Chicago at Buffalo, 1:00p, FOX (Bills +10, O/U: 38.5)
Nathan Peterman getting the start tells you much of how this game will go. Mack isn’t playing today but I don’t think it will matter for the ending outcome. Take the Bears to cover in the under, Bears 28-10.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore, 1:00p, CBS (Ravens -1, O/U: 46)
Conner is tearing it up in Bell’s absence and in fact, the Steelers offense has been more explosive without him. The Ravens have struggled lately with a 1-4 record in their last five games since beating the Steelers in their house back in week 4. Take the Steelers to get retribution against a struggling purple birds team and cover in a win, in the under, Steelers 24-20.
Atlanta at Washington, 1:00p, FOX (Redskins -2, O/U: 47)
The Falcons struggled last week against a not so great Giants team before their bye last week and didn’t play well defensively all season long. Smith and Peterson have been hitting a good stride lately and have statement wins against the Packers and Panthers, both at home. Another plus for the Redskins, the acquisition of Ha-Ha Clinton Dix. Take the Redskins to cover in the over, Redskins 28-24.
Detroit at Minnesota, 1:00p, FOX (Vikings -5, O/U: 47.5)
Trading away Golden Tate was baffling and hurts the Lions offense. No Diggs, no problem for the Vikes. Take the Vikings to cove in the over, Vikings 31-21.
Kansas City at Cleveland , 1:00p, CBS (Browns +9, O/U: 52)
There seems to be no stop to this KC offense, don’t expect it to slow today. How does anyone expect a team to do well against a team like the Chiefs when you fire both your head coach and offensive coordinator in the same week? So the Browns have moved their defensive coordinator, Greg Williams and moved him to the interim head coaching slot which means his focus has come off of the defense a bit, which has played pretty good this year. Mayfield will now have a second offensive coordinator in his rookie year and this guy hasn’t even called plays in the NFL. Take the Chiefs to cover big in the over, Chiefs 38-20.
N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1:00p, CBS (Dolphins -3, O/U: 41.5)
The 3 big named receivers in this game are all active after being questionable (Enunwa, Anderson for the Jets and Still for the Dolphins). The Jets have struggled in the last few weeks without both receivers but with them, Darnold has been very good and matched the hype. Osweiler has been serviceable since Tannehill was injured but the question is, as it has always been in regards to his play, is when will he drop? Take the Jets to steal one on the road and cover in the win, in the over, Jets 27-20.
Tampa Bay at Carolina, 1:00p, FOX (Panthers -6, O/U: 55)
Fitzmagic is back under center as a starter for the Buccs and they looked good once Winston was benched and nearly stole one on the road against the Bengals. Cam and the Panthers have had solid back to back weeks (away win in Philly and home win against the Ravens). Cam is as accurate as he’s ever been with Norv Turner tapping into every great aspect Cam gives in his athletic ability. Buccs defense is one of the worst in the league and they give up a ton of points. Take the Panthers to cover in the over, in a close one now that Fitz is back, Panthers 31-24.
Houston at Denver, 4:05p, CBS (Broncos -1, O/U: 46.5)
I’m shocked the Broncos are still 1 point favorites in this matchup given the trade of their longtime receiver Demaryius Thomas to their opponents today. Their secondary is still suffering even though their font 8 has been solid. The Texans placed Will Fuller on the IR and needed a replacement to keep this run to the playoffs alive and DT adds that extra big receiver to help Watson and Hopkins. Take the Texans to cover in the win, in the under, Texans 24-17.
L.A. Chargers at Seattle, 4:05p, CBS (Seahawks -1, O/U: 48)
The Seahawks offensive line has awaken. They have been extremely reliable and since week 2, they have been 4-1 and the sole lose came by 2 points in LA against the Rams. The Chargers are sneaky good on the road and Rivers is having a career year, a career last 2 years really and he’s looking to keep it going against a less potent secondary than years past. Take the Chargers to cover in the win, in the under, Chargers 24-21.
L.A. Rams at New Orleans, 4:25p, FOX (Saints +1.5, O/U: 57)
What else can I say about this game? It will be a shootout and most of you will have to go with your guts on this. Bother offenses are competing at high levels and the defenses have to do what they can, anything, to hang on. Take the Saints to cover and upset the Rams with a win and in the over, Saints 35-31.
Green Bay at New England, 8:20p, NBC (Patriots -6, O/U: 56.5)
Gronk was again questionable this week with a banged up ankle and back. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have been very humble this week with all of the “what do you think about” each other questions but they know this is a big game and very important for both team. The Packers losing Clinton-Dix hinders their secondary but Tom rarely throws many deep passes in this day in age. This may be a homer pick but take the Packers to cover in the WIN (because they’ve beaten Tom before), in the over, Packers 31-27.
Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5 Picks:
Detroit at Minnesota – Minnesota (-5)
LA Chargers at Seattle – LA Chargers (+1)
LA Rams at New Orleans – LA Rams (-1)
Green Bay at New England – New England (-5)
Tennessee at Dallas – Tennessee (+5.5)
Necessary Roughness 