Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
Even with Jaxson Dart at the helm, the Giants aren’t a good team, as proven by that disastrous loss they took at the hands of the previously winless New Orleans Saints. The Eagles don’t blow anybody away statistically, but they’re still a good team. At the very least, they’re good enough to beat the lowly Giants, whom they’re 5-1 against since the start of the 2022-23 season.
Eagles win 28-20
NFL London Games
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
The Jets are a joke. Their games only appear to be close because the offense decides to start playing in garbage time. They can’t force turnovers, and they get blown out early on before other teams take their foot off the gas pedal. The Broncos will make Justin Fields’ life a nightmare since they lead the league in sacks. They’ll probably get out to a 17-point lead before they get any pushback from the Jets. Either way, this will be non-competitive by the third quarter.
Broncos win 32-21
Sunday Early Games
Arizona Cardinals @ Indianapolis Colts
The Cardinals are one of the worst-run organizations in all of pro sports. That loss to the Titans is the type of game that will define a team’s entire season. It’s not something that a team comes back from. They’re certainly not going to come back against an Indianapolis squad that is second in scoring offense and third in scoring defense.
Colts win 31-20
Los Angeles Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
This is a get-right game for the Chargers, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. They’ve dropped two straight after starting the season 3-0. LA’s problem has been self-inflicted wounds, and those are far less likely to happen against a Miami team that has only five turnovers on the season, considering three of them came against the Jets. The Bolts should cruise to an easy victory, especially with Dolphins fans ready to turn on their team at any moment.
Chargers win 28-19
New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints
This has the makings of a trap game. The Pats are coming off their biggest win in three years and have to travel to New Orleans, where they’ll have an “easy” matchup against the Saints. New Orleans beat New York last week because five straight Giants drives ended with a turnover. The Patriots are not going to make the same mistakes as Big Blue. New England will take care of the ball in a close game.
Patriots win 21-20
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Dillon Gabriel was really good in his first start, but that came against Carson Wentz, who is NOT nearly the quarterback Aaron Rodgers is, even a 41-year-old version of the former four-time MVP. The fact that this game is in Pittsburgh also helps the Steelers. The Browns have not beaten the Steelers in a regular-season game in Pittsburgh in 22 years.
Steelers win 24-20
Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers
This is a toss-up game, and I’m not the type of coward to predict a tie. I could see the Panthers winning a nail-biter, but they’re just SO BAD. The Cowboys aren’t great, but they have one of the league’s best offenses. The Cats are 19th in scoring defense, and Dallas is fourth in scoring offense. This one will be a shootout, but the ‘Boys will kick a game-winning field goal as time expires.
Cowboys win 31-29
Seattle Seahawks @ Jacksonville Jaguars
I’m a little worried about the Jaguars this week. They’re probably still riding the high from that exciting Monday Night Football win over the Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are left with a bitter taste in their mouths after choking away a win against the Buccaneers. Seattle should respond well on the road, where they’re 16-9 in their last 25 games.
Seahawks win 23-21
Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore Ravens
Regardless of who the starting quarterback is for the Ravens, they don’t have the defensive capabilities to contain the Rams. Baltimore is 31st in pass defense (262.2 yards per game allowed) and dead last in scoring defense (35.4 points per game allowed). Those statistics don’t bode well for a team going up against the league’s second-ranked passing attack. Even if Lamar Jackson plays, LA will take this one.
Rams win 32-27
Sunday Late Games
Tennessee Titans @ Las Vegas Raiders
Neither of these teams is all that good. Geno Smith will throw at least one interception, while Cam Ward will be put in a torture chamber by Maxx Crosby. In games like this, the advantage goes to the home team and the squad with the better head coach. Pete Carroll can coach circles around Brian Callahan, and this game is being played in Las Vegas, which means the Raiders should be favored.
Raiders win 20-17
Cincinnati Bengals @ Green Bay Packers
Packers win 27-21
Joe Flacco coming into the fold certainly makes this game more interesting, but Green Bay should be able to take care of business against Cincy. The Packers have an elite pass rush, and the Bengals are one of the worst pass-blocking teams in the NFL, with 15 sacks allowed on the season. Green Bay will also be able to establish the ground game against the league’s 24th-ranked run defense.
San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers keep finding gutsy ways to pull out wins. At this point, we should just expect Baker Mayfield to have the ball in his hands down two points with a chance to set up his offense with a go-ahead field goal. After San Fran went to war against the Rams last week, they have to travel across the country, completely battered and bruised, to face the 11th-ranked defense in the NFL. That’s a tough test for a banged-up squad.
Buccaneers win 24-22
Detroit Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs
I’ve changed my mind ten different times when trying to pick a winner for this game. On the one hand, the Lions are the best team in the NFL. At the same time, it would be foolish to bet against the Chiefs in their home stadium in a primetime game. I hate to be that guy, but I do think the refs will have a hand in how this plays out, and some iffy calls will go in Kansas City’s favor. Normally, I don’t believe this, but the NFL cannot afford to let the Chiefs fall to 2-4.
Chiefs win 27-25
Buffalo Bills @ Atlanta Falcons
The Buffalo Bills will be out for blood after they had their first home loss in what feels like forever. They need to get back on track, but that might be tough against a Falcons team that actually has the NFL’s number-one defense in terms of yardage (244 yards allowed per game). Josh Allen will have to use his legs against a group that is only allowing opponents to throw for 135 yards per game. Atlanta will have a chance to win the game, but their drive will come up just a little bit short.
Bills win 28-24
Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders
Chicago is looking to exact revenge for the humiliating Hail Mary loss they suffered at the hands of this team. Unfortunately, they don’t have the defensive firepower to rattle a calm and cool quarterback like Jayden Daniels. The Bears are 28th in points allowed and 31st in run defense. That’s not good when you’re going against a QB who can hurt you with his legs and a red-hot running back like Bill Croskey-Merritt, who just had the best game of his career.
Commanders win 22-20
