NFL MATCHUPS

Last week’s record: 5-9 Overall record: 53-38-1

Bye week: Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Carolina

EAGLES AT COWBOYS

6:20 p.m. on NBC

Line: Cowboys -3 Total: 49 It was easy enough to write off losses to the Saints and Packers, but after the Cowboys (3-3) lost to the Jets last week, it’s reasonable to wonder if the team’s 3-0 start was a mirage. At full strength, Dallas should still have a top-tier offense, but the odds of seeing that offense this week seem slim: The Cowboys may be without either of their starting tackles, Tyron Smith and La’El Collins, against Philadelphia’s terrific defensive line. The Eagles (3-3) have had their own consistency issues, but if DeSean Jackson suits up for Philadelphia, and Amari Cooper doesn’t for Dallas — both possibilities — this could be an ugly one at home for the Cowboys.

Pick: Eagles +3

RAIDERS AT PACKERS

11 a.m. on CBS

Line: Packers -4.5 Total: 47 There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about the Packers (5-1) despite their sterling record. The team’s rebuilt defense, which looked so strong through three weeks, has allowed just under 27 points a game over its last three, and barring good news from Friday’s practices, Green Bay’s offense could be without Davante Adams (toe), Geronimo Allison (concussion, chest) and Jimmy Graham (ankle), leaving Aaron Rodgers relatively few options in the passing game. Lambeau Field is an extreme advantage for the Packers, making a win against the Raiders (3-2) likely, but the margin could be thin if those pass catchers are not available.

Pick: Raiders +4.5

SAINTS AT BEARS

2:25 p.m. on FOX

Line: Bears -3 Total: 38 Coming out of a bye, the Bears (3-2) are likely to have Mitchell Trubisky back at quarterback, which qualifies as an upgrade from Chase Daniel, but only a small one. Chicago seems to lack a high gear on offense, and its defense is weakened considerably with Akiem Hicks, a standout defensive tackle, being placed on injured reserve. Now the Bears are faced with a home game against Teddy Bridgewater and the Saints (5-1), who seem to find new ways to succeed each week. Drew Brees is far enough along in his rehab that a start in Week 8 seems possible, so Bridgewater may soon have to step aside despite what could be a 5-0 record as a starter after this game.

Pick: Saints +3

CARDINALS AT GIANTS

11 a.m. on FOX

Line: Giants -3 Total: 51

The first two quarterbacks taken in this year’s draft will face off, as Kyler Murray and the Cardinals (2-3-1) are riding a two-game winning streak while Daniel Jones and the Giants (2-4) have lost two straight. When you consider the teams they were playing, those results might not be all that informative. If the Giants were forced to use last week’s practice squad roster, this one might lean Arizona’s way, especially with the return of cornerback Patrick Peterson from a six-game suspension. But with Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram practicing in full so far this week, Jones will have plenty of options to attack the Cardinals’ subpar defense.

Pick: Giants -3

PATRIOTS AT JETS

6:15 p.m. Monday on ESPN Line: Patriots -10 Total: 42.5 The turnaround in the Jets (1-4) last week was palpable. Sam Darnold was back to stabilize the offense, and the defense seemed just as energized, shutting down Dallas and earning New York its first win of the season. Expecting a win this week against the Patriots (6-0) might be too much, but considering New England’s offensive struggles over the last three weeks, spotting them 10 points against a highly motivated opponent seems extreme.

Pick: Jets +10

RAVENS AT SEAHAWKS

2:25 p.m.

Line: Seahawks -3.5 Total: 49 Lamar Jackson is a force for the Ravens (4-2). He runs the ball like no quarterback since Michael Vick — and in terms of total yardage, often better than Vick. He has also developed enough as a passer that teams can’t cheat against him for fear that he will throw right over a stacked box and into the hands of ready and willing receivers like Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown.

But if Jackson were to set a career goal, it would be to find the consistency of Russell Wilson of the Seahawks (5-1). Wilson is still a legitimate dual threat in his eighth season. His lowest passer rating this season came in his lone loss to New Orleans, when he threw for 402 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He leads the NFL in the percentage of his throws that result in touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception — leading to an NFL-leading 10.5 adjusted yards per attempt — and has tacked on three rushing touchdowns for good measure.

