Sunday 11/6/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Week 9 Opening Line Report: Raiders, Bronocs meet with first place on the line
By PATRICK EVERSON

Every team in the NFL reaches at least the season’s midpoint this weekend, and perhaps a game beyond that for teams that haven’t had their bye week yet. We talk about some key Week 9 opening lines with Peter Childs, risk management supervisor.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (+1)

Defending Super Bowl champion Denver is atop the AFC West, but not alone, as on-the-rise Oakland is also 6-2 SU heading into a Sunday night showdown. The Broncos (6-2 ATS) held off San Diego 27-19 as a 3.5-point home favorite in Week 8, continuing an interesting trend: in their last 12 victories, the Broncos have held their opponents to 20 points or less all 12 times.

Oakland (5-3 ATS) has continued its rise by hanging out in Florida the past two weeks and bagging consecutive wins and covers. In Week 7, the Raiders bested Jacksonville, and on Sunday, Oakland edged Tampa Bay 30-24 in overtime as a 1-point underdog.

“This is a great prime-time matchup, with these teams vying for sole possession of first place in the very competitive AFC West,” Childs said. “The Raiders are hot, winning and covering their past two games, but that was against the god-awful Jags and the very inconsistent Bucs. Against the Bucs, they set a record for number of penalties recorded in an NFL game (23).”

Childs noted the Raiders are a stout 5-0 SU and ATS on the road, but have failed to cash in their three home games this season.

“So this is truly a test, going up against the defending Super Bowl champs,” Childs said. “We considered making this game a pick ’em, because while the Raiders have struggled at home, they still have great support in Oakland. And being the Sunday night game, we fully expect a raucous crowd.

“But we also know that our customers are going to bet the Broncos in this game, and we wanted to open them a slight favorite, which we did, having them lay 1. So far, 80 percent of early action has come in as we expected, on the Broncos, and we’re sure that money will continue to come in on the Broncos up until game time. We’ll be fine going into this game needing the Raiders, they’re definitely live, and no question they’re going to bring a monster effort in their first Sunday night game since I can remember.”

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)

This is annually a key game for these AFC North rivals, but Pittsburgh will still be without Ben Roethlisberger (knee), and Baltimore is flailing after a strong start. The Steelers (4-3 SU and ATS) are coming off their bye, following a 27-16 home loss to New England as a 7.5-point pup on Oct. 23.

The Ravens (3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS) are also coming off the bye, having lost four in a row SU and five in a row ATS. In Week 7, as a 2.5-point road ‘dog to the New York Jets, Baltimore lost 24-16.

“Maybe no team in the NFL needed a bye more than the Ravens,” Childs said. “Baltimore simply can’t move the ball on offense and recently fired offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. The extra week should help new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg implement his schemes and systems.”

We strongly considered Ravens -3 as the opening number, with Pittsburgh trotting out Landry Jones as the starting quarterback.
“I really wanted to make the Ravens a solid 3-point favorite. But we simply couldn’t,” Childs said. “The history of this rivalry has been intense and ultra-competitive, and both games last year landed on 3. Throw in the fact that bettors are very down on this Ravens team, and we simply couldn’t open up as high as a field goal, so we opened Ravens -2.5. So far we’ve seen steady, two-way action.”

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-7)

Minnesota (5-1 SU and ATS) still has some Week 8 work to complete, traveling to Chicago to face the Bears in a Halloween Monday nighter. But that didn’t stop Childs from posting the Vikings’ Week 9 line a little bit earlier, largely due to Detroit’s performance Sunday. The Lions (4-4 SU and ATS) saw their three-game SU and ATS streak halted in a 20-13 loss at Houston as a 1-point ‘dog

“Detroit went into Houston with some nice momentum, but those wins were all at home, and yesterday, they simply couldn’t execute on offense,” Childs said. “If the Lions can’t move the ball against Houston on the road, you can’t expect them to do much against the best defense, playing in the loudest stadium in the NFL.

“So far, we’ve seen decent two-way action at our current number of Minnesota -7, but so much will depend on how the Vikings play tonight. Their performance will impact how we reopen this line Tuesday.”

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-3)

New York hopes to pick up where it left off before its bye week, as the Giants had won two in a row SU and ATS, including a 17-10 victory at Los Angeles giving 2.5 points in Week 7 to reach 4-3 SU, 3-3-1 ATS. Philadelphia (4-3 SU and ATS) started the season 3-0 behind rookie QB Carson Wentz, but has now lost three of four, including Sunday’s 29-23 overtime setback at Dallas catching 5 points.

“I suspect we’ll open up the Giants about a field-goal favorite, but we haven’t opened this game yet, as the Eagles played on Sunday night,” Childs said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Underdogs: Week 9 pointspread picks and predictions
By ANDREW CALEY

Oh boy, it’s going to be one hell of a week as the craziest Presidential campaign I can remember comes to a close Tuesday.

While I’m just an unbiased observer watching the goings-on from the safety of Canada (we’ll be much safer if that wall goes up), I can’t help but feel anxiety when it comes to the choice my American friends have to make this Tuesday. The Simpsons said it right, like they always do...

I also feel that way when having to make my underdog picks for this week, as we're in the midst of the “Bye Week Blues”. With only 11 games to choose from this week, the pickings are a little slim.

But fear not, it’s not just Kang and Kodos on the board - we've got the Detroit Lions.

I like the Lions and more specifically I like the way Matthew Stafford has been playing. But this pick is more about fading the team they go up against: the Minnesota Vikings.

This play would've seemed ludicrous just a few weeks ago, but that’s how quickly things change in the NFL.

Minnesota opened the season 5-0 SU and ATS behind the league’s top defense, but has since dropped two games in a row, scoring 10 points apiece in each of those losses. The Vikings offensive line is in shambles and the results can be found all over the field. Minnesota ranks 31st in rushing offense and Sam Bradford has been sacked 11 times in the last two games.

Then came the whammy. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner resigned. He will be replaced by Pat Shurmur, who was Bradford’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia and St. Louis, which doesn’t give me that much confidence.

Meanwhile, the Lions have climbed back into the NFC North race and their four losses have come by an average of 4.5 points per game.

I know the Vikings defense is still intact, but there is no quarterback hotter than Stafford. He has nine touchdowns and no interceptions in his last four games and boasts a career-best 103.4 passer rating this season.

If the election were between Jim Bob and Shurmur, I pick Jim Bob every time.

Pick: Lions +6

New York Jets (+3.5) at Miami Dolphins

In the election for president of “who can stay irrelevant in the division longer,” everyone’s a winner.

The Jets and Dolphins both have bright spots and unfortunately for Miami they go up against each other in this matchup.

Dolphins’ running back Jay Ajayi will try and become the first running back in the post-Super Bowl era to rush for 200 yards in three consecutive games, but faces a Jets team that boasts the NFL’s top rush defense, allowing just 74 yards per game.

I’ll also take history in this matchup. The Jets are 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings with the Dolphins and, while Ryan Fitzpatrick has looked bad this season (like, really bad), maybe a matchup with Miami is just what he needs.

Fitzpatrick tossed four touchdown passes in a 38-20 victory over Miami on November 29, with former Dolphins wideout Brandon Marshall reeling in nine receptions for 131 yards and two scores.

I don’t love it, but I’ll stick with the history books on this one.

Pick: Jets +3.5

Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams (+3)

Once again, another matchup with candidates you don’t love either way, so this time around I’ll lean on some sports betting clichés.

While the Panthers got a much needed win last week, they could be in for a letdown. They're traveling across the country and are 0-3 SU and ATS on the road this season.

Plus, I love when teams with decent defenses are getting points at home.

If this one doesn't pan out, "Don’t blame me. I voted for Kodos".

Pick: Rams +3

Last Week: 1-2 ATS
Season: 14-10 ATS

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Underdogs: Week 9 pointspread picks and predictions
By ANDREW CALEY

Oh boy, it’s going to be one hell of a week as the craziest Presidential campaign I can remember comes to a close Tuesday.

While I’m just an unbiased observer watching the goings-on from the safety of Canada (we’ll be much safer if that wall goes up), I can’t help but feel anxiety when it comes to the choice my American friends have to make this Tuesday. The Simpsons said it right, like they always do...

I also feel that way when having to make my underdog picks for this week, as we're in the midst of the “Bye Week Blues”. With only 11 games to choose from this week, the pickings are a little slim.

But fear not, it’s not just Kang and Kodos on the board - we've got the Detroit Lions.

I like the Lions and more specifically I like the way Matthew Stafford has been playing. But this pick is more about fading the team they go up against: the Minnesota Vikings.

This play would've seemed ludicrous just a few weeks ago, but that’s how quickly things change in the NFL.

Minnesota opened the season 5-0 SU and ATS behind the league’s top defense, but has since dropped two games in a row, scoring 10 points apiece in each of those losses. The Vikings offensive line is in shambles and the results can be found all over the field. Minnesota ranks 31st in rushing offense and Sam Bradford has been sacked 11 times in the last two games.

