The Instances’ NFL author, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Strains in line with FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U=over/underneath). Final season’s report 162-110 (.596). Utilizing level spreads with the scores Farmer had predicted, his report towards the unfold would have been 130-135-7 (.491). Workforce information from final season. TV channels are for Los Angeles space. All instances Pacific.
RAVENS (13-4) at CHIEFS (11-6)
Tonight, 5:20 p.m. TV: Channel 4
Line: Chiefs by 3. O/U: 46½
Patrick Mahomes might need his finest assortment of receivers, and that may greater than offset the step again for Kansas City on protection. Derrick Henry offers Baltimore one other increase. Shut recreation.
Choose: Chiefs 27, Ravens 23
PACKERS (9-8) VS. EAGLES (11-6)
Friday in Brazil, 5:15 p.m. TV: Peacock
Line: Eagles by 2½. O/U: 48½.
Saquon Barkley is a large addition to the Eagles, and including Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator makes a distinction too. Packers determine to be a piece in progress early on.
Choose: Eagles 31, Packers 24
STEELERS (10-7) AT FALCONS (7-10)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: Channel 11
Line: Falcons by 3½. O/U: 42½.
The Falcons have some potent weapons on offense and their security tandem might be scary. Stopping the run received’t be straightforward towards the Steelers. As for Pittsburgh’s quarterback state of affairs, we’ll see.
Choose: Falcons 24, Steelers 20
CARDINALS (4-13) AT BILLS (11-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Payments by 6½. O/U: 48½.
The Payments have so much to show however Josh Allen is as much as the problem. They need to be capable of deal with enterprise at residence towards the improved however not-quite-there Cardinals, who play laborious for Jonathan Gannon.
Choose: Payments 28, Cardinals 21
TITANS (6-11) AT BEARS (7-10)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Bears by 4½. O/U: 44½.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is coming into a very good state of affairs, particularly with these receivers. He’ll make some errors however Bears can rating. Titans might wrestle mightily this season.
Choose: Bears 27, Titans 17
PATRIOTS (4-13) AT BENGALS (9-8)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Bengals by7½. O/U: 40½.
These aren’t the Patriots of outdated. Cincinnati ought to win this handily. The Bengals move rush will create all kinds of issues for New England, and Joe Burrow & Co. needs to be superb.
Choose: Bengals 31, Patriots 13
TEXANS (10-7) AT COLTS (9-8)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Texans by 2½. O/U: 48½.
A lot of hype for Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who doesn’t have a lot NFL expertise. C.J. Stroud is coming off a historic season. Houston might cool a bit this yr, however nonetheless a stable workforce.
Choose: Texans 23, Colts 20
JAGUARS (9-8) AT DOLPHINS (11-6)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Dolphins by 3½. O/U: 48½.
Not lots of buzz about Jacksonville, however that’s a gifted workforce that would do some injury. The Dolphins have the offense and wish a protection to match. May very well be an thrilling recreation.
Choose: Jaguars 31, Dolphins 28
PANTHERS (2-15) AT SAINTS (9-8)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Saints by 3½. O/U: 41½.
The Saints are higher and so they’re at residence. Laborious to know what to anticipate from the Panthers and their new coach. Carolina wants to enhance in so many areas after final yr, it’s dicey to take them on this matchup.
Choose: Saints 27, Panthers 17
VIKINGS (7-10) AT GIANTS (6-11)
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Vikings by 1½. O/U: 41½.
Daniel Jones is underneath stress and people Giants receivers are promising however untested. Defensively they’re fairly good. Perhaps Sam Arnold will get it accomplished, however I like the house workforce.
Choose: Giants 24, Vikings 20
RAIDERS (8-9) AT CHARGERS (5-12)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m. TV: Channel 2
Line: Chargers by 3. O/U: 40½.
Jim Harbaugh’s workforce goes to be harder than final season and might be extra balanced with an enhanced floor recreation. Which receiver will step up? Raiders are OK at quarterback however figuring out kinks.
Choose: Chargers 24, Raiders 18
BRONCOS (8-9) AT SEAHAWKS (9-8)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Seahawks by 5½. O/U: 41½.
Robust place for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to make his NFL debut, though the Seahawks aren’t the group they as soon as have been. Seattle has the firepower to maneuver the ball this season.
Choose: Seahawks 27, Broncos 21
COWBOYS (12-5) AT BROWNS (11-6)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m. TV: Channel 11
Line: Browns by 2½. O/U: 41½.
Cleveland’s protection leads the best way for the Browns, and Deshaun Watson is healthier than he’s been of late. Doesn’t assist the Cowboys that CeeDee Lamb missed camp, and shedding nook DaRon Bland is huge.
Choose: Browns 27, Cowboys 24
COMMANDERS (4-13) AT BUCCANEERS (9-8)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m. TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Bucanners by 3½. O/U: 43½.
The Commanders are going to be higher than they’ve been, though Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles has a terrific report towards rookie quarterbacks. Tampa Bay has lots of confidence in Baker Mayfield.
Choose: Buccaneers 24, Commanders 20
RAMS (10-7) AT LIONS (12-5)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m. TV: Channel 4
Line: Lions by 3½ O/U: 51½.
Vitality needs to be supercharged for this rematch, and each groups determine to be critical playoff contenders. Matthew Stafford might be sharp, however Rams protection will want time to come back collectively with out Aaron Donald.
Choose: Lions 28, Rams 24
JETS (7-10) AT 49ERS (12-5)
Monday, 5:15 p.m. TV: ESPN
Line: 49ers by 4½. O/U: 43½.
Aaron Rodgers ought to have a much more optimistic expertise on this opener, however making a cross-country journey towards San Francisco’s protection is just not straightforward chore. Defensive wrestle.
Choose: 49ers 21, Jets 16
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
