CAM’S CATS CAN COVER
Road-weary Ravens won’t have answer for Newton
SUNDAY
PANTHERS (+ 2) over Ravens: Baltimore is the superior club, but it is on its fourth road game in five, negotiating a vicious schedule stretch with a rematch vs. the Steelers on tap. Panthers go as Cam Newton goes, but market value is solidly on home ’dog.
BEARS (-7) over Jets: A factor in the Gang Green running game this year, Bilal Powell now faces season-ending surgery. The defensive backfield is ravaged, and all this seems a prescription for more pain with the Bears off their frustrating loss to the Patriots. Redskins (-1) over GIANTS: Having observed selected NBA outposts — then MLB institutions — weigh the efficacy of being bad for a while so that you can then get to be really, really good via judicious drafting ... now we have the likes of the Raiders and Big Blue in the race for choice draft picks. Would like this more if the ’Skins hadn’t beaten Dallas, but can’t have everything. Eagles (-3) over Jaguars: (in London): Not happy about the field-goal line move which has gone all Philadelphia’s way — but as familiar as this underdog is
with these surroundings, Jags are clearly enduring another crisis of confidence involving Blake Bortles’ ability to negotiate the full route to sustained success, especially without RB Leonard Fournette. Browns (+8¹/₂) over STEEL
ERS: Mike Tomlin’s crew catches a divisional rival with a rookie QB (Baker Mayfield) — and Steelers are notorious for feasting on such types. Browns’ road struggles are old news — but they tied Pittsburgh in their home opener. This favorite has been known to take clearlyinferior foes too lightly — but the Browns can’t give the ball away. CHIEFS (-10) over Broncos: Given the benefits of Mile High to its resident squad, Denver’s home/road performance dichotomy has been pronounced over the decades — but it’s worse than ever, as Denver has been grossly underperforming as road underdogs for beleaguered coach Van ce Joseph. Andy Reid’s conservatism with a lead adds measure of risk, but tough to fade his squad.
Seahawks (+3) over LIONS: Detroit is running hot — and though he didn’t come cheap, pickup of ace run-stuffer Damon “Snacks” Harrison can’t hurt their defensive front. But this is the Seahawks’ first game back since owner Paul Allen’s passing a week ago Monday, and crusades can be hazardous to buck.
Buccaneers (+4) over BENGALS: Cincinnati’s injury list is daunting. Among the 11 homeside players on Bengals’ midweek did-not-practice list, multiple vital cogs (RB Giovani Bernard, LB Vontaze Burfict and corner Darqueze Dennard) have been declared out. Bucs have demonstrated long-term they have a way of hanging in against pass-happy foes.
Colts (-3) over RAIDERS: Not that Amari Cooper was worth a Cowboys first-round pick, though on the field, the Raiders get the best of that business, in the near-term. Silver and Black season-ticket holders being held for ransom while the Eyepatch Crew stockpiles top draft choices for the next couple of years before they grace Las Vegas.
49ers (Pick) over CARDINALS: Yes, the bottom half of the NFC West is soft. That doesn’t explain the recent dominance of the Niners by these Cardinals. Arizona’s offense has hit new lows, prompting the firing of coordinator Mike McCoy. Niners outgained Cards by 200 yards three weeks ago — but lost by 10! Look for an emphatic reversal of fortunes.
Packers (+9) over RAMS: Especially with trek to New England pending, Rams harbor no extreme motivation to pile it on, especially if their best stuff need not be exposed to generate a simple win here. Do not underestimate the pride factor with the Packers, who we expect will be ably represented by wideouts Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison in this affair.
Saints (Pick) over VIKINGS: New Orleans is off another of Drew Brees’ superlative road performances (22-for-30), and he has a history of reacting off those ... but this campaign is arguably the Saints’ best chance to capture a ring since 2010. Uneasy with visitors’ late-week move to favoritism, but playoff revenge in force with Saints, and key Vikings corner Xavier Rhodes unlikely to play with bad ankle.
MONDAY
Patriots (-14) over BILLS: With Rob Gronkowski likely back, expect Pats to apply the offensive club early and often here, then proceed to coast home. It’s a stiff lay, especially on the road, and there are many better things to do, but the Bills’ offense is restricted behind limited-range Derek Anderson, even with LeSean McCoy available for infantry duty on home side, as expected. LAST WEEK: 4-9. SEASON: 43-53-2.