Let’s start with Sam Darnold. If his foot injury turns out to be minor, it probably is not such a bad thing — for him or the Jets — that he’ll sit out against the Bills on Sunday and possibly in two weeks against the Patriots on the other side of the bye week.
This season was all about Darnold’s development and getting him experience — with the bad experiences likely proving even more valuable. But there comes a point when it might be better to put a temporary end to the suffering he’s enduring and in some cases causing.
So veteran Josh McCown steps in against a Buffalo team that has lost four in a row, the last three by a combined 103-20. McCown may be as bereft of weapons as Darnold has been, as it’s too early to know if Robby Anderson or Quincy Enunwa will be available.
It’s also probably too early to make a pick at all, given we also don’t know if Josh Allen will return for the Bills. If he doesn’t, Buffalo backers will be stuck with Nathan Peterman. But we have to make a selection here and now, and at least we know McCown can run an offense, score some points and win some games.
The pick: Jets, -7.
Falcons (-5¹/₂) over BROWNS: Atlanta has won three in a row to get to 4-4, playing its first truly strong game last week in a 38-14 demolition at the Redskins. Surrounding a weird 12-9 win over the Ravens, in the past six weeks the Browns have given up 45, 38, 26, 33 and 37 points.
Saints (-5¹/₂) over BENGALS: It’ll be around 45 degrees and sunny in Cincinnati, certainly not bad enough conditions to scare anyone off Drew Brees here. And actually, with Mark Ingram’s hammering runs and dump-offs to Alvin Kamara, the Saints are becoming more weather-proof.
BUCCANEERS (-3) over Redskins: The ’Skins already were missing excellent tackle Trent Williams when both starting guards, Shawn Lauvao and Brandon Scherff, went down last week. The 83-degree temperatures will wear down the Washington defense if the patchwork offensive line can’t move the chains a little.
TITANS (+6¹/₂) over Patriots: Would love to get the full touchdown here, but will take a shot with the home-’dog Titans, coached by former Patriots star Mike Vrabel and featuring a runner New England definitely could use now in Dion Lewis. Outside of falling 21-0 to the Ravens, Tennessee’s losses have been by seven, three, one and one.
Dolphins (+9¹/₂) over PACKERS: The Dolphins were lucky the Jets were worse than they were last week … but this is more an anti-Pack pick. This is a letdown game after coast-to-coast games at the Rams and Patriots.
COLTS (-3) over Jaguars: A 31-12 win over the Jets in an outlier for the Jaguars in a six-week stretch in which they lost the other five games by an average of 14 points. Andrew Luck and the Colts are rested after a bye.
Lions (+6¹/₂) over BEARS: Wish they still had Golden Tate, but am willing to take Matthew Stafford with nearly a touchdown head start in a desperate division game. This is a big step up in class for the Bears after an easy win versus the Jets and a laugher at Buffalo.
Cardinals (+16¹/₂) over CHIEFS: There are two things in play here. One is the enormous spread. Even with their unstoppable offense, the Chiefs have won only one game this season that would cover this number. Also, there’s no need to win by this much, and maintaining health should be more of a goal for Andy Reid heading into a game against the Rams next week in Mexico City.
Chargers (-10) over RAIDERS: Will the last veteran Raider turn out the lights? Oakland has lost four in a row, each by at least two touchdowns. DE Bruce Irvin is the latest in the exodus. Rolling with the red-hot Chargers, who have won five in a row.
Seahawks (+9¹/₂) over RAMS: Not saying the Rams ever would overlook their NFC West rivals, but this game is situated right in between the loss at the Saints and next week’s game with the Chiefs in Mexico City. Expecting another close one in the rematch of a 33-31 Rams win at Seattle on Oct. 7.
EAGLES (-7) over Cowboys: Carson Wentz will benefit from the bye week and the addition of Golden Tate to his receiver corps. Now he has a move-the-sticks guy to go with some deeper threats. Amari Cooper didn’t appear to do much to change the Cowboys’ offense.
Monday night
Giants (+3) over 49ERS: It’s always a dangerous situation when a team that’s already out of it in the standings has a bye. Will the team completely quit? Well, I don’t believe the Giants are tanking for a draft pick quite yet, and one of these days (or nights) Eli Manning, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr. and the rest are going to put together a good game.
Best bets: Cardinals, Chargers, Seahawks.
Lock of the week: Cardinals (Locks 7-2 in 2018).
Last week: 8-5 overall, 3-0 Best Bets.
Thursday night: Steelers (W)
Source: Read Full Article