RIDE COLT TO CASH
Bet on backup ’Skins QB to buck the Birds
Mile High visits seldom are easy — and Steelers squads directly off losses tend to bring maximum aggression. The Chargers are on snappy run behind whitehot Philip Rivers, but the Steelers shine under the bright lights.
BUCCANEERS (+3½) over Panthers: View based strictly on the theory Jameis Winston might sustain new level of maturity, managing to avoid fatal turnovers.
Ravens (+1½) over FALCONS: Joe Flacco returned to practice for Baltimore on Thursday, but still expect young scrambler La mar Jackson to relish chance to win three straight in as many career starts. Jackson boasts mucho potential, so long as his bone structure remains intact. No comparison, between these defenses.
Browns (+6) over TEXANS: The Browns are fancyfree, friskier than they’ve been this century, with QB Baker Mayfield getting the hang of things. The Texans are perfect since late September — sound, though flat- tered by the league’s weakest division. J.J. Watt is nursing a knee. Week off might be advisable.
Bills (+5) over DOLPHINS: Miami responded well to the return of Ryan Tannehill to stewardship of their offense, but have had little use for their meager ground game (barring bizarre win over the Bears). Would rather take with resourceful Bills, whose greatest strength (their secondary) should corral Tannehill.
Broncos (-5) over BENGALS: Too often, Denver is a frightening road side, but Jeff Driskel is at quarterback for squalid home team — and frightening Bengals defense — force our hand. LIONS (+10) over Rams: You’re paying full retail for the glammy Rammies, should you step in with this marked-up chalk. Acknowledge that barring bizarre injury patterns during Sunday’s games, the Rams will be favored in Chicago next week. Chalk-lovers paying clear premium for “public” team, though — given Matthew Stafford’s obvious talents. Ram DB Aqib Talib expected to return off ankle issues — a marked upgrade. Cardinals (+ 14) over PACKERS: This market ratcheted up in a hurry, off the opening. Understandable — given the Cards’ limited ofense, the weather forecast (low 30s, with opportunity for measureable snow) and cluster defensive injuries for Arizona. Aaron Rodgers (and Packers pride) might get them over. Check if WR Randall Cobb ( hamstring) makes it back for Pack. Raiders (+ 1 5 ) over CHIEFS: RB Kareem Hunt has been released by the Chiefs after a hotel-battery video generated in Cleveland last winter gained broad exposure Friday. Expect Spencer Ware to take over Hunt’s role — but that’s quite the dropoff. It isn’t easy duty to project likely team performance reaction. Tough call!
PATRIOTS (- 4 ½ ) over Vikings: Besides their obvious need, Minny-backer enthusiasm may be attributable to Rob Gronkowski’s back and ankle issues — but any tangible contribution from Gronk would be a plus. Pats are motivated by preservation of the No. 2 AFC seed. A seasonal double-digit Vikings win total seems a stretch. We’ve done OK, lifetime, going against Kirk Cousins in spotlight games.
49ers (+1 0) over SEAHAWKS: Niners QB Nick Mullens might have been largely exposed by a canny Buccaneers defensive containment plan in last week’s bad loss at Tampa Bay. If the ’Hawks take full notes from that, this could get ugly — but San Fran accumulated revenge factor vs. the ’Hawks adds value to the ’dog.
LAST WEEK: 5-7. SEASON: 76-82-2.