Go beyond the scoreboard
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The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook(O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 4-9 (.308); season 58-48 (.547). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 3-10 (.231); season 45-60-1 (.429). All times Pacific.
2
Buccaneers (3-3) at Bills (4-3)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets off a pass under pressure during the second half against the New England Patriots.
(Winslow Townson / Associated Press)
Tonight, 5:20 p.m.
TV: Amazon Prime Video
Line: Bills by 8½. O/U: 42½.
The Bills are coming off an unthinkable loss to New England and are desperate to rebound against Tampa Bay, which has lost three of four. Could be low-scoring as the Buccaneers have a decent defense.
Prediction: Bills 24, Buccaneers 18
3
Rams (3-4) at Cowboys (4-2)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Chauncey Golston (99) and linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrate Parsons’ sack against the Chargers.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 11
Line: Cowboys by 6½. O/U: 45.
The Rams have a new kicker and a replacement running back, and that could mean protection problems for Matthew Stafford. That’s challenging on the road against a dangerous Dallas defense.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Rams 24
4
Jaguars (5-2) at Steelers (4-2)
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2
Line: Jaguars by 2½. O/U: 41½.
Both are finding ways to grind out wins. Pittsburgh hasn’t done a ton of scoring, but the Steelers do a good job of protecting the football. That’s key against a Jacksonville defense that forces turnovers.
Prediction: Steelers 21, Jaguars 20
5
Texans (3-3) at Panthers (0-6)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart (29) reacts during a game against the New Orleans Saints.
(Tyler Kaufman / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Texans by 3. O/U: 43.
It’s the No. 1 vs. No. 2 picks in the draft, a QB duel between struggling Bryce Young of the Panthers and surprisingly strong C.J. Stroud of the Texans. The Panthers, who had last week off, gave up 42 points in each of their last two games.
Prediction: Texans 24, Panthers 20
The Rams should have gotten the hint when Brett Maher missed kicks earlier in the season, but three misses cost them 7 points in a 7-point loss to Pittsburgh.
6
Vikings (3-4) at Packers (2-4)
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) after catching a pass.
(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Vikings by 1½. O/U: 42½.
The Packers have lost three in a row and haven’t scored more than 20 points in four games. The Vikings have won three of four and, although they aren’t scoring like crazy, their defense has come on strong.
Prediction: Vikings 21, Packers 18
7
Saints (3-4) at Colts (3-4)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas carries in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
(Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Colts by 1½. O/U: 43½.
New Orleans’ run defense will put the game on the shoulders of Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew, who has seven turnovers in two games. If Saints quarterback Derek Carr is decent, the Saints win.
Prediction: Saints 23, Colts 20
8
Patriots (2-5) at Dolphins (5-2)
Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa plays during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Dolphins by 9½. O/U: 47.
New England got a rare confidence boost with a win over Buffalo, and Miami scored only 17 points in a loss to Philadelphia. The Patriots stayed within a touchdown in the first game with the Dolphins this season.
Prediction: Dolphins 27, Patriots 21
9
Jets (3-3) at Giants (2-5)
New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead (3) celebrates with cornerback Craig James (31) and safety Tony Adams (22) after breaking up a long pass to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6).
(Rich Schultz / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Jets by 3. O/U: 36½.
Tyrod Taylor has done a respectable job at quarterback for the Giants, and their defense has been smothering the last two weeks. But that offensive line is going to have a tough time against the rested Jets.
Prediction: Jets 21, Giants 17
Brett Maher cost the Rams seven points by missing two field-goal attempts and an extra point in a seven-point loss to the Steelers. Rams might replace him.
10
Falcons (4-3) at Titans (2-4)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) makes a catch after getting passed the defense on a wheel route against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
(Peter Joneleit / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Falcons by 2½. O/U: 35½.
It looks as if Titans rookie QB Will Levis could be getting his first career start, and that’s a tough task against an Atlanta defense that hasn’t given up more than 24 points. Favor the road team.
Predicton: Falcons 20, Titans 13
11
Eagles (6-1) at Commanders (3-4)
Philadelphia Eagles’ Darius Slay plays during a game against the Miami Dolphins.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Eagles by 6½. O/U: 43½.
These teams went to overtime in the last meeting. Not an easy game for the Eagles, who are entering a tough stretch and need to protect hurting QB Jalen Hurts. The Commanders can’t protect Sam Howell.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Commanders 20
12
Browns (4-2) at Seahawks (4-2)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe looks on during a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
(Ben VanHouten / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Seahawks by 3½. O/U: 39½.
It’s P.J. Walker at quarterback for the Browns in place of Deshaun Watson again. Walker is not as scary to Seattle as defensive end Myles Garrett, and the Seahawks will do enough to survive at home.
Prediction: Seahawks 20, Browns 16
13
Bengals (3-3) at 49ers (5-2)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) high fives defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) during a against the Seattle Seahawks.
(Emilee Chinn / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: Channel 2
Line: 49ers by 5½. O/U: 45½.
With quarterback Brock Purdy in concussion protocol and unlikely to play, Sam Darnold will start for the 49ers. That’s not good news for a team that just lost two in a row. The Bengals aim to complete an NFC West sweep.
Prediction: Bengals 27, 49ers 23
14
Ravens (5-2) at Cardinals (1-6)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers celebrates during a game against the Detroit Lions.
(Daniel Kucin Jr. / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Ravens by 8½. O/U: 44.
The one-win Cardinals had their shocker against Dallas, but there’s no indication they have another one of those up their sleeve. The Ravens did just about everything right in last week’s win over Detroit.
Prediction: Ravens 31, Cardinals 17
Where do NFL fans gather to watch games in Southern California? From Packers to Bears and 49ers to Rams, use our guide to find your game-day spot.
15
Chiefs (6-1) at Broncos (2-5)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass during a game against the Chargers.
(Ed Zurga / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Chiefs by 7½. O/U: 46½.
Two weeks after their low-scoring slugfest in Kansas City, these AFC West foes meet again. The Broncos have a little confidence coming off their win over Green Bay, but the Chiefs are the Chiefs.
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Broncos 16
16
Bears (2-5) at Chargers (2-4)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
(Ed Zurga / Associated Press)
Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
TV: Channel 4
Line: Chargers by 8½. O/U: 46½.
Undrafted rookie QB Tyson Bagent led the Bears to a rare victory last week and it appears he’ll get a second start. He’ll have difficulty keeping up with Justin Herbert, even though L.A. often finds ways to lose.
Prediction: Chargers 26, Bears 20
17
Raiders (3-4) at Lions (5-2)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff in action against the Baltimore Ravens.
(Nick Wass / Associated Press)
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Lions by 8½. O/U: 45½.
Before they knew it, the Lions were staring at a four-touchdown deficit against Baltimore last weekend. They should snap out of it at home against the Raiders, who don’t have a true quality win.
Prediction: Lions 30, Raiders 20
