Pats may stomp Colts flat
New England looks back in form after crushing Miami
Pardon us, but there’s no deflating the focus whenever Andrew Luck and the Colts head to Gillette Stadium.
Like everyone else, yours truly would be leaving readers flat if there was no mention of the saga of footballs without enough air that penetrated the AFC Championship Game in the 2014 season when New England hosted Indianapolis.
It would also be shirking our responsibility to ignore the fact that, like four years ago, this is pretty much a mismatch.
The Patriots get back Tom Brady’s favourite wideout, Julian Edelman, a few days after seemingly fixing their problems on both sides of the ball as they routed Miami.
The Patriots have won the past five regular-season matchups and the past seven overall.
New England is a hefty — some might say inflated — 10½-point favourite over Indianapolis. We think it’s no problem giving up that many.
Patriots, 33-19
New York Giants (+7) at Carolina
The Giants are showing no reason to think they can stay with the fresh and skilled Panthers.
Best bet: Panthers, 27-13
Green Bay (-1) at Detroit
This line means either team could win. Pick Detroit.
Upset special: Lions, 26-24 Jacksonville (+3) at Kansas City
The Jaguars have a defence to slow Chiefs Express and end K.C.’s unbeaten season.
Jaguars, 23-21
Los Angeles Rams (-7) at Seattle
Chiefs loss would leave one unbeaten team, which will remain so.
Rams, 27-16
Baltimore (-3) at Cleveland
Dangerous game for Ravens after win at Pittsburgh.
Ravens, 30-24
Atlanta (+3) at Pittsburgh
Two hugely disappointing, struggling outfits. Go with the healthier team.
Steelers, 23-21
Miami (+5½) at Cincinnati
The Dolphins were exposed in New England and face a surprisingly strong Bengals squad.
Bengals, 27-17
Minnesota (+3) at Philadelphia
A rematch of last season’s NFC title game, with both teams struggling in 2018. The Eagles are a different club at home.
Eagles, 23-17
Dallas (+3) at Houston
A Texas showdown to be decided by the defences. Houston’s is better.
Texans, 19-17
Washington (+7) at New Orleans, Monday night
Looks like these Saints can beat you a bunch of ways, not just with Drew Brees.
Saints, 31-20
Tennessee (-3½) at Buffalo
The Bills showed just how bogus that upset of Minnesota was last week by getting routed at Green Bay.
Titans, 20-9
Denver (+2½) at New York Jets
We don’t believe in the Giants or the Jets.
Broncos, 17-13
Oakland (+6) at
Los Angeles Chargers
Somehow the Raiders keep every game close. This one, too.
Chargers, 26-21
Arizona (+4) at San Francisco
Both teams showed more than expected last week. And lost.
49ers, 13-10
2018 RECORD:
Last week: Against spread, 5-9-1; straight up, 12-3
Season totals: Against spread, 2831-2; straight up, 39-22-2
Best bet: 2-2 against spread, 4-0 straight up
Upset special: 2-2 against spread, 1-2-1 straight up