LET’S GO BROWN TOWN
Expect Pryor & pals to cover their ' Skins
SUNDAY
Browns (+7) over REDSKINS: Off desperate win over the Giants (thanks to three Big Blue turnovers), Kirk Cousins sees more ups-and-downs. Browns’ desperate players who cherish the NFL life typify those capable of outperforming pedigrees. Terrelle Pryor! Seahawks (-2 1/2) over JETS: Ryan Fitzpatrick racked up historic statistical horrors in his six-packpick day against the Chiefs, though much was attributable to Fitzpatrick’s urge to launch low-percentage prayers in chase mode. Despite aches and pains, expect Russell Wilson to steer the Seahawks’ ship to safe harbor. No Eric Decker for Jets. Colts (-21/2) over Jaguars (Wembley Stadium, London): Jags are regulars in these morning lidlifters. Gus Bradley’s squad has fallen short against the Chargers and Ravens, and now Blake Bortles will continue to find endless frustration on his road trips. Andrew Luck and rested-and-ready T.Y. Hilton brilliance make difference. PATRIOTS (-6) over BILLS: Expect Jimmy Garoppolo to start, and that should be good enough, though at this lay, you have to respect Rex Ryan’s defensive planning against Pats’ offense. Sammy Watkins is on IR. Panthers (-3) over FALCONS: Acid test for Falcons off two snappy road wins, as Dan Quinn seeks to quantify he is a clear upgrade over Mike Smith in the Big Chair. Expect Cam Newton to have more time to operate than the Vikings gave him last week.
Lions (-3) over BEARS: Short divisional road favorites can be shaky lays. But Bears falling apart faster than Monty Python’s Black Knight, and to go to war without a pass rush against Matthew Stafford is suicidal. TEXANS (-4 1/2) over Titans: J.J. Watt’s out for the year? Sad ... and it gives a franchise which has leaned on excuses for poor performances for years another crutch. But Marcus Mariota & Co. remain sickening when visiting AFC South foes. RAVENS (-3) over Raiders: Bad judgment for Raiders to schlep back to the Bay from Jacksonville before jetting back East. We adjusted for slight marginal Oakland improvement this season — but not to the extent of endorsing the idea of their winning two Eastern Zone games in succession. Broncos (-3) over BUCCANEERS: Strong, clashing tech/ analytic reads working on both sides, leaving us with fundamental read: Jameis Winston figures to have sustained problems with Denver’s secondary. 49ERS (+2) over Cowboys: Dallas has encountered sustained issues in visits West of the Rockies (remember Dwight Clark?) Dez Bryant, hairline fracture near his knee, shouldn’t play, this week, and doubt he will.
Saints (+4 1/2) over CHARGERS: This is Drew Brees’ first paid gridiron performance in San Diego under Saints colors, since he fleeing the Chargers for New Orleans. The Saints’ rushing defense is awful, but without a rushing threat, not sure what Chargers can do about it — or Brees.
Rams (+8) over CARDINALS: Jeff Fisher retains a knack for driving NFC West playmates to distraction, after limiting Seahawks to a field goal. Plus-points looks generous against the aging Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald Show.
STEELERS (-41/2) over Chiefs: Pittsburgh hadn’t been beaten by 30-plus points by anybody since 1989, and with RB Le’Veon Bell back in harness, Ben Roethlisberger now is fully equipped. Poor Chiefs — and their bruised secondary.
MONDAY
VIKINGS (-5) over Giants: Giants off erratic, mistake-strewn MetLife loss to Washington — while losing RB Shane Vereen. Vikes have opportunity to be really good with Sam Bradford and that defense, and Eli Manning’s uneven regular-season form is beyond maddening, especially against the Purple Gang. LAST WEEK: 10-4-1 SEASON: 29-15-1