Lackluster D.C. defense won’t stop Falcs
SUNDAY
FALCONS (+1.5) over Washington: Atlanta has been riding a pleasant six-victory run of success against the Capital Denizens. Expect that stretch to continue, until such time as the Football Team takes the defensive portion of the grand equation more seriously.
Giants (+8) over SAINTS: New Orleans finally gets its first honest-and-true home game, after three weeks of relative travel inconvenience. No doubt the fanatical royal rooters will be beyond boisterous, but the Saints are enduring more aches and pains than are these hungry visitors.
Titans (-7.5) over JETS: If Zach Wilson is the final answer to the quarterback question for the J-E-T-S? Good luck to him, but that proposition appears far from a certainty. We’ve always liked QB Ryan Tannehill, though with a trip to London on the horizon, this isn’t automatic.
BILLS (-16.5) over Texans: Suspect Buffalo might be looking to glide past this foe to give its better shots in pending road assignments: against the Chiefs and the subsequent Monday-nighter against the Titans. The Texans are young and figure to have issues against this level of foe.
BEARS (-3) over Lions: Chicago stumbled badly in 2021 business trips against better outfits than Detroit, in journeys to visit the Rams and Browns. The trip to Cleveland was a statistical disaster (the Bears’ passing game netted them but a single yard). The home side can gain a measure of redemption behind Justin Fields.
Panthers (+4.5) over COWBOYS: The Cowboys’ wagering tax is in full effect in this line, leaving us little choice but to swing with the visiting, undefeated Panthers, though they’re stepping up in class here. Don’t mind that we have the better coach (Matt Ruhle) working for us here.
VIKINGS (+1.5) over Browns: No, the Bears’ offense surely isn’t much to write home about these days, but Cleveland has to be feeling pretty feisty regarding that stuffing. The Vikings continue to be underrated, and Kirk Cousins is playing at optimum efficiency. Mike Zimmer as a home ’dog is tough to resist.
Colts (+2) over DOLPHINS: Good spot for Indianapolis to finally get off its seasonal schneid, with Miami in the typically uncomfortable role of home favorite. Can’t say we’re unhappy with the prospect of taking points from a side QB’d by Jacoby Brissett. The team making the fewest mistakes wins.
Chiefs (-7) over EAGLES: Weren’t surprised that the Chargers put away the struggling Chiefs at Arrowhead. This should be different, since this is Andy Reid’s return to his long-time stomping grounds, and expect the coach and his crew will make the best of it, with their enviable offensive tools.
Cardinals (+4) over RAMS: It’s tough to discern clear-cut value on either side, since an early surge move on visiting Arizona squeezed value out of the original +6 spot ... but the Rams played a virtually flawless game against Tom Brady, and it’s a hard row to hoe, sustaining towering performance levels indefinitely.
49ERS (-3) over Sea- hawks: Slightest of leans to San Fran, given the aging Se- attle talent base and surface stinginess of the spot prof- fered to this underdog. Jimmy Garoppolo is a big favorite to improve with experience, given these two sides are likely headed in opposite directions. Time marches on.
Ravens (+1) over BRONCOS: The hosts finally face a side which has actually won twice this season. Even should Lamar Jackson be less than 100 percent (check status), compelled to give the Ravens incentive points, given their motivation in the strengthened AFC North.
PACKERS (-6.5) over Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger looked horrific in bad home losses to the Raiders and the recovering Bengals — but Pittsburgh previously victimized the Bills upstate. Haven’t been thrilled about how either Roethlisberger. or the Pittsburgh offensive line have performed.
Buccaneers (-7) over PATRIOTS: Tough to resist Brady off a defeat (of the type endured against the Rams) — especially against a Patriots side that has clearly seen its best days.
MONDAY
CHARGERS (-3) over Raiders: Las Vegas is coming off an electrifying home finish against the Dolphins — but this is a step up on class, and this may very well be the best Bolts outfit since the merger. The price is right.