FARMER’S PICKS

The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 10-6 (.625); season 19-12-1 (.613). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 8-8 (.500); season 15-16-1 (.484).

Bills 23, Bengals 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Bills by 6. O/U: 44. Buffalo is 2-0 but hasn’t faced an excellent team yet. The Bills are at home, so they get the nod over a better-thanexpected Cincinnati team with a quarterback ranked second in yards.

Colts 24, Falcons 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Colts by 11⁄2. O/U: 47. Colts didn’t take a huge step backward in the transition from Andrew Luck to Jacoby Brissett; they’re still a good team. Atlanta isn’t even trying to run the ball, and their defense isn’t great.

Chiefs 31, Ravens 21

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Chiefs by 51⁄2. O/U: 52. This won’t be as great a game as some expect. Baltimore’s defense isn’t the same and has had injuries in the secondary. Even without Tyreek Hill, Kansas City hasn’t missed a beat on offense.

Patriots 34, Jets 9

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Patriots by 22. O/U: 431⁄2. Friendly schedule for the Super Bowl champions. This is a tall order for thirdstring quarterback Luke Falk. New England’s defense is better than it has been in years.

Cowboys 31, Dolphins 6

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Cowboys by 23. O/U: 47. Maybe the woeful Dolphins can steal a couple of field goals off a really good Dallas defense. Dak Prescott has taken that next step as a passer, and Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t need to do it all.

Packers 24, Broncos 16

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Packers by 7. O/U: 42. The Packers are going to continue to get better on offense, and their defense is solid. Denver’s offense has struggled. Doubtful the Broncos are going to go on the road and get it done.

Vikings 27, Raiders 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Vikings by 9. O/U: 431⁄2. If Josh Jacobs is healthy, the Raiders can make a game of this early. Oakland is improved but isn’t there yet. The Vikings will bounce back at home after a meltdown at Green Bay.

Eagles 24, Lions 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Eagles by 51⁄2. O/U: 451⁄2. The Eagles are so banged up, they’re having a tough time practicing. They’re the better team here, and they should get it done at home, but the game could be closer than some expect.

Panthers 23, Cardinals 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Cardinals by 21⁄2. O/U: 431⁄2. Kyler Murray is fun to watch, but it’s a lot to ask a rookie quarterback to throw it 40 times a game while the team gains 20 yards rushing. Cam Newton is banged up, but Panthers still have a defense.

Buccaneers 27, Giants 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Buccaneers by 61⁄2. O/U: 47. Tampa Bay’s Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles are a combined 9-0 against rookie quarterbacks. Buccaneers can run on this Giants defense, and will.

Chargers 23, Texans 21

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Chargers by 3. O/U: 481⁄2. Injuries are piling up for the Chargers, who had a good win over Indianapolis in Week 1, then laid an egg in Detroit. Houston is scary, with the elusiveness of Deshaun Watson. Close one here.

Seahawks 27, Saints 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 716.

Line: Seahawks by 41⁄2. O/U: 45. The Seahawks are legit. They aren’t running the ball like they want to, but Russell Wilson is playing like Russell Wilson. That defense should handle business at home against a backup QB.

49ers 28, Steelers 23

TV: None. DirecTV: 717.

Line: 49ers by 61⁄2. O/U: 43. The 49ers are solid, and they can rush the passer with four guys. That’s not good news for Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph, pressed into action because of Ben Roethlisberger’s elbow injury.

Rams 30, Browns 20

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Rams by 3. O/U: 47. Cleveland’s offensive line is struggling, and that’s bad timing for the Browns in light of the way the Rams’ defensive front is playing. Baker Mayfield will be running for his life.

Bears 31, Redskins 20

TV: ESPN.

Line: Bears by 31⁄2. O/U: 41. Washington is bad, and Chicago is starting to look like the team everyone saw last year. Chuck Pagano is going to have his Bears defense blitzing Case Keenum from every angle.