Who will be king in AFC North?
Bengals-Ravens game takes on added importance
Considering what happened in the rain in Cleveland last Sunday, the rugged AFC North looks like it will be wide open.
Thursday night’s visit to Cincinnati by Baltimore takes on an extra bit of importance, even in mid-September, after the division-favourite Pittsburgh Steelers stumbled and bumbled to a 21-21 tie against the Browns.
The Ravens were all over Buffalo from the start as Joe Flacco recaptured some of that 2012 championship form and the defence destroyed the Bills. The Bengals fell in a big hole at Indianapolis and showed far more gumption than usual by climbing out of it to win.
The Ravens and Bengals are pick-em at Paul Brown Stadium. It’s hard to fathom we’re predicting Cincinnati will start the season 2-0. But ...
Bengals, 21-20
Oakland (+6) at Denver
Broncos will put Mile High hit on Jon Gruden’s Raiders.
Best bet: Broncos, 23-13 Minnesota (+1) at Green Bay
No miracle finishes for A-Rod and Pack this time.
Upset special: Vikings, 27-20 New England (-2) at Jacksonville
AFC Championship Game rematch. No revenge for Jaguars.
Patriots, 27-16
Kansas City (+5½) at Pittsburgh
Steelers fall behind even more in AFC race.
Chiefs, 26-24
L.A. Chargers (-7) at Buffalo
Bills can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or ...
Chargers, 27-10
Arizona (+13) at L.A. Rams
Cardinals can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or ...
Rams, 26-10 Detroit (+5½) at San Francisco Lions can’t possibly ... you get it. 49ers, 20-17
Miami (+3) at New York Jets
Battle to keep pace with Patriots in AFC East.
J-E-T-S, 23-21
Carolina (+5½) at Atlanta
Red zone scares Falcons, strange occurrence for a team wearing that colour.
Falcons, 20-17
Philadelphia (-3) at Tampa Bay
If Buccaneers win this, time to re-evaluate.
Eagles, 21-20
Indianapolis (+5½) at Washington The revival continues in D.C. Washington, 26-19
Cleveland (+8) at New Orleans
Who thought Saints would be more embarrassed in opener than Browns?
Saints, 27-15
New York Giants (+3) at Dallas
NBC and NFL love this primetime matchup. Hey, they both are 0-1, guys.
Cowboys, 17-16
Seattle (+3) at Chicago, Monday night
Bears need to put Lambeau collapse behind them.
Bears, 20-16
Houston (no line) at Tennessee
Tough start for banged-up Titans.
Texans, 23-13
2018 RECORD
Last week: Against spread, 8-7-1; Straight up, 10-5-1
Best bet: 1-0 against spread, 1-0 straight up
Upset special: 0-1 against spread, 0-1 straight up