| Buccaneers |
over |
Eagles |
The Bucs face a short-week challenge but nothing too daunting as there are plenty of holes to exploit in the Eagles' defense once Hargrave and Cox are kept from getting into Brady's face. Hurts can cause problems for a Bucs' defensive back seven missing key pieces with his big arm and running. But Tampa tends to start hot and build while Philly can be slow out of the gate. That should ensure the Bucs build up enough cushion by the fourth quarter. |
| Dolphins |
over |
Jaguars |
Florida teams playing an early game which is a late game in London.... weird. Miami is the better-coached team with Flores and even though Jacksonville will gash them with RB Robinson, their passing game with Lawrence will hit some lumps. The Dolphins will counter with more creative offense around Brissett while Urban Meyer finds a new continent in which to botch an NFL game plan. |
| Packers |
over |
Bears |
Good rivalry game here. The Packers' pass D will be struggling for a while without Alexander, but the Bears' passing game has been non-existent with Fields. Chicago will run early but the game will put the rookie QB into discomfort. Green Bay's O-line will help Rodgers get the ball out quickly against Mack and the pass rush, exploiting secondary spots. The Packers are only a game up against the Bears and know they need to get control of the NFC North before a tough second-half schedule and will play like it at Soldier Field. |
| Bengals |
over |
Lions |
Big Cat Game! The Bengals should have Burrow, despite the throat injury, and they will rebound well from the tough OT loss with a short road trip up north. Cincinnati is the superior team to Detroit in every way. The Lions have no answers for Mixon's running or the talented trio of young wideouts led by rookie WR Chase. The emotional loss to the Vikings last week will be trickier for the Lions to shake off. |
| Colts |
over |
Texans |
The Colts are double-digit favorites at home after five straight weeks as an underdog. Houston is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this season, and they are catching the Colts on a short week. This game will be closer than expected. Homefield will help, but this game is a toss-up. |
| Rams |
over |
Giants |
The Rams have had a long time to heal up from their TNF win in Seattle. McVay always prepares them well for long east coast trips. They draw a shell of a Giants' offense and you can bet Ramsey will be assigned to taking away Toney. The Giants' D is falling apart and the Rams can run on them well to set up the usual play-action shots for Stafford away from CB Bradberry. |
| Chiefs |
over |
Washington |
The Chiefs are under .500 for the second time this season. They wouldn't lose two in a row with Mahomes, would they? He should have his key receivers healthy to play Reid might feel less compelled to run without CEH and top blocker Thuney. WFT's D has been giving up big plays at will and is also having trouble being in the right spots to limit gains in the open field. KC goes to D.C. for a much-needed get-well game against an offense that can't play catch-up. |
| Vikings |
over |
Panthers |
Which QB do you trust more? Darnold has six TD passes and six INTs. Cousins has 10 TDs and two INTs. RBs Cook and CMC might return for this one, but it comes down to which QB can avoid that costly mistake. Trust in Cousins not forcing the ball downfield as much as Darnold. |
| Ravens |
over |
Chargers |
Another good one that is hard to call. The Chargers are feeling it around Herbert and have good makeup to win the road under Brandon Staley. But as good as they can be defending the pass, they're not meant to handle run-heavy attacks, especially involving Jackson, who can push the ball downfield with accuracy. Baltimore will have more success making L.A. one-dimensional. These two AFC contenders will play a classic. |
| Browns |
over |
Cardinals |
Should be a good one. The Cardinals and Browns both have elite offenses, and former Oklahoma Heisman winners in Murray and Baker. Which defense can get a stop in crunch time? Murray won the last head-to-head meeting in 2019, and the Cardinals have won the last four in the series. This one is in Cleveland, though, and the Browns look to knock the last unbeaten team off. |
| Raiders |
over |
Broncos |
The Raiders and Broncos are both stuck in two-game slides after 3-0 starts, and this is an important game to keep pace in the AFC West race. The Raiders swept this series last season, and Carr gets the passing attack back on track on the road, despite the coaching controversy happening on the sidelines. |
| Cowboys |
over |
Patriots |
The Cowboys' offense is balanced, toggling between the pass and the run. They also have the added element of a mobile QB. Belichick will scheme to take away one thing away from Dak, most likely Cooper or Lamb. But Dak also has been feeling it throwing to his TEs and backs. The Patriots' running game has another injury and Mac Jones faces an aggressive defense with Diggs ready to pounce on any mistakes. Dallas has the perfect blueprint to thwart New England on the road. |
| Steelers |
over |
Seahawks |
The Seahawks will be going into a hostile environment with Geno Smith at QB instead of Wilson. Although Smith knows Pittsburgh well from his days in the Backyard Brawl, he hasn't face this Steelers' D in Heinz Field. The Steelers also got Harris and the running game going last week and Seattle can't stop that. The 'Hawks also can't cover either Johnson or Claypool. |
| Bills |
over |
Titans |
The Bills had an emotionally charged big win in K.C. and will have a mild letdown against another AFC playoff team it has had some trouble against in the past. But Tennessee's offense doesn't have the firepower to keep up beyond the strong running of Henry. The Bills' passing game can beat the Titans in many areas downfield and they will have rushing success with Allen. |