One method you can use to handicap games is to create your own point spread before you take a look at the actual spreads. Mull them over and imagine betting both sides of the game and what you would be thinking. Then you can compare your spread to the actual line. If there is a two point or greater disparity then you have a good solid bet. If there is a very big disparity between your line and what the official line is, double check the injury report and weather as well. You may have missed something.
You can use this method at the very start of the week when oddsmakers first publish their lines and then come back later in the week after the public have moved them with their action.