Then came the whammy. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner resigned. He will be replaced by Pat Shurmur, who was Bradford’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia and St. Louis, which doesn’t give me that much confidence.

Meanwhile, the Lions have climbed back into the NFC North race and their four losses have come by an average of 4.5 points per game.

I know the Vikings defense is still intact, but there is no quarterback hotter than Stafford. He has nine touchdowns and no interceptions in his last four games and boasts a career-best 103.4 passer rating this season.

If the election were between Jim Bob and Shurmur, I pick Jim Bob every time.

Pick: Lions +6

New York Jets (+3.5) at Miami Dolphins

In the election for president of “who can stay irrelevant in the division longer,” everyone’s a winner.

The Jets and Dolphins both have bright spots and unfortunately for Miami they go up against each other in this matchup.

Dolphins’ running back Jay Ajayi will try and become the first running back in the post-Super Bowl era to rush for 200 yards in three consecutive games, but faces a Jets team that boasts the NFL’s top rush defense, allowing just 74 yards per game.

I’ll also take history in this matchup. The Jets are 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings with the Dolphins and, while Ryan Fitzpatrick has looked bad this season (like, really bad), maybe a matchup with Miami is just what he needs.

Fitzpatrick tossed four touchdown passes in a 38-20 victory over Miami on November 29, with former Dolphins wideout Brandon Marshall reeling in nine receptions for 131 yards and two scores.

I don’t love it, but I’ll stick with the history books on this one.

Pick: Jets +3.5

Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams (+3)

Once again, another matchup with candidates you don’t love either way, so this time around I’ll lean on some sports betting clichés.

While the Panthers got a much needed win last week, they could be in for a letdown. They're traveling across the country and are 0-3 SU and ATS on the road this season.

Plus, I love when teams with decent defenses are getting points at home.

If this one doesn't pan out, "Don’t blame me. I voted for Kodos".

Pick: Rams +3

Last Week: 1-2 ATS
Season: 14-10 ATS

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Miami aiming for .500

Can Dolphins' Ajayi Make NFL History?

The NFL has some magical numbers when it comes to individual statistical achievements: 2,000 yards rushing or 5,000 yards passing to name two. But the NFL isn't close to Major League Baseball terms of mainstream important numbers. Even the most casual sports fans know what the MLB records for career or single-season home runs are, for example. Or the last player to hit .400. Now tell me the NFL single-season record for passing yards or rushing touchdowns. Didn't think so.

But a pretty significant NFL record could be set this Sunday when the Miami Dolphins (3-4) come out of their bye week to host the AFC East rival New York Jets (3-5). In a Week 6 upset of Pittsburgh, Dolphins second-year running back Jay Ajayi, a fifth-round pick out of Boise State, carried 25 times for 204 yards (8.2 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. The next week in a 28-25 upset of the Buffalo Bills, Ajayi rushed 28 times for 214 yards (7.6 ypc) and a touchdown.

Ajayi is just the fourth player in league history with back-to-back 200-yard games, joining Hall of Famers O.J. Simpson (twice) and Earl Campbell and former Dolphin Ricky Williams. None of those three managed to hit 200 yards three games in a row. Ajayi goes up against the Jets' top-ranked rushing defense on Sunday; New York allows only 74.0 yards per game. The Dolphins are 3.5-point favorites to win a third straight game and reach .500. The total is 44.

Very deservedly, Ajayi was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week following both his 200-yard games. What made the outburst even more stunning was that Ajayi opened the season as the backup to Arian Foster and did little even when Foster, who retired last week, got injured.

In the first four games, Ajayi totaled 31 carries for 117 yards (3.8 ypc). His long rush in the first four weeks was 11 yards. Ajayi had a 62-yard TD run against the Steelers and a 53-yard non-scoring run against the Bills. In those two games, Miami's offense went from 28th in the NFL in rushing to ninth.

One big difference in Ajayi's success has been the fact his projected starting offensive line -- Mike Pouncey at center, Branden Albert at left tackle, Laremy Tunsil at left guard, Jermon Bushrod at right guard and Ja’Wuan James at right tackle -- played together for the first time this season against Pittsburgh. Pouncey missed the first four games due to injury. Albert missed a couple.

It also helps that Coach Adam Gase has shifted to a ground-and-pound approach to take pressure off struggling quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He has been sacked just once in the two-game winning streak. Tannehill went down 17 times in the first five games.

Miami hasn't won three in a row since 2014. The Dolphins were 0-2 vs. the Jets last year. Ajayi had just three carries for six yards against them.

The Fins haven't made the playoffs since 2008, but that's potentially attainable with a win over New York and a very manageable schedule upcoming. Following the Jets, the Dolphins play four straight games against teams that finished currently have losing records in the Chargers, Rams, 49ers and Ravens. The only 2015 playoff teams left on the schedule are Arizona (Week 14) and New England (Week 17), both in south Florida. The Cardinals also have a losing record and the Patriots might have nothing to play for by then.

Since 1990, only eight teams have made the playoffs after starting 1-4, but the 2016 Dolphins could join that club as long as Ajayi doesn't break down from the heavy workload.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL Week 9 lines that make you go hmmm...
By PETER KORNER

Longtime Las Vegas oddsmaker Peter Korner sizes up this week’s NFL schedule and picks out some of the lines making him go “hmmmm…” in Week 9:

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers (+3.5, 51)

I was somewhat surprised at the opening line for the New Orleans at San Francisco game. The Saints are but a mere 3-4 but those four wins have come in the last four weeks of play. New Orleans has played a really tough schedule to date and only sitting a game or so from being inside the bubble, they have to be thinking this game at San Francisco is a “must-win” in order to keep those playoff hopes alive.

I made this game closer to -6 so I see tremendous value at this level. The 49ers are now losers of six in a row and have allowed point totals of 46, 37, 24, 33, 45 and 34 in those games. They’ve scored 27, 18, 17, 21, 16 and 17 points for respectively. With the added information that RB Carlos Hyde is questionable for San Francisco, I just don’t see the Niners keeping up to the Saints’ offensive potential.

All the incentive lies with New Orleans as San Francisco appears to be a stumbling mess of limited talents and off-the-field issues. I don’t see where the San Francisco money will be coming from, so take the Saints early in the week before this climbs too high on game day.

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks (-7, 44)

I will always be a Buffalo backer but we were too smart this past week to let the game versus New England go by without that being a take for the favorite. Unfortunately, Buffalo’s ill-fated results are not based on lack of talent but the talent it does have not suiting up to play. Buffalo is at Seattle in what appears to be a slaughter waiting to happen.

Again, the Bills will be without a host of starting players this week both on the offensive and defensive sides at Seattle, which will prove to be their demise once again. Buffalo is a team sinking fast after such high expectations at the start of the season and can’t possibly be thinking it can compete at Seattle’s level. The Seahawks were one foot inbounds away from continuing their climb in the NFC and have to be thinking this game versus Buffalo is important to have one week before their big showdown at New England.

The incentive is with Seattle and it has the dominant defense that will assuredly silence any notions the Buffalo offense has of being effective. After two tough games on the road, Seattle should be licking its chops at the site of a weakened herd limping into their home field.

At -7, the number is saying Seattle would be a PK or 1-point favorite at Buffalo, which would be absurd. I had this in the -9 range hoping I wasn’t too low. If Buffalo was healthy, that’s another story. But it isn’t, so this leaves this game as one-sided as it can get.

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (+7.5, 47)

Dallas is at Cleveland and although Cleveland may be up for the game, the 0-8 team may lack the firepower to stay up with the NFC’s best team. This is another game where I had a disparity in the opening line. I have no less than -9 here.

Dallas is a proven winner on the road with victories in Washington, San Francisco and at Green Bay. The Cowboys are playing great defense in holding four of their past five opponents to less than 20 points.

The Browns have played six different quarterbacks this season. It’s kind of tough to get any continuity with a key position like that up in the air. There’s no larger disparity of incentive than between these two teams this week. Dallas doesn’t want to be the first team to lose to Cleveland and that’s probably the weakest argument among the 100 other reasons why they should take this contest handily.

Dak Prescott is hitting his stride and with the continuing shadow of Tony Romo’s return, he has the incentive to make every game a solid one. It’s very hard to come up with anything for Cleveland, outside of a freak breakout on an arbitrary week playing one of the best teams in the NFL. We have our doubts on that. Another game to hit up the favorite early in the week as there is no running to the counter to play Cleveland this week.

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-5, 47)

Tennessee is at San Diego and the new-look Titans, winners of three of their last four games have been scoring at a high rate. This matches well with San Diego which has been an Over team for pretty much the entire year.

San Diego totals have been 60, 52, 48, 69, 65, 63 and 46 with one 34 sprinkled in the mix. The Titans have not been below 47 the past five games. With the current total at 47, I’m thinking this may be an easy target to reach.

