Go beyond the scoreboard
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The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook(O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 9-5 (.643); season 79-57 (.581). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-5 (.643); season 61-73-2 (.455). Off: RAMS, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia. All times Pacific.
2
Carolina (1-7) at Chicago (2-7)
Quarterback Bryce Young must deliver through the air for the Panthers to have a chance against the Bears.
(Jacob Kupferman / Associated Press)
Thursday, 5:20 p.m.
TV: Amazon Prime Video
Line: Bears by 3½. O/U: 38½.
Two lousy teams. The Panthers are really banged up, including no Brian Burns. The Bears can’t do much, but they can stop the run. That will put the game on the shoulders of Carolina rookie Bryce Young.
Prediction: Bears 20, Panthers 16
3
Indianapolis (4-5) at New England (2-7)
DeForest Buckner, shown strip-sacking Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, has been a difference maker for the Colts.
(Jeff Dean / Associated Press)
Sunday, 6:30 a.m.
TV: NFL Network
Line: Colts by 1½. O/U: 43½.
Colts often don’t play well against Bill Belichick’s teams, but these aren’t the same Patriots. Indianapolis front seven is stingy, and DeForest Buckner is one of the NFL’s best-kept secrets.
Prediction: Colts 23, Patriots 14
4
San Francisco (5-3) at Jacksonville (6-2)
The return of Deebo Samuel should help the 49ers’ offense.
(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 11
Line: 49ers by 3. O/U: 45½.
Will the 49ers really lose four in a row? Jaguars are scary and rested but 49ers will be bolstered by three key players — Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams and Chase Young — who weren’t around for losing streak.
Prediction: 49ers 27, Jaguars 23
5
Cleveland (5-3) at Baltimore (7-2)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has not been consistent since his return.
(Ron Schwane / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket.
Line: Ravens by 6. O/U: 37½.
This could have a playoff feel. Baltimore did everything right against Seattle last week. Cleveland’s defense is stifling. Division games tend to be close. Hard to trust Deshaun Watson. That’s the difference.
Prediction: Ravens 24, Browns 17
6
Houston (4-4) at Cincinnati (5-3)
Bengals receiver Ja’Marr could take advantage of a suspect Texans secondary.
(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket.
Line: Bengals by 6½. O/U: 48.
C.J. Stroud is no fluke. The rookie can play. The Bengals are starting to look like themselves. Banged-up Ja’Marr Chase has to be tantalized that Texans are hurting at safety and are vulnerable in middle.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Texans 21
7
New Orleans (5-4) at Minnesota (5-4)
Can quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) be a hero again in Week 2 with the Minnesota Vikings?
(Danny Karnik / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Saints by 2½. O/U: 41.
Josh Dobbs coming in and leading Vikings to victory might be the best story of the season but can he pull of an encore versus the Saints? Here’s betting New Orleans defense isn’t going to let that happen.
Prediction: Saints 24, Vikings 20
8
Green Bay (3-5) at Pittsburgh (5-3)
Coach Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t been great but have grinded out five victories so far.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Steelers by 3. O/U: 38½.
The Steelers are nothing special this season, but they’re getting those timely turnovers. Don’t be fooled by the lopsided score in Green Bay’s win over the Rams. The listless Packers have next to no spark.
Prediction: Steelers 21, Packers 17
9
Tennessee (3-5) at Tampa Bay (3-5)
Rookie Will Levis (8) will start his third game for the Tennessee Titans.
(Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Buccaneers by 1½. O/U: 38½.
Rookie quarterback Will Levis didn’t lead the Titans to victory last week, although he gave it a good run. Tampa Bay couldn’t stop rookie C.J. Stroud in Week 9 and has lost four in a row. This week makes five.
Prediction: Titans 20, Buccaneers 17
10
Detroit (6-2) at CHARGERS (4-4)
Quarterback Jared Goff (16) has been steady in leading an explosive Detroit Lions offense.
(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: Channel 2
Line: Lions by 2½. O/U: 48½.
The Chargers had a noteworthy win against a championship Jets defense but Lions have too much firepower with Jared Goff playing great, and the 1-2 punch of backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Prediction: Lions 30, Chargers 23
11
Atlanta (4-5) at Arizona (1-8)
Will the return of quarterback Kyler Murray (1) boost the Arizona Cardinals’ offense?
(David Becker / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Falcons by 1½. O/U: 43.
Kyler Murray is returning from his knee injury. Will he be as mobile? Probably won’t make big difference. The Falcons are better in most aspects and Taylor Heinicke gives some reliability at quarterback.
Prediction: Falcons 23, Cardinals 14
12
N.Y. Giants (2-7) at Dallas (5-3)
The Giants’ troubles continued when they lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: Channel 11
Line: Cowboys by 16½. O/U: 38½.
With Daniel Jones (knee) done for the season, the Giants have nothing left. That Dallas defense is going to be swarming and this could get ugly early. Dak Prescott has a big day and the Cowboys cruise.
Prediction: Cowboys 35, Giants 10
13
Washington (4-5) at Seattle (5-3)
After a blowout loss in Baltimore last week, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll could use some of that vaunted home-field advantage in Seattle.
(Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Seahawks by 6. O/U: 45½.
The Seahawks come home after mustering a mere field goal in a lopsided loss at Baltimore. QB Sam Howell is decent but the Commanders have traded the teeth of their defense. Seattle should bounce back.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Commanders 24
14
N.Y. Jets (4-4) at Las Vegas (4-5)
Antonio Pierce won his debut as Raiders interim head coach last week.
(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
TV: Channel 4
Line: Jets by 1½. O/U: 36½.
Often, teams have an instant surge after firing a head coach., then quickly slip to old ways. The cobbled-together Raiders offense isn’t going to make a significant dent in that durable Jets defense.
Prediction: Jets 20, Raiders 14
15
Denver (3-5) at Buffalo (5-4)
Quarterback Josh Allen (17) and the Buffalo Bills have had some struggles so far this season.
(Adrian Kraus / Associated Press)
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Bills by 7½. O/U: 47.
Since Week 4, the Bills have gone W, L, W, L, W, L — so they’re lurching along. Even though the Broncos have won two in a row and are coming off an upset of Kansas City, winning at Buffalo is a tall order.
Prediction: Bills 28, Broncos 17
The Chargers’ defense finally showed its stingy side against Jets and need more of that against scary Lions. Rams examine reinforcements during off week.
