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Home team in CAPS
You’d think Josh Allen and the Bills should be in a stampeding mood after their embarrassing 9-6 loss at Jacksonville last week.
A return to play under relatively-bracing, cooler conditions should galvanize the more potent side into generating a more productive effort.
The Jets’ main hope, vis-à-vis the market, is likely to be the back door.
Browns (+1.5) over PATRIOTS
Other than the Chargers, New England hasn’t beaten any representatives of Murderer’s Row of late. The Browns have been more highly regarded by the “figure guys,” and it’s hard to dispute the logic of the wise ones. Will be surprised if Cleveland doesn’t wind up favored over the Belichicks in the marketplace.
COLTS (-10.5) over Jaguars
Rates as a relatively close call at the opening and looms likely to hold up for chalk fanciers. Jags coach Urban Meyer has signed on for a long, hard slog, and we’re not sold Meyer will sustain his level of gusto for the task, even with Trevor Lawrence on duty.
COWBOYS (-8.5) over Falcons
Atlanta has a 4-4 SU record, but its lone impressive win came at New Orleans. The Falcons’ former head coach, Dan Quinn, is now on the Dallas staff, on the defensive side. The Falcons have a decent recent history against Dallas, but this is the best Cowboys edition in some years.
Saints (+3) over TITANS
Tennessee has engineered four underdog upsets in succession. The Titans are tangibly improved and markedly sharper than they were in September, but this kind of stretch doesn’t endure indefinitely for most clubs. The Saints boast sufficient diversified skill people to be a handful. Key Saints RB Alvin Kamara will not see action, but look for Dem Saints to find a way.
Buccaneers (-9.5) over WASHINGTON
The Football Team has playoff-loss revenge working for them in this spot after last year’s season-ending disappointment — and the posted market is a decent head start for QB Taylor Heinicke. Whether he can lead any sustained, tangible threat versus this foe is another matter, though Bucs aren’t expected to have Antonio Brown or Rob Gronkowski this week.
Lions (+8.5) over STEELERS
Detroit remains winless as we pass the halfway point of the season. QB Jared Goff has endured consistent headwinds relating to securing victories with any regularity. This does leave regular opportunities to rack up non-winning covers. Could be close, if Lions emanate good vibes.
CARDINALS (-10) over Panthers
Carolina beat this year’s darlings last season, dominating in time of possession, but the chance of a repeat performance seems remote, given that Arizona QB Kyler Murray practiced smartly on Friday, and we’re not looking to fade ignition-key Murray right now, thanks.
CHARGERS (-3) over Vikings
An easy enough market to make — but a tough one to beat with confidence. The Bolts tend not to run off and hide against competitive sides, and the Vikes too often play just well enough to get you beat in the most agonizing ways imaginable.
Eagles (+2.5) over BRONCOS
We’re not going to knock Vic Fangio, but if he can’t maintain a relatively modest pace here and this winds up out of control, expect Philadelphia to spoil Fangio’s perfect seasonal record against the quartet of NFC East sides on Denver’s schedule this season.
Seahawks (+3.5) over PACKERS
Granting a slight lean to the visiting ’Hawks on the news of QB Russell Wilson’s return to game action, off Seattle’s bye. Aaron Rodgers’ precise game status has been up in the air all week.
RAIDERS (+2.5) over Chiefs
Reluctant to step in with the Chiefs, given their sustained dedication to continued underperformance under the field-generalship of this year’s version of QB Patrick Mahomes, which doesn’t resemble previous campaigns. Keep tabs on key skill people.
Monday
Rams (-4) over 49ERS
Prefer the Rams’ personnel — not to mention that the Niners come back “home” having lost 11 of their past dozen appearances before the Levi’s Stadium faithful. Watch closely how Odell Beckham Jr. jibes with the other key Rams playmates.
Last week: 4-9
Season: 59-66-2
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