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Sam Farmer’s Week 10 NFL picks: Russell Wilson will lead Seahawks past 49ers

Leading MVP candidate Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks will try to hand the San Francisco 49ers their first loss Monday in Santa Clara.
Leading MVP candidate Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks will try to hand the San Francisco 49ers their first loss Monday in Santa Clara.
(Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images)
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The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 9-5 (.643); season 85-49-1 (.634). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 7-7 (.500); season 66-68-1 (.493). Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, New England, Philadelphia and Washington have the week off. Times are Pacific.

Detroit Lions (3-4-1) at Chicago Bears (3-5)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Bears by 21/2. O/U: 411/2.

Matthew Stafford figures to put up some robust numbers even though the Bears are decent against the pass. The Bears are still struggling to get some traction on offense. They do this week.

Prediction: Bears 23, Lions 20

Baltimore Ravens (6-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-8)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Ravens by 10. O/U: 441/2.

Should be a quick game, seeing as it’s the No. 1 rushing offense (Baltimore) against the No. 32 rushing defense (Cincinnati). What’s more, the rudderless Bengals have benched Andy Dalton.

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Prediction: Ravens 31, Bengals 13

Buffalo Bills (6-2) at Cleveland (2-6)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Browns by 3. O/U: 40.

Could be a big game for Buffalo running back Devin Singletary, who’s going up against a Browns defense that’s pillow-soft against the run. Buffalo’s defense is pretty stout, on the other hand.

Prediction: Bills 24, Browns 18

Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) at Tennessee Titans (4-5)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Chiefs by 6. O/U: 48.

The Titans will try to keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline by hammering away on the ground with Derrick Henry. But when the Chiefs quarterback is on the field, he’ll do enough damage.

Prediction: Chiefs 30, Titans 21

Atlanta Falcons (1-7) at New Orleans Saints (7-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Saints by 13. O/U: 511/2.

The Falcons are lost at sea and could be making a coaching change soon. The Saints are the best team in football at the moment, and keep finding ways to win no matter who is on the field.

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Prediction: Saints 34, Falcons 21

New York Giants (2-7) at New York Jets (1-7)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Giants by 3. O/U: 44.

Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold have been turnover machines of late. Saquon Barkley will be the difference maker, as the Jets don’t have a linebacker who can hang with him out of the backfield.

Prediction: Giants 24, Jets 20

Arizona Cardinals (3-5-1) at Tampa Bay Cardinals (2-6)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Buccaneers by 41/2. O/U: 52.

The Cardinals don’t have a great track record of coming across the country to play, but this is a different Arizona team, one that can move the ball in the air against Tampa Bay.

Prediction: Cardinals 27, Buccaneers 20

Miami Dolphins (1-7) at Indianapolis Colts (5-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Colts by 101/2. O/U: 44.

Feels like Colts of old with pass protection breaking down the way it has. The Dolphins are riding a high after notching first win. Still, give the advantage to Indy with a bounce-back game at home.

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Prediction: Colts 27, Dolphins 17

Carolina Panthers (5-3) at Green Bay Packers (7-2)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Packers by 51/2. O/U: 47.

The Packers are looking to rebound after a lousy game against the Chargers, and no better place to do that but home. Containing Christian McCaffrey is a chore, though, and might be too much.

Prediction: Panthers 27, Packers 24

Los Angeles Rams (5-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Rams by 31/2. O/U: 44.

Now we’ll find out how solid the Rams really are, as this is stepped-up competition after wins over Atlanta and Cincinnati. They are rested and have not lost in Eastern time with Sean McVay as coach.

Prediction: Rams 31, Steelers 24

Minnesota Vikings (6-3) at Dallas Cowboys (5-3)

Sunday, 5:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Cowboys 3. O/U: 48.

The Cowboys are balanced and at home, and can grind it out on the ground with Ezekiel Elliott. But the Vikings are primed to bounce back after a bitter defeat at Kansas City. Kirk Cousins steps up.

Prediction: Vikings 31, Cowboys 27

Seattle Seahawks (7-2) at San Francisco 49ers (8-0)

Monday, 5:15 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Line: 49ers by 6. O/U: 47.

Russell Wilson has led his team to fourth-quarter comebacks four times this season. He’s the leading MVP candidate. In a great NFC West showdown, the Seahawks hand the 49ers their first loss.

Prediction: Seahawks 28, 49ers 24

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