Seattle’s defense is not what it once was, which could give Jackson some room to work, but Seattle’s 12th man will make conditions awfully harsh for a young quarterback still figuring things out.

Pick: Seahawks -3.5

TEXANS AT COLTS

11 a.m.

Line: Colts -1 Total: 47.5 The Texans (4-2) are rounding into shape with Deshaun Watson at the helm. They have put up 1,064 yards of offense and 84 points over the last two weeks in a pair of impressive victories, and they have done it with a balance between running and passing, allowing them to control the clock. With a win at home, the Colts (3-2) could move into first place in the AFC South, but while Indianapolis has been a nice story, it seems to be overmatched against Houston.

Pick: Texans +1

49ERS AT REDSKINS

11 a.m.

Line: 49ers -9.5 Total: 41.5 Anything can happen in the NFL, but the chances of the redhot 49ers (5-0) falling to the lowly Redskins (1-5), even on the road, are remote. San Francisco showed last week against Los Angeles that its defense can stand up to a top-tier offense, and Washington is hardly that. In a game that does not figure to be competitive, San Francisco may chew up clock with its running game — a strategy that just so happens to prey on one of Washington’s most glaring weaknesses — which would put the large point spread in question.

Pick: Redskins +9.5

VIKINGS AT LIONS

11 a.m.

Line: Vikings -1.5 Total: 45 Consecutive losses for the Lions (2-2-1) are certainly not ideal, but Detroit looked great against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 4 and Green Bay needed some serious help from the officials to beat the Lions at Lambeau Field last week, thus proving that not all losses are created equal. The Vikings (4-2) are coming in hot, having scored a combined 66 points over their last two wins, but in a battle of the NFC North’s second tier, Detroit’s home-field advantage could play a large role.

Pick: Lions +1.5

DOLPHINS AT BILLS

11 a.m.

Line: Bills -17 Total: 40

The Dolphins (0-5) are either the worst team in the NFL or tied for the worst with Cincinnati (0-6). The Bills (4-1) have one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses, and with the rookie running back Devin Singletary expected to return and the ageless Frank Gore always ready to rumble, Buffalo can easily grind out games on the ground. Buffalo’s offense is too conservative to justify a point spread of more than two touchdowns, but the thought of Buffalo losing this game at home is a bit preposterous.

Pick: Dolphins +17

RAMS AT FALCONS

11 a.m.

Line: Rams -3 Total: 54.5 The training staff of the Rams (3-3) is so talented that Jalen Ramsey’s back injury, which kept him out of the last three games for Jacksonville, suddenly healed the second he was traded to Los Angeles. Ramsey, a terrific and rather dramatic cornerback, got what he wanted, and while he is an upgrade over Marcus Peters — whom the Rams traded to Baltimore — this week will put a spotlight on him: He will be asked to contain Julio Jones of the Falcons (1-5).

The Rams are riding a threegame losing streak, and Jared Goff threw for just 78 yards against San Francisco last week. If coach Sean McVay wants to make a statement that his team can still put up points in bunches, Atlanta’s defense is the ideal opponent.

Pick: Rams -3

JAGUARS AT BENGALS

11 a.m.

Line: Jaguars -3.5 Total: 44 With the exception of a blowout loss in Week 1, the Jaguars (2-4) have kept things close each week, playing a lot better football than you’d expect from a team with such a poor record. The Bengals (0-6) have played exactly like a winless team, with days when they look hopeless and others when luck seems to go against them. Now that the Jalen Ramsey drama is behind them, a road win would be a nice ego boost.

Pick: Jaguars -3.5

CHARGERS AT TITANS

2:05 p.m.

Line: Titans -2 Total: 40

It’s reasonable to look at the performance of the Titans (2-4) and think that relative to the overall talent on the team they’ve underperformed with Marcus Mariota at quarterback. Deciding that they have a better shot at winning with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, however, seems to defy all reason. The Chargers (2-4) are reeling, and it’s no fun to play in Tennessee, but it’s hard to think coach Mike Vrabel hasn’t made the Titans worse with the move away from Mariota.

Pick: Chargers +2