s the best QB in this game. The Jets, now travelling cross-country on a short week, have gone under the total in 10 of their last 13 games. The Raiders have gone under in their last five home games. Bet on boring again.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Raiders and the under.
COLTS at PATRIOTS in FRANKFURT
9:30 a.m., Colts by 1 ½, 43 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Pats seem to be a popular underdog this week on the theory that Gardner Minshew is regressing. But we’re finished putting any faith in Mac Jones, who simply looks lost out there. Only the Giants are scoring fewer ppg than the Patriots who just can’t seem to get out of their own way with foolish penalties and plays that must be driving their coach crazy. Minshew will be looking at a secondary that allows the 12th-most passing yards in the league with CB J.C. Jackson left back in the states on a mental rest after his benching. That’s a signal that things aren’t right in Bill’s world. His team is 2-7 ATS and one of those wins came in their automatic W against the Jets.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Colts and the under.
TEXANS at BENGALS
1 p.m., Bengals by 7, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Bengals are on their annual run after another slow start with Joe Burrow back at full strength and they should add to their winning streak here. But let’s not automatically think that C.J. Stroud will come back to Earth after last week’s epic performance. The Bengals will throw a lot at him for sure but that defensive backfield can still be had. The Bengals are coming off a huge win over the Bills and could be caught in a flat spot with the Ravens on deck in just four days. This Texans team has continually shown the ability to hang in every game and if anything, the back door should still be open late. Look to the over here with both QBs humming and unafraid to fire downfield.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Texans and the over.
49ERS at JAGUARS
1 p.m., 49ers by 3, 45
HANK’S HONEYS: The 49ers went into their bye week on an ugly three-game losing streak and the Jags went into theirs on a five-game winning streak. But bye weeks have a way of changing momentum and we don’t think that those streaks are indicative of the relative strengths of these teams. Yes, Brock Purdy has gone through a rough patch but he’ll have Deebo Samuel back this week. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence and the Jags will be up against the best defense they will have seen so far. A forecast of wind and rain moves this further in direction of the Niners as well as the under.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: 49ers and the under.
BROWNS at RAVENS
1 p.m., Ravens by 5 ½, 41 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Browns’ defense is formidable, especially against the run and the Ravens are a running team. But we’re not about to step in front of this Ravens train the way it is rolling now. Baltimore’s defense is arguably as good and there is no comparison at the QB position between Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, who missed the first meeting. If Baltimore can coax a couple of turnovers out of Watson (a distinct possibility) an edge in field position will put them over the top.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Ravens and the under.
PACKERS at STEELERS
1 p.m., Steelers by 3, 38
HANK’S HONEYS: The Steelers have been outgained in every game yet still have a winning record, which tells you something about Mike Tomlin’s coaching ability. Now he’s had 10 days to prepare his team for Jordan Love. Statistically, the Packers are the better team and they’ve been playing better lately. They also have an edge with Aaron Jones going up against an uncharacteristically soft run defense, which will take the onus off Love against the Steelers’ opportunistic (but again without Minkah Fitzpatrick) secondary. This isn’t a strong play by any means but this could be the week the smoke clears and the mirror cracks for Pittsburgh.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Packers and the under.
LIONS at CHARGERS
4:05 p.m., Lions by 1 ½, 48 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The Chargers defense isn’t facing Zach Wilson and the fumbling, stumbling Jets this week. It’s up against the No. 2 offense in the NFL, one that can exploit every one of its flaws with its entire O-line intact for the first time and David Montgomery back to help the running game. Jared Goff will be looking to make a statement as he returns to SoFi Stadium and takes aim at struggling CBs Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. Joey Bosa and the Bolts defense has been getting through with effective third down pressure but the Lions can stay out of third and long situations. Lions are 3-1 ATS on road, Chargers are 1-2-1 ATS at home. Lastly, the Lions are coming off a much-needed bye and the Chargers are on a short week after a coast-to-coast trip.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Lions and the over.
TITANS at BUCS
1 p.m., Bucs by 1 ½, 38 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: Will Levis has been given the keys to the car and seems to have given this entire offense a lift. After what C.J. Stroud did to this Bucs secondary, it could be bombs away again, especially if CB Jamel Dean can’t clear concussion protocol. Over 25% of pass completions against Tampa Bay have been for over 15 yards, which shouldn’t happen against zone coverage. Make this a lean because the Titans’ D has been dreck on the road with just two sacks and one turnover in their last three outside of the Music City. Both teams will be slinging it, which puts us over the total.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Titans and the over.
BRONCOS at BILLS
Monday 8:15 p.m., Bills by 7 ½, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: It’s becoming obvious that the Bills are overrated. They’re still a good football team but they haven’t dominated anyone and after failing to cover a spread in their last five games, they shouldn’t be giving this many points. Their defense has been getting hit with injuries and Josh Allen and the offense have been reeking of inconsistency. The Broncos are coming off a bye with some momentum. They have sneakingly improved defensively, holding their last three opponents to 19, 17 and nine points and that includes a pair of games against the Chiefs. Russell Wilson has settled down and the return of Javonte Williams to the backfield has helped Sean Payton’s play calling.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Broncos and the under.
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LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH
SAINTS at VIKINGS
1 p.m., Saints by 2 ½, 41
HANK’S HONEYS: Can Josh Dobbs lead a banged-up Vikings offense to another win? For sure, he’s not going to be running through and past this defense but that might not be necessary. The Vikings (5-1 ATS in last six) have solidified their defense under Brian Flores and they’re up against a mediocre, poorly-coached team that can’t seem to put anybody away. Nevertheless, Flores blitzes more than any other defensive coordinator and Derek Carr has been great against the blitz, especially with Alvin Kamara as an outlet receiver. This game can go either way.
CAN’T HELP YOURSELF?: Saints and the under.
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BEST OF THE REST
FALCONS at CARDINALS
4:05 p.m., Falcons by 1 ½, 43
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Cardinals and the over.
COMMANDERS at SEAHAWKS
4:25 p.m., Seahawks by 6, 45 ½
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Seahawks and the over.
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WEEK’S BEST BET: Lions. Every angle says so.
LAST WEEK: 6-7-1 ATS, 8-6 OVER/UNDER
OVERALL: 73-60-3 ATS, 69-65-2 OVER/UNDER
BEST BETS: 5-3-1