Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars, Wembley Stadium, 9:30 AM (Jaguars +1.5, O/U: 46.5)
The Texans have been rolling and keeping Watson more upright than the last few seasons. The Jaguars head to their what is seemingly more and more like a 2nd home, London. Watson has been rehabbing his left eye after getting kicked in the face while scrambling and throwing a TD last week not he says he’s fine. Watt is lost for the year so Minshew won’t have to be worried about JJ chasing him. Expect the Jags to run effectively without Watt. They are 5th in the league in average yards per game rushing as a team. Take the Texans to cover in the over, Texans 31-27.
Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, 1:00 PM (Eagles -5, O/U: 41.5)
The Bears have been under pressure to do something on offense this year. Fans and the sports media are questioning Trubisky’s ability to be a starter in the league which was evident by the boos the Bears heard going into the half last week. The Eagles avoided a 3 game skid last week with a big win over a tough Bills team in a windy matchup. The run game continued to look good between Howard and Sanders, combining for over 160 yards and 2 scores. Take the Eagles to cover in the over, Eagles 27-21.
Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Heinz Field, 1:00 PM (Steelers -1, O/U: 40.5)
The Colts have been fairly consistent and have beaten some great teams in the last bunch of weeks on their way to a 3 game winning streak (Chiefs and Texans). Brissett is extremely cautious with the ball as he only has 3 picks in conjunction with 14 TDs. Marlon Mack has been the running back they were hoping he’d be, averaging 84 yards per game. The Steelers have done what they could in spite of not having Big Ben lead them. Mason Rudolph has been a pleasant surprise and has been a gamer helping the Steelers stay near .500 and still in the hunt for the division. They will have their hands full as the Colts travel well and will be without James Conner. Take the Colts to cover with a win, in the over, Colts 24-20.
Minnesota Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium, 1:00 PM (Chiefs +5.5, O/U: 46.5)
Cousins looked ugly early but the jokes about how overpaid he was, have been quieted in the last 4 games as he’s averaged 315 yards per game in the last 4 games after starting the season averaging 183 yards. In those first 4 games, he had 3 TD’s and 2 picks to recover having 10 TD’s and 1 pick in the last 4 games. The Chiefs have ruled Mahomes out for the 2nd straight week as there was some hope of him playing. Matt Moore looked surprisingly decent last week, completing 67% of this throws for 267 yards and 2 TD’s. Andy Reid has done well over his coaching career with backups (remember Kevin Kolb). Expect Moore to have a similar week with maybe 1 pick in his performance. Make no mistake, KC is a tough place to play, so also expect the fans to help their team out with some decibels. Take the Chiefs to cover in the loss, in the over, Vikings 27-24.
New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, 1:00 PM (Dolphins +3.5, O/U: 42.5)
The Jets haven’t done much right this season and they couldn’t even get the trade deadline right. Star safety Jamal Adams was under the impression he’d be traded and 4pm came and went with Adams still apart of Gang Green. I can’t imagine that Darnold plays any worse than the last few weeks. The Jets haven’t pushed the ball down the field much at all this season and Bell hasn’t had more than 70 yards or so per game and only averaging about 50 yards per game and even has been held to having zero runs over 20 yards. The Dolphins have been breathing signs of life with Fitzmagic under center but finishing the game is still something that eludes the Dolphins, as they’ve been outscored 130-20 in the second half. No Xavien Howard means that is one less ghost Darnold has to deal with. Take the Jets to cover in the under, Jets 20-16.
Tennessee Titans @ Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium, 1:00 PM (Panthers -3.5, O/U: 42.5)
The Titans have looked much better on offense with Tannehill leading them as he’s just about caught up to Mariota in TD’s with 5 in the last 2 games (Mariota had 7 in 6 games). Tannehill has led the Titans to a 2 game win streak after starting 2-4. Having a more capable QB to pair with Derrick Henry who’s had a fairly solid season, 581 yards and 5 TD’s should make this a close game. After starting 0-2 under Cam, the Panthers ripped off 4 wins in a row under 2nd year guy Kyle Allen. Allen was brought back to earth last week, throwing his first 3 picks of his career in a drubbing by the 49ers. The Titans defense is tough but it’s no 49ers defense, nor is it a Houston defense, who Allen has beaten. Take the Panthers to cover in the over, Panthers 24-20.
Washington Redskins @ Buffalo Bills, New Era Field, 1:00 PM (Bills -10.5, O/U: 37.5)
The Redskins are rolling with rookie Dwayne Haskins this week, throwing him to the stampede of the Bills defense. Haskins in 2 games has 4 picks and zero TD’s and he’s getting thrown into his first start against a very good Bills defense. Allen has looked shaky in his second year, completing only 60% of his passes with 9 TD’s but 7 picks. Since the bye week however, he’s been more careful with 4 TD’s and zero picks. Wind will play a factor again in Buffalo as it’s blowing around 18 mph making the 40-degree weather that much more unbearable. Take the Bills to cover in the under, Bills 24-13.
Detroit Lions @ Oakland Raiders, Oakland Coliseum, 4:05 PM (Raiders -2.5, O/U: 50.5)
The Lions backfield is hurting just like the Cardinals was. The only difference is, the Cardinals actually did something about it before the trade deadline and the Lions haven’t. Latest news was that they were working out Jay Ajayi but he would obviously not be available for this week. Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic to lead the backfield. Stafford has looked good regardless as he’s over 2,000 yards and a 4:1 TD to INT ratio (16/4). The Raiders have looked extremely good, much better than predicted and has caught everyone off guard. Carr is completing 7% of his passes and has kept turnovers to a minimum. Rookie Josh Jacobs has looked fantastic with 620 yards and 4 rushing TD’s in his first 7 games. They may be 3-4 however they’ve had a tough schedule and have spent a lot of time away from Oakland with a “home” game in England. The Raiders haven’t been home since week 2! Expect the fans to make a huge difference in this one. Take the Raiders to cover in the over, Raiders 27-24.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Seattle Seahawks, CenturyLink Field, 4:05 PM (Seahawks -5.5, O/U: 53.5)
Take the Seahawks to cover in the over, Seahawks 31-24.
Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos, Broncos Stadium at Mile High, 4:25 PM (Broncos +4, O/U: 39.5)
Take the Browns to cover in the over, Browns 24-17.
Green Bay Packers @ Los Angeles Chargers, StubHub Center, 4:25 PM (Chargers +3.5, O/U: 48.5)
Take the Packers to cover in the over, Packers 34-21.
New England Patriots @ Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, 8:20 PM, NBC (Ravens +3, O/U: 44.5)
Take the Patriots to cover in the under, Patriots 24-20.
Colin Cowherd’s Blazin’ 5:
- Indianapolis at Pittsburgh – Indianapolis (-1.5)
- Detroit at Oakland – Oakland (-2.5)
- Cleveland at Denver – Cleveland (-3.5)
- Green Bay at LA Chargers – Green Bay (-3.5)
- New England at Baltimore – New England (-3)
Necessary Roughness 