NFL MATCHUPS
Last week’s record: 11-4-1
VIKINGS AT PACKERS
11 a.m. on Fox The Vikings (1-0) were loaded with talent at quarterback last season, with Case Keenum taking the bulk of the starts and Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater available at various points between injuries. In the end, the team decided its long-term answer at quarterback was: d), none of the above. Instead, the Vikings invested heavily in Kirk Cousins, whose sub-.500 career record did not match his seemingly immense talent.
Aaron Rodgers is listed as questionable for Green Bay, and his availability could determine the outcome. If he can play, this should be a close battle. If he’s out, which would mean DeShone Kizer is in, this could be a blowout by Minnesota. Pick: Vikings +1
CHIEFS AT STEELERS
11 a.m. on CBS For the Steelers (0-0-1) to win this game, they will need to keep the ball out of hands of Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs’ explosive wide receiver and kick returner. The Chiefs (1-0) must be extremely concerned about their defensive effort — a feeling that should be exacerbated by the thought of trying to contain wide receiver Antonio Brown. Pick: Chiefs +4
RAIDERS AT BRONCOS
2:25 p.m. on CBS The Raiders (0-1) fell apart Monday night, giving away a winnable game. Quarterback Derek Carr was certainly part of the problem, but the absence of a pass rush was a bigger deal. The Broncos (1-0) have an edge at home, but Carr settling into Gruden’s offense should at least make it a game. Pick: Raiders +6
GIANTS AT COWBOYS
6:20 p.m. on NBC In what was easily Dak Prescott’s best game during Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension last season, he led the Cowboys (0-1) to a win over the Giants (0-1) by throwing for 332 yards and three touchdowns. But Prescott is likely to rebound. Pick: Cowboys -3
SEAHAWKS AT BEARS
6:15 p.m. Monday on ESPN How the Bears (0-1) react after a gut-punch loss to Green Bay could determine the way the rest of their season goes. The best bet would be to focus on what went right: Khalil Mack was a showstopper on defense, while running back Jordan Howard proved again that he is the key to the team’s offensive fortunes. Pick: Bears -3.5
PATRIOTS AT JAGUARS
2:25 p.m. The Jaguars (1-0) came tantalizingly close to beating the Patriots (1-0) in last year’s AFC championship. This game has decidedly lower stakes, but it offers Jacksonville another chance to show that it is more than a flashy defense and a lot of trash talk. Pick: Jaguars +1
EAGLES AT BUCCANEERS
11 a.m. Ryan Fitzpatrick defines volatility. The veteran quarterback experienced the depths of failure when he produced an 18.2 rating on 44 attempts in a loss for the Jets two years ago, and last week he tasted near perfection by completing 21 of 28 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Buccaneers (1-0) to a road win over New Orleans. His rating was an outrageous 156.2, and he was named one of the NFL’s players of the week. Matching that performance against the Eagles (1-0) will be nearly impossible. Pick: Eagles -3
CARDINALS AT RAMS
2:05 p.m. A 20-point win punctuated by cornerback Marcus Peters — a prized offseason addition who leapt into the end zone for a touchdown off an interception — gave the impression that the Rams (1-0) were every bit as good as advertised. Before getting carried away, though, it’s worth remembering that the Rams were losing at halftime and ended up allowing 398 yards. If the Rams truly assert themselves, the Cardinals (0-1) will look even more underwhelming than they already have. Pick: Rams -13
LIONS AT 49ERS
2:05 p.m. Both teams would like to forget Week 1. The Lions (0-1) were soundly outplayed by the Jets and the 49ers (0-1) saw their golden boy, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, lose for the first time. San Francisco is the more complete team, and will most likely prevail at home, but the spread is too generous in its favor. Pick: Lions +6
DOLPHINS AT JETS
11 a.m. Miami’s Week 1 win over Tennessee was so drawn out by two weather delays that Kenny Stills’ second touchdown came more than five hours after his first one. The Dolphins (1-0) came away with a win. The Jets (1-0) appear to be in transition from a scrappy team that made opponents work to one that might be something approaching good. Pick: Jets -3
BROWNS AT SAINTS
11 a.m. After 31 Browns losses over the previous two seasons, their fans went into Week 1 hoping not to add another. They should have been more specific. Cleveland’s tie with Pittsburgh qualified as its best start to a season since 2004. They will have to become the second consecutive underdog to beat the Saints (0-1) in New Orleans. Pick: Saints -8.5
PANTHERS AT FALCONS
11 a.m. The Falcons (0-1) were fairly sloppy in Week 1, with their offense moving the ball but repeatedly faltering in the red zone. A home game against the Panthers (1-0) should be a tough test considering how well Carolina’s defense swallowed up the Dallas attack in Week 1. Pick: Panthers +6
COLTS AT REDSKINS
11 a.m. The Redskins (1-0) have to be thrilled with their start. Quarterback Alex Smith delivered the efficiency and production that won many games for the Chiefs in recent years, and the running game, led by Adrian Peterson, rumbled for 182 yards. The defense may have been even more impressive, holding Arizona to 213 yards while forcing two turnovers. But a home game against the Colts (0-1), who did not live up to lofty expectations in quarterback Andrew Luck’s return, seems like a strong opportunity for Washington to start at 2-0 for the first time since 2011. Pick: Colts +6
TEXANS AT TITANS
11 a.m. The Texans (0-1) were good for half of their Week 1 loss to New England, which is more than anyone could say about the Titans (0-1) after their loss to Miami. Tennessee’s offense was stuck in the mud, as quarterback Marcus Mariota played poorly and ultimately left the game with an elbow injury. If Houston can pick up where it left off last week, and piece together a competent offensive line, its promising season can get on track. Pick: Texans -1.5
CHARGERS AT BILLS
11 a.m. The Chargers (0-1) played fairly well offensively in Week 1, but their defense was no match for the Chiefs. The Bills (0-1), even with Josh Allen at quarterback, are not the Chiefs. Pick: Chargers -7.5