NFL MATCHUPS

Last week’s record: 10-4 Overall record: 67-50-3

Falcons at Redskins

11 a.m. on Fox

The Redskins (5-2) have won four consecutive games thanks largely to their defense. At the trading deadline, Washington added Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who should immediately form the NFL’s best safety duo with D.J. Swearinger. The timing couldn’t be better, with the Falcons (3-4) in town. Atlanta has such a terrific group of wide receivers that the team will always score points, but Washington’s defense should hold firm enough to secure a win at home.

Pick: Redskins -1.5

Texans at Broncos

2:05 p.m. on CBS

After 125 career regular-season games (and a Super Bowl win) for the Broncos (3-5), Demaryius Thomas will start his new life as a member of the Texans (5-3) in Denver. It’s not quite irony, but it certainly should provide some motivation for the former Pro Bowl wide receiver to get off to a hot start. Houston needs him after a season-ending injury to Will Fuller.

Pick: Texans +1

Rams at Saints

2:25 p.m. on Fox

Any team that gets midway through a season undefeated probably had a few moments of luck along the way, and the Rams (8-0) got theirs last week when a poor decision by a kick returner cost Green Bay a shot at a comeback win.

Now Los Angeles will go for 9-0 against the Saints (6-1), who have won six straight and enjoy a strong home-field advantage at the Superdome.

Both teams can seemingly score at will. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley find new ways to thrive for the Rams every week, while the Saints managed to put up 30 points last week even with Drew Brees throwing for 120 yards, the fewest he has had in a game since 2006. The Rams are the better team. Pick: Rams +2

Packers at Patriots

6:20 p.m. on NBC

Erase the records. Ignore the frustration Green Bay has had, and the fact that the team just traded away one of its best defenders. This is Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady, and that’s the top matchup of the week regardless of the circumstances.

Two of the best to ever sling it will face off in New England, having shared a field only twice before.

In what is likely their final game against each other, Brady should prevail.

Pick: Patriots -6

Titans at Cowboys

6:15 p.m. Monday on ESPN

The Cowboys (3-4) have won only two of their last four games, but the two losses came by a combined 6 points. They are tougher on defense than they have been at any point in recent memory, and their offense is starting to get into something resembling a groove. The Titans (3-4) make nearly every game a fight, and this one should be no different. Dallas can win a trench battle with the right use of Ezekiel Elliott, but the final score may be a lot closer than 6 points.

Pick: Titans +6.

Chiefs at Browns

11 a.m. A Patrick Mahomes revenge game? In 2016, Mahomes was the quarterback for Texas Tech, and Baker Mayfield was leading Oklahoma. The Red Raiders and the Sooners engaged in one of the most productive offensive battles in football history. The numbers are staggering: Mahomes completed 52 of 88 passes for 734 yards and five touchdowns. Mayfield completed 27 of 36 passes for 545 yards and seven touchdowns. Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon rushed for 263 yards and was one of four players who topped 100 receiving yards in the game.

In all, the teams managed to combine for 75 first downs, 1,708 yards of offense (amazingly, both teams had 854) and 19 scoring plays. Mayfield’s team came out on top, 66-59.

Now Mahomes will get a chance for payback when the Chiefs (7-1) go to Cleveland to face the Browns (2-5-1).

Pick: Chiefs -8.5

Steelers at Ravens

11 a.m.

The Ravens (4-4) are awfully scary for a team with a .500 record. They have a ferocious defense that still is allowing just 17.1 points a game despite consecutive losses. And their offense, while not quite as good, does enough to keep teams honest. They are, unfortunately, hosting the Steelers (4-2-1) at a particularly bad time. Pittsburgh is on a roll, both on offense and defense, and has a ton of motivation to keep winning: The New York Times’ Playoff Simulator gives the Steelers an 80 percent chance of making the playoffs if they win this game. This one should be a battle.

Pick: Steelers +3

Buccaneers at Panthers

11 a.m.

Ryan Fitzpatrick came so close last week. The journeyman quarterback of the Buccaneers (3-4) came in to replaced a benched Jameis Winston, and he flipped the Fitz Magic switch, erasing an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati. Unfortunately, he scored too quickly, leaving Andy Dalton 1 minute, 5 seconds to go 50 yards and set up a game-winning field goal. The performance earned Fitzpatrick another start (either that or Winston’s four-interception performance earned him another week on the bench), but unlike the Bengals, the Panthers (5-2) have a defense that can capitalize on Fitzpatrick’s mistakes.

Pick: Panthers -6

Bears at Bills

11 a.m.

On Oct. 20, Terrelle Pryor, a wide receiver, was cut by the New York Jets because a groin tear was expected to keep him out for two weeks. Pryor signed with the Bills (2-6), and if Nathan Peterman plays anything like Nathan Peterman in his emergency start at quarterback, there is a chance that Pryor will be asked to take snaps under center. It’s ridiculous, it’s amusing and it’s got to be frustrating for Colin Kaepernick, who remains unsigned. The Bears (4-3) should win, but nothing they have done recently justifies a double-digit spread on the road, even against Buffalo.

Pick: Bills +10

Lions at Vikings

11 a.m.

They both lost last week, but the Vikings (4-3-1) can justify the result as it came against New Orleans, one of the hottest teams in the NFL, and it might have gone the other way if not for a fumble by a player who never fumbles. The Lions (3-4), on the other hand, were demolished at home by Seattle, which typically does not travel well.

Pick: Vikings -4.5

Jets at Dolphins

11 a.m.

The Jets (3-5) have lost two straight, managing a combined 27 points in those games, but compared with the Dolphins (4-4), they are hot. Miami has lost four of five, will start Brock Osweiler at quarterback, won’t have the team’s second-best wide receiver, Albert Wilson, and might not have its top receiver, Kenny Stills. The Jets are banged up as well, but they should keep it close or get a road win.

Pick: Jets +3

Chargers at Seahawks

2:05 p.m.

The Seahawks (4-3) have won four of their last five games, and even if the competition has not been particularly stiff, Seattle is still taking care of business. This week, the Seahawks are at home but are facing the Chargers (5-2), a team that is coming off a bye week and scores a lot of points, defends reasonably well and has won four consecutive games. There is every reason to believe it will be a close game.

Pick: Seahawks -1.5