Go beyond the scoreboard
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The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 11-3 (.786); season 128-79-1 (.618). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-5 (.643); season 101-105-2 (.490). All times Pacific.
Thursday, 5:20 p.m. PST
TV: FOX, NFL Network, Amazon
Line: Chiefs by 3. O/U: 521/2.
Analysis: The Chargers tend to play the Chiefs tough and won at K.C. earlier this season. Injuries to Austin Ekeler, Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr. are a concern though and a season sweep is a tall order.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Chargers 27
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Line: Raiders by 1½. O/U: 39½.
Analysis: Nightmare scenario for Browns, with coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield among a slew of positive COVID tests. If it’s Case Keenum at QB, the desperate Raiders should survive.
Prediction: Raiders 24, Browns 20
Saturday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Line: Colts by 2½. O/U: 44½.
Analysis: Colts’ front seven is beastly, and could be a brick wall when the Patriots try to run. Indianapolis is fresh after a week off, Jonathan Taylor runs it on everybody and Carson Wentz can make some plays.
Prediction: Colts 28, Patriots 23
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: DirecTV: 705
Line: Jaguars by 3½. O/U: 39½.
Analysis: Jaguars are a disaster, and the possibility of players quitting on Urban Meyer can no longer happen because he was fired Wednesday night. Houston is playing hard and the defense is showing up. Still, it’s the Texans.
Prediction: Jaguars 17, Texans 13
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: DirecTV: 706.
Line: Titans by 1½. O/U: 41½.
Analysis: The Titans are getting healthier and their defense does get a lot of pressure up the middle (ask the Rams). T.J. Watt is hobbled, this isn’t the same old Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers are struggling.
Prediction: Titans 24, Steelers 20
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: DirecTV: 707.
Line: Dolphins by 10. O/U: 42.
Analysis: The Dolphins won five straight heading into their week off and their defense is playing phenomenally well. Miami has a bunch of running backs on the COVID list, but that probably won’t tip the scales.
Prediction: Dolphins 27, Jets 13
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: DirecTV: 708.
Line: Cardinals by 12½. O/U: 47.
Analysis: Detroit has been all over the map, playing some teams surprisingly close then completely failing to show up. Arizona, which is 7-0 on the road, will bounce back after an emotional loss to the Rams.
Prediction: Cardinals 31, Lions 17
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: FOX. DirecTV: 709.
Line: Cowboys by 10½. O/U: 44½.
Analysis: The Cowboys should win this, but Dak Prescott isn’t playing great, Tony Pollard has a bum foot and the offensive line has issues. But on defense, Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs are game changers.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 21
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: DirecTV: 710.
Line: Bills by 10½. O/U: 44½.
Analysis: The Panthers’ quarterback situation is a mess and without Christian McCaffrey the team really doesn’t have a running game. Desperate Buffalo can’t really run the ball or stop the run ... but it’s Carolina.
Prediction: Bills 27, Panthers 17
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: DirecTV: 711.
Line: Eagles by 7. O/U: 44½.
Analysis: Philadelphia has won three of four and put a lot of points on the board, but it’s hard to know how good the Eagles really are. Washington won four in a row before losing to Dallas last week.
Prediction: Eagles 23, Washington 20
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: DirecTV: 712.
Line: Bengals by 2½. O/U: 44.
Analysis: Bengals have lost two home games in a row and now head to a tough place to play. Joe Burrow is a budding superstar and Cincinnati has weapons. Denver has the receivers but doesn’t throw it anymore.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Broncos 23
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: DirecTV: 713.
Line: 49ers by 9. O/U: 46.
Analysis: The 49ers are rolling and teams won’t want to meet them in the playoffs. The Falcons forced three turnovers against Carolina and the run defense showed up, but the 49ers are more formidable.
Prediction: 49ers 24, Falcons 17
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: FOX. DirecTV: 714.
Line: Rams by 4½. O/U: 45½.
Analysis: The Rams typically play Seattle well, and Aaron Donald historically has gotten to Russell Wilson. No Odell Beckham Jr. doesn’t help, but Rams should keep momentum going after big win at Arizona.
Prediction: Rams 33, Seahawks 20
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: None. DirecTV: 715.
Line: Packers by 4½. O/U: 43½.
Analysis: Lamar Jackson is hobbled and playing behind a porous offensive line, and the Baltimore defense is riddled with injuries. Green Bay has won three of four, with a week off thrown in there too.
Prediction: Packers 27, Ravens 20
Sunday, 5:20 p.m.
TV: NBC
Line: Buccaneers by 10½. O/U: 46½.
Analysis: New Orleans beat Tampa Bay on Halloween and typically gives the Buccaneers problems. Tampa has had to reshuffle the secondary, but Saints don’t have a QB like Drew Brees to take advantage.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Saints 21
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Vikings by 3½. O/U: 33.
Analysis: Vikings are fairly solid — Dalvin Cook is back, Justin Jefferson is on a hot streak, Kirk Cousins is accurate — and the Bears just aren’t good. Anything can happen in a division game, but this is a mismatch.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Bears 17
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.