Both teams have hot quarterbacks with ratings in the mid 90’s. They’ve combined for over 4,000 yards in the air already and both have at least twice as many TDs thrown as interceptions. Playing in San Diego, we’re going to assume the weather will be ideal and the track will be fast. I don’t see much reason to believe this will be a slowdown game, so let’s get this one Over the 47 and take the easy way to the cashier.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Dogs to Watch - Week 9

Underdogs to Watch – Week 9

This feature last week only had four teams that qualified as +4 or greater underdogs and it was the Bears (+220) who came through on MNF to save the day for these big dogs. Chicago rallied around the return of their QB to beat the Vikings and held up their end of the bargain when I mentioned that teams suffering their first loss after a 4-0 SU or better start (Minnesota) were typically good teams to play against. If you had followed along with that advice I'm sure your bankroll thanked you, but it's time to check out this week's board.

Week 9 Underdogs that Qualify

Jacksonville Jaguars (+7.5); ML (+280)
Detroit Lions (+6); ML (+230)
Cleveland Browns (+7.5); ML (+260)
Indianapolis Colts (+7); ML (+260)
Tennessee Titans (+5.5); ML (+180)
Buffalo Bills (+7); ML (+250)

First off, I'd like to welcome the Cleveland Browns (+260) back to their rightful spot on this list after taking a week off. The winless Browns welcome in the Dallas Cowboys to the Dawg Pound this week, and while this is a bit of a tricky spot for Dallas after their OT primetime win over a division rival and before a trip to Pittsburgh, picking the Browns to win outright is not something I'm willing to do until they can show me that they can actually win a game.

Next up we've got the Buffalo Bills (+250) and Detroit Lions (+230) on this list as two sizeable road underdogs going into very tough environments to play. The Bills are in Seattle on MNF to deal with a frustrated Seahawks team and that could turn ugly in a hurry for Bills fans.

Detroit makes their first trip to Minnesota's brand new palace, and while the Vikings are on a two-game slide, looked awful on MNF, and just had their OC Norv Turner resign, it's tough to envision Minnesota losing three in a row outright with the defense they've got. Taking the points with Detroit is an entirely different scenario (and likely a profitable one), but backing them to be the first to beat Minnesota in their new stadium is not something I'm prepared to do.

That leaves us with nearly the entire AFC South division as Jacksonville (+280), Indianapolis (+260), and Tennessee (+180) round out this week's list.

All three of those teams are on the road, and it's the Colts game that will see plenty of attention given they are at Lambeau Field to take on the Packers. Green Bay has started to turn things around the past few weeks but they've still got huge question marks in the running game and I'm still a believer that the Colts can turn their season around.

The AFC South is the weakest division in football from top to bottom and a win against the Packers this week could be that spark Indy's season needs. Indianapolis is slowly getting healthier on offense with WR Donte Moncrief back in the fold and they've got the talent to match the Packers score for score should the game turn into a shootout.

The Colts defense is still a big concern, but this game should find a way to stay well within the point spread as the Colts have a strong shot at pulling off the upset. Their season is almost on the line this week as going to 3-6 SU could end up being too much ground to make up.

Jacksonville and Tennessee are in Kansas City and San Diego respectively, and just like the Colts, both have a reasonable shot at pulling off the upset. Both teams are coming off the “mini-bye” after playing one another last Thursday and that extra time off should help.

Jacksonville also gets a KC team that is starting backup QB Nick Foles this week and although he sparked the Chiefs a week ago in relief, often times that spark burns out a week later for teams in that scenario and that could very well be the case here. Even with how bad Jacksonville has looked for the majority of this campaign, if they can put it all together for 60 minutes here a win could be in the cards.

Tennessee was impressive in beating up on the Jaguars a week ago, but they are actually the AFC South team I like the least here. NFL teams are never as good or as bad as they look after one dominant or woeful performance and the Chargers have been playing some great football the past few weeks. The majority of bettors will remember the Titans dominant performance and rush to grab the points, but San Diego has been a tough out all year and as long as they don't shoot themselves in the foot late like they did so often in the first few weeks, San Diego should find a way to take care of business.

All that being said, I expect a strong week from these AFC South teams as road underdogs in Week 9 with either Jacksonville (+280) or Indianapolis (+260) as the best shot to get us to the betting window with a winning ticket.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jaguars (2-5) at Chiefs (5-2)

Date: November 06, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

When they take the field Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, both the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars hope to have different starting quarterbacks than in their most recent game.

For the Chiefs (5-2), they will go with backup quarterback Nick Foles in the starter's seat, stepping in for Alex Smith, who is being held out of the game because "something" happened last Sunday in Kansas City's victory over Indianapolis. More on that later.

With the Jaguars (2-5), they will have the same quarterback in the huddle. But coming off the Jags last game, Blake Bortles hopes to be a more finely tuned passer after spending time in Jacksonville with his throwing guru from the west coast.

It's a noon CST kickoff for the game where the Chiefs are a heavy favorite and carry a three-game winning streak into the afternoon. The Jaguars have lost their last two and are 1-2 on the road this season.

Andy Reid's team has been hit with a rash of injuries in recent weeks. Running back Jamaal Charles was placed on the injured-reserve list after a second surgery on a bulky right knee. The offensive engine in the first half of the 2016 season has been running back Spencer Ware, but he's out after suffering a concussion. Starting left guard Parker Ehinger is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

And watching on the sidelines will be Smith, who twice left last Sunday's game in Indianapolis after taking blows to the head. However, tests under the NFL concussion protocols during the game and the next day indicated that Smith did not suffer a concussion.

"Nope," was Smith's answer when asked if he felt like he suffered a concussion against the Colts. "But certainly something happened. Don't know what it was, don't know what you want to call it."

Despite passing all the tests, the Chiefs made the decision to sit Smith for this game and go with the 27-year old Foles, who is making his 37th NFL start in regular and postseason play. But it's his first with the Chiefs after signing with the team in early August.

"I feel great in this offense; I've always liked playing for Coach Reid and this offense," said Foles, who was drafted by Reid in 2012 when the coach was in Philadelphia. "From week to week, you change things up, but I feel good about where I'm at."

Bortles hopes that he can feel good about his mechanics after getting extra work with Adam Dedeaux, who is part of the 3DQB Academy in southern California that's run by former major league pitcher and now quarterback Guru Tom House. Concerns about mechanics for the third-year player prompted the call for help.

"Hopefully, we'll tighten some things up and get back to where I was throwing the ball with efficiency," said Bortles. "When you struggle with what you're supposed to do all the time, you try to fix it as quickly as possible rather than let it get worse."

Jags head coach Gus Bailey decided he needed something different in his offense and fired coordinator Greg Olson two days after taking a 36-22 thumping from Tennessee in a Thursday night game on Oct. 27. Olson was replaced by quarterbacks coach Nathanial Hackett, the son of former Chiefs offensive coordinator from the 1990s Paul Hackett.

"I just felt like the offense needed to be stimulated more in certain areas," said Bailey, who is 14-41 as head coach of the Jaguars. His teams are 5-22 on the road, winning just twice in the last three seasons away from Jacksonville. "I looked at it and said, 'You know what? Offensively, I'm not sure what's going to change next week. I just didn't feel where we were going. I just couldn't grasp in my mind that the results were going to change if we continue going in this direction."

The Chiefs enter the game with a very fluid situation at running back. Coming back from a torn ACL in his right knee, Charles never really caught fire in the offense. Ware has been the offensive engine for the Kansas City offense, producing yards as a runner and receiver. It's unlikely that he'll play. Just two weeks ago, they traded running back Knile Davis to Green Bay. So Charcandrick West will carry most of the load, something he's done before. Just last week against the Colts he had 60 yards on 16 touches after Ware went down with his concussion near halftime.

The team also added running back Bishop Sankey, a former second-round choice of the Tennessee Titans (2014) who was sitting on the New England practice squad.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL's biggest betting mismatches: Week 9
By MONTY ANDREWS

Each week, Monty Andrews breaks down some of the underlying mismatches in the NFL, giving you an inside edge when handicapping the schedule and setting your daily fantasy lineup.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-2.5, 43)

Eagles' clock-control skills vs. Giants' ToP dilemma

What a difference a year - and a new head coach - can make. The Eagles enjoyed some regular-season success in three seasons with Chip Kelly at the helm, but it was no thanks to their dismal possession statistics. But lo and behold, Philadelphia has learned how to hold onto the football - and should easily control the time of possession this weekend as they visit a Giants team still struggling to get first downs and extend drives.

The Eagles were abysmal in ToP with Kelly in charge, ranking last in each of his three years at the helm. That isn't the case at all under Doug Pederson, as Philadelphia ranks No. 1 in the league in average time of possession at 32:24 per game - more than six minutes better than any average recorded under Kelly. The difference-maker? Philadelphia ranks in the top 12 in both first downs per game allowed (19.4) and opponent third-down conversion percentage (38.37).

