We are almost to the midway point of the NFL season, and the contenders are starting to separate themselves from the considerable pack.
All lines courtesy of our great partners at SportsBook Review.
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens (-3)
Do you love offense? Do you love good quarterback play? Then throw your television set out the window, because it’s the Ravens (3-4) and Dolphins (4-2) on Thursday night!
Pick: Baltimore 18, Miami 16
Minnesota Vikings (-10.5) at Cleveland Browns
At what point does London start war with us for sending over crappy teams? Last week, the Cardinals. This week, the Browns (0-7), who are somehow worse than their 1-15 outfit from last year. The Vikings (5-2) are going to have a party.
Pick: Minnesota 27, Cleveland 9
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles (-14)
The 49ers (0-7) are playing hard, but they simply aren’t talented enough to win many games. The Eagles (6-1) suffered two big losses last week with Jason Peters and Jordan Hicks going down for the year, but they remain a favorite to reach the Super Bowl.
Pick: Philadelphia 24, San Francisco 13
Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
This is a very important game in the AFC wild card picture. The Raiders (3-4) could both get to .500 and earn a big tiebreaker, while the Bills (4-2) can all but put Oakland down for the count. Should come down to the final minutes.
Pick: Buffalo 23, Oakland 20
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals (-12)
Instead of playing a game, the Bengals (2-4) and Colts (2-5) should each fire their head coaches at the 50-yard line. It would be an ovation heard across the country.
Pick: Cincinnati 30, Indianapolis 17
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1)
The Buccaneers (2-4) are playing for their season, and while James Winston scares me with reckless throws, I trust him more than Cam Newton. The Panthers (4-3) seem to be reeling offensively.
Pick: Tampa Bay 20, Carolina 16
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints (-10)
The Bears (3-4) are hanging tough and the defense is legitimate, but the Saints (4-2) are playing great football. Winners of four straight, New Orleans will be home at the rabid Superdome and prove too tough for the youngsters from the Midway.
Pick: New Orleans 31, Chicago 16
Atlanta Falcons (-4.5) at New York Jets
The Falcons (3-3) have to prove they plan on making a playoff run. A loss to the Jets (3-4) would truly derail any notion of that in the tough NFC. Can Matt Ryan and Julio Jones finally get going? I’ll say they do just enough.
Pick: Atlanta 24, New York 20
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (-8.5)
This is going to be the most entertaining game of the weekend. The Patriots (5-2) still don’t look right, and the Chargers (3-4) are white hot. Look for Philip Rivers to throw for 400 yards, only to be bested by a Stephen Gostkowski field goal at the gun.
Pick: New England 33, Los Angeles 31
Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks (-5.5)
The Seahawks (4-2) have to win to keep pace with the smoking-hot Rams in the NFC West. The Texans (3-3) will be very tough after their bye week, especially with the return of Duane Brown, but Seattle is a brute at home.
Pick: Seattle 22, Houston 15
Dallas Cowboys (-1) at Washington Redskins
This might be the toughest game of the week to pick. Washington (3-3) can really play, but the Cowboys (3-3) seem to have gotten on track abasing the 49ers last week. Basically, which quarterback do you trust more? Give me Dak.
Pick: Dallas 24, Washington 21
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at Detroit Lions
The Lions (3-3) are coming off a bye and know they have to win to remain viable in both the NFC North and wild card races. The Steelers (5-2) run hot and cold more than any team in the league, and Martavis Bryant is a gigantic distraction. This could go either way, but I’ll take the desperation and home field.
Pick: Detroit 27, Pittsburgh 24
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5)
We find out everything we need to know about the Chiefs (5-2) right here. If Kansas City wins and looks good doing it, it remains a top team. Losing to the Broncos (3-3) and that offense would be a devastating blow, especially on Monday night in Arrowhead.
Pick: Kansas City 23, Denver 16
Last Week: 12-3
Season: 62-44