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Pete Prisco has covered the NFL for three decades, including working as a beat reporter in Jacksonville for the Jaguars. He hosted his own radio show for seven years, and can be seen throughout the week on CBS Sports' NFL shows. When he's not watching game tape you can find Pete on Twitter or dreaming of an Arizona State national title in football. |
| MATCHUP | SCORE | ANALYSIS |
| Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 | |||
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New York Giants |
27
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The Eagles just don’t look right, and it starts with the offensive line. The receivers aren’t getting open, either. The Giants looked better on offense last week against the Panthers, and I think that carries over here. On a short week, I will take the home team. Result: NY Giants 13, Philadelphia Eagles 34 |
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Philadelphia Eagles |
21
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| Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 | |||
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Atlanta Falcons |
41
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Expect a lot of points in this one since both defenses have major issues. Jameis Winston will make his first start here for the Bucs, and it’s a depleted defense he will be facing. But Matt Ryan will have a good day as well. In the end, the Falcons will win it in a wild shootout. Result: Atlanta Falcons 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29 |
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
36
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Pittsburgh Steelers |
30
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The Steelers looked much better on defense last week against the Falcons, which will carry over here. The Bengals are 31st in the league in third-down defense. That’s never a good thing against the Steelers passing game. I think Pittsburgh is starting to get on a little roll. Steelers will win this road game. Result: Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Cincinnati Bengals 21 |
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Cincinnati Bengals |
23
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Los Angeles Chargers |
21
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The Browns are one of the surprise teams so far, and it’s because of the defense. It has been outstanding. But Philip Rivers is playing great football, so something has to give. I think the Browns defense will play well again, but Rivers will get a late touchdown to win this one. Result: Los Angeles Chargers 38, Cleveland Browns 14 |
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Cleveland Browns |
17
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Houston Texans |
24
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This is a game that features the two worst offensive lines in the league. The two quarterbacks have taken a beating. And they will do so here. But I will go with Deshaun Watson at home, rather than Josh Allen on the road. Result: Houston Texans 20, Buffalo Bills 13 |
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Buffalo Bills |
14
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Miami Dolphins |
23
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The Bears are coming off a bye that followed an offensive explosion. The Dolphins have lost two straight on the road and blew a big lead last week against the Bengals. But back home in the heat of South Florida, I think the Dolphins will play good defense here and find a way to pull off an upset. Result: Miami Dolphins 31, Chicago Bears 28 |
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Chicago Bears |
17
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Minnesota Vikings |
23
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The Cardinals are playing consecutive road games after beating the 49ers last week, and this is a big step up in terms of opponent. Minnesota got back on track against the Eagles last week, but I think the Cardinals will be able to keep this one closer than expected. They won’t win here like the Bills did a few weeks back, but they will stay in the game. Result: Minnesota Vikings 27, Arizona Cardinals 17 |
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Arizona Cardinals |
20
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New York Jets |
21
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The Jets got their running game going in a big way last week against the Broncos, so expect more of that here. The Colts have been better on defense than some expected, but look for the Jets to run it on them a bunch here. Andrew Luck is throwing a lot of passes. Too many, in fact. That number has to go down. Jets will win it behind their running game. Result: NY Jets 42, Indianapolis Colts 34 |
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Indianapolis Colts |
14
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Seattle Seahawks |
30
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The Raiders have major issues on defense and the Seahawks haven’t been the same on that side of the ball this year either. So that should mean a lot of points for the London folks. Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes last week and will have the same type of game here. Seattle wins it. Result: Seattle Seahawks 27, Oakland Raiders 3 |
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Oakland Raiders |
24
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Washington Redskins |
24
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The Redskins are playing on a short week and looked awful in losing to the Saints. But I think they rebound here. They did that earlier in the year and it will play out that way again. The Panthers nearly blew a late lead last week to the Giants, but rallied to win on a 63-yard field goal. That was at home. This is on the road, and the Redskins will take it. Result: Washington Redskins 23, Carolina Panthers 17 |
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Carolina Panthers |
20
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Los Angeles Rams |
22
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The Rams have been scoring on everybody and Denver is coming off a game where the Jets ran through them at will. That means a lot of Todd Gurley here. The flip side is the Rams have had issues stopping the run as well. I look for Denver to run it a bunch to try and slow the game down. They will. Rams win it, but it’s close. Result: Los Angeles Rams 23, Denver Broncos 20 |
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Denver Broncos |
20
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Jacksonville Jaguars |
17
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This is a game that might set offensive football back a few years. The Jaguars looked awful last week in losing to the Chiefs and now are playing consecutive road games. But the Cowboys offense is primitive, which is not a good way to play the tough Jaguars defense. That will be the difference. Jacksonville wins a low-scoring game. Result: Jacksonville Jaguars 7, Dallas Cowboys 40 |
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Dallas Cowboys |
13
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Baltimore Ravens |
21
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The Ravens are playing a third straight road game, which is brutal. They didn’t play well on offense against the Browns last week and the Titans do have a good defense. This won’t be easy. But I think the Ravens are the better team and will pull out a tough, physical road victory. Result: Baltimore Ravens 21, Tennessee Titans 0 |
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Tennessee Titans |
17
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New England Patriots |
27
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This is the game of the week with the undefeated Chiefs facing the Patriots. The Chiefs looked better on defense last week against Jacksonville, but I think the Patriots run through them in this one. Patrick Mahomes will be limited by the schemes of Bill Belichick here and the Patriots will win it. Result: New England Patriots 43, Kansas City Chiefs 40 |
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Kansas City Chiefs |
20
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| Monday, Oct. 15, 2018 | |||
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Green Bay Packers |
31
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Is this the week the Packers start playing like a playoff team? They just haven’t looked right, but I do think that changes here. Aaron Rodgers looked to be the Rodgers of old last week against the Lions. That carries over against a bad 49ers defense. Packers win big. Result: Green Bay Packers 33, San Francisco 49ers 30 |
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San Francisco 49ers |
13
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