DON’T BE RAM-BOOZLED
If healthy, ’Hawks can fly with distracted L.A.
SUNDAY
Seahawks (+9½) over RAMS: Catch all those close-ups of forlorn Rams faces in the late going at New Orleans last week? Looked like a full dose of “How could this happen to us?” If broadly talented, sizable home chalk doesn’t snap back to attention in a hurry, it could happen again, given the eternal competitiveness of the Seahawks and Russell Wilson. Rooting for RB Chris Carson and other Seattle walking wounded to return.
JETS (-7) over Bills: Coming on in relief from the bullpen for the home side is 39-year-old Josh McCown for the sidelined Sam Darnold. Sad Sam will probably benefit from a measure of sideline time, observing developments from a different perspective. McCown remains one of the better relief options in a league strapped for quarterback depth. Expect he’ll make the most of this chance.
Falcons (-5¹/₂) over
BROWNS: Physical talent improvement on underdog’s side is considerable and undeniable, but their broad offensive concepts appear less than ideally coordinated with the recent coaching change. Black Birds may have turned seasonal corner. If so, Matt Ryan should pass foes silly. Saints (-5 ½) over BENGALS: Who’s going to catch the ball for a side that has long relied upon the vertical passing game, sans Tyler Eifert (who has been missed) and A.J. Green (another crushing loss, for at least the next couple of games). Risk with visitors lays in fact they’re coming off huge high from dramatic wins against Ravens, Vikings and Rams.
BUCCANEERS (- 3) over
Redskins: Broadly weakened state of Washington’s offensive line propelled move to meaningful Tampa Bay favoritism … though if you follow the money, you’re backing one of the very worst defenses in the league, at this significant lay price. No turnovers, please.
TITANS (+6½) over
Patriots: Last January, Tennessee got keelhauled at Gillette in the postseason after escaping Arrowhead with a narrow win. After a lengthy recovery, Marcus Mariota got back toward his optimal physical self at Dallas and should keep this close, so long as he remains functional. PACKERS (-9½) over Dolphins: Early-week hopes for Dolphins starting QB Ryan Tannehill’s return under center now rendered moot, with the presumptive starter continuing to battle chronic shoulder issues. Brock Osweiler gives it another go, but don’t trust Miami against Aaron Rodgers. Jaguars (+3) over COLTS: Two sides more than likely primed to return to their traditional operating standards — in a hurry, as Jags get key RB Leonard Fournette back after a disastrous month-plus absence that resulted in four bad losses. Colts just padded their record vs. Buffalo and Oakland. Helllloooo … the adults have arrived! BEARS (- 6½) over Lions: Bears made the most of their modest offensive-yardage production (a mere 190) in their clubbing of the Bills. Mysterious Lions trade of Golden Tate to Eagles weakens visitors’ receiving corps. Lay price has been played up, but Lions QB Matthew Stafford has won but seven games against above-. 500 foes in his lengthy career. CHIEFS (-16½) over Cardinals: Look-ahead game for K.C. if ever there was one, with huge Monday-nighter on deck in Mexico City vs. the Rams. Zona (off the bye) has endured ground- game issues, but may “D” have better luck against casual Chiefs rushing “D.” Still, tough to make rational case for ’dog.
Chargers (-10) over RAIDERS: Silver-and-Black talent base dripping away by the week, with DE Bruce Irvin now with his hometown Falcons after being waived out of Northern Cali. It’s difficult to make reversion-to-themean plays on sides like Oakland, which appears less than fully dedicated to the task at hand.
EAGLES (-7) over Cowboys: Birds’ RB Darren Sproles has aggravated his hammy injury after it already sidelined him for most of this season! Bright side is: Philadelphia pilfered receiver Golden Tate from the comatose Lions, and should keep pressure on vulnerable Redskins in shifty NFC East race. Eagles fresh off bye and primed to outperform most-despised rival.
MONDAY
49ERS (-3) over Giants: Analytics we favor markedly point to Big Blue, bless ’em — but (undrafted!) Southern Miss QB product Nick Mullens ran off and hid from the Raiders in his league debut in a huge win a week ago Thursday and now gets to strut his stuff under the Monday night lights, after notching a 151.9 quarterback rating in his debut. Want to put faith in the Giants, here?
LAST WEEK: 6-6. SEASON: 59-62-2.