THE CHEAT SHEET
BEARS at RAMS
Time: 7:20 p.m., Ch. 5.
Line: Rams by 6½. Total: 40. Records (overall/ATS): Bears 4-5/3-6; Rams 5-4/6-3. Outlook: When these teams met last year, their combined record was 19-5. Now it’s 9-9, as both teams are scrambling to stay in playoff contention. Mitch Trubisky made some nice throws — including 3 TDs — vs. the Lions’ 31st-ranked defense, but he’s stepping up in class here. Bears’ offense is 30th in yards per play. Rams’ defense is fifth.
Pick: Rams 24, Bears 13.
FALCONS at PANTHERS
Time: Noon.
Line: Panthers by 5½. Total: 49½. Records (overall/ATS): Falcons 2-7/3-6; Panthers 5-4/5-4. Outlook: Falcons made great use of the bye week to end their six-game losing streak in stunning fashion with a 26-9 rout of the Saints. Will they parlay the momentum into a run — as they did late last season? Or will they fall flat with a regular week of preparation? That is the biggest mystery of them all.
Pick: Panthers 30, Falcons 26.
TEXANS at RAVENS
Time: Noon.
Line: Ravens by 4. Total: 49½. Records (overall/ATS): Texans 6-3/5-4; Ravens 7-2/4-5. Outlook: Texans stifled the Jaguars without J.J. Watt in a 26-3 victory in London, but Lamar Jackson and the red-hot Ravens are a different story. Texans have won 4 of 5, but the Ravens have won five straight, including victories over the Steelers (4-0 since), Patriots (their only loss) and Seahawks (their only loss since Week 3).
Pick: Ravens 31, Texans 23.
BRONCOS at VIKINGS
Time: Noon, Ch. 2.
Line: Vikings by 10½. Total: 40. Records (overall/ATS): Broncos 3-6/5-4; Vikings 7-3/6-4. Outlook: This looks like the Vikings all the way — Brandon Allen unlikely to be as good in a tough road environment as he was at home last week. Vikings are on a roll after beating the Cowboys on the road last week. Vic Fangio knows the Vikings’ offense well but can only keep it close for so long. Pick: Vikings 27, Broncos 10.
JETS at REDSKINS
Time: Noon.
Line: Redskins by 1½. Total: 38½. Records (overall/ATS): Jets 2-7/3-6; Redskins 1-8/2-7. Outlook: Classic matchup of the movable object vs. the repressible force. Redskins are favored for the first time this season. They’re 0-4 at home (1-3 ATS). Jets are 0-4 on the road (1-3 ATS). Something has to give.
Pick: Jets 24, Redskins 17.
PATRIOTS at EAGLES
Time: 3:25 p.m., Ch. 2.
Line: Patriots by 3½. Total: 44½. Records (overall/ATS): Patriots 8-1/6-3; Eagles 5-4/4-5. Outlook: Patriots have a modest record in recent years off the bye (5-3 SU/4-4 ATS), and they’re facing a team also coming off the bye. But they figure to be on point also coming off a loss.
Pick: Patriots 30, Eagles 23.
CARDINALS at 49ERS
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 10. Total: 45. Records (overall/ATS): Cardinals 3-6-1/7-3; 49ers 8-1/5-4. Outlook: Niners played their hearts out in a tough 27-24 loss in OT to the Seahawks on “MNF.” Two weeks ago, they struggled to beat the Cardinals on the road.
Pick: 49ers 31, Cardinals 17.
BENGALS at RAIDERS
Time: 3:25 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 10½. Total: 48½. Records (overall/ATS): Bengals 0-9/3-6; Raiders 5-4/6-3. Outlook: Jon Gruden has the Raiders a half-game behind the Chiefs for the AFC West lead. Raiders losses are to teams with a combined record of 27-12. Tough spot for Bengals QB Ryan Finley. Pick: Raiders 24, Bengals 17.
CHIEFS vs. CHARGERS
Time: 7:15 p.m., Monday in Mexico City, ESPN.
Line: Chiefs by 4. Total: 52. Records (overall/ATS): Chiefs 6-4/5-5; Chargers 4-6/3-5-2. Outlook: Chiefs are in an almost annual rut — (five losses in seven games) and are 2-4 SU/2-3-1 ATS before the bye under Andy Reid. Patrick Mahomes (446 yards, 3 TDs vs. Titans) a trump card here. Pick: Chiefs 37, Chargers 28.