Should be a scorcher of a Thursday Night Football game here between a pair of questionable NFC West teams, each coming off a loss. The Rams are probably the better overall team, but the strength of the 49ers on the defensive line can help to bottle up Todd Gurley and frustrate Jared Goff. Brian Hoyer won't dominate but he can move the ball enough to pull of an upset in San Francisco.
The pick: 49ers +2
Credit: USATSI
Jaguars (+4) vs. Ravens
This game might make you pass out in your cereal, with two very boring and very defensive teams squaring off in London at 9:30 a.m. ET. Both of these defenses may very well be top-tier units, and although there is no real proof that the Jaguars will be good in 2017, I am going to take them to cover this spread in what will probably be one of those really weird #morningfootball games.
The pick: Jaguars +4
Credit: USATSI
Panthers (-5.5) vs. Saints
Pretty high line for a divisional matchup, but the Panthers are a nice value here in my opinion. The Saints are on the road, where they do not play as well. Carolina's strength is the interior of its defensive line and the Saints are struggling to block for Drew Brees. Carolina's offense loses Greg Olsen, but it was much better against Buffalo than the final score suggested. Cam Newton and the Panthers could erupt in this matchup for a big point total.
The pick: Panthers -5.5
Credit: USATSI
Patriots (-13) vs. Texans
Here's a fun fact for you: there have been 10 first-year quarterbacks to make a start in Foxborough against the Patriots since Bill Belichick took over in New England. All 10 of those lost, which is not a huge surprise. What is surprising? They lost by a whopping 17.2 points on average. Only Carson Palmer (not a rookie) and Geno Smith (Jets in division) and Derek Carr stayed within seven points. It is asking a lot of Deshaun Watson to keep this close with a bad offensive line.
The pick: Pats -13
Credit: USATSI
Bills (+3) vs. Broncos
Full confession: sometimes I will make an NFL pick because the other side is too obvious. Watching the Broncos and Bills play, it is VERY clear who is the better team. Denver is a complete squad, with a dangerous defense, a stout running game and an improved Trevor Siemian. The Bills couldn't pass on this team if they even had a good passing offense. The Broncos should roll. But I'm going to take the Bills, who stunned the Cardinals in similar fashion at home last year. Don't feel good about it either.
The pick: Bills +3
Credit: USATSI
Bears (+7) vs. Steelers
Another game where there is nothing to like about the home team. The Bears should not be competitive with the Steelers. But they should not be competitive with the Falcons either, and managed to keep it close at home in Week 1. The Steelers are a well-balanced team and a very dangerous squad, but they haven't been absolutely blasting their opponents either. The bet here is they let the Bears hang around.
The pick: Bears +7
Credit: USATSI
Browns (-1) at Colts
It feels INSANE to take the Browns as road chalk here, mainly because the Browns haven't been favored in a single football game since 2015. But this is a Cleveland team with a pretty decent defense and a mildly competent offense. Indy stepped up its game against the Cardinals but the Browns have the personnel and matchups to run over them on offense and limit Jacoby Brissett on defense.
The pick: Browns -1
Credit: USATSI
Eagles (-6) vs. Giants
The New York Giants are reeling and they should be desperate in this matchup against the Eagles. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham can do damage against a banged-up secondary, assuming Eli has time to operate in the pocket. Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham have led a crippling Eagles pass rush that could do some serious damage against a Giants offensive line that has struggled badly this season.
The pick: Eagles -6
Credit: USATSI
Dolphins (-5.5) at Jets
Some more road chalk here and it does not feel good to take the Dolphins, who missed Week 1 as a result of Hurricane Irma, playing their second straight road game. But the Jets have a very "2015 Browns" vibe about them -- blindly assuming they will cover any games this year is probably a dangerous idea. Jay Cutler looked sharp in his Dolphins debut and should fare well here. Jay Ajayi could be in line for a monster day.
The pick: Dolphins -5.5
Credit: USATSI
Lions (+3.5) vs. Falcons
Atlanta looked like one of the best teams in the NFL on Sunday night while christening Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a beatdown of the Packers. They won't lose too much in terms of home-field advantage by playing on the road in a dome, but the Lions just have a way to keep games close. This game could easily get ugly, but with Vic Beasley out, Detroit can move the ball on Atlanta. I'll take the field goal at home.
The pick: Lions +3.5
Credit: USATSI
Seahawks (+3) at Titans
I still think Tennessee is an undervalued team in terms of quality -- the Week 1 loss to Oakland sort of disguised their overall talent, and they manhandled Jacksonville last week. Seattle has major problems, particularly on the offensive line, but this is not a terrible matchup for them to keep it close, although traveling to Nashville is less than ideal. Fortunately for the Seahawks it's a late kick. I think their defense is good enough to keep it close.
The pick: Seahawks +3
Credit: USATSI
Chargers (+3.5) vs. Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs might very well be the best team in football this year and have looked fantastic on both sides of the ball in both of their games. The Chargers have a really bad habit of egging games late but they are a good football team and have kept it close with both the Broncos and Dolphins. It would hardly be surprising if they lost this game late but the power of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the defensive side will help keep things within a field goal.
The pick: Chargers +3.5
Credit: USATSI
Bengals (+9) vs. Packers
This spread feels a little too low, considering how terrible the Bengals have been this season. The guess here is that new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will make it a point of emphasis to try and feature rookie running back Joe Mixon in the running game against a banged-up Packers team to help set up Andy Dalton for some shots. Aaron Rodgers could be missing his tackles again and Jordy Nelson is up in the air on playing right now.
The pick: Bengals +9
Credit: USATSI
Redskins (+3) vs. Raiders
Big-time game for Washington here against a West Coast juggernaut in primetime after traveling back from Los Angeles and beating the Rams. Chris Thompson is quietly emerging as a viable big-play threat for Washington, and he might very well be the best running back on this roster. The Redskins are a decent team and while the Raiders might be better, Washington can keep things close.
The pick: Redskins +3
Credit: USATSI
Cardinals (+3) vs. Cowboys
What's better than a team getting points at home? Nothing, even if the Cardinals are not that great of a team right now. They looked lethargic against the Colts on the road but managed to pull off a win. The NFC West is in flux right now and stealing a victory against the Cowboys by leaning on Larry Fitzgerald and J.J. Nelson in the passing game could set them up for when David Johnson eventually returns.
