- Carolina Panthers Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week, the Panthers led by as many as 28 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and were in danger of having their NFC South rival pull even. However, an insurance touchdown scored by Curtis Samuel prevented such a scare and now the Panthers come into this game at a stout 6-2. As for the Steelers, they have won four in a row, but they haven’t completely dominated a game from start to finish during their streak nor have they dominated a game from start to finish at all. Will they dominate from start to finish this week? Well given who their opponent is, I’ll say no. Especially when the Panthers have a top-flight defense that could give Ben Roethlisberger & Company problems. And it will. Plus, I still don’t trust the Steelers defense. So with all of that being said, I like the Panthers to make it 7-2 this week.
- Detroit Lions Vs. Chicago Bears. Just as the Lions seemed to make progress three weeks ago with a win against the Miami Dolphins, they reverted back to their early season ways, as they got their butts whooped against the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings in consecutive weeks. The latter of the two games featured Matthew Stafford getting sacked 10 times. He won’t get sacked that many times against the Bears. But he’ll get sacked plenty even if Khalil Mack is out. I like the Bears at home this week.
- New Orleans Saints Vs. Cincinnati Bengals. After an 0-1 start, the Saints are the hottest team in the league, as they have won seven in a row. As for the Bengals, they have been mostly good on offense, but lousy on defense. And to make matters worse, the Bengals will be without their best player in A.J. Green. Not quite enough offense and definitely not enough defense against the hottest team in the league right now. So with that being said, I like the Saints to make it eight in a row.
- Atlanta Falcons Vs. Cleveland Browns. The Falcons made a huge statement last week, as they thoroughly dominated the Washington Redskins coming out of their bye week. As for the Browns, they suffered back-to-back routs at the hands of both the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, the latter of whom they played host to. The Browns play host again this week, but I’m not sold on them against the Falcons.
- New England Patriots Vs. Tennessee Titans. After enduring a 1-2 start, the Patriots have won six in a row and seem primed to keep up their sustained run. As for the Titans, the bye week paid off, as they rose to the challenge in primetime by handing the Dallas Cowboys their first home loss of the season. Will they build on it and answer another challenge this week? Well given how the Patriots are somewhat overachieving this season, I’m going to say yes.
- Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. Indianapolis Colts. After a 3-1 start that included a 31-20 statement win against the Patriots in Week 2, the Jaguars went 0-for-October, as they lost all four of the games that they played that month. As for the Colts, they went into their bye like a lion, with back-to-back wins against the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders. Will they keep the momentum up? Well given how much discord that there is with the Jaguars right now, I’ll say yes.
- Arizona Cardinals Vs. Kansas City Chiefs. After a 45-10 beatdown against the Denver Broncos in Week 7, the Cardinals got a rare second win against the San Francisco 49ers prior to their bye last week. However, it’ll be stuck on two, because Patrick Mahomes will attack anyone not named Patrick Peterson. Plus, the Chiefs defense and their 23 sacks will make Josh Rosen’s life miserable in Arrowhead Stadium. Chiefs in my lock of the week.
- Buffalo Bills Vs. New York Jets. The Bills gave the Patriots some problems during the Week 8 Monday Night game, only to be let down by their offense. As for the Jets, things have come in threes for them with a 1-3 start, a 3-3 record after six weeks and a current three-game losing streak. And that number seems to be looming again, as they could suffer a third loss against an AFC East opponent this season. However, the Bills are too inept offensively for that to happen. So with that being said, I like the Jets in this one.
- Washington Redskins Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite their 38-14 home loss against the Falcons last week, the Redskins remain in sole possession of the NFC East. As for the Buccaneers, they have lost five of their past six games following a 2-0 start this season. Record-wise, the Redskins are the better team, but they have been known to tail off after a strong start to the regular season on more than one occasion. And given how they played last week against the Falcons, they seem to be heading in that direction again. So with that being said, I like the Buccaneers in an upset.
- Los Angeles Chargers Vs. Oakland Raiders. The Chargers got all that they could handle against the Seahawks last week, as they were six yards and eight points away from having to go to overtime. However, Russell Wilson’s pass intended for David Moore went incomplete on the final play of the game. As for the Raiders, Jon Gruden’s first season back for the Silver & Black has been an absolute nightmare. However, they have some winnable games remaining on their schedule, including this one. Will they pull off the upset? I’m going to go out on a limb and say yes.
- Miami Dolphins Vs. Green Bay Packers. The Dolphins righted the ship last week, thanks mostly to their defense in a win against the Jets. As for the Packers, the home-road split has been night and day, as they are 3-0-1 at Lambeau Field and 0-4 away from the Frozen Tundra. With the season slipping away, the Packers need this one to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. However, I see this game going just like their Week 6 game against the 49ers, except with the Dolphins handing them their first loss at home this season.
- Seattle Seahawks Vs. Los Angels Rams. After going into their bye and coming out of their bye like a lion, the Seahawks lost their second consecutive home game last week against the Chargers. As for the Rams, they suffered their first loss last week on the road against the Saints. This week, they return home to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum looking to sweep the Seahawks for only the second time in the Russell Wilson era. Will they do it? Well given how last week’s loss was a wake-up call, I’ll say yes.
- Dallas Cowboys Vs. Philadelphia Eagles. Big things were expected out of the Cowboys following their bye week, as they acquired Amari Cooper from the Raiders. However, things fizzled, as they suffered their first home loss of the season last week against the Titans. As for the Eagles, they are coming off a big win against the Jaguars in jolly old England and now have Golden Tate in the fold. The Eagles seem primed for a second half surge and it will indeed happen, starting this week with a win against the Cowboys.
- New York Giants Vs. San Francisco 49ers. Seriously, a Monday Night matchup where two teams have a combined three wins at this point of the season? Wow, I’m nauseous just thinking about that. But as a game predicator, I have to pick a winner. So based on that factor, I’ll take the 49ers because they are better than the Giants at this point. Especially with Eli Manning declining to the point that this could be the final year of his career.
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