NO ESCAPE FROM L.A.
Keep saying, wham, bam, thank you, Rams
RAMS (-1) over Seahawks: Seattle’s roster was built for Field-Turf at CenturyLink. On natural grass, their offense runs in fits and starts in competitive games, saddled with their corroded offensive line. Better Seahawks teams have had issues battling homestanding Rams when this divisional foe was offense-less. Coach Sean McVay and QB Jared Goff sustain breakout. Chargers (+3) over GIANTS: Both sides desperate at 0- 4. We’re working on presumption there is more pressure on the favorite. Early start for a Left Coast team, yes, but Philip Rivers is 3-0 against Big Blue since he and Eli Manning traded places in the 2004 NFL draft. Jets (pick) over BROWNS: Cleveland’s broadly expected to get debut of rookie defensive end Myles Garrett, previously sidelined with a dinged ankle, though wouldn’t expect to see 30 plays out of him. Browns have that winless (0-4) desperation thing going for them, but Gang Green QB Josh McCown knows Hue Jackson’s team well, and McCown’s strengths should exploit home side’s defensive flaws. BENGALS (-3) over Bills: Rampaging Buffalo off two surprise wins, over the Broncos (upstate) and at Atlanta. Though Julio Jones’ injury aided Bills’ cause in Georgia, they were in superior technical ’capping circumstances in both. They’ve come a long way in a short time, so lean Bengals, though this is a big step up from beating the doormat Browns for this chalk. Jaguars (+8) over STEELERS: They haven’t faced a representative league QB in anything resembling upper-bracket NFL form all season — but Pittsburgh is 3-1, and pacing themselves for the midseason push. We’re in no rush to enroll in the Blake Bortles Fan Club, but this is plenty of points, especially with the Steelers visiting Kansas City next week.
DOLPHINS (+2¹/₂) over
Titans: Whether it’s Marcus Mariota (with that hamstring?) or Matt Cassel leading the Titans, l ooking to t he s id e nobody wants . Even with short rest off their London skunking — and their iffy running game — Miami’s defense is legitimate, and look for Jay Cutler to get wake-up call in Miami’s home opener. COLTS (- 1) over 49ers: Though Brian Hoyer is nursing a gimpy knee for the Niners, still expect him to start ... so compelled to look to Jacoby Brissett (ankle permitting) to get the job done for homestanding Colts, perhaps in R tandem with seeking to slow the game’s pace down, just a tad.
Cardinals (+6 ¹ /₂ ) over
EAGLES: As reflected in market, Philadelphia has gained measure of respect it deserves, but this handicap is a high hurdle for the favorite, against Carson Palmer’s ability to dink, dunk and hang tough, so long as the Cards’ special teams don’t let Bruce Arians down. Panthers (+2) over LIONS: Watch Matthew Stafford’s latest attempt to beat a legitimately good team — which Carolina certainly is, in their present form. Hopefully for us, Cam Newton’s press-relations stumble with a female football writer this week won’t cloud his focus. AIDERS (- 3) over Ravens: Silver and Black’s level of performance fell off the table with a thud when they lost QB Derek Carr to a broken leg last Christmas Eve. Carr is back practicing, but his back issues figure to keep him out of this fracas. So it’s EJ Manuel, with the ornery Ravens enjoying the full week to prepare for him, though Baltimore’s O-line issues are a severe concern. Close call!
Packers (+2½) over COWBOYS: It would be helpful if RB Ty Montgomery is sufficiently healthy, despite his broken ribs, to provide some offensive balance to aid Aaron Rodgers here ... but either way, will lean to road dog, as Rodgers figures to be tough once he settles into stroke, and bangedup ’Boys are anything but reliable as short home chalk.
Chiefs (-1) over TEXANS: Market caught a case of the sillies, insisting the Titans (typically miserable on the AFC South road) were a likely winner in Houston. Now, off that huge performance, the market is in love with Texans QB Deshaun Watson. The Chiefs are more experienced, and boast the best regular season coach currently employed. MONDAY
Vikings (-3) over BEARS: Regulars Viking QB Sam Bradford practiced Saturday, and word is he’ll play if his injured knee is ready to carry him. Primary drama here is regular-season debut of the Bears’ fist-round draft choice Mitchell Trubisky, who’s captured the imagination of the local fan base starved (forever!) for a topdrawer QB. Trubisky boasts enormous promise, but if Bradford starts, prefer visitor. LAST WEEK: 11-4 SEASON: 29-29-1