The Giants only wish they were in the same neighborhood. New York comes into this one ranked dead last in time of possession at 25:57; the San Francisco 49ers (26:09) are the only other team below 27 minutes on the season. The Giants have struggled to keep drives going, ranking 26th in first downs per game (18.9) and 30th in third-down conversion rate (32.61 percent). And if they can't improve on those numbers Sunday, it could be a long day for the home side.

Daily fantasy watch: RB Darren Sproles

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (+7, 48.5)

Cowboys' early scoring barrage vs. Browns' first-half woes

The Dallas Cowboys haven't skipped a beat despite losing starting quarterback Tony Romo for at least the first half of the season. Rookie Dak Prescott has filled in admirably, while electrifying running back Ezekiel Elliott has lived up to his preseason hype by leading the NFL in rushing yards. Dallas has been especially dangerous in the first half of games this season, a trend that should continue this weekend against the struggling Cleveland Browns.

The Cowboys entered 2016 coming off a dismal campaign in which they averaged just 8.4 first-half points per game - thanks in large part to a carousel of journeyman quarterbacks that couldn't come close to matching Romo's production. Fast forward to this year, where Prescott and Elliott have helped Dallas become a first-half force, ranking third in the league with an average of 15.4 points before halftime. They're consistent, as well, averaging 16 first-half points at home and 14.7 on the road.

Thinking the Browns might offer some first-half resistance? Think again. On top of being below average in just about every measure, Cleveland has been a sieve in the first half of games so far this season, allowing 14.6 points on average before half, behind only Jacksonville, New Orleans and the New York Jets. And like Dallas, it hasn't made much of a difference where the Browns have played; they have surrendered an average of 14 first-half points at home and 15 on the road. This one could be decided early.

Daily fantasy watch: RB Ezekiel Elliott

Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (-7.5, 54)

Colts' penalty problems vs. Packers' elite discipline

The Packers come into this one with a healthy edge according to the bookmakers, and with good reason: They've played incredibly well at home this season, and welcome a Colts team that has struggled mightily to contain opposing offenses. And there's another reason why Green Bay should walk away with the victory in this one - it's a far more disciplined unit than Indianapolis, which is fortunate to have escaped its massive penalty troubles so far.

Indianapolis has repeatedly shot itself in the foot, incurring 64 accepted penalties through eight games - the fourth-highest tally in the league. The Colts have picked up at least seven flags in six of their eight games this season while racking up double-digit infractions twice; amazingly, they won both of those games, but they're playing with fire if they continue this penalty-happy trend. The season count includes 33 penalties on the offensive side of the ball.

Contrast that to the Packers' penalty situation, and the difference is night and day. Green Bay comes into this weekend having incurred just 41 penalties; only San Francisco and Kansas City have been penalized less. Their 345 total penalty yards against are 223 fewer than the Colts, and they've been flagged just 16 times on the offensive end. The Packers should have a decided penalty advantage versus Indy, and those extra yards could make a big difference.

Daily fantasy watch: QB Aaron Rodgers

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (PK, 43.5)

Raiders' left-side lockdown vs. Broncos' D-line weakness

Sunday night's showdown between the Raiders and Broncos at Oakland Alamada Coliseum is a big one, with both teams eyeing sole possession of top spot in the AFC West. The little things could have a colossal impact on the outcome of the game, so both clubs will be looking for whatever advantage they can find - and the Raiders have a big one when it comes to the quality of the line play, at least on the left side.

The Raiders have fashioned one of the best offensive lines in the league, with none of their five linemen rated below 72.5 on Pro Football Focus. They're particularly skilled on the left side, where LG Kelechi Osemele (85.1) and LT Donald Penn (86.2) rank seventh and eighth, respectively, at their positions. They have made life a while lot easier for QB Derek Carr and the Oakland running game, which ranks fifth in the league in yards (932) and sixth in yards per carry (4.8).

The Broncos are no slouch on defense, led by CB Aqib Talib (90.8) and LE Von Miller (89.9). But the right side of the line has been vulnerable this season, with RE Shane Ray (74.3) ranked 54th at his position and RT Jared Crick (44.6) rated among the worst regular defenders in the league. Look for the Raiders to exploit this mismatch by repeatedly running Latavius Murray through the left side, where Osemele and Penn have clear blocking advantages.

Daily fantasy watch: RB Latavius Murray

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lions (4-4) at Vikings (5-2)

Date: November 06, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Three weeks ago, the Minnesota Vikings were unbeaten and appeared to be the class of the NFC.

Minnesota hosts the Detroit Lions on Sunday looking to just stay on top of the NFC North, and will do so with a new offensive coordinator.

The past two weeks, in which the Vikings (5-2) scored 20 total points and averaged 270 yards of offense in two losses, has taken the shine off Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer's Super Bowl-hopeful bunch.

As the Vikings were getting set to prepare for Detroit (4-4), Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner resigned on Monday. Zimmer said he was "very, very surprised" by the move.

"He has helped me tremendously in the three years that I've been here," Zimmer said. "He has had an unbelievable career. He has been, really, my right-hand man, really, since I've been here, and he decided it was in the best interest of him to do this, and I accept the reasons; and they are personal."

Behind a faltering offensive line, the Vikings have the league's second-worst offense. Minnesota is 31st in the NFL in average yards per game (293.3) and yards per play (4.6). The offense has averaged 19.9 points per game, tied for 23rd in the league.

Tight ends coach Pat Shurmur is the interim offensive coordinator and will call the plays. Shurmur does have experience with quarterback Sam Bradford, who came to the Vikings in a trade right before the regular season began. Shurmur was the offensive coordinator and interim head coach in Philadelphia last year with Bradford, and the two were together in St. Louis as well.

"I think he's a great football mind," Bradford said. "Really just looking forward to sitting down and talking to him and trying to figure out the direction in which we're going to go...Halfway through the season, I'm not really sure if you can completely change an offense and the terminology for everyone."

Offense hadn't been a concern for the Lions, at least until Sunday's loss at Houston. Detroit had 289 yards of offense, its second-lowest output of the season in a 20-13 loss. The 13 points were a season low even as the Lions welcomed back tight end Eric Ebron and running back Theo Riddick.

Ebron returned after missing three games with ankle and knee injuries and had seven catches for a team-high 79 yards receiving. Riddick had missed two games with an ankle injury and had 56 yards rushing and 77 yards receiving with a touchdown against Houston.

"We just hurt ourselves," Ebron told the team's website. "Penalties, we just hurt ourselves. Every game we've lost, we've hurt ourselves. So, we've got to, just got to clean up our act and win."

Protecting Matthew Stafford will be an important factor against Minnesota's second-ranked defense. Stafford was sacked eight times in two losses to the Vikings last season.

"That's what they're known for, it's what they're really good at," Stafford told the team's website of the Vikings' blitz packages. "The last two times we played these guys we were a little different schematically than we are now.

"We'll be able to take a look at them this week, study them hard and work to try and find solutions that will fit us."

Detroit will also need to bring the pressure against Bradford, who has been sacked 11 times the past two weeks.

"It's something that I would like to see go down," Bradford said of the number of times he has been hit. "I don't think it's a positive thing. I don't think it's a good thing. I think we've got to figure out a way to bring that number down."

The Lions made one change, as well, trying to help their 23rd-ranked defense by acquiring cornerback Johnthan Banks from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Banks was a college teammate of Detroit cornerback Darius Slay at Mississippi State and the two were second-round draft picks in 2013.

Banks will try to resurrect his career in a new spot.

Meanwhile, Minnesota is trying to prove its season isn't slipping away.

"I do think that we hit a rough spot in the season and we need to get back on track," Zimmer said. "So, unfortunately this is just some of the things that go on over the course of a season. Obviously, the season is a long time and not everything is going to go smooth, as I've found out over the three years. So, we'll just keep trying to do the things we have to do to continue to get better."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Essential Week 9 betting tidbits and odds for NFL Sunday

Week 9 of the NFL season is upon us and with so many games on the slate it can be hard to handicap them all. But fear not NFL bettors, we have you covered with our quick hitting breakdown of every game on the Sunday schedule.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-1, 44)

* Landry Jones struggled in a 27-16 loss to the Patriots, finishing 29 of 47 for 281 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Roethlisberger threw for at least three scoring passes in four of his first five starts and had nine TDs and zero picks in back-to-back wins over Kansas City and the New York Jets before he was hurt in a loss at Miami. Whoever starts at quarterback has the luxury of throwing to elite wideout Antonio Brown, who has 48 catches for 592 yards and five scores. Running back Le'Veon Bell has been outstanding since returning from his three-game suspension, leading the league with 147.2 yards from scrimmage per game.

* Quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled during the four-game skid with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions, and has only five scoring passes versus six picks on the season. "He’s still a guy that’s capable of hurting you in a lot of ways," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. "His deep ball is exceptional. His short game, he’s getting it out as quick as he ever has. His pinpoint accuracy in small spaces in the short game is exceptional.” Wideout Steve Smith returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since injuring his ankle on Oct. 9. Baltimore managed 11 yards rushing in a Week 7 loss at the Jets.

LINE HISTORY: The Ravens opened his AFC North tilt as 2.5 favorites and that number has dropped to 1 with rumours Roethlisberger could return. The total opened at 43 and been driven up a full point to 44.

TRENDS:

• Steelers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
• Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
• Ravens are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. AFC North.
• Under is 8-1-1 in Steelers last 10 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
• Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland (7.5, 48.5)

* Prescott is one victory shy from becoming the third rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win seven straight starts (Ben Roethlisberger, 13 in a row in 2004; Kyle Orton, eight consecutive in 2005). A healthy dose of Dez Bryant helped Prescott's cause last week, as the explosive star had 113 receiving yards and a touchdown versus the Eagles in his first game since sustaining a tibial plateau fracture in his right leg on Sept. 25. Fellow wideout Cole Beasley was kept out of the end zone after scoring three touchdowns in his previous two contests.

* Terrelle Pryor is expected to have some help on the outside in the form of fellow wide receiver Corey Coleman, who will be "full speed ahead" for Sunday's game after sustaining a broken bone in his left hand during practice on Sept. 21. "We all know he is very explosive from the line of scrimmage and also when he gets the ball in his hands," Pryor said of the rookie, who had 104 yards and two touchdowns in his last game in Week 2. Pryor (hamstring), who is expected to play versus Dallas despite being limited in Thursday's practice, had six catches for 101 yards in last Sunday's 31-28 loss to the New York Jets

LINE HISTORY: The Cowboys opened the week as 7.5-point road favorites and were faded down to +7.0 mid-week before rising back to 7.5 Saturday morning. The total opened 46.5 and has risen two full points resting at 48.5.

TRENDS

* Cowboys are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
* Cowboys are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
* Under is 8-1 in Cowboys last 9 games on grass.
* Under is 7-1 in Browns last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5, 44)

* Jacksonville’s offense has yet to top 400 total yards in a game and ranks 23rd in scoring and 26th in total offense, in large part because of one of the league’s least-productive ground attacks. Third-year quarterback Blake Bortles has put up decent numbers but also has thrown nine interceptions and hopes to see improvement after spending time tweaking his mechanics with private coach Adam Dedeaux. The defense is a major concern for the Jaguars, who gave up 494 total yards – 214 on the ground – against the Titans and have not forced a turnover in their last three games.

* Foles performed well when pressed into action last week, passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-14 win at Indianapolis, but he could have a tougher time if the Chiefs can’t establish the run. With Jamaal Charles back on injured reserve following another knee surgery and Ware unlikely to play, Charcandrick West is set to carry the load. The offense might not need to do much if the defense performs the way it did last week, holding the Colts to 277 total yards – the second time in the last three games the Chiefs have held the opposition under 300 yards.

LINE HISTORY: The Chiefs opened the game as 7.5-point home favorites and has remained there all week. The total opened at 45 and dropped one point to 44.

TRENDS

* Jaguars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in November.
* Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in November.
* Over is 9-1-1 in Jaguars last 11 games in Week 9.
* Under is 4-0 in Chiefs last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

N.Y. Jets at Miami Dolphins (-3.5, 43.5)

* Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed four touchdown passes in a 38-20 victory over Miami on Nov. 29, with former Dolphins wideout Brandon Marshall reeling in nine receptions for 131 yards and two scores. Fellow wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (team-leading 36 catches, three touchdowns) found the end zone for the second straight week at the Browns on Sunday and had a season-best 93 yards receiving - highlighted by a 57-yard catch. Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson has four sacks in the past three meetings and defensive tackle Leonard Williams (team-high six sacks) had a sack and a forced fumble in the last encounter.

* Cornerback Byron Maxwell dismissed allegations by Marshall that the veteran holds "every single play." "I might be doing something right now, huh?" Maxwell said of getting under the skin of the veteran receiver. "I'm going to play my game. ... I mean, it's fun, I guess. But I'm not worried about anything. I'm still focused on the game and what I gotta do to win. I'm cool." Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been anything but cool this season, but the 28-year-old looks to distribute the ball to Jarvis Landry (NFL sixth-best 46 receptions), Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker in a bid to exploit a Jets' secondary that has yielded an NFL-worst 289.1 yards per contest.

LINE HISTORY: Miami opened the week as 3-point home favorites and was quickly bet up to 4 before settling at 3.5. The total opened at 44 and dropped half point to 43.5.

TRENDS

* Jets are 5-0-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Jets are 4-1-2 ATS in their last 7 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Under is 7-1 in Jets last 8 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Dolphins last 8 games in Week 9.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-6, 42)

* Detroit's defense absorbed a blow as pass-rushing outside linebacker Armonty Bryant received a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Bryant sat out the first four games of the season for a similar violation and was subsequently waived by Cleveland before he was picked up by Detroit. Bryant was productive in his brief stint with the Lions, recording three sacks in four games after collecting 5.5 in 14 games with the Browns last season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has nine touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past four games and owns a career-best 103.4 passer rating.

* Bereft of a running game, quarterback Sam Bradford has been under siege in the losses at Philadelphia and Chicago, getting sacked a total of 11 times. There is the hope that things will change with the promotion of Shurmur, who was the offensive coordinator for both the Eagles and Rams when Bradford played for each team. "I think it helps," Shurmur said Thursday. "Anytime you have a relationship with someone, you can communicate smoother and quicker, so I think that certainly helps." Minnesota is ranked 31st in rushing at a paltry 71.9 yards per game, but its defense is permitting a league-low 14.9 points.

LINE HISTORY: The Vikings opened as 6-point home favorites and rose to 6.5 before dropping to 5.5 and settled back at 6. The total opened at 41 and was bet up a full point to 42.

TRENDS

* Lions are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Lions are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
* Vikings are 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

Philadelphia Eagles at N.Y. Giants (-2.5, 43)

* Veteran Darren Sproles amassed 103 yards from scrimmage (86 rushing, 17 receiving) last week with fellow running back Ryan Mathews seeing his carries dwindle after a costly fumble in the previous contest. The 33-year-old Sproles looks to ignite Philadelphia's mediocre rushing attack (17th) against New York, against which he has recorded four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) in his last five games. The Eagles significantly are better at rushing the passer, as defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox each have four of the team's 22 sacks this season.

* Victor Cruz doesn't have fond memories of the last time he faced Philadelphia, as the 29-year-old wideout tore his patellar tendon in his right knee in 2014. "Obviously, in the back of my mind, I think about it," Cruz told reporters this week about the injury. "It's different circumstances, different year (and different stadium), but I'd be lying if I didn't say it's on my mind at some point." The Giants' ground attack could use a jolt as Rashad Jennings has been limited to a total of 67 yards rushing in his last three games, although he erupted for 170 yards and a touchdown in his last encounter with the Eagles.

LINE HISTORY: The Giants opened this NFC East battle as 3-point home favourites and has dropped half point on Monday and has remained at 2.5 ever since. The total opened at 44 and has been bet down a point to the current number of 43.

TRENDS

* Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 8-0 in Eagles last 8 road games.
* Over is 4-0 in Giants last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in New York.

Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams (+3, 44)

* Carolina has moved the ball with ease, especially when Cam Newton has been healthy, but has been set back by a league-worst 17 turnovers. The return of Jonathan Stewart has helped the offense, as the veteran has rushed for multiple touchdowns in consecutive games after going for 95 yards and two scores against Arizona. The Panthers have been stout against the run, but the revamped secondary has turned in a couple of dreadful performances, albeit against much stronger passing attacks than it will see Sunday.

* Los Angeles possesses one of the most punchless offenses in the league, which has prompted questions about whether No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff soon will get a chance under center. Journeyman Case Keenum has thrown 10 interceptions and just eight touchdown passes, and the lack of a dangerous passing game has made things tough for running back Todd Gurley, who averages a paltry three yards per carry. The defense has kept the Rams in games and held the Giants to 232 total yards last time out but has forced just one turnover during the three-game skid after recording nine takeaways in the first four contests.

LINE HISTORY: The Rams opened up as 2.5-point home dogs, but has been bet up quickly to 3 and remained there all week. Since opening at 45.5, the total has been bet down a point to the current number of 44.

TRENDS

* Panthers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Panthers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in November.
* Over is 7-1 in Panthers last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Panthers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers (+3.5, 53)

* Brees in on pace for his fifth 5,000-yard season and leads the NFL, averaging 338 yards passing per game while throwing 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His numbers, however, are vastly different on the road as the 16-year veteran out of Purdue has six touchdowns and three picks in three road games. Emerging wide receiver Michael Thomas has 16 receptions in the past two games and with 500 yards receiving is one of three wideouts on the team (Brandon Cooks 530 yards, Willie Snead 439 yards) on pace to reach 1,000 yards on the season.

* Since replacing Blaine Gabbert under center, Colin Kaepernick has completed 46 percent of his passes (29-of-63) for 330 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception while rushing 17 times for 150 yards (8.8 yards per carry) but the Niners have scored just 33 points in his two starts. Hyde has been inconsistent on the season, averaging 3.9 yards a carry, but his presence takes some of the onus off a passing unit that is last in the league with an average of 161.4 yards a game. "I think Colin's ability in the run game has given us a little bit of an added bonus," coach Chip Kelly said. "It forces you to say, 'Hey, if I'm a defensive coordinator, do I want to play man and now not have our back turned to the offense and then have the quarterback be able to take off?'"

LINE HISTORY: The Saints opened this NFC matchup favoured by 3-points and were faded as high as 4.5, but have settled back down at 4. The total opened at 51 and has been bet up two full points to the current number of 53.

TRENDS:

* Saints are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Saints are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Over is 7-0 in Saints last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 7-0 in 49ers last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.

Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (-7.5, 54.5)

* Protection problems were an issue last season as well, as Luck was limited to seven games with a lacerated kidney, but he could be getting ready to play behind another patchwork offensive line with guard Joe Reitz in the concussion protocol. Indianapolis' issues extend to the other side of the ball as well, and the pass defense ranks 31st in the league with an average of 288 yards allowed. The secondary figures to be at less than full strength again on Sunday, with safety Mike Adams (groin) and cornerback Vontae Davis (concussion) sitting out Wednesday's practice.

* Green Bay, which can match injury lists with any team in the league, was without three key members of the secondary (Sam Shields, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins) while getting burned by Matt Ryan and Atlanta's passing attack last week. The Packers expect to get healthier - at least on the outside - this week on offense, with wide receivers Randall Cobb (hamstring) and Ty Montgomery (illness) returning to practice this week after sitting out against the Falcons. Green Bay also is thin at running back as Rodgers (60 yards on six carries) led the team in rushing last week.

LINE HISTORY: The Packers opened the week favoured by 7-points at home and that number has risen to 7.5. The total started at 53 and has been bet up to the current number of 54.5.

TRENDS:

* Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss.
* Packers are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
* Home team is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers (-4, 47)

* Mariota's performance against the Jaguars earned him a spot in an exclusive group, as he joined Fran Tarkenton, Dan Marino and Drew Bledsoe as the only quarterbacks in league history to throw at least two TD passes in four straight games before the age of 23 - accomplishing the feat three days prior to his birthday. Murray also played his way into the NFL record book last week, becoming the sixth player ever - and first since Tampa Bay's Doug Martin in 2012 - to rush for at least 750 yards and record eight overall touchdowns in his first eight contests with a team. The 28-year-old, who was a full participant in practice on Thursday after being limited a day earlier due to an injured toe, is on pace to gain over 1,500 yards for the second time in his six-year career.

* Antonio Gates, who ranks second on the all-time list among tight ends in touchdowns, raised his career total to 107 - four behind leader Tony Gonzalez - in last week's loss to Denver and has caught a scoring pass in five of his last six meetings with Tennessee. Melvin Gordon, who enters Week 9 with a league-leading 10 touchdowns (eight rushing), has gained 276 yards from scrimmage and recorded three scores over his last two contests. Bosa is second on the team in sacks to Melvin Ingram (five) while Casey Hayward leads the club with four interceptions - the most by a Charger in a season since 2011.

LINE HISTORY: The Chargers opened as 4-point home favorites and were faded all the way up to 5.5, but has returned back to 4. The total opened at 48 and has been bet down to 47 on Monday and remained there ever since.

TRENDS

* Chargers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Chargers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.
* Over is 5-0 in Titans last 5 games overall.
* Favorite is 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cowboys (6-1) at Browns (0-8)

Date: November 06, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

At the midway point of the NFL regular season, the Dallas Cowboys already can taste the playoffs.

The Cowboys have won six straight games since a season-opening loss, have the league's two most dynamic rookies and are clicking on all cylinders.

The Cleveland Browns just want to taste what it's like to win a game. At 0-8, the league's only winless team is sputtering toward a date with history as the fifth club to fail to emerge victorious in a regular-season game. The other four teams are Dallas (1960), Tampa Bay (1976), Baltimore (1982) and Detroit (2008).

The Browns face a tall challenge to crack the win column on Sunday (1 p.m., ET) when they play host to the Cowboys at FirstEnergy Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Fox.

Dallas' offense is ranked fourth overall and its defense is 12th.

If the task was not daunting enough for the hapless Browns, the Cowboys have won five of their past seven road games and on Wednesday were anointed as the second-best team by Las Vegas oddsmakers.

Dallas has been installed as a 7-to-1 favorite to win the Super Bowl, only behind the 8-to-5 New England Patriots.

According to cbssports.com, Football Outsiders pegs the Cowboys as having a 94.5 percent chance of making the playoffs and a 64.3 percent chance of landing a bye.

At the rate the Browns are going, they will have 100 percent chance of landing the top pick in next year's draft. If they do, they can take a lesson from owner/general manager Jerry Jones and his staff, because it's the play of two rookies that has lifted Dallas to elite level.

Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth overall pick out of Ohio State, leads the league with 799 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Elliott gives the Cowboys attitude out of the backfield, toughness between the tackles and deceptive breakaway speed that has helped the team average a shade under 165 yards rushing a game.

Elliott's sidekick, quarterback Dak Prescott, has high praise for his fellow rookie.

"He has been good because of the way he practices every day throughout the week. It transfers on Sunday. He is a guy that he goes to score a touchdown every rep of practice," Prescott said. "He works hard in the weight room, in the film room and it just all pays off on Sundays."

Prescott remains entrenched as the Cowboys' quarterback. All he's done since taking the helm of the offense when Tony Romo went out in the preseason with a compression fracture in his back is complete 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,773 yards and nine touchdowns.

Prescott, Dallas' fourth-round draft pick, is coming off his first sub-par performance on Sunday when he was tested but still able to rally the Cowboys to a 29-23 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.

When it counted most, Prescott played with poise and came through. His 22-yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant tied the game with three minutes left. He completed all five pass attempts in overtime, including a game-winning 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten.

Prescott didn't let his early struggles get to him with the game on the line.

"I'm not going to stop," he said. "I don't care how bad I play early on, I don't care really what I do, I'm not going to give up."

This was supposed to be the week when Romo would return, but he was ruled out by both Jones and head coach Jason Garrett.

"My opinion is that we want him to have some more strengthening work done," Jones said earlier in the week. "He's really doing well -- probably as well as at any time last year, as far as aspects of strength in his back is concerned. But he's got some more to do."

The earliest Romo could return would be Nov. 13 at the Pittsburgh Steelers. But neither Jones nor Garrett were tipping their hand.

The Browns only wish they had a similar decision. Six players have taken snaps for Cleveland this year. They have combined to throw nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

From Robert Griffin III to Josh McCown to rookie Cody Kessler with a sprinkle of Terrelle Pryor Sr., Charlie Whitehurst and Kevin Hogan, Cleveland surprisingly has been competitive.

Kessler went 0-5 as a starter before a concussion knocked him out and elevated McCown back into the starter's role against the New York Jets last week.

The Browns blew a 20-7 lead only to lose 31-28 to the Jets. McCown completed 25 of 49 passes for 341 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He threw both interceptions in the second half.

Coach Hue Jackson wasn't ready to commit to either McCown or Kessler.

"I think guys need to practice," he said Wednesday "Cody has not done much for a week or so, but he practiced well today. Until you know a guy gets through practice, gets moving around and all that and the stress of practice do you know exactly where they are. I am not in a rush to make a decision there, but we will make it when we need to."

If Kessler does get the start, it will pit two close friends against each other.

"Yeah, that is my boy. Me and Cody have known each other since junior year of the Manning Camp, junior year of college," Prescott said. "He is a great guy, fun to just hang out with, a fun guy to just be around. He is probably one of the better friends I have at the quarterback position throughout the league."

Whether it's McCown or Kessler, they will have to try to survive a swarming Dallas defense led by linebacker Sean Lee (69 tackles) and Tyrone Crawford (3.5 sacks).

A big boost to the offense should be the return of rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman. In two games, Coleman had 173 yards and two touchdowns. He broke his hand in practice the following week and has not played since.

"Everything is perfect, healed up just the way we wanted it to," Coleman said Monday. "I am excited to get back out there with the guys. I know they have been working extremely hard trying to get a win, so I am happy to be back out there."

Rumors swirled around a number of Cleveland veterans as the trade deadline came and went on Tuesday. Veteran left tackle Joe Thomas was still with the team, as was the Browns' best defender, cornerback Joe Haden.

The Browns did make a deal that raised eyebrows around the league and sent a conditional third-round pick to New England for Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins, who said he wasn't fazed by the trade.

"I'm good. I'm ready to move on," he said. "I am a workaholic. I am going to give you what I have every game and every day regardless. You are going to get my plays."

Collins will be counted on to shore up the league's worst defense. The Browns give up 29.8 points per game and give up the second-most yards on the ground per game at a shade under 144 yards.

