Home team in CAPS:
BROWNS (-7) over Bears
Given the injury-enforced absence of Andy Dalton, promising rookie Justin Fields is expected to draw his initial regular-season start for Chicago … but unless you’re John Elway, experience comes at a stiff price. The Browns will be without wide receiver Jarvis Landry (knee), but Odell Beckham Jr. is expected back for Cleveland.
Falcons (+2.5) over GIANTS
Must grant QB Matt Ryan a puncher’s chance here, if he can keep turnovers to a minimum. The Giants continue to have meaningful point-production issues behind QB Daniel Jones.
BRONCOS (-10) over Jets
Off the Patriots’ demonstration of how to stuff Gang Green with minimum strain, the Jets now face the Broncos, who have their own ball-control QB artist in Teddy Bridgewater, a master of the precise midrange passing game.
BILLS (-8) over Redskins
Buffalo has made the most out of its defensive abilities (see: Bills 35, Dolphins 0, in Week 2), and doubt that the redoubtable Bills will stumble to any sustained extent against the overmatched Football Team.
Ravens (-8) over LIONS
Detroit youth movement results in plenty of newcomers manning their stop unit. Given their sustained dedication to the ground game, John Harbaugh can dictate tempo — and the likely result, as well.
TITANS (-5.5) over Colts
Give Carson Wentz points for heart after he gutted out Friday’s practice on two bad ankles. Would rather back Ryan Tannehill as an underdog, but reluctant to embrace either Jacob Eason or Brett Hundley as alternatives.
Chargers (+7) over CHIEFS
This should even be more fun than the original AFL versions of the early 1960s, given the superior competitive abilities of the modern contestants. This should go to the wire, since the Chiefs defense is short of the host’s championship standards.
PATRIOTS (-2.5) over Saints
Hazardous call, because of the raw inherent abilities of the New Orleans roster — but given that this is the date for the Pats’ Julian Edelman tribute, a nod to the emotional boost provided by the associated ceremonies.
STEELERS (-3) over Bengals
Legitimate respectability maintained by the Steelers can’t be sustained indefinitely. The Rooneys have long dominated the series, but Joe Burrow should advance a meaningful changing of the guard.
Cardinals (-7.5) over JAGUARS
While high draft choice Trevor Lawrence builds up his balance in the experience bank, the home side’s defense writes checks the offense simply can’t honor. Cards QB Kyler Murray continues to thrive against dubious defenses, and the band plays on.
RAIDERS (-4) over Dolphins
With 29-year-old Jacoby Brissett setting the table with turnovers, the homestanding Dolphins quickly fell out of touch with the visiting Bills, losing by a full five TDs while enduring a shutout. Out of the frying pan into the fire, Sea Mammals now compelled to play Vegas.
RAMS (+1) over Buccaneers
The Bucs are vacating Tampa en route to La La Land. Their assignment: Beat Matthew Stafford. With both sides undefeated and the Rams more than pleased with their new QB, this looms as a stiff battle, but the Rams are hardly unarmed.
Seahawks (-1.5) over VIKINGS
It’s tough to intimidate veteran ace QB Russell Wilson. Don’t be surprised if this is another tall task Vikings signal caller Kirk Cousins is no cinch to master. Vikes RB Dalvin Cook will run up ground yards — but will they be enough?
49ERS (-3.5) over Packers
You like Aaron Rodgers? Good on ya … but we try not to get too giddy about NFC North QBs leaving their region to engage western foes. So long as Jimmy Garoppolo stays healthy, not looking to fade him, in this spot.
Monday
Eagles (+4) over COWBOYS
Perhaps it shouldn’t be, but for many, the Philadelphia defense has proven to be one of the league’s surprise packages. The speculators are well aware of the visitors’ opportunistic stop unit, having backed them with vigor in early-week action.
Last week: 7-8
Season: 15-15