Sunday

PACKERS (-5½) over Raiders: Oakland’s London scrubbing of the Bears was impressive, their subsequent bye well earned — but this is now the visitors’ fourth consecutive game away from their home digs. That’s punitive duty. Given the level of competition, the Packers enjoyed the most friendly schedule sequence to date of any league entity.

Cardinals (+3) over GIANTS: Slick rookie RB Saquon Barkley likely to be back in action for Big Blue, after broad resolution of his sustained ankle issues — grand news for the home team — but reluctant to lay trey with Daniel Jones going up against Kyler Murray in battle of talented young’uns.



Texans (+1) over COLTS: Indianapolis’ history of dominance in this series is under severe attack with Deshaun Watson’s ascent at quarterback for the visitors — and Texans’ significant revenge motivation for last season’s playoff loss. Can Indy wideout T.Y. Hilton maintain his knack for destroying Houston DBs?

Dolphins (+17) over BILLS: With Miami switch to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (a signal-caller with a lengthy history of being able to function at professional level), number seems tall hill to climb for defense-oriented chalk, should visitors manage double-digit offensive production.

Vikings (-1½) over LIONS: When the home side manages to maintain a rational run-pass balance on the offensive end, results have been good. When they don’t (see: the Packers game), unhappy tidings ensue. Visitors live by rush-heavy, ball-control tempo dominance, and not convinced the Lions’ defense is up to frustrating that grand vision.

BENGALS (+3½) over Jaguars: Grade AAA Bengals offensive cog — wideout A.J. Green — was seen participating at workouts earlier this week. That’s the good news, but factor in chronic trade rumors involving Green before risking the house on this ’dog. We’ll keep picking on Gardner Minshew.

Rams (-3) over FALCONS: We’ve enjoyed such good times this season gnawing on the Falcons’ bones almost every week, we can even indulge ourselves with the disappointing Rams as road favorites, thanks to Atlanta’s porous rushing defense — and broad inability to control ball on the ground, themselves.

REDSKINS (+10) over 49ers: This caliber of matchup represents a huge role alteration for visitors, who haven’t laid double digits away from home since Jim Harbaugh’s last playoff season leading San Francisco, in 2013. Thus, consumer caution is urged. Degree of the Niners’ defensive intensity is key. Were involvement compulsory, the “under” (41½) appears appetizing.

Chargers (+2) over TITANS: Tennessee has seen enough of too-often-disappointing Marcus Mariota, so Ryan Tannehill gets a shot at the starting job. Tannehill requires maximum pass protection to be effective. Deem that unlikely, so it’s Bolts, by default — though the Chargers’ injury report is a discouraging sight, off the beating the Steelers delivered.

Ravens (+3½) over SEAHAWKS: Wouldn’t be caught dead laying more than a field goal to Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson, given the sheer explosiveness of the visitors’ offensive unit. Russell Wilson is a giant when running the Seahawks offense — but he doesn’t play defense, and a savvy visitor that has seen it all is difficult to subdue when catching tangible points.



BEARS (-3) over New Orleans: The Saints’ offensive aces — RB Alvin Kamara and TE Jared Cook — both are nursing bad ankles and won’t see action here. That’s bad news against the Bears’ defense. The hosts will surely miss all-everything DE Akiem Hicks on the defensive front. QB Mitch Trubisky is expected back for the Bears, though his passing has been a severe disappointment when healthy. The Hosts’ stop unit rises to need.

Eagles (+2½) over COWBOYS: Were Philadelphia anywhere close to fully healthy, ’dog play would be an absolute no-brainer. If only! At least, the visitors have first-round pick Andre Dillard on hand to step in for ace tackle Jason Peters, who is out with a knee issue. Name-brand ’Boys talent continues to grossly-underperform their inflated reps in critical situations.

Monday

JETS (+9½) over Patriots: In a parallel spot, we got away with the Bills earlier this season against the defending champions. Largely attributable to their broad management, the Cowboys remain ludicrous underachievers, so don’t get too giddy about the Jets’ recent win — but if the switch has actually been flipped to the locals’ sunny side, with Sam Darnold’s return at quarterback off his bout with mono, get excited.

Last week: 11-2.

Season: 47-38-1.