Saints can seize control of South
One of the NFL’s better rivalries has plenty riding on its latest instalment.
Saints-Falcons on Thursday night also is one of the better mid-week matchups on this year’s schedule.
New Orleans leads the NFC South at 9-3, one game in front of Carolina and two games in front of Atlanta.
New Orleans is a onepoint choice over Atlanta. The Falcons badly need this one, but they’ve struggled in their spanking new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta’s playoff chances take another hit. Saints, 28-24
New England (-11) at Miami, Monday night
Patriots don’t have Gronk, which makes this a tiny bit closer. Best bet: Patriots, 33-10
Seattle (+3) at Jacksonville
Russell Wilson is making pitch for MVP award. Upset special: ’Hawks, 24-23
Baltimore (+7) at Pittsburgh
Another test Steelers will barely pass. Steelers, 17-13
Philadelphia (+2½) at Rams
After loss, Philly fans getting antsy. Calm down. Eagles, 27-24
Minnesota (-3) at Carolina
Vikings win here establishes them as NFC’s best. Sorry ... Panthers, 20-16
Oakland (+4) at Kansas City
AFC West mess starts getting settled. Chiefs, 22-20
Washington (+6) at Chargers Chargers do their part. Chargers, 30-20
Green Bay (-3½) at Cleveland
Oddsmakers tempting us with this line. We’ll bite. Packers, 23-11
San Fran. (+3) at Houston
Niners fans getting geeked by Garoppolo. But we like Houston here. Texans, 20-13
N.Y. Jets (pick-em) at Denver
This line shows how far Broncos have fallen. Jets, 27-19
Tennessee (-3) at Arizona
Jacksonville, slipped here. Titans won’t. Titans, 21-20
Dallas (-5) at N.Y. Giants
Bye-bye Ben factor makes us think this will be close. Cowboys, 23-20
Chicago (+6) at Cincinnati
Actually thought about this as best bet. Bengals, 26-13
Detroit (OFF) at Tampa Bay
Loser here might soon start coaching search. Buccaneers, 17-16
Indy (OFF) at Buffalo
Bills survive this one, but playoff drought continues. Bills, 13-10
Last week: Against spread, 8-7-1; straight up, 11-5 Season totals: Against spread, 91-88-6; straight up, 121-70
Best bet: 8-5 against spread, 9-4 straight up
Upset special: 8-5 against spread, 8-5 straight up