The lines are from Vegas and the home teams in CAPs
Washington -1.5 over DALLAS
Was all it will take for the Cowboys to get back on track a visit from their rival? Probably not, as Washington seemed content to give this one away, after Dallas tried to at first with five three-and-outs.
Detroit +3 over BALTIMORE
The Ravens are yet to beat a competent quarterback this season while their own pivot, Joe Flacco, leaves a lot to be desired. We’ll expect a lot of field goals in a close game.
CHICAGO -3 over San Francisco
The 49ers are finally turning to Jimmy G, but how will he fare in Chicago? It’s risky giving points with Mitchell Trubisky, who hasn’t shown much yet, but the Niners aren’t exactly a frisky squad.
ATLANTA -3 over Minnesota
The Falcons are starting to heat up and, most importantly, they remembered they have Julio Jones. The Vikings are a tough team to play, but we can’t pick against
New England -8.5 over BUFFALO
Tom Brady owns the Bills and the Pats are hitting their stride. The Bills bounced back last with Tyrod Taylor back under centre, but this is a matchup they never win.
MIAMI +1.5 over Denver
How, may I ask, are the free-falling Broncos, who are going back to Trevor Siemian at QB this week, favoured on the road? Miami is by no means a good team, but it is getting Jay Cutler back. The Broncos have been falling apart for weeks and are missing the suspended Aqib Talib, too.
TENNESSEE -7 over Houston
We’re not betting on Tom Savage, plain and simple. The Texans, with all of their key injuries, should be in wait-til-next-year mode while the Titans are fighting for an improbable playoff berth – somebody has to take the second AFC wild card…
Indianapolis +9.5 over JACKSONVILLE
The Jags aren’t likely to get 10 sacks again in this rematch. The Colts have surprisingly been putting up some fight and could cover against a Jags team that can be very inconsistent.
GREEN BAY +1.5 over Tampa Bay
The same gaps in coverage that the Packers exploited last week against the Steelers to stay close could happen again against the listless Bucs. A potential return of Jameis Winston could move the needle, but there are more issues in Tampa.
NEW YORK JETS +3.5 over Kansas City
One team punches above its weight while the other has just been getting punched for weeks. The Chiefs need to turn things around and, shockingly, the Jets aren’t the team to do that against. If K.C. wins, it will be close.
L.A. CHARGERS -14 over Cleveland
The Chargers gave Cleveland its only win last season and that won’t happen again. This could even be a bit of a revenge game for Phil Rivers and Co., considering that fact.
Carolina +4 over NEW ORLEANS
The Saints beat the Cats earlier this season, but the rematch should be a close one. Just like last week, we wouldn’t bet against Carolina with a healthy Luke Kuechly and the Saints defence could be down two of its top defensive backs again.
ARIZONA +7 over L.A. Rams
The Rams are the better team in this one, but giving a touchdown with them to a division rival is a bit much. Blaine Gabbert has looked competent and the Cards defence is playing well. L.A. also has played two tough games in a row and has Philly next week to look forward to.
New York Giants +9 over OAKLAND
This may seem crazy after the insane move that saw the Giants bench Eli Manning this week, but the Raiders aren’t exactly a team that inspires confidence. Oakland is missing their top two WRs, Derek Carr hasn’t been playing well and the defence remains sieve-like. The Raiders should beat Geno Smith, but a backdoor cover is certainly in play.
Philadelphia -6 over SEATTLE
Let’s not go ahead thinking this is the same Seahawks team that we’re used to. The defence is in shambles and if Russell Wilson isn’t moving the ball, nobody is. The Eagles defence has the front to create pressure and contain Wilson, which could certainly lead a rare, huge loss at home for Seattle.
CINCINNATI +5.5 over Pittsburgh
These Cats don’t like rolling over for their rival and Vontaze Burfict is always good for some drama. The Steelers are also a team that will play to its opponent’s level, as evidenced by last week’s close game with the mediocre Packers.
Last week: 9-6-1
This season: 93-67-7