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 9- 7 (. 563); season 160- 79- 1 (. 670). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread would have been 7- 8- 1 (. 467); season 122- 112- 6 (. 521). Times are Pacific.
Bills 27, Dolphins 20
TV: None. DirecTV: 705. Line: Bills by 3. O/ U: 43. These Bills are entertaining, and Josh Allen consistently plays at an MVP level. The Dolphins are no pushovers, particularly on defense. Tua Tagovailoa is early on the growth curve.
Ravens 31, Bengals 21
TV: None. DirecTV: 706. Line: Ravens by 13. O/ U: 441⁄ 2. Baltimore is heavily favored, and the Ravens have a chance to make the playoffs so they have incentive. Still, Cincinnati has won two in a row and can put up some semblance of a fight.
Browns 28, Steelers 21
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 707. Line: Browns by 10. O/ U: 421⁄ 2. The Browns are dealing with a COVID outbreak, so tough to know who might play. But Mason Rudolph is starting for Pittsburgh, and it was Ben Roethlisberger who turned the Steelers around last week.
Jets 23, Patriots 20
TV: None. DirecTV: 708. Line: Patriots by 3. O/ U: 391⁄ 2. The Jets have won two in a row, and their offense has gotten healthier and is clicking a bit. The Patriots are a shell of teams we’ve known, and it’s amazing they have more than a couple of wins.
Vikings 30, Lions 21
TV: None. DirecTV: 709. Line: Vikings by 7. O/ U: 54. Even without Dalvin Cook and Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings are significantly better than the Lions. Detroit plays too much man defense, and Kirk Cousins is accurate enough to take advantage.
Cowboys 28, Giants 24
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 710. Line: Cowboys by 1. O/ U: 441⁄ 2. Andy Dalton is playing as well as Dak Prescott played earlier this season. The Cowboys’ defense is suspect, but the Giants are too banged up to take advantage. Dallas has too many weapons.
Buccaneers 30, Falcons 24
TV: None. DirecTV: 711. Line: Buccaneers by 7. O/ U: 501⁄ 2. The Buccaneers will have left tackle Donovan Smith against Atlanta this time, and that will give Tom Brady time to find his receivers. Brady has a big first half, and the Buccaneers cruise to playoffs.
Saints 28, Panthers 24
TV: None. DirecTV: 712. Line: Saints by 61⁄ 2. O/ U: 471⁄ 2. The Saints’ defense made big strides this season but took a step backward in surrendering 52 to Minnesota last week. Matt Rhule will have the Panthers playing hard, but the Saints have too much.
Packers 34, Bears 24
TV: None. DirecTV: 713. Line: Packers by 5 1⁄2. O/ U: 51. The Bears have won three in a row, scoring a lot of points and running effectively. But Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are playing at a different level for Green Bay, which is vying for the NFC’s bye.
Chargers 27, Chiefs 23
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 714. Line: Chargers by 3 1⁄2. O/ U: 44. The Chiefs are resting Patrick Mahomes, so Chad Henne will be leading a cast of understudies. The Chargers tend to play pretty well there, and win with the combo of Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler.
Seahawks 28, 49ers 21
TV: None. DirecTV: 715. Line: Seahawks by 6 1⁄2. O/ U: 46. Seattle’s defensive transformation has been remarkable. The way they blitz Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams creates problems for others. The 49ers are talented but are the walking wounded.
Raiders 24, Broncos 18
TV: None. DirecTV: 716. Line: Raiders by 2 1⁄2. O/ U: 51. Derek Carr has quietly put together a great season with a hodgepodge supporting cast, and a young defense that really has struggled. Denver’s offense is inexperienced but filled with potential.
Titans 34, Texans 31
TV: None. DirecTV: 717. Line: Titans by 7 1⁄2. O/ U: 56 1⁄2. After a slow start, Deshaun Watson has been terrific. Not so for the rest of the Texans. That said, Houston should be able to make this interesting. Still, no stopping Derrick Henry.
Colts 34, Jaguars 13
TV: None. DirecTV: 718. Line: Colts by 14. O/ U: 491⁄ 2. The Colts are desperate, and if they don’t get into the playoffs it’s a travesty. If that’s the case, they can point to their Week 1 loss at Jacksonville. Philip Rivers comes through, as does the defense.
Rams 20, Cardinals 17
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 719. Line: Cardinals by 3. O/ U: 401⁄ 2. Big test for Sean McVay, with Jared Goff and Cooper Kupp out, the running game ravaged, and a QB who has never thrown an NFL pass. McVay has never lost to the Cardinals. The defense comes through.
Washington 17, Eagles 14
TV: Channel 4. Line: Washington by 2. O/ U: 431⁄ 2. Taylor Heinicke might not get Washington fans too excited, but that defense can be smothering. Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts is fun to watch, but the Eagles break down on defense. Should be close.