LA-LA LAND
Rivers & Co. can keep up with crosstown rivals
SUNDAY Chargers (+7) over RAMS: Rams picked up where they left off in ’17 regular season — on f ire, behind Jared Goff and a brace of serious skill players. But this is barely a road game for the Bolts, and whenever Philip Rivers has endured a loss during recent times, he tends to lose “close.” Dog or pass. TEXANS (- 6) over Giants: Two-week road t rips wear you out, and Texans coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t rank in the top half in the NFL coaching rankings — but Big Blue’s O-line is a shipwreck (now, with center Jon Halapio out), and Eli Manning’s glacial immobility remains huge handicap in the face of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Colts (+6 ½) over EAGLES: QB Carson Wentz returns to Eagles’ saddle. Good news, with Nick Foles failing to reproduce his Super Bowl-winning form. Colts coach Frank Reich coordinated that Wentz-led Philly offense last year, so he knows things — though Colts LT Anthony Castonzo iffy w/hamstring issues. PANTHERS (-3) over Bengals: A poser — because you’re faced with a more physically sound, quality side, getting points. Problem is: The modern Bengals history on the road against legitimately talented teams is flat-out putrid, and you can’t look to the coach who’s been in significant part responsible. JAGUARS (-6½) over Titans: Preferred Titans QB Marcus Mariota saw action in practices this week, but latest market action strongly suggests Blaine Gabbert will again man the offensive controls. Don’t expect much Jags regression, and recent Titans road record is forbidding. Saints (+3) over FALCONS: New Orleans was held in check during most of Cleveland’s Bountygate-revenge visit to the Superdome, but woke up late to do to snag first win. Drew Brees’s boys typically start seasons slowly, but now anticipate top effort against injury-riddled NFC South rival. How healthy is Julio Jones? RAVENS (- 5) over Broncos: Won’t argue with you if you believe Denver is underrated. But! Baltimore couldn’t recover from Road Team Thursday-itis at Cincinnati. Ravens better than they looked in that loss, enjoy mu c h - b e t t e r coaching and enjoy lengthy history of Inner Harbor dominance.
DOLPHINS (- 3) over Raiders : This might be a sharp spot for the Silver and Black, but (a) this is the Raiders’ third game in 10 days, and (b) 1 p.m. Eastern starts have often been poisonous during the Raiders’ recent 15-year fallow period. Miami has been no bargain as chalk — but it will be steamy, and WR DeVante Parker might be back. Packers (-3) over R E DSKINS: The Packers get the Bills at Lambeau next week, so there’s not any lookahead hazard in play. Saddled with a diminished Adrian Peterson, Alex Smith is likely to get pass-drunk, with disappointing results. Bills (+16½) over VIKINGS: To be sure, tall number a rank price to lay in an NFL game, given Minnesota is visiting the Rams on Thursday night. Would project the Vikings should ease clear early — then play it cozy, with next week in mind. Wouldn’t you feel foolish losing — with either side?
49ers (+6½) over CHIEFS: A convergence of negative tech indicators frequently emerge once the Chiefs swing into significantfavoritism territory — especially when you can see they’re saddled with as mediocre a defense (sans Eric Berry) as this one.
CARDINALS (+ 6) over Bears: Expect wideout Larry Fitzgerald to see action, but ailing hamstring hinders, and not sold on how much Fitzgerald may play, despite Cards’ plight (averaging 3.0 ppg!). Expect desperate effort from old-time Chicago franchise. Sharper Sam Bradford form would help.
C o wb o y s (+ 1 ) over SEAHAWKS: Belated home opener for Seattle, and though the recent history of performing stoutly before the “12th Man” strong, vast bulk of ’Hawks’ Super Bowl-winning roster has departed, and Russell Wilson can’t do everything.
Patriots (-7) over LIONS: Though multiple adverse technical warning signals threaten this favorite, you still have got New England off a riveting loss. Bill Belichick gets to face ex-defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and remind him of a necessity of NFL life: bring a defense. MONDAY
BUCCANEERS (+1) over Steelers: It’s sound policy to back undefeated underdog upstarts at home against “name” franchises which may have seen better days. Bearded Bucco Ryan Fitzpatrick and his fleet receivers in peak form, and prevailing Pittsburgh chemistry internals aren’t enticing — and offensive line is banged up.
LAST WEEK: 7-8. SEASON: 14-15-1.