Cover photo taken from The Sporting News.
Last Week: 9-5
Season Total: 49-28-1
Eagles 20-17 Giants 
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
I’m probably putting too much faith in the old adage of divisional games being close and whatnot, but I feel like New York’s defense can make this close, at least for a little bit.
But, I don’t have any faith in the Giants offense led by Jaxson Dart against a pretty solid Eagles defense. It doesn’t really matter what Philly’s offense looks like because they won’t have to do too much — a theme that’s becoming pretty repetitive.
Broncos 22-16 Jets 
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network
Ah, yes. Another terrible team overseas. Sorry, Brits.
The Jets have to come out with some life in this game. They’ve been off to such horrible starts against the Bucs, Dolphins and Cowboys that have dug them in holes that they can only statpad out of. Maybe, just maybe, this is a game where they can have some life.
But, I won’t put my faith in that. This game screams a strong Broncos first half with a futile New York comeback attempt late in the game. At least Justin Fields will keep getting those fantasy points in!
Steelers 20-12 Browns 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
No, thank you.
Browns might be a trendy upset pick here, but Mike Tomlin his extremely successful off byes and against rookie quarterbacks. Don’t overthink this one.
Chargers 24-21 Dolphins 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Anyone remember the good old days where these fanbases would argue over who got the better quarterback in the 2020 draft? Yeah, me neither.
This is a spot where the Chargers need to get right. Miami couldn’t have popped up at a better time for them, because I don’t think the Dolphins have the bodies on defense to disrupt that makeshift offensive line like the Giants and Commanders did. This has to be where Justin Herbert looks like himself again, especially with no Omarion Hampton in the lineup.
I still think the Dolphins can keep up on offense, but we all know they’re not going to be able to get it done in the end.
Patriots 23-17 Saints 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Feels like a classic spot where the Patriots could come back down after Sunday night’s emotional upset in Buffalo. But is New Orleans really the team to do that against? Probably not.
I do like the Saints to stick around in this game, largely because Spencer Rattler is playing some solid ball and the defense has a knack for turnovers right now. But I don’t know if they can take down a team that’s above their caliber.
Rams 38-17 Ravens 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Next.
Colts 29-17 Cardinals 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Kyler Murray likely won’t be suiting up for the Cardinals on Sunday. That’s good news for Marvin Harrison Jr., but probably bad news for the team at large.
Combine that with how incandescent the Colts have been, and this one probably shouldn’t be close.
Seahawks 23-20 Jaguars 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Talk about a banger that wasn’t remotely viewed as one six weeks ago. Dare I say this is the best non-primetime game of the week!
I was pretty torn on this one. Both defenses are awesome, both offenses are playing well. Seattle is taking a pretty long road trip and Jacksonville has been an electric environment. But the Jags themselves just went to San Francisco and won. It can really go either way.
In the end, I lean Seattle because I simply trust Sam Darnold more than I do Trevor Lawrence. He’s playing at an incredibly high level and has been better at avoiding mistakes, despite that late interception against Tampa last week. If it comes down to whichever QB makes the big throw to win it at the death, I’ll take him.
Cowboys 30-27 Panthers 
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
I’m probably overestimating the Panthers’ ability to hang around in this game, but I honestly think this game looks like a closer version of Dallas’ win over the Jets last week. The Cowboys will get off to a hot start then give up some points late, especially because the Panthers get off to very slow starts before ratcheting up in the second half like they did against Miami and Arizona.
In any case, I’d appreciate a Carolina victory here, but I’m in no way expecting one. Not with the way Dak Prescott is playing, and certainly not with how the Cowboys are running the ball. Maybe we’re in for a Rico Dowdle revenge game, who knows.
Raiders 22-19 Titans 
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
Do I have to? Fine.
I guess I’ll take the Raiders at home. Tennessee’s comeback last week masks the fact that they’re still a disaster, no matter how good Cam Ward looks on tape (which is pretty damn good, by the way). Don’t get me wrong, Vegas isn’t much better, but maybe Ashton Jeanty goes off and Geno Smith stops throwing the ball to the wrong team.
Either way, I don’t really care. And I don’t think you do, either.
Buccaneers 26-23 49ers 
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Here’s a battle of teams that overcome numerous injuries to find their way to 4-1 and atop their divisions. What gives when they meet head to head?
It’s probably going to be Mac Jones under center again for the 49ers, which is by no means a bad thing. We’ve seen numerous times this season how effective he is; honestly, he’s been better for them than Brock Purdy has. Despite the players they’ll be without on both sides of the ball, San Francisco can’t be easily dismissed by anyone.
But, I’ll still take Tampa Bay at home. That offense is playing at a ridiculous level with Baker Mayfield at the helm, and they keep on finding ways to win. I think their secondary will need to step up and make a play or two down the stretch, allowing Baker and co. to do the rest.
Packers 34-14 Bengals 
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Next, again!
Chiefs 27-24 Lions 
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
What a brilliant Sunday nighter this is going to be. Points, points, points!
The Lions are clearly a better team than the Chiefs are right now. I don’t think anyone is disputing that. But, this is still Kansas City, and this is still Patrick Mahomes. I think you’re going to see a lot of folks pick KC here because they simply need it more — their backs are against the wall, they desperately need to stay afloat at .500 and they don’t lose games like this at home.
But, the Lions don’t care about any of that. Hell, the last time they went to Kansas City, they pulled off the upset to show the league that they were no joke (with the great help of one Kadarius Toney). And we all know that their offense can run over anyone in the league. If that emerging defense can make a play or two like Jacksonville did last week, it should be enough for Detroit to win.
I just think Mahomes and co. play a solid, clean game and get the job done in the end, even without Rashee Rice, and maybe without Xavier Worthy again.
Bills 24-20 Falcons 
Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
I think the Bills are in a great spot to bounce back from Sunday night’s stinker regardless of what Atlanta team we see on Monday night. But that’s the problem — the Falcons have been so Jekyll and Hyde this season that I feel like I can’t pick them to beat anyone above their proverbial pay-grade.
Maybe Bijan Robinson comes out and runs all over Buffalo like Derrick Henry did in Week 1. Maybe Michael Penix Jr. looks like his Week 4 self and not his Week 3 self. Maybe the defense looks like their Week 2 self and not their Week 4 self. Are you confused yet? That’s just the Falcons for you.
So, I’ll take the consistent team that I can trust — the one that’s due to make things right after last week.
Commanders 31-17 Bears 
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC
No Hail Mary will be necessary for this one. We are going to roll.
I could write a dissertation about this matchup, this baby rivalry, these quarterbacks, that head coach and particularly that Bears fanbase. And that wouldn’t even include what happened on October 27, 2024.
Instead, I’ll keep it to Monday night. A battle between the NFL’s top rushing offense and its 31st-ranked rushing defense. A battle between the best QB in the 2024 draft class — one who’s back to his usual elite self — and the third-best QB from that class on his best day. A battle between two defenses that are finding their groove in different ways. It’s going to be a blast.
In the end, the Bears are not going to be able to contain this rushing attack. Jayden Daniels won’t have to be Superman because Bill and Deebo and the rest of the offense will have their way. And to be clear, I think Caleb Williams could have a solid game against this secondary that has its shortcomings. But I think our defensive line will get after him and stifle their nonexistent rushing attack. And he can’t win this game on his own.
I’ll be there — just as I was there for that fateful moment last October — and I cannot freaking wait.
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