FARMER’S PICKS
The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 7-7 (.500); season 91-55 (.623). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 7-7 (.500); season 60-62-4 (.563). Cleveland, New Orleans, the New York Giants and Pittsburgh have the week off.
Falcons 24, Colts 17
TV: None. DirecTV: 705.
Line: Falcons by 6. O/U: 47. Forty-year-old Matt Hasselbeck did a tremendous job in place of Andrew Luck earlier this season, but that was beating Tennessee and Houston. The Falcons are better and rested.
Broncos 28, Bears 23
TV: None. DirecTV: 706.
Line: Bears by 1. O/U: 411⁄2. Broncos’ defense is going to keep them in virtually every game, barring interception-fests. Brock Osweiler should be solid in place of Peyton Manning. John Fox will break out his bag of tricks.
Raiders 33, Lions 24
TV: None. DirecTV: 707.
Line: Raiders by 1. O/U: 481⁄2. Even though the Raiders have lost two in a row, they’re loaded with young talent. Lions are coming off a landmark victory over Green Bay, which just isn’t the team it looked to be earlier in the season.
Jets 17, Texans 13
TV: None. DirecTV: 708.
Line: Jets by 21⁄2. O/U: 41. Still shocking the Texans were able to knock off Cincinnati, proof that anything can happen in a given week. Jets are a little better team, though, and Houston is perfectly capable of laying an egg.
Ravens 24, Rams 20
TV: None. DirecTV: 709.
Line: Ravens by 21⁄2. O/U: 411⁄2. The Rams are really struggling, benching Nick Foles halfway through the season. Case Keenum isn’t the answer, but he’ll be facing a team that has lost four of five close ones. Go with Joe Flacco.
Panthers 24, Redskins 20
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 710.
Line: Panthers by 7. O/U: 451⁄2. It’s hard to know how much to read into Washington’s big win over New Orleans, considering how bad the Saints defense is. Redskins could give Carolina a scare, but the Panthers will keep it rolling.
Dolphins 27, Cowboys 20
TV: None. DirecTV: 711.
Line: Pick ’em. O/U: 471⁄2. Tony Romo is coming back, but don’t expect the same Cowboy who tore up teams last year. Plus, Dallas is such a soap opera, the slightest adversity could trigger a meltdown.
Eagles 28, Buccaneers 24
TV: None. DirecTV: 712.
Line: Eagles by 6. O/U: 45. Mark Sanchez might be a better fit for the Eagles than Sam Bradford, and he knows the offense better. If he can avoid the turnovers, he can beat a Buccaneers team that has played well lately.
Chargers 31, Chiefs 24
TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 713.
Line: Chiefs by 3. O/U: 45. Chiefs are coming off a big win, although their defense isn’t going to have many five-interception weeks. Even without Keenan Allen, and with all their struggles, the Chargers have more weapons.
Vikings 27, Packers 23
TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 714.
Line: Vikings by 1. O/U: 441⁄2. The Vikings don’t make a lot of mistakes. They have the corners to cover Green Bay’s receivers — not a lot of guys getting open for Aaron Rodgers — and the Packers defense is consistently vulnerable.
Seahawks 24, 49ers 17
TV: None. DirecTV: 715.
Line: Seattle by 13. O/U: 39. The Seahawks aren’t going to lose two in a row at home, and certainly not to Blaine Gabbert. That said, it’s amazing Seattle is only one game ahead of San Francisco nine games into the season.
Cardinals 30, Bengals 24
TV: Channel 4.
Line: Cardinals by 5. O/U: 49. Andy Dalton is not at his best in primetime games. The Bengals have plenty of weapons, but Arizona’s defense has really come together. Teams don’t even throw at Patrick Peterson anymore.
Patriots 27, Bills 23
TV: ESPN.
Line: Patriots by 7. O/U: 48. At some point all these injuries are going to take a toll on the Patriots. Losing Julian Edelman stings. The Bills are rested, and showed against the Jets that they can make plays on both sides of ball.