If the Cowboys have a weakness that the Browns might be able to exploit, it is in the defensive backfield where both safety Barry Church and cornerback Morris Claiborne are out.

For the Browns, Pryor (hamstring) and Thomas (knee) both missed Wednesday's practice and are listed as questionable.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jets (3-5) at Dolphins (3-4)

Date: November 06, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Jay Ajayi began the season as an afterthought and was a healthy inactive for the Miami Dolphins' opening game.

He is now attempting to become the first NFL running back to rush for 200 yards in three consecutive games.

Ajayi's stunning emergence is energizing the Dolphins (3-4) as they come off a bye and attempt to record their third consecutive victory when they host the New York Jets on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

The second-year player from Boise State rushed for 204 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 16 and followed up with a 214-yard effort against the Buffalo Bills seven days later. That made Ajayi just the fourth player to rush for 200 or more yards in back-to-back games, joining O.J. Simpson (1973 and 1976), Earl Campbell (1980) and former Miami star Ricky Williams (2002).

A third straight 200-yard outing would be quite the feat -- considering the Jets (3-5) lead the NFL in rushing defense at 74.0 yards per game.

"I know in the NFL it's hard to get 100 yards," Ajayi said. "So for us to have done back-to-back 200-yard games is a credit to the hard work we have put in, the O-line, receivers, everyone including myself.

"And so if it does happen again, that's going to be an amazing thing, an incredible thing, and we'll just see what happens."

Something surely has to give on Sunday. Ajayi sports a spectacular 6.4-yard average per carry heading into a game against a unit allowing just a 3.3 yard average.

"We're playing a good team," Ajayi said. "The Jets got a really good front up there, the defensive line and their linebackers. We know we're going to have a really good challenge in front of us, but at the same time, we're not worried about anybody else. We're worried about ourselves."

The Jets are certainly only worried about themselves too heading into the contest against their AFC East rivals. New York is seeking its third straight victory as it tries to dig out of a 1-5 start.

The squad had higher aspirations, and being two games below .500 at the midway point of the season is thoroughly disappointing to veteran linebacker David Harris.

"Obviously nobody thought we'd be at this 3-5 mark," Harris said. "But guys keep fighting, we're still playing hard, and we're still going to grind this thing out to the end."

Turnovers plagued the Jets during their first six games, and they still rank last in turnover margin at minus-9.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been intercepted 11 times but avoided the key miscue last Sunday in a 31-28 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Veteran running back Matt Forte helped fuel the victory by rushing for 82 yards and two scores. Forte has 542 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Jets after leaving the Chicago Bears as a free agent.

His offensive coordinator with the Bears last season was Adam Gase, the first-year head coach of the Dolphins.

"I don't even know if elite pro is the right word," Gase said of Forte. "It's something that I've very rarely experienced with a player. Just watching what he did from the first time I was around him to the last day I was with him, that guy is a stud, man. I can't express how much I appreciated the way that that guy prepared, the way he practiced.

"We tried to hold him back, and he didn't care what we thought. He was like, 'I'm getting my reps. You can yell at me all you want for being in there.' He didn't care. I mean, that guy, he was a workhorse. He's a guy that if you're around him just one year, you benefited from it."

While the Jets have excelled at stuffing ball carries, they aren't so proficient against the pass. Cornerback Darrelle Revis, 31, is slipping and was beaten repeatedly by Cleveland receivers last Sunday.

Jets coach Todd Bowles insisted Revis is healthy when pressed regarding the veteran's drop-off in play.

"Other than maintenance, I don't think (he is hurt) any more than anybody else," Bowles said. "We don't play injured players, and we don't encourage them to play. We try not to. All we can go by is how they tell us they feel, and Revis has been fine for the most part. He had a sore ankle here and there, but I think he's been OK."

New York is last in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 289 yards per game, and that could present opportunities for Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has thrown for 1,728 yards and seven touchdowns against seven interceptions.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Saints (3-4) at 49ers (1-6)

Date: November 06, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

The San Francisco 49ers play host to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 of the 2016 NFL season. The 49ers haven't won a game since Week 1 and not many of those losses have been close. The team is coming off a bye week, which could not have come fast enough for most 49ers fans. The up-and-down Saints fly back to California for the second time this year with hopes of the same outcome. The 3-4 Saints beat the San Diego Chargers in Week 4 for their first win of the season.

The Saints have one of the best offenses in the NFL and will be playing one of the worst defenses in the entire league. The Saints lead the NFL with 326.9 passing yards per game. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees ranks near the top of the NFL in nearly every passing category. On paper, this should be another huge week for one of the best passers in NFL history.

Brees has completed 214 of 308 passes for 2,366 yards. He is completing 69.5 percent of his attempts with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions and has a passer rating of 104.7. What has been very impressive about Brees' season up to this point has been the inconsistency along the offensive line and that his best receiver is a rookie. Michael Thomas, a rookie out of Ohio State, leads the team with 42 receptions for 500 yards and three touchdowns.

The 49ers' pass defense has actually been solid this season. They have allowed only 222 yards a game through the air, which is ranked seventh best in the league. The unit gets into trouble in the red zone, where the defense has given up 15 touchdowns, which ranks 26th in the NFL. For a secondary that has two former first-round picks, cornerback Jimmie Ward and free safety Eric Reid, playing significant roles, allowing that many points is not good.

The Saints will face the NFL's worst run defense with a question mark at their running back position. Starter Mark Ingram was benched in last week's win over the Seattle Seahawks after he lost a fumble for the second week in a row. Tim Hightower stepped in and rushed for 102 yards.

"We did exactly what we needed to do and what we wanted to do. We knew we had to sustain drives and control the line of scrimmage. I think we did that," said Hightower after replacing Ingram.

Saints head coach Sean Payton called Hightower's performance "tough and gutsy." How Payton uses his running backs against the 49ers will be interesting to watch. The 49ers run defense allows 185.1 yards a game. This is over 40 yards more than the 31st-ranked Cleveland Browns, who give up 143.8 yards rushing a game.

The Saints' defense, especially the secondary, has been decimated with injuries this season. The unit lost both starting cornerbacks, Delvin Breaux and P.J. Williams, in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. Breaux fractured his fibula and Williams suffered a concussion that cost him the season. This is a major reason for the pass defense to be ranked 29th in the NFL in passing yards against per game at 286.7. The Saints' secondary was one of the worst in NFL history in 2015, when the unit gave up 45 touchdown passes. One bright spot in 2016 is the unit has only allowed nine touchdowns through seven games. That is impressive for a secondary that plays with two college free agents, Ken Crawley and De'Vante Harris, and journeyman B.W. Webb.

The 49ers' offense, led by quarterback Colin Kaepernick, should attack the Saints secondary on Sunday. The problem with that philosophy is the 49ers have the worst passing attack in the NFL. The 49ers only pass for 161.4 yards a game and are already on their second starting quarterback of the season.

Head coach Chip Kelly puts the onus on his coaching staff for the poor play of the offense. "That's on us," Kelly said. "Our job is to put our players in position to make plays, and we're not doing a good enough job of that right now."

Getting a major offensive weapon back for the game against the Saints could help the 49ers offense. Running back Carlos Hyde, who injured his shoulder in the Week 6 loss to the Bills and did not dress in Week 7, should be deemed fit to play. Hyde has six rushing touchdowns this season and will be facing a Saints rushing defense that is giving up 4.3 yards per carry and has allowed 12 rushing touchdowns.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Steelers (4-3) at Ravens (3-4)

Date: November 06, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

The Baltimore Ravens expect to see Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back in the lineup when they meet for first place in the AFC North on Sunday (1 p.m., ET).

In fact, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs plans to welcome Roethlisberger back to the field.

"Don't fall for that. I saw this movie before," Suggs said about the possibility of Roethlisberger being ruled inactive. "He's going to act like, 'I'm not playing. I don't know. I did individual today and threw a little bit. I still don't know.' Then, he's going to walk ... on out there. I'm going to be like, 'How you doin', Benjamin.'"

Roethlisberger returned to practice this week after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus on Oct. 17. Whether he plays or not, the Ravens are determined to seize the opportunity in front of them.

"We're seven games in, we're one game out of first in the division, and we're playing the team that's first in the division, which is our archrival," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "What more could you ask for than that?"

Pittsburgh is 1-6 against Baltimore without Roethlisberger, and 9-8 when he plays. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger could still be active for the game even if he doesn't start.

"I thought it was generally positive," Tomlin said about Roethlisberger's performance at practice this week. "We hadn't spent a lot of time analyzing it. It's just been giving him the work and him taking the work and he's done a really good job with it."

If Roethlisberger is not fully ready, backup Landry Jones will make his second consecutive start. Jones went 29 of 47 for 281 yards with a touchdown and interception against the New England Patriots in Week 7.

