Go beyond the scoreboard
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The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 10-6 (.625); season 134-90 (.598). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 5-11 (.313); season 107-112-5 (.489). TV channels are for Los Angeles area. All times Pacific.
2
New Orleans (7-7) at RAMS (7-7)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) has played well under pressure.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Tonight, 5:15
TV: Channel 11 (Fox), Amazon Prime Video
Line: Rams by 4 1/2. O/U: 46 1/2.
A playoff berth is in the hands of the Rams, who are reborn with a solid running game and a super-sharp Matthew Stafford. A worry for them is Saints tight end Jimmy Graham in the red zone.
Prediction: Rams 27, Saints 20
3
Cincinnati (8-6) at Pittsburgh (7-7)
Bengals quarterback Jake Browning has played well since taking over the starting role in place of Joe Burrow.
(Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
TV: Channel 4 (NBC)
Line: Bengals by 1 1/2. O/U: 37.
Jake Browning has played really well, and even though Ja’Marr Chase is banged up, it doesn’t take a ton of scoring to top Pittsburgh. The Steelers are struggling on offense and have lost three in a row.
Prediction: Bengals 21, Steelers 14
4
Buffalo (8-6) at CHARGERS (5-9)
Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) will make his second NFL start.
(Ryan Sun / Associated Press)
Saturday, 5 p.m.
TV: Channel 4 (NBC), Peacock
Line: Bills by 12 1/2. O/U: 43 1/2.
Teams often get a bump when they fire their coach, but it’s hard to envision the Easton Stick-led Chargers beating the red-hot Bills, who are coming off consecutive victories over Kansas City and Dallas.
Prediction: Bills 31, Chargers 13
5
Seattle (7-7) at Tennessee (5-9)
The Titans have not been able to protect quarterback Will Levis (8).
(John Amis / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2 (CBS)
Line: Seahawks by 2 1/2. O/U: 41 1/2.
Titans have big problems at quarterback and their offensive line is terrible, absolutely cannot protect. Even though they’re at home, I don’t like them derailing the suddenly confident Seahawks.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Titans 20
6
Detroit (10-4) at Minnesota (7-7)
Nick Mullens will start at quarterback for the Vikings this week.
(Jay LaPrete / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 11 (Fox)
Line: Lions by 3. O/U: 46 1/2.
The Lions scored 42 last week and started to look like themselves again. The Vikings have lost three of four, even though their defense has played pretty well. Division game so it should be closer.
Prediction: Lions 27, Vikings 23
7
Indianapolis (8-6) at Atlanta (6-8)
Quarterback Gardner Minshew has led the Colts to five wins in six games.
(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Falcons by 1 1/2. O/U: 44 1/2.
The Colts have won five of six and they’re 5-2 on the road. Atlanta doesn’t have an answer at quarterback and has a defense that just gave up a winning 90-yard drive to Carolina in the rain.
Prediction: Colts 24, Falcons 16
8
Green Bay (6-8) at Carolina (2-12)
Quarterback Jordan Love (10) aims to get the Packers back on track against the Panthers.
(Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Packers by 4 1/2. O/U: 36 1/2.
The Packers looked good a few weeks ago but are coming off back-to-back losses. They have defensive problems, though, and Carolina has gotten a little confidence boost with the win over Atlanta.
Prediction: Packers 21, Panthers 13
9
Cleveland (9-5) at Houston (8-6)
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) leads a stout Browns defense.
(Ron Schwane / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Browns by 2 1/2. O/U: 40 1/2.
Case Keenum did a good job last week, but if C.J. Stroud remains in concussion protocol and the Texans are once again without their star rookie quarterback ... gotta go with Cleveland’s defense.
Prediction: Browns 23, Texans 18
10
Washington (4-10) at N.Y. Jets (5-9)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been activated from injured reserve but will not play again this season.
(Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)
Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Jets by 3. O/U: 37 1/2.
At some point, the NFL’s schedule makers thought this would be an enticing matchup. But the Jets have lost six of seven and the Commanders seven of eight. Maybe Jets can run in this matchup.
Prediction: Jets 13, Commanders 10
11
Jacksonville (8-6) at Tampa Bay (7-7)
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) has been on a hot streak.
(Mike Roemer / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Buccaneers by1 1/2. O/U: 43 1/2.
Baker Mayfield is coming off a career game and the Buccaneers are feeling good about themselves after three consecutive victories. Concussion status for Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is problematic.
Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Jaguars 21
12
Dallas (10-4) at Miami (10-4)
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) gets to face the Cowboys defense at home.
(Doug Murray / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: Channel 11 (Fox)
Line: Dolphins by 1 1/2. O/U: 51 1/2.
When proud and talented teams get embarrassed, they often come out strong the next week. Dallas falls into that category after a debacle against Buffalo. The Cowboys bounce back.
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Dolphins 23
13
Arizona (3-11) at Chicago (5-9)
Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray can torture defenses with their running ability.
(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)
Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
TV: NFL Ticket
Line: Bears by 4 1/2. O/U: 44 1/2.
The Bears have been playing a little better lately, and their defense has looked pretty solid at times. Kyler Murray helps Arizona, but not enough. Justin Fields runs around and makes a big play or two.
Prediction: Bears 21, Cardinals 17
14
New England (3-11) at Denver (7-7)
Broncos coach Sean Payton and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) will need to gameplan against a steady Patriots defense.
(Bart Young / Associated Press)
Sunday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Line: Broncos by 6 1/2. O/U: 34 1/2.
The Patriots are playing well on defense but their offense is a non-starter. The Broncos are playing well on defense, and they’re at home, but a lot rides on Russell Wilson and football protection.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Patriots 17
15
Las Vegas (6-8) at Kansas City (9-5)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is difficult to beat on Kansas City’s home field.
(Ed Zurga / Associated Press)
Monday, 10 a.m.
TV: Channel 2 (CBS)
Line: Chiefs by 10. O/U: 41 1/2.
The Raiders tend not to win in Kansas City, but they should keep it close. The Chiefs have been wobbly lately. Their defense does enough in this game, and Patrick Mahomes comes through again.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Raiders 20
16
N.Y. Giants (5-9) at Philadelphia (10-4)
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles have lost three games in a row.
(Matt Rourke / Associated Press)
Monday, 1:30 p.m.
TV: Channel 11 (Fox)
Line: Eagles by 11 1/2. O/U: 42 1/2.
A get-right game for the Eagles, who are coming off a painful loss at Seattle. Philadelphia establishes the run as that offensive line takes over, and that’s enough to control the game.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Giants 17
17
Baltimore (11-3) at San Francisco (11-3)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) has the highest quarterback rating in the NFL.
(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
TV: Channel 7 (ABC)
Line: 49ers by 5 1/2. O/U: 46 1/2.
San Francisco is a cut above. They have so many weapons, and Brock Purdy gets the ball to them quickly. That should be enough to neutralize a fierce Baltimore pass rush and smothering secondary.
Prediction: 49ers 30, Ravens 23
