GRIN & BEAR IT
Trubisky and tough Chicago squad can keep it close vs. Brady & Co.
SUNDAY BEARS (+3) over Patriots: You’re looking at the Patriots with Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, — and a defense which eats quarterbacks under age 25 for grins ... but Brady is facing a very good defense led by Khalil Mack (who has ankle issues, but should game it out; check status), and an offense headed by developing QB Mitch Trubisky and multiple decent skill players, coming off a game vs. the Dolphins they shouldn’t have lost.
CHARGERS (- 6 ½ ) over Titans (Wembley Stadium, London): Bolts l i ngered in Cleveland off rout of Browns prior to hopping the pond for this morning tilt, their second of four straight games away from L.A. ... but at least this is at a neutral site. Tennessee is enduring difficulties generating yardage — fewer than 263 yards per game. Browns (+3¹/₂) over BUCCANEERS: Jameis Winston continues to be too careless with the football to suit us as faves. Browns remain disappointing road team — but can Bucs afford to be without ace DT Gerald McCoy (and/or DE Jimmy Curry)? Cleveland’s personnel markedly improved, and management’s looking to light a fire (having canned defensive coordinator Mike Smith). DOLPHINS (+3) over Lions: Detroit has attracted action off the venerated “non-conference road-chalk-off-bye” angle — but that slant is dampened by Sunday’s humid/sticky weather forecasts, which torture foes from temperate climes. First-year Lions coach Matt Patricia comes from stint as defensive coordinator for the Pats — who’ve long endured hard times dealing with this foe in Florida. EAGLES (- 4 ¹/₂) over Panthers: Champs have been working through their post-Super win funk throughout this campaign. Though they own the Giants, and it’s unwise to grant too much weight to their last win, they’re coming around, as Carson Wentz gets back to himself. Cam Newton is overrated as a differencemaking weapon. Bills (+7 ½) over COLTS: With rookie QB Josh Allen sidelined, Bills committing to Derek Anderson as their starter, preferring that alternative to turnoverprone Nathan Peterman. We’re not sold defensively vulnerable Colts get away with this, even behind Andrew Luck.
JETS (+3) over Vikings: Will lean slightly with Gang Green, even given the shaved head start. Home side has plumped up on a couple of weak sisters here (the Broncos far from home, and the essentially defenseless, injurywracked Colts), and this is different, even with the Vikings missing RB Dalvin Cook — but Sam Darnold is dangerous if he doesn’t give the ball away.
JAGUARS (-5) over Texans: Jags got tomahawked at Arrowhead in their first major seasonal road class test. Discouraged, they proceeded to flatter the Cowboys at AT&T in what was a t e r r i bl e matchup for the J a g s ’ defense. Ja g s h ave picked up Carlos Hyde from the Browns. Texans have won three s t raight, but are none too brave away from Houston.
REDSKINS (-1¹/₂) over Cowboys: Have l ong been allergic to giving Dallas points in this storied series — but was delighted to see early Cowboys action take this down off the original Skins -3, and always interested in fading these visitors when they’re off a powerrushing display as a disrespected home ’dog. ’Boys get key LB Sean Lee back.
49ERS (+9¹/₂) over Rams: Rams now laying tons of points on the regular-season road. Niners will be chewing nails after being hornswoggled by the zebras in Green Bay, and benefit from L.A. traveling for third straight week.
RAVENS (-2¹/₂) over Saints: New Orleans is off a bye (historically a great aid to Sean Payton’s team). Yet, Baltimore has been slam-shut, lights-out defensively in second halves all year for coach John Harbaugh and coordinator Don Martindale, in his first season overseeing the stop unit. Drew Brees-led Saints are 0-4 lifetime against Ravens (three of ’em in the Superdome). Visitors must generate balanced offense to win.
CHIEFS (-6) over Bengals: Many NFL outfits who enjoy nifty early-season runs often
react adversely to their initial seasonal loss. Given the wrenching circumstances of their loss at New England, not sold Chiefs will react in that manner — especially given Bengals’ gaggy historical prime-time record with the Andy Dalton (and Marvin Lewis) Gang calling the shots.
MONDAY
Giants (+5) over FALCONS: Tough laying played-up number, given Atlanta’s diminished depth issues. Home team hopes wideouts Calvin Ridley (iffy) and Mohamed Sanu (iffier) will make it back for this, given their physical issues. Giant offensiveline (and morale) issues well-publicized, though Eli Manning should have more time than usual. He’ll need it. LAST WEEK: 7-6-1. SEASON: 39-44-2