NFL WEEK 7 PRIMER Lions (2-3) at Falcons (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Falcons by 21⁄ 2
Lions’ keys: If the Lions can get a couple of big plays early, the Falcons’ corners, led by rookie A.J. Terrell and Kendall Sheffield, have shown a tendency to get rattled. Falcons’ keys: Pressure off the edge to slow down the Lions’ passing game. They must make QB Matthew Stafford uncomfortable.
Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Browns (4-2) at Bengals (1-4-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Browns by 3 Browns’ keys: Keep Joe Burrow off the field with a dominant rushing attack.
Bengals’ keys: Get the ball out faster and to a diverse cast, including RB Joe Mixon out of the backfield. Throwing 61 passes as Burrow did in Week 2 isn’t as problematic as the hits he’s taking.
Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Packers (4-1) at Texans (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Packers by 31⁄
2 Packers’ keys: Get off to a fast start to make Houston one-dimensional early. OLB Za’Darius Smith will need to make his presence felt.
Texans’ keys: Houston has turned the ball over seven times in six games. Involve WRs Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks early and challenge the secondary deep.
Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Bills (4-2) at Jets (0-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Bills by 12
Bills’ keys: Josh Allen needs to keep the Jets guessing. The dualthreat QB made full use of his arm and legs in Week 1, when Buffalo beat the Jets 27-17 in a game that wasn’t close. Jets’ keys: Gregg Williams’ defense needs to play like it actually knows Allen is capable of running. That fact seemed lost in Week 1.
Gary Phillips, Jets Wire
Panthers (3-3) at Saints (3-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Saints by 71⁄
2 Panthers’ keys: Keep the New Orleans offense on the sideline by leaning on RB Mike Davis, who has filled in admirably during RB Christian McCaffrey’s absence.
Saints’ keys: Carolina’s weak pass rush should allow QB Drew Brees to establish a connection with his wide receivers.
John Sigler, Saints Wire
Cowboys (2-4) at Washington (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Washington by 1 Cowboys’ keys: Dallas, even with QB Dak Prescott out, can score. Coupled with a Washington defense that has been porous at times, it could be a giant mismatch. Washington’s keys: All on the defense, which will have to keep this game close enough to allow QB Kyle Allen to make a few plays.
Zachary Neel, Washington Wire
Steelers (5-0) at Titans (5-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Titans by 11⁄
2 Titans’ keys: Attack primarily through the air to take advantage of an exploitable pass defense. However, Pittsburgh has a formidable pass rush.
Steelers’ keys: Attack through the air. On defense, Pittsburgh must continue to be stout against the run to limit RB Derrick Henry.
Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Chiefs (5-1) at Broncos (2-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Chiefs by 91⁄
2 Broncos’ keys: Denver has two Pro Bowl running backs in Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay, an explosive rookie wide receiver in Jerry Jeudy and a rising star in TE Noah Fant.
Chiefs’ keys: Denver rookie CB Michael Ojemudia has performed relatively well but hasn’t faced a QB like Patrick Mahomes.
Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Jaguars (1-5) at Chargers (1-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Chargers by 71⁄
2 Chargers’ keys: Keep rolling with rookie QB Justin Herbert. He has been on fire, throwing for 1,195 yards with nine TDs and three interceptions. Jaguars’ keys: Establish a passing attack with QB Gardner Minshew. LA’s defense has given up an average of 341 passing yards the past two games.
Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
49ers (3-3) at Patriots (2-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Patriots by 11⁄ 2
49ers’ keys: Ride their running backs; the Patriots are susceptible to the run. New England has such a tough secondary that it’s sure to challenge QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
Patriots’ keys: Get QB Cam Newton comfortable again. He looked frazzled against the Raiders before missing time due to COVID-19.
Henry McKenna, Patriots Wire
Buccaneers (4-2) at Raiders (3-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: NL
Buccaneers’ keys: Tampa Bay is loaded with weapons, but its offensive line can be exposed. On defense, look for Tampa Bay to load up on defenders in the box.
Raiders’ keys: Have a healthy offensive line, which was sent home during the week because of COVID-19 concerns.
Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire
Seahawks (5-0) at Cardinals (4-2)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC Betmgm.com line: Seahawks by 31⁄
2 Seahawks’ keys: QB Russell Wilson has 19 TD passes against three interceptions. The Cardinals have one interception but have been surprisingly solid against the pass Cardinals’ keys: Generate pressure without OLB Chandler Jones to keep Wilson from doing damage.
Jess Root, Cards Wire
Bears (5-1) at Rams (4-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN Betmgm.com line: Rams by 61⁄
2
Bears’ keys: Their defense has been one of the NFL’s best but the offense has lagged. Bears need help from their running backs. David Montgomery has gotten off to a slow start.
Rams’ keys: LA has been led by a strong ground game and a stout defense. QB Jared Goff has improved significantly since last season.
Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire