Can anyone suggest a solid Halloween disguise that completely covers my face? I genuinely require one. Following the disaster that was my predictions last week, ducking out of sight seems like my only option. It was a complete catastrophe. Anytime your straight-up selections fail to break the .500 mark, you recognize just how dismal things went.
I finished with a 6-8 record on straight-up calls and an abysmal 3-11 against the spread. Tossing a coin into the air would likely yield superior outcomes. Perhaps I should just hand over prediction duties to my cats for the upcoming slate.
My overall tallies for the year currently stand at 54-38-1 straight up and a dreadful 37-54-2 against the spread. Those numbers are truly hideous.
It is high time to reverse this trend, so I am throwing my support behind the underdogs. Let them make some noise.
Betting odds courtesy of DraftKings; All kickoff times Eastern
Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints (+3.5)
- Paris on Sunday, 9:30 a.m. on NFL Network (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
Both squads enter this contest fresh off victories away from home and now face an extensive journey to square off in Europe. Pittsburgh has displayed greater consistency throughout the campaign, though New Orleans delivered an impressive performance opposite the Giants last time out. Expect a razor-thin margin, but Pittsburgh ultimately pulls through.
Pick: Steelers 27, Saints 26
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons (+3.5)
- Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
The 49ers are firing on all cylinders as the top club in football, particularly with their explosive offense. However, being without Mike Evans will certainly present a challenge. Atlanta struggled to contain Chicago in their previous outing, offering little evidence to suggest they can limit Brock Purdy. They probably won’t stop him entirely, but Atlanta has enough juice to stay competitive. It stays tight.
Pick: 49ers 30, Falcons 28
Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans (+1.5)
Cleveland enters at 4-2 following their triumph over Baltimore, whereas Tennessee is riding high off a win against Indianapolis. With both offensive units scuffling to generate consistency, this matchup points toward a low-scoring struggle. Cleveland’s superior defensive talent should serve as the decisive factor, allowing them to secure another victory via a late field goal.
Pick: Browns 17, Titans 16
Indianapolis Colts (+6.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota comes in refreshed off their rest week, while Indianapolis is reeling from a dismal defeat on home turf against Tennessee. That setback resulted in the dismissal of general manager Chris Ballard, which could spark a temporary surge in urgency for Indianapolis. Finding success against Minnesota’s stingy defense will require a heavy workload from Jonathan Taylor. Expect them to rely heavily on him to keep the contest competitive, though they ultimately fall just short of pulling off the shocker.
Pick: Vikings 21, Colts 18
Miami Dolphins (+4.5) at New York Jets
Returning from their week off, Miami remains on the hunt for their initial win of the season, whereas New York suffered a setback against New England in their prior contest. New York boasts the stronger overall roster, and their defensive unit ought to slow down Miami’s attack. Still, Miami competes with intensity and should hold up nicely on the defensive side as well, making this a tightly contested fight.
Pick: Jets 19, Dolphins 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) at Carolina Panthers
- Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
Tampa Bay could see Baker Mayfield return to action for this matchup, which would provide a significant boost. Meanwhile, Carolina’s offense is operating at a high level behind Bryce Young, who is building a legitimate MVP case. That high-octane offensive production should continue, yet Tampa Bay will battle enough to remain within striking distance throughout.
Pick: Panthers 24, Bucs 23
Cincinnati Bengals (+3) at Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati returns from their bye week rested, while Baltimore aims to recover from a defeat against Cleveland. Baltimore might get Lamar Jackson back on the field after his ankle issue, a development that undoubtedly alters the game’s dynamic. Regardless of his availability, Joe Burrow is poised for a huge performance through the air. Combined with an upgraded Cincinnati defense handling business, an upset is in the making.
Pick: Bengals 24, Ravens 23
New York Giants (+10) at Houston Texans
- Sunday, 1 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
Who takes the snaps under center for New York? J.J. McCarthy seems like the logical choice, but time will tell. Regardless of who leads the offense, Houston’s defensive unit has been struggling of late. New York should generate offensive movement, but containing C.J. Stroud will prove impossible. He is operating at an elite level right now, driving Houston to a home win.
Pick: Texans 27, Giants 23
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals (+4.5)
Arizona enters following an impressive away victory over the Rams, while Denver secured a win over Seattle on Thursday night. Denver’s offensive unit has looked sluggish through much of the year, but their defense remains formidable. Expect that defense to make key stops when needed, giving Bo Nix the opportunity to deliver crucial plays down the stretch in a narrow win.
Pick: Broncos 24, Cardinals 21
Green Bay Packers (+3) at Detroit Lions
- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
Detroit benefits from coming off a much-needed open week, whereas Green Bay rides a wave of momentum following back-to-back wins. Green Bay has elevated their performance across all phases recently. Both defensive units will face stern tests, but Detroit’s offense should prove slightly sharper in front of their home crowd after resting up. Detroit edges it out by the slimmest of margins in an explosive passing showcase.
Pick: Lions 34, Packers 33
Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders (+4.5)
- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on Fox (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
Both clubs find themselves in urgent need of a win to break out of recent slumps. Los Angeles continues to deal with significant injury setbacks that have compromised their depth. Nevertheless, Matthew Stafford remains capable of picking apart any secondary, which he should demonstrate in this contest. Still, Los Angeles will yield key plays to Las Vegas, keeping the game close until the end.
Pick: Rams 28, Raiders 27
Kansas City Chiefs (+2.5) at Seattle Seahawks
- Sunday, 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
This matchup carries extra motivation for Kansas City running back Kenneth Walker, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors while playing for Seattle last February. Furthermore, Kansas City still features Patrick Mahomes under center. While Seattle boasts a stout defense, their offense has been troubled by turnover problems. That flaw will prove costly, handing Kansas City the victory.
Pick: Chiefs 23, Seahawks 17
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (+4.5)
- Monday, 8:15 p.m. on ESPN, ABC (Stream: Fubo — try for free)
Philadelphia is dealing with severe roster issues stemming from injuries, headlined by quarterback Jalen Hurts being sidelined for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, Dallas has encountered offensive sluggishness over their last two contests, raising eyebrows. Both rivals are desperate for a positive result here. Dallas should squeeze out the victory, though it will be far from easy.
Pick: Cowboys 21, Eagles 20
New England Patriots (+3) at Chicago Bears
- Thursday, 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime
This represents a critical matchup for both organizations, presenting a particularly steep challenge for the visiting squad playing on short rest. Each offense possesses high-scoring capability, setting the stage for an entertaining contest. Ultimately, New England’s superior defensive group will make the crucial plays needed to overcome the road environment and secure a vital win.
Pick: Patriots 28, Bears 27
