Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens (-8) – 1.25am, Friday
THIS IS A game where history could be made, but unfortunately for the Cleveland Browns, that’s not a good thing.
Winless Cleveland is hoping to avoid the first 0-10 start in the franchise’s 66-year history. They travel to the 4-4 Baltimore Ravens, who are looking to take control of the AFC north with a victory.
The Ravens snapped a four-game losing streak in Week 9, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-14. In the first matchup between these teams in September, the Ravens turned around a 20-0 deficit to win by five, completing the second biggest comeback in franchise history.
Baltimore is likely to target Cleveland’s rookie quarterback Cody Kessler, who was sacked four times against Dallas, having just returned from a concussion the week before.
Kessler didn’t have a bad game, completing 19 of 27 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown. Browns coach Hue Jackson confirmed he’ll start against the Ravens.
Baltimore is coming off a bye-week against the Browns who’ve had just three days rest since their Week 8 loss to the Jets.
Verdict: The line looks slightly high as the Ravens haven’t been putting up big offensive numbers this season. Ravens by 5.
Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles (scratch) – 6pm, Sunday
The Atlanta Falcons go on the road against a good NFC East defence, and will feel they have enough about them to take a win here.
The 6-3 Falcons have the highest scoring offense in the NFL, averaging 33.9 points with quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones central to their plans. Ryan, who is returning to his hometown in Philly, has completed 69.3 percent of his throws with 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
The Eagles (4-4) are a team with the second-best points differential in the NFL and they boast a perfect record at Lincoln Financial Field. After racing out to a 3-0 start their form has dipped in recent weeks and they’ve lost three of the last four.
The Eagles have a strong pass defence which ranks sixth in the league, allowing 218 passing yards per game. Rookie Carson Wentz, after an explosive beginning, threw two interceptions without a touchdown in the Week 9 loss to the Giants. He’ll want to bounce back with a big performance on Sunday.
Verdict: The Eagles need a win here, having lost their last two games against divisional rivals. I’ll go with Philly to edge it. Eagles by 3.
Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots (-7.5) – 1.30am, Monday
We might see Malcolm Butler’s Super Bowl XLIX interception once or twice before this one kicks-off.
It’s the first time in 21 months these teams have met, when Butler picked off a goal line pass from the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson to win the Super Bowl for the Patriots.
The Seahawks and Patriots remain among the NFL’s best four sides, with the Pats sitting on top of the AFC East after enjoying a 7-1 start to the season. Seattle (5-2-1) also leads the NFC West, but they’re coming off a 31-25 Monday Night Football win over the Buffalo Bills, while the Patriots had a bye.
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady (4-0 since he returned from suspension) are 12-4 coming out of a bye and it’s difficult to see the Seahawks putting a dent in that record.
This has the potential to be one of the games of the season with plenty of scores to be settled. Richard Sherman vs Brady and Belichick vs Russell Wilson among the grudge-matchups.
Verdict: The Seahawks should keep it close, but after just four games Tom Brady is being talked about as the leading contender for MVP. Brady to take it home for New England. Patriots by 5+.
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Giants (-1.5) – 1.30am, Tuesday
Two of the top six passing offenses meet in this Monday Night Football showpiece at MetLife Stadium.
Andy Dalton and Cinncinnati (3-4-1) have the fourth best passing attack in the league, while two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning and his Giants (5-3) are sixth.
Beware of the New York Giants, especially on the back of a good result – the Giants beat the Eagles by 28-23 last weekend. The Bengals are coming off a bye week and need a win to get back to .500.
This promises be a high scoring game, with New York giving up 371.2 yards per game and tied for a league-low 11 sacks. The Bengals (25th) rank two places behind the Giants (23rd) in total defense, while the Giants have really struggled on rushing attack this season.
Much of New York’s hopes will rest on Manning’s ability to bring his Week 9 passing form (he threw for four touchdowns) into this game, while there’s some pressure on rookie running back Paul Perkins to improve their ground game.
Verdict: The Bengals match up pretty well with the Giants and they look poised for a road win. Bengals by 3.
And the rest (picks against the spread in bold)
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (scratch)
Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins (-3)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers (-3)
Green Bay Packers (-2.5) @ Tennessee Titans
Denver Broncos @ New Orleans Saints (-2.5)
Los Angeles Rams @ New York Jets (-2)
Chicago Bears @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1)
Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers (-3.5)
Dallas Cowboys @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals (-13.5)
