The lines are from oddsshark.com and the home teams are in CAPs.
Pittsburgh +2.5 over CLEVELAND
Mason Rudolph is doing nothing to prove that he can take the reins from Big Ben in the future. Heck, he might be worse than third-stringer Devlin Hodges. We’re really not sure how this game remained so close for so long.
Houston +4.5 over BALTIMORE
Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson are exactly similar, but both defences should have a bit of experience seeing a mobile QB in practice every day. The Texans come back from a week off while the Ravens have been getting their tires pumped after beating the Pats and blowing out the lowly Bengals. This one feels like a field goal will be the difference.
Denver +10.5 over MINNESOTA
The Vikings and Kirk Cousins beat up on bad teams – it’s just what they do. But the Broncos have been tough outs this season, losing by 11 or more just twice despite their poor record. We’d bet that the hobbled Adam Thielen sits again, limiting the damage the Vikes can do, though they should get the win.
Dallas (NL) over DETROIT
The Cowboys have fallen to three teams missing some of their best players (Saints and Brees, Packers and Adams, Vikings and Thielen), but if Matt Stafford sits, that’s a bridge too far.
CAROLINA -5.5 over Atlanta
Let’s not overreact to last week. The Falcons aren’t going to upset a division rival on the road again and the Panthers won’t lose for the third time in four weeks. Christian McCaffrey should have a field day in this one.
INDIANAPOLIS -2.5 over Jacksonville
Jacoby Brissett’s return is very much welcomed for the Colts, but real question is about his opposing QB, Nick Foles. We didn’t get to see him operate the Jags offence much before getting hurt in Week 1. We’ll take the home team and the proven commodity.
MIAMI +6 over Buffalo
This was a close matchup earlier this season in Buffalo and that was before the Dolphins really started trying. The Bills record has been good, but we wouldn’t trust them giving more than a field goal on the road right now.
New York Jets +1 over WASHINGTON
Gross. Another awful matchup featuring the Jets which should mean another barely deserved win.
New Orleans -5.5 over TAMPA BAY
After losing to Atlanta last week, there’s no way the Saints don’t come out firing here. Drew Brees and Michael Thomas should exploit a Bucs pass defence that just cut a former first-round CB while Alvin Kamara will get his yards through the air, even if the Bucs can shutdown running games.
Arizona +11 over SAN FRANCISCO
The hits keep coming for the Niners. After suffering their first loss of the season, they’re now on a short week against a team that played them close two games ago. To make matters even worse, the Niners will be down three key pieces on offence with George Kittle, Matt Breida and Joe Staley all hurt.
OAKLAND -10.5 over Cincinnati
We’ve got a new punching bag now that Miami has somehow put together a winning streak. The Bengals are awful on both sides of the line and don’t have the talent to
New England -3.5 over PHILADELPHIA
Both teams are coming off their bye, negating much of an advantage there, but Bill Belichick is famous for getting his Pats well-prepared over any break. Coming off their first loss of the season, we expect the Pats to get things rolling again and extract a little payback from the Super Bowl loss of two years ago.
Chicago +6.5 over LOS ANGELES RAMS
Mitchell Trubisky is a mess, but the Rams’ offensive line might be even worse. Jared Goff should be under a ton of pressure from Khalil Mack and we all know how he fares when feeling the heat. In this matchup between untrustworthy QBs, take the points.
Kansas City -3.5 over Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City
In the thin air of Mexico City, speed should kill and the Chiefs have it in spades. The Chargers can’t be ruled out, but the advantage should be tilted in K.C.’s favour as the division leader now has Oakland to worry about, nipping at its heels.
Last week: 5-6-1
This season: 80-62-2
