Cowboys vs. Panthers
Pick: Cowboys -10.5
The Panthers are a pathetic, directionless franchise and they do not even have the benefit of their own 2024 first round pick. Dallas has beaten up on inferior teams all season long (with the exception of the great Josh Dobbs and the Cards in Week 3) and I expect that to continue this afternoon. The Panthers have zero playmakers to challenge the Dallas defense, and the Cowboys' offense has been on fire recently. I see a 30-13 Cowboys victory.
Browns vs. Steelers
Pick: Browns -2
Pittsburgh won the first meeting between these teams in September, but a lot of things went wrong for the Browns that night. Nick Chubb was lost for the season and the Steelers had 2 defensive touchdowns. The Browns are facing injury adversity again with Deshaun Watson going down, but I like them to win this game. I think Dorian Thompson-Robinson is better than his first start against Baltimore indicated and I trust Kevin Stefanski to get creative here. Look for the Browns to make timely plays on offense and continue to dominate on defense. There is just no way this Steelers team is going to be 7-3, right? I'm predicting 20-16 Browns.
Lions vs. Bears
Pick: Bears +8
The Bears are going to push Detroit in this one. I think the extra rest this week (from playing on Thursday night) and the returns of Justin Fields and Khalil Herbert are going to give the Bears a boost on offense. The Lions have shown weaknesses on defense that I believe Fields and the two-headed run game of Herbert and D'Onta Foreman can exploit. Think of it this way: this is Justin Fields' last chance to prove himself as the future at QB in Chicago and head coach Matt Eberflus is probably in the same situation. I think the Bears will pull out all the stops and come up just short. I see a 27-23 Lions win.
Packers vs. Chargers
Pick: Chargers -3
These are two of the most frustrating teams in the league to me. Both teams have a lot of great individual player on offense and defense. They both have what most would agree are good head coaches. Yet, they are both on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. I'm taking the Chargers here because I have no faith in Packers' QB Jordan Love and the ability of the offensive unit to move the ball. The Chargers' defense has to be embarrassed about getting zero sacks and surrendering 41 points last week. I think this is a get-right spot for them. This is a 29-17 Chargers win in my mind.
Texans vs. Cardinals
Pick: Texans -5.5
The Texans are legit, and the Cardinals are your imagination. Everyone picking the Cards here is imagining what Kyler Murray could be. The fact is, he is not a winning quarterback. A win over the feckless Falcons does not impress me. The Arizona defense does not scare anyone either. I see a 31-21 Houston win.
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