MUSIC CITY TO OUR EARS
SUNDAY TITANS (+2½) over Ravens: Tennessee has been rising to the challenges of a snarky schedule — with wins over the Jags, Eagles and Texans. Ravens’ lone road win this season was at Heinz Field, their first of a three-game road trip which concludes here.
Colts (+2½) over JETS: Don’t believe Jets RB Isaiah Crowell is going to rack up the 219 yards rushing he generated against the outwitted Broncos. Jets shouldn’t take this foe for granted, given Colts’ aptitude for rebounding off bad losses under Andrew Luck’s generalship. Luck has seen many things rookie Sam Darnold hasn’t yet faced. VIKINGS (-10) over Cardinals: Superior side is obvious — but it was clear-cut when Minnesota was huge chalk against the visiting Bills in Week 3 — and proceeded to lose by three TDs as 16½-point fave. Homers weren’t expecting to be looking up at the Bears. BROWNS (+1) over Chargers: Cleveland has turned corner, having opened 2-2-1, with score over the sturdy Ravens. The Bolts have beaten the Bills, 49ers and Raiders ... whoopie.
Early 1 p.m. kick hinders visitors — they then head for London for their second of four straight away from home. DOLPHINS (+ 3 ½ ) over Bears: This hinges on Dolphins fending off Bears pass rush (Khalil Mack and friends), giving Ryan Tannehill sufficient time to function. This isn’t any cinch — but Bears Fever is rampant (as reflected by this market). Close call! REDSKINS (-1) over Panthers: Even in this passing league, both of these sides are happy to run it when their ground games are working. Alex Smith’s ability to think and move at the same time is loosening defenses, manufacturing daylight for ’Skins rushing forays. Leaning home side’s way. Steelers (+2) over BENGALS: Pittsburgh was 1-2-1 going into Week 5 — then it caught the Falcons suffering from serious defensive injuries. This is another big spot for visitors, since they remain a 1¹/₂ games behind Cincinnati in the AFC North. Steelers perk up in chase mode against most threatening sides in big games. Feisty Titans will give Ravens trouble
FALCONS (-3) over Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has lost two in a row after 3-0 start, but is facing a heralded preseason side who’s now as desperate as the Bucs. Visitors’ defense wasn’t all that much to begin with — Atlanta has been decimated by multiple injuries (Devonta Freeman, et al). No bargain either way.
Seahawks (-2½) over RAIDERS: Here’s this week’s London special — hardly ideal timing for the Silver and Black, who should be winless, but for the hapless Comedy Club officiating during the OT in their Week 4 “triumph” over the Browns. Despite lessened talent base, ’Hawks continue to be stubborn foe. TEXANS (-10) over Buffalo: Houston QB Deshaun Watson is officially questionable with an achy chest, but would be surprised if he didn’t play and left loyal team followers rooting for Brandon Weeden. Downtrodden Bills don’t tend to follow straight-up wins impressively. BRONCOS (+7) over Rams: This is the second of two away from California for the Rams before they circle back to visit San Francisco for a third consecutive road tilt. Seahawks put Jared Goff and friends on notice, but this remains challenging place to play, though we have issues with Denver’s coaching. High temp of 27 degrees won’t please visitors. COWBOYS (+3) over Jaguars: Jags arrived at Kansas City in top form — but Blake Bortles’ career demons continued to plague, with four picks feeding into this favorite’s worst run/pass ratio of 2018. That failure doesn’t portend glad tidings. This is a fair opportunity for quality win for ’Boys, should Ezekiel Elliott perform satisfactorily against visitors’ front.
PATRIOTS (- 3 ½ ) over Chiefs: Pats are doing their utmost to follow long-established schedule of storming into October after fiddling through their opening month — though sleepwalking past the outmanned Colts is one thing, the Chiefs and Pat Mahomes is another. Bill Belichick’s career mark against younger quarterbacks with limited career experience is frightening. MONDAY
PACKERS (-9½) over 49ers: Visitors’ coach Kyle Shahanan already has labeled key RB Matt Breida a doubtful participant, given his ankle-sprain issues and other woes ... as if the loss of QB Jimmy Garoppolo for the year wasn’t enough. As often happens with Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau, Packers should prevail if Rodgers recovers from last week’s punishment by the Lions. LAST WEEK: 5- 8-1. SEASON 2.32-38-