Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = top/bottom). Record last week 12-4 (.750); season 78-45 (.634). If we were using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record over last week’s spread would have been 8-8 (.500); season 67-55-1 (.549). From: Steelers, 49ers. Times Pacific. TV channels are local from Los Angeles.
TEXANS (6-2) AT JETS (2-6)
Tonight, 5:15 PM. TV: Amazon Prime Video
Line: Jets with 1½. O/U: 42½.
The Jets couldn’t keep the lowly New England Patriots at bay, so it will be difficult to put pressure on CJ Stroud and the Texans. Houston has a tendency to get into very close games.
Choose: Texans 24, Jets 20
CHARGERS (4-3) AT BROWNS (2-6)
Sunday, 10am TV: Channel 2 (CBS)
Line: Chargers of 1½. O/U: 42½.
Chances are Jameis Winston won’t have a good hand two weeks in a row, so the Chargers could get some turnovers. Ladd McConkey is coming off a breakout game for Los Angeles.
Choose: Chargers 21, Browns 18
COWBOYS (3-4) AT FALCONS (5-3)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TQ: Channel 11 (FOX)
Line: Falcons with 2½. O/U: 51½.
Dallas will have a hard time competing without Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Maybe Parsons will come back for this. Atlanta can run and throw, and has a defense good enough to slow down the run.
Choose: Falcons 28, Cowboys 24
BRONCOS (5-3) AT RAVENS (5-3)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Ravens at 9½. O/U: 45½.
The Broncos have won five of six, but not against top teams. The Ravens are in need of a bounce back after a disheartening loss to Cleveland. Denver has a very good defense that will keep it close.
Choose: Ravens 24, Broncos 20
DOLPHINS (2-5) AT BILLS (6-2)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Bills per 6½. O/U: 49½.
While Miami is better with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, the team can be as muscular as it was against Arizona. That’s the physical way the Josh Allen-led Bills have played. Amari Cooper also gives Buffalo a boost.
Choose: Bills 28, Dolphins 21
SAINTS (2-6) AT PANTHERS (1-7)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Saints with 7. O/U: 43½.
Two bad teams on long losing streaks. If the Saints get Derek Carr back as expected, it will be a game changer for them. Carolina just traded away its top receiver in Diontae Johnson.
Choose: Saints 18, Panthers 12
RAIDERS (2-6) AT BENGALS (3-5)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Bengal with 7½. O/U: 46½.
The Bengals are getting healthier on defense. Joe Burrow and his receivers are going to make some points. The Raiders have a pretty good defense, but it’s just been on the field too long.
Choose: Bengals 26, Raiders 17
COMMANDERS (6-2) AT GIANTS (2-6)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Commanders with 3½. O/U: 43½.
Presumably Jayden Daniels is getting healthier and the Commanders are flying high after that Hail Mary victory. The Giants don’t seem to know how to score.
Choose: Commanders 24, Giants 13
PATRIOTS (2-6) AT TITANS (1-6)
Sunday, 10am TV: NFL ticket
Line: Titans with 3½. O/U: 37½.
While the world thought they were soft, the Patriots responded to their coach and beat the Jets. This could come down to the trenches, and the Titans’ defensive line is much better than the Patriots’ offensive line.
Choose: Titans 21, Patriots 17
BEARS (4-3) AT CARDINALS (4-4)
Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: NFL ticket
Line: Cardinals with 1½. O/U: 44½.
The Cardinals almost never win two games in a row, so this is a new feeling. They play hard, but they’re not that talented. The Bears have more talent and that should push them over the top.
Choose: Bears 23, Cardinals 21
JAGUARS (2-6) AT EAGLES (5-2)
Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: NFL ticket
Line: Eagles with 7½. O/U: 45½.
The Eagles are getting healthier on offense, and Saquon Barkley is a problem for any defense. Jacksonville is getting better, but still losing games. Philadelphia wins handily at home.
Choose: Eagles 31, Jaguars 20
RAMS (3-4) AT SEAHAWKS (4-4)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m TV: Channel 11 (FOX)
Line: Rams with 1½. O/U: 48½.
The Rams have been reborn on offense now that they have Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back. Plus, they usually play well in Seattle. DK Metcalf’s availability is a huge factor in this matchup.
Choose: Rams 27, Seahawks 24
LEONS (6-1) AT PAKKERS (6-2)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m TV: NFL ticket
Line: Lions with 3½. O/U: 48½.
If Jordan Love plays, he will definitely be delayed by that groin injury. Jared Goff is playing so well for the Lions, and that offense is rolling. Still, it’s a divisional game and should be pretty close.
Choose: Lions 28, Packers 24
FOLDING (4-4) BY VIKINGS (5-2)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m TV: Channel 4 (NBC)
Line: Vikings with 5½. O/U: 46½.
The Colts are playing Joe Flacco, and that gives them a better chance than Anthony Richardson would. The Vikings should rebound after back-to-back losses, but it won’t be easy.
Choose: Vikings 27, Foals 21
BUCCANIERS (4-4) AT CHIEFS (7-0)
Monday, 5:15 PM TV: Channel 7 (ABC), ESPN
Line: Leaders with 8½. O/U: 45½.
The Chiefs haven’t blown away their opponents, but they have a solid defense and they have Patrick Mahomes. Without his full arsenal, Baker Mayfield has applied pressure.
Choose: Chiefs 28, buccaneers 23
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
