Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = top/bottom). Record last week 9-5 (.643); season 107-59 (.645). If we used point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record over last week’s spread would have been 8-5-1 (.615); season 90-74-2 (.549). From: Bills, Bengals, Falcons, Jaguars, Jets, Saints. Times Pacific. TV channels are local from Los Angeles.
STEELERS (8-2) AT BROWNS (2-8)
Tonight, 5:15 PM. TV: Amazon Prime Video
Line: Steelers by 3½. O/U: 36½.
Week after week, the Steelers get the job done. They have won five in a row. The Browns are coming off an embarrassing loss in New Orleans and their defense is collapsing.
Choose: Steelers 21, Browns 17
CHIEFS (9-1) AT PANTHERS (3-7)
Sunday, 10am TV: Channel 2 (CBS)
Line: Leaders by 10½. O/U: 43½.
The close loss to Buffalo likely takes some of the pressure off the previously undefeated Chiefs. Carolina has won two in a row by a total of four points, but is outclassed in this match.
Choose: Leaders 38, Panthers 10
COWBOYS (3-7) AT COMMANDANTS (7-4)
Sunday, 10am TV: Channel 11 (FOX)
Line: Commanders with 10½. O/U: 44½.
After back-to-back losses to good teams, the Commanders take out their frustrations on the depleted Cowboys. Cooper Rush wasn’t terrible for Dallas, but that team lacks confidence.
Choose: Commanders 28, Cowboys 16
VIKINGS (8-2) AT BEARS (4-6)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Vikings with 3½. O/U: 39½.
Sam Darnold has been up and down lately, but the Vikings have multiple playmakers. The Bears have played some good teams, yet they have lost four in a row. Caleb Williams is going to get injured a lot.
Choose: Vikings 27, Bears 17
TITANS (2-8) AT TEXANS (7-4)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Texans with 8½. O/U: 41½.
Tennessee’s defense is solid, but is on the field too much as the Titans’ offense can’t move the ball. Houston is starting to figure it out and broke through with some goals in the second half against Dallas.
Choose: Texans 27, Titans 18
LEONS (9-1) AT Foals (5-6)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Lions with 7½. O/U: 50½.
The Lions have too many ways to beat you, although losing linebacker Alex Anzalone hurts. Anthony Richardson looked better for Indianapolis on Sunday, but he’s putting himself too much in the line of fire.
Choose: Lions 31, Foals 20
PATRIOTS (3-8) BY DOLPHINS (4-6)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Dolphins with 7. O/U: 45½.
Drake Maye gives the Patriots a chance to win, and the team doesn’t make many mistakes. However, Miami is starting to wake up a bit and should be able to take care of business at home.
Choose: Dolphins 28, Patriots 20
BUCCANIERS (4-6) AT GIANTS (2-8)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Buccaneers with 5½. O/U: 41½.
Tampa Bay appears to be as healthy as it has been all season and motivated with Atlanta losing again. The Giants will go with Tommy DeVito at quarterback. The situation is a mess.
Choose: Buccaneers 24, Giants 14
BRONCOS (6-5) AT RAIDERS (2-8)
Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: NFL ticket
Line: Broncos by 5½. O/U: 41½.
Bo Nix is playing crazy, and Denver’s defense is playing really well. The Raiders lost to the Broncos in Denver with 16 men, and there’s no reason to think this will be much different.
Choose: Broncos 27, Raiders 17
49ERS (5-5) AT PAKERS (7-3)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m TV: Channel 11 (FOX)
Line: Packers with 2½. O/U: 47½.
The 49ers have a lot of talent, but they seriously lack killer instinct. Difficult to have much confidence in that defense in the second half. However, in this match they are the most desperate team.
Choose: 49ers 24, Packers 20
CARDINALS (6-4) AT SEAHAWKS (5-5)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Seahawks by 1½. O/U: 47½.
With DK Metcalf back and effective running back Kenneth Walker III, the Seahawks can do some damage. Arizona doesn’t have many household names, but the physical Cardinals will knock you over.
Choose: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 23
EAGLES (8-2) AT RAMS (5-5)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m TV: Channel 4 (NBC)
Line: Eagles with 2½. O/U: 48½.
The Eagles have a lot of ways to beat you on offense – especially with Saquon Barkley – and their defense is crawling with them. The Rams are able to make this very interesting, but Philadelphia gets the edge.
Choose: Eagles 28, Aries 26
RAVENEN (7-4) AT CHARGERS (7-3)
Monday, 5:15 PM TV: Channel 7 (ABC), ESPN
Line: Ravens per 3. O/U: 49½.
Harbaugh bowl. The Chargers are going to try to establish the run, but the Ravens are No. 1 at stopping it. Leaning toward Baltimore in this Jim-John Harbaugh matchup as the Ravens have a better handle.
Choose: Ravens 28, Chargers 24
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
