INDY-PENDENCE DAY
Brissett return gives Colts a big shot versus Titans
SUNDAY COLTS (+3 ½) over Titans: Set to lead Indianapolis back in the right direction (practiced Thursday), Jacoby Brissett remains on schedule to return, following his mild concussion two weeks back. The Titans have struggled away since taking out the Jaguars in their road opener and are fresh off dismemberment by the Steelers at Heinz Field. Panthers (-4 ½) over JETS: As Cam Newton has gotten the band back together, Carolina’s come on since losing to Philadelphia and Chicago, back to back. This could be the point where the hard-trying J-E-T-S start coming up short against some of the serious league muscle, and Panthers surely qualify. Bears (+13 ½) over EAGLES: Sharp recent personnel decisions by the Eagles are highlighted by leading draft choice Carson Wentz’s improvement at quarterback. Both old-time teams have found their best stride employing ball-control ground games to set up the pass. The Eagles are more talented but don’t want to peak too early, and muscular Bears own them, historically. B E NGA L S (- 8) over Browns: There are a couple of spots left on Cleveland’s schedule that provide tangible hope for a ‘W,’ and the Browns’ defense is no pushover. But this doesn’t look like one of them, given Cincinnati’s i ntimate knowledge of this opponent and the clearly superior Bengals’ offensive weaponry. Dolphi n s (+ 1 6 ½ ) over PATRIOTS: Heading into a three-game trip, winding up with possible playoff preview against the Steelers at Heinz, can’t be certain Bill Belichick is going to apply the whip with any sustained vigor. Because of Jay Cutler’s sustained concussion issues, serviceable Matt Moore steps in for emergency duty for visitors. Rematch takes place in just two weeks.
Bills ( + 1 0) over CHIEFS: Na th an Peterman did an excellent impersonation of a “Seinfeld” character in his starting debut, completing 11-of-14 attempts. Five of those were gathered in by the Chargers, as Buffalo got waxed. Tyrod Taylor returns to his rightful spot — and Andy Reid’s lost five of his last six. and is gasping for air. Self-doubt abounds.
Buccaneers (+ 1 0) over
FALCONS: Buccaneers have been following last season’s tardy second-half rally-once-it-doesn’tmatter script to perfection. Atlanta next entertains Minnesota and New Orleans, leading into return
engagement at Tampa. 49ERS +7 over Seahawks: C.J. Beathard remains under center for the Niners, while Jimmy Garoppolo waits for another day. Believe Seattle would be happy to put this behind them with a ‘W’ of any dimension, with the Eagles, Jaguars and Rams on deck. RAMS (-2 ½) over Saints: The Seahawks’ loss to Atlanta took a slab of pressure off the Rams, but New Orleans still faces Atlanta twice. Rams wore down in the second half at Minnesota, but now catch the Saints — and their bangedup corners. New Orleans has averaged 37 points per game in their past three, and you don’t win the Super Bowl if you’ve peaked in November. Jaguars (-5) over CARDINALS: Historically, this is a trap spot for the Jaguars — but akin to 2017 t reatments of the Rams, you have to take the Jags’ performance patterns over the past seven seasons with truckloads of road salt. Given Jacksonville’s spiffed-up secondary and instillation of the reliable running game, times have changed. Blaine Gabbert, throwing into this secondary?
RAIDERS (-5) over Broncos: Having dropped six straight, Denver canned offensive coordinator Mike McCoy off the loss to Cincinnati and promoted quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave from within. Musgrave was the offense coordinator in Raiderville the past two seasons and brought Derek Carr along. Now he faces off against Carr behind draft choice QB Paxton Lynch, looking to develop off his two 2016 starts. Virtual coin-flip, at market.
STEELERS (-14) over Packers: Rare meeting! Aaron Rodgers’ lone Super win came against the Steelers at Jerry Jones’ playpen at the conclusion of the 2010 season, a year after the Steelers nipped the Packers by a point in a slugfest in their only Heinz Field meeting, ever. Another Super meeting is hardly likely, and Pittsburgh has history of destroying Brett Hundley types.
MONDAY
RAVENS (-7) over Texans: Inner Harbor defenders have been fortunate to have some real tomato cans on the schedule this year (Cleveland/Miami/a Rodgers-less Green Bay? Yum). Texans just won a game behind Tom Savage at QB. Don’t presume that pattern’s sustainable. LAST WEEK: 9-3-1 SEASON: 76-66-8.