NFL picks

Season: 16-15; last week: 0-0; two weeks ago: 3-3

Denver started off the NFL week with a division win over San Diego, 35-21 on Thursday. The Lions and Falcons battled to the wire in London starting at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday with Detroit eventually winning, 22-21. Atlanta led, 21-0, at the half.

Note: Redskins at Cowboys pick coming Monday.

Rams (2-4) at Chiefs (3-3), 1 p.m. FOX
St. Louis picked up a big win last week at home over Seattle. Can the Rams snag another victory over a favored team in Kansas City? Playing in the dome in St. Louis is different than playing at noisy Arrowhead Stadium and the Chiefs are playing pretty well right now with a road victory last week over the Chargers and a close road loss at San Francisco three weeks ago with a bye in the middle.
Chiefs 27, Rams 20

Seahawks (3-3) at Panthers (3-3-1), 1 p.m. CBS
More problems for Seattle today as there are now reports saying that Marshawn Lynch will be the next player to leave the team at the end of the season. Seattle already shocked people when it traded away troublesome Percy Harvin after last Sunday's loss at the Rams. The Panthers have problems of their own. They just haven't looked very good this year. They got behind the Packers 28-3 on the road last Sunday. The offense has been inconsistent and the defense has been pretty bad after being one of the league's best last season. With the Seahawks struggling, I expect this to be a close game but I like Seattle barely.
Seahawks 23, Panthers 21

Ravens (5-2) at Bengals (3-2-1), 1 p.m. CBS
Would have picked this as a Cincinnati win a few weeks ago but for some reason the Bengals have looked pedestrian since starting the season 3-0. In their last three games, the Bengals have lost to the 43-17, tied Carolina at 37, and lost to the Colts, 27-0. Baltimore lost at home to the Bengals in Week 1, 23-16, and I expect the Ravens to get some revenge in Cincinnati.
Ravens 20, Bengals 17

Bears (3-4) at Patriots (5-2), 1 p.m. FOX
Seattle isn't the only team going through turmoil. Bears WR Brandon Marshall reportedly called out QB Jay Cutler last week after their loss to the Dolphins, 27-14, in Chicago. New England has gotten back on track with three straight wins over the Bengals, Bills, and Jets. Curiously, Chicago is 0-3 at home but 3-1 on the road. New England, however, has won its past 12 home games. Close game, but I like the Patriots.
Patriots 30, Bears 23

Eagles (5-1) at Cardinals (5-1), 4:05 p.m. FOX
Huge game in Arizona. The Cardinals have a great run defense but the league's 31st-ranked pass defense. Look for Chip Kelly to use this knowledge in his game plan. It is unclear if RB Darren Sproles will be active for Philly. The Cardinals have five wins but haven't exactly beaten a who's who as of late, with wins over the Redskins and Raiders. They got blown out by the Broncos but they had Drew Stanton and then Logan Thomas at QB in that game. Carson Palmer has been back at QB the past couple games and that has helped the offense. Still, I like Philadelphia.
Eagles 27, Cardinals 24

Colts (5-2) at Steelers (4-3), 4:25 p.m. CBS
Not convinced the Steelers are going to win a game like this. Pittsburgh was getting dominated last week by the Texans before a crazy turn of events at the end of the first half with all those turnovers. Indy has been rolling since an 0-2 start.
Colts 24, Steelers 16

Packers (5-2) at Saints (2-4), 8:30 p.m. NBC
New Orleans' pass defense is not good and I fully expect the Packers and Aaron Rodgers to exploit that. Huge game for the Saints but I think they fall short, even at home where they are 2-0, but have played the likes of the Vikings and Bucs.
Packers 31, Saints 27

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