The Virginian-Pilot
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GAME OF THE WEEK
Chicago (7-3) at Oakland (6-4), 4:05 p.m.
The line Oakland by 4
Outlook With Jay Cutler injured, Chicago must turn its offense over to Caleb Hanie, who played well in last season’s NFC title game but has thrown a total of 14 regular-season passes in his four NFL seasons. Hanie has the potential for success against a defense that is 20th in the NFL against the pass.
Quick hit Raiders RB Michael Bush, likely to start again in place of injured Darren McFadden, has back-to-back 100-yard games.
Match-up Chicago’s 14th-ranked rushing attack must help Hanie by finding success against the No. 25 run defense.
The pick Hanie will need at least a game to get his feet wet, so don’t expect much from him in a tough road contest. Raiders 24, Bears 17.
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Arizona (3-7) at St. Louis (2-8), 1 p.m.
The line St. Louis by 3
Outlook Arizona, which beat St. Louis 19-13 in Week 9, hopes to get QB Kevin Kolb back from injury. St. Louis has scored a total of 33 points the past three games and has lost 9 of 10 to Arizona.
The pick Arizona has won 2 of 3, and when bad teams play in holiday weeks, take the hotter team. Cardinals 23, Rams 20.
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Tampa Bay (4-6) at Tennessee (5-5), 1 p.m.
The line Tennessee by 3½
Outlook Tampa Bay has lost four straight, allowing at least 24 points in every game. Tennessee, though, has the No. 21 overall offense (316.3), and the No. 32 rushing attack (77.3).
The pick Tennessee still has a good chance to catch Matt Schaub-less Houston in the AFC South. Titans 23, Buccaneers 17.
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Cleveland (4-6) at Cincinnati (6-4), 1 p.m.
The line Cincinnati by 7
Outlook Cleveland hasn’t scored more than 17 points since Week 2 but hopes to get RB Montario Hardesty back from injury. Cincinnati won 27-17 at Cleveland in Week 1 but has lost two straight.
The pick Cincinnati is 4-0 vs. teams currently with losing records, winning each by double digits. Bengals 24, Browns 14..
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Buffalo (5-5) at N.Y. Jets (5-5), 1 p.m., WTKR
The line N.Y. Jets by 9
Outlook Buffalo has lost three straight, including 27-11 to New York in Week 9, and will be without RB Fred Jackson. New York hasn’t won since Week 9, scoring a total of 29 points in two losses.
The pick Buffalo has scored a total of 26 points in losing three straight, and Jackson is the NFL’s No. 3 rusher. Jets 27, Bills 13.
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Houston (7-3) at Jacksonville (3-7), 1 p.m.
The line Houston by 6½
Outlook Houston turns to QB Matt Leinart with Matt Schaub injured. Leinart hasn’t thrown a pass all season. Jacksonville has the No. 4 pass defense. Houston beat Jacksonville 24-14 in Week 8.
The pick Without a reliable passer, Houston RB Arian Foster won’t gain 112 yards like he did in Week 8. Jaguars 17, Texans 14.
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Carolina (2-8) at Indianapolis (0-10), 1 p.m.
The line Carolina by 3
Outlook Carolina is 0-4 on the road, losing every game by at least five points, and hasn’t held a team to less than 20 points since Week 3. Indianapolis has scored more than 20 once all season.
The pick Teams with incentive are usually good picks on holiday weekends, and the Colts want one win. Colts 17, Panthers 14.
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Minnesota (2-8) at Atlanta (6-4), 1 p.m.
The line Atlanta by 9½
Outlook Minnesota hasn’t held a team to less than 21 points once all season and probably will be without RB Adrian Peterson. Atlanta last scored less than 23 in Week 5 and is 4-1 since then.
The pick Even if Peterson plays, don’t expect a huge game against the No. 2 run defense (85.4). Falcons 27, Vikings 13.
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Washington (3-7) at Seattle (4-6), 4:05 p.m., WVBT
The line Seattle by 3½
Outlook Washington has lost six straight but got its highest point total since Week 1 last week with QB Rex Grossman. Seattle has won two straight, with Marshawn Lynch rushing for 197 total yards..
The pick Chalk the Redskins’ inspired effort last weekend up to a rivalry game, which this is not. Seahawks 23, Redskins 13.
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Denver (5-5) at San Diego (4-6), 4:15 p.m.
The line San Diego by 6
Outlook Denver is 4-1 since Tim Tebow took over at QB. In the game before Tebow took over, San Diego won 29-24 at Denver. San Diego has lost five straight since then, though four were close..
The pick The Tebow magic will finally fade against a team in desperate need of a victory. Chargers 20, Broncos 17.
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New England (7-3) at Philadelphia (4-6), 4:15 p.m., WTKR
The line New England by 3½
Outlook New England has won two straight by a combined 71-19 but has the worst overall defense in the NFL. Philadelphia can’t afford another loss if it hopes to make the playoffs.
The pick New England’s defense is making strides, and the Eagles are unsure who their QB will be. Patriots 30, Eagles 20.
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Pittsburgh (7-3) at Kansas City (4-6), 8:20 p.m., WAVY
The line Pittsburgh by 10½
Outlook Pittsburgh is only 3-2 on the road, with two of those wins against Indianapolis and Arizona. Kansas City has lost three straight by a combined score of 82-16.
The pick New Chiefs QB Tyler Palko will struggle vs. the NFL’s No. 2 overall defense (280.1). Steelers 27, Chiefs 6.
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MONDAY
N.Y. Giants (6-4) at New Orleans (7-3), 8:30 p.m., ESPN
The line New Orleans by 7
Outlook New York has lost two straight and has only one win over a team currently with a winning record. New Orleans has won two straight, is coming off a bye and has the No. 1 overall offense (436.9).
The pick Saints QB Drew Brees and the No. 1 pass offense go for 300 yards vs. the No. 18 pass defense. Saints 30, Giants 27.
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Straight up 10-4 (107-53 for the season).
Against the spread 6-6-2 (76-76-8 for the season).
Upset special 0-1 straight up (5-6 for the season).
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