Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = top/bottom). Record last week 12-3 (.800); season 90-48 (.652). If we used point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record over last week’s spread would have been 9-6 (.600); season 76-61-1 (.555). From: Browns, Packers, Raiders, Seahawks. Times Pacific. TV channels are local from Los Angeles.
BENGALS (4-5) AT RAVENS (6-3)
Tonight, 5:15 PM. TV: Amazon Prime Video
Line: Raven with 6½. O/U: 52½.
The Ravens almost never lose primetime games at home, although this matchup won’t be easy. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson is in disarray, and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow is on a roll.
Choose: Ravens 28, Bengals 24
GIANTS (2-7) VS. PANTHERS (2-7)
Sunday, 6:30 am TV: NFL Network
Line: Giants with 5½. O/U: 41½.
The Panthers are a mess, so it’s hard to trust them at all. Giants have more talent, but that doesn’t mean much. Malik Nabers expects to reel in a lot of catches, and New York should take care of business in Munich.
Choose: Giants 24, Panthers 18
BRONCOS (5-4) AT CHIEFS (8-0)
Sunday, 10am TV: Channel 2 (CBS)
Line: Leaders with 8½. O/U: 41½.
Denver should bounce back from a humiliating drubbing at the hands of Baltimore, but will that be enough? The Broncos are solid on defense, but they may not have the offense to break their streak of eight straight losses at KC.
Choose: Chiefs 27, Broncos 13
PATRIOTS (2-7) AT BEARS (4-4)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Bears with 6½. O/U: 38½.
Chicago may be struggling on offense, but New England’s soft defense could be the ideal remedy. The sharpest focus will be on two athletic starting quarterbacks. There are some real positives about the Patriots’ Drake Maye.
Choose: Bears 21, Patriots 14
BILLS (7-2) ON FOLDING (4-5)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Bills per 4½. O/U: 46½.
The Bills are hurting at receiver, but they run the ball well, and that’s a vulnerability for the Indianapolis defense. This could be a trap for Buffalo as the Bills look ahead to Kansas City.
Choose: Bills 28, Foals 21
VIKINGS (6-2) AT JAGUARS (2-7)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Vikings with 4½. O/U: 46½.
Too many weapons for the Vikings, especially now that they’re getting TJ Hockenson back. Minnesota’s run game hasn’t been that strong lately. One factor to keep an eye on: Minnesota’s kicker and long snapper were injured last week.
Choose: Vikings 23, Jaguars 17
FALCONS (6-3) AMONG SAINTS (2-7)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Falcons with 3½. O/U: 46½.
If you’re ever going to bet on a team, do it the week after it fires its head coach. So that’s one reason to take the Saints… but you can also apply it to the Saints. That will be Kirk Cousins ​​​​& Co. help strengthen their grip on the NFC South.
Choose: Falcons 28, Saints 17
49ERS (4-4) AT BUCCANEERS (4-5)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: 49ers at 5½. O/U: 50½.
A week off has given San Francisco a chance to heal and explore, and likely the return of Christian McCaffrey. The Buccaneers play hard, but are missing two of the best receivers in club history.
Choose: 49ers 27, Boekaniers 23
STEELERS (6-2) AT COMMANDERS (7-2)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Commanders per 3. O/U: 45½.
The Commanders are on the rise and a real test for Pittsburgh. Jayden Daniels has been great and Terry McLaurin is rolling. The Steelers defense is good, and Russell Wilson is keeping Pittsburgh in it.
Choose: Commanders 24, Steelers 20
TITANS (2-6) AT CHARGERS (5-3)
Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: Channel 11 (FOX)
Line: Chargers from 7½. O/U: 37½.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has a formula that works. He leans a little more on Justin Herbert instead of running, running, running. The defense will play harder. Tennessee has a good defensive line, but no offense.
Choose: Chargers 27, Titans 17
EAGLES (6-2) AT COWBOYS (3-5)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m TV: Channel 2 (CBS)
Line: Eagles with 7. O/U: 41½.
The New York Giants must be feeling a pang of regret about letting go of the spectacular Saquon Barkley, and the Eagles don’t mind at all. The Cowboys have been hobbled and humiliated, having lost three in a row.
Choose: Eagles 31, Cowboys 16
JETS (3-6) AT CARDINALS (5-4)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m TV: NFL ticket
Line: Cardinals with 1½. O/U: 46½.
The no-name Cardinals are playing hard for Jonathan Gannon and building a hit-you-in-the-mouth identity on offense. The Jets have more talent and they will get a confidence boost by beating Houston.
Choose: Jets 23, Cardinals 20
LEONS (7-1) AT TEXANS (6-3)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m TV: Channel 4 (NBC)
Line: Lions with 3½. O/U: 49½.
Detroit can win in so many ways and with so many weapons. They can execute, they have speed and now Za’Darius Smith. Houston is missing a lot of players and the offensive line is bad.
Choose: Lions 30, Texans 20
DOLPHINS (2-6) AT RAMEN (4-4)
Monday, 5:15 PM TV: Channel 13, ESPN
Line: Rams with 2½. O/U: 50½.
The Rams have three exciting receivers and Matthew Stafford is looking like his best self. The young defense is also coming along. Miami is a different team with Tua Tagovailoa, but the home team gets the edge.
Choose: Rams 28, Dolphins 23
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
