Welcome back to Sunday Selections! We have had a crazy NFL season, and it keeps getting better with loads of great games today. Stephon Gilmore will face his former Patriots team in Charlotte, a battle of two Ohio teams, and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs face the Packers. If today is like what college football gave us yesterday, we are in for a treat. Here are my selections for this week’s NFL games:
New England Patriots (4-4) (-3.5) at Carolina Panthers (4-4)
The Patriots are improving every week, especially with a huge win against the Chargers last week. They are undefeated on the road, something only the Cardinals also have. Everyone talks about Mac Jones and the Patriots’ offense, but my main focus is on their defense. Sam Darnold hasn’t had a great year, but he has Christian McCaffrey back, and I’m not a fan of the Patriots run defense. Patriots win by a touchdown in Charlotte.
Tune into Patriots at Panthers at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Cleveland Browns (4-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) (-2)
The Browns recently released WR Odell Beckham Jr. because it seemed that the deal wasn’t working the way they wanted it to. I have not been impressed by Baker Mayfield, and he has not as much support on offense with OBJ gone. The run game will be the biggest key on offense if the Browns can win. With Denzel Ward and Jadeveon Clowney out, the defense will need to step up. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have balled out this season, so I wouldn’t expect anything less. Bengals win by 8.
Tune into Browns at Bengals at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Denver Broncos (4-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-1) (-10)
The Cowboys put their undefeated record at home on the line as they host the Broncos today. QB Dak Prescott is set to return today, which is a huge boost for the Cowboys. For the Broncos, Teddy Bridgewater will be without his top tight end, Noah Fant. It will be interesting how the defense looks without Broncos legend Von Miller, who was traded to the Rams recently. The Cowboys should keep their undefeated record at home alive.
Tune into Broncos at Cowboys at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Houston Texans (1-7) at Miami Dolphins (1-7) (-4)
I’m taking the Texans to upset the Dolphins on the road because their offense looks better than what the Dolphins have to offer, especially when Tua Tagovailoa is out. The Texans lead the series 8-1, which makes it more promising Davis Mills and the Texans will get their first win on the road this season.
Tune into Texans at Dolphins at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Atlanta Falcons (3-4) at New Orleans Saints (5-2) (-6.5)
The Falcons have lost four straight against the Saints, but they have an advantage today when the Saints are without starting QB Jameis Winston. The Falcons have a bad rushing defense, which helps Alvin Kamara and newly-acquired Mark Ingram lead the way for the Saints. With Calvin Ridley still out, all eyes are on Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson to help Matt Ryan out. Cameron Jordan has been playing well recently, so I think the Saints run offense, and their defense will get them the win.
Tune into Falcons at Saints at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Las Vegas Raiders (5-2) (-3) at New York Giants (2-6)
The Raiders are currently in first place in the AFC West, which no one thought would happen this season. This will be their first game without WR Henry Ruggs III, who was charged with DUI resulting in death. Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller are set to be back after suffering injuries, which will help them against the Giants. The Giants are too beat up for me to pick them to win, even at home.
Tune into Raiders at Giants at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Buffalo Bills (5-2) (-14.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
Starting running back James Robinson is out against the Bills, which already makes their offense depleted. The Bills look to be a Super Bowl contender, with one of the NFL’s top-scoring offenses and defenses. The Jaguars should lose this game, making them contend for a top draft pick.
Tune into Bills at Jaguars at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Baltimore Ravens (5-2) (-6)
The Ravens haven’t done a great job against star wide receivers, which should be an advantage for Justin Jefferson. The Vikings has only one win in Baltimore back in 1998, which proves that the Ravens should have a home-field advantage today. The Ravens have the #3 overall offense in the NFL, while the Vikings have the #7 offense. With neither team having a top defense, expect a shootout between these two teams. The Ravens win because of their home-field advantage.
Tune into Vikings at Ravens at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-5)
I was going to pick the Eagles to win, with a top-10 rushing offense going up against the worst rushing defense. The Eagles also have a top-10 passing defense which can interfere with Justin Herbert. The Chargers have lost two straight games, and with the Eagles winless at home, I’m taking the Chargers by a field goal.
Tune into Chargers at Eagles at 4:05 PM ET on CBS.
Green Bay Packers (7-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) (-7)
Before Aaron Rodgers got COVID-19 and had that whole controversy surrounding his opinions on masks and the vaccine, I would have picked the Packers. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been terrific, but some of his interceptions were caused by his receivers. The Chiefs have arguably the toughest home-field advantage in the NFL, and with Jordan Love making his first start for the Packers, he could be easily disrupted. Can Patrick Mahomes start to help his team trend upwards? This would be the game to do it. The Chiefs win by 6.
Tune into Packers at Chiefs at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Arizona Cardinals (7-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-4) (-3.5)
The Cardinals are without their top two players: Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. Even with the Cardinals being undefeated on the road, it seems clear to pick the 49ers to win. However, they are 0-3 at home, but they are a healthier team this week than the Cardinals. With Deebo Samuel becoming one of the best WRs so far this season, I have faith the 49ers will pull off the win.
Tune into Cardinals at 49ers at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Tennessee Titans (6-2) at Los Angeles Rams (7-1) (-7.5)
With the news that Derrick Henry could be out for the season, the Titans will have to rely on Ryan Tannehill and A.J. Brown to lead their offense. The Titans signed Adrian Peterson, but it is unclear whether he or Jeremy McNichols will be the top carrier. Von Miller is now on the Rams, making their defense the scariest in the NFL. With a 3-1 record at home, I’m comfortable picking the Rams to win.
Tune into Titans at Rams at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
Chicago Bears (3-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) (-6.5)
Najee Harris, the top running back in the NFL Draft, has served the Steelers well, becoming their top offensive weapon. I am still skeptical about Ben Roethlisberger, who is way past his prime. The Steelers have dominated on Monday Night Football, so with a depleted Bears team, they keep their dominance alive.
Tune into Bears at Steelers at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN.
Calhoun's Corner 