"The offense doesn't change that much if Landry Jones is in there," Harbaugh said. "Obviously, they're different players. Ben is Ben, and we respect him tremendously. We'll operate under that assumption."

Roethlisberger is still experiencing some pain because of the surgery. Nonetheless, he said dealing with any type of injury is common at this point of the season. Roethlisberger will likely be a game-time decision as far as being named the starter.

"I had surgery two weeks ago," Roethlisberger said. "Listen, anybody in this locker room that isn't feeling pain hasn't been on the football field yet. Everyone is feeling pain right now."

Roethlisberger is having a solid season and has thrown for 1,685 yards, He is tied for fifth in the NFL with 16 touchdowns passes and has just six interceptions. Roethlisberger has been sacked 11 times, and will likely face relentless pressure by the Ravens if he is able to play.

Both the Steelers (4-3) and Ravens (3-4) are coming off bye weeks. That extra time off was especially valuable to Baltimore, which hopes to have most of its key players back in the lineup.

While Harbaugh declined to get into specifics about injuries, left tackle Ronnie Stanley (foot), and former Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder) are expected to return. Baltimore has struggled behind a makeshift offensive line without those two key players out of the lineup.

The Ravens are also hopeful a healthy team will help snap the current four-game losing streak -- the longest slide in Harbaugh's nine years as the head coach.

The Steelers could get a huge boost to their playoff aspirations with a victory. Pittsburgh could also get several injured players back, including defensive end Cameron Heyward (hamstring), running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle).

Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been helped by a struggling AFC North this season. The teams in that division have combined for just 10 wins -- the lowest mark in the NFL.

Nonetheless, the Steelers and Ravens are in the best position to take advantage of the situation. The winner of Sunday's game will be in the driver's seat.

Even though Baltimore and Pittsburgh have struggles, it remains one of the best rivalries in the NFL.

"It's going to be exciting ball," Tomlin said. "Control of the AFC North is at stake. We respect their place. We are doing it at their place. It's a hostile environment. They are well coached and have good players."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Eagles (4-3) at Giants (4-3)

Date: November 06, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Two teams dealing with off-the-field problems will square off on Sunday in a key battle in the NFC East.

The Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) travel to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the New York Giants (4-3). Both squads will be looking to gain ground on the Dallas Cowboys (6-1) in the crowded East.

The Eagles will be doing so without wide receiver/kick returner Josh Huff, who the team released Thusday after he was arrested on the Walt Whitman Bridge that connects South Philadelphia to New Jersey on Tuesday morning.

According to the Delaware River Port Authority, Huff was stopped at approximately 11 a.m. heading to New Jersey for speeding. Huff had a gun, loaded magazine (which wasn't in the gun) and less than 50 grams of marijuana in his possession.

He is also facing charges for DUI, speeding and, because the windows of his vehicle are tinted, obstructed view.

"Obviously I'm disappointed," Eagles coach Doug Pederson told reporters on his weekly conference call Wednesday. "It's not what you want on a player's day off to see happen. He and I spoke about it privately.

"It's one of the things I talk about all the time with players. You just try to eliminate distractions and take care of your business outside of the building. He understands. Obviously, it's out of our hands at this point. We just got to see where it goes."

That incident follows a charge that linebacker Nigel Bradham had a loaded gun in his backpack at Miami International Airport during the Eagles' bye week in October.

The Eagles certainly would have benefitted from having the speedy Huff on the field. He possesses game-changing ability for an offense that lacks a big-play receiver. In last week's overtime loss to Dallas, Huff reeled off a 53-yard kick return that set up an Eagles field goal. The return was the third in as many games of 50 yards or more for Philadelphia.

Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has completed 65.8 percent of his passes, but the majority of his passes are of the dink-and-dunk variety. He is only averaging 6.69 yards per pass, mostly due to poor pass protection. Wentz has been sacked 15 times.

Defensive tackle Bennie Logan returned to the practice field in a limited capacity for the Eagles on Wednesday. Logan suffered a groin injury in the loss at Washington and has missed the past two contests. Fellow defensive tackle Taylor Hart was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Pederson said guard Allen Barbre is "week to week" with a hamstring injury. Stefan Wisniewski will start at left guard if Barbre is unable to play, according to Pederson.

The Eagles have lost three games on the road and are still in search of a division win.

"I think the emphasis is greater, for sure," Pederson said about the clash with the Giants. "Teams that want to make the postseason, obviously have to handle their division. Right now, we've put ourselves in a little bit of a hole.

"So, yeah, the importance of winning this game is probably a must for us in the division."

The Giants, coming off their bye week, will unveil their new kicker, Robbie Gould, to the home fans for the first time. Gould replaces Josh Brown, who was cut by the Giants last week after police documents revealed admissions of repeated domestic abuse against his wife.

Gould was successful in his only field-goal attempt in a 17-10 win over the Rams in London two weeks.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese refused to discuss the Brown situation with reporters this week, saying, "I'm not going to talk about Josh Brown. I don't think it makes sense for people to keep talking about that right now. I wish healing for him and his family and everybody involved."

The Giants have yet to establish a significant running game halfway through the season, and they will find it tough sledding against an Eagles defense that give up 114 yards on the ground per game.

New York is last in the NFL in rushing, averaging just 70 yards a game. Rashad Jennings leads the group with 142 yards. Look for rookie Paul Perkins to share the workload.

The Eagles' defense is third in the league in sacks, those sacks having come from 12 different players, including defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who share the team lead in sacks with 4.0 each.

"About one in three snaps they pressure," said Giants head coach Ben McAdoo of the Eagles. "They're not a high-pressure team per se -- it depends on the situation. They do a nice job with their defensive line, creating the pressure, squeezing the edges and getting their front up the field. They rotate a lot of different guys that way."

All 53 Giants players practiced this week. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (hip) was one of seven players who was listed as limited in practice. Beckham told Giants.com that he is about 85 percent recovered from the injury, which he incurred in Week 6 against the Ravens. Beckham admitted that he was only at 65 percent healthy in the victory over the Rams before the bye.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Colts (3-5) at Packers (4-3)

Date: November 06, 2016 4:25 PM EDT

Andrew Luck against Aaron Rodgers.

Two of the NFL's best quarterbacks will take center stage on Sunday at Lambeau Field, However, neither Luck's Colts nor Rodgers' Packers have played to expectations at the season's midpoint. Sunday's game could be a turning point for the winner.

Indianapolis is 3-5. After opening with back-to-back losses, it's alternated wins and losses the next six weeks and is coming off a 30-14 home drubbing at the hands of the Chiefs.

"We've played some good football, we've played some not-so-good football," coach Chuck Pagano said. "We're more than capable. There's plenty of video evidence there that shows that. Now, it's just a matter of playing four quarters and being more consistent. That's what we're back on the practice field trying to do."

Green Bay is 4-3. It's lost two of its last three games, with the lone win coming against Chicago, which played most of the game with its third-team quarterback.

There is a feeling of optimism, however, for the injury-plagued Packers. They lost on a last-second touchdown at Atlanta last week despite not having their top two running backs (Eddie Lacy and James Starks), top three cornerbacks (Sam Shields, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins), two of their wide receivers (Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery), premier defender (Clay Matthews) and their primary tight end (Jared Cook).

"You look at the inactive last week, that's a pretty doggone good team that's sitting, and that's not even counting Eddie and Sam, who are on the IR," Rodgers said. "That's the way the league goes. There's going to be years like this with a lot of injuries. Nobody feels sorry for you. There's no excuses. You've got to go out and play and make plays and find a way to win games, and that's one thing we've got to figure out these next nine games that we've got to win ballgames like that."

Much of the optimism revolves around Rodgers. After an unproductive start to the season, Rodgers over the past two weeks ranks third in passer rating, second in completions and first in touchdown passes.

"They've got one of the greatest quarterbacks, if not the greatest quarterback, to ever play this game in Aaron Rodgers," Pagano said. "The guy's unbelievable. I don't let our guys look at numbers because you can just look at the stats and say, 'They're ranked this, that and the other.' I just see a talented, talented football player who's as good as there is at that position in this league surrounded by a bunch of talent."

Rodgers will face a Colts defense that has proven vulnerable against the pass. Indianapolis ranks 31st with 287.8 passing yards allowed per game. While former Packers linebacker Erik Walden has six sacks, the Colts just haven't made enough plays defensively. They've allowed a 66.8 percent completion rate with 14 touchdowns vs. two interceptions.

"Some of the injuries, it's made us be even a little bit more creative because we've had to come up with way to put guys in position to be successful," Rodgers said. "We've been a lot more efficient in the passing game the last couple weeks than we had before that."

Based on the quarterbacks and secondaries, this could be a shootout. Luck is putting up monster numbers with 2,284 yards and 16 touchdowns. He's topped 300 yards four times this season and will be attacking a Packers secondary riddled with questions. Even one of the Packers' fill-in corners, Demetri Goodson, is hurt -- he missed Wednesday's practice with a concussion -- thought it's possible Rollins will return after missing the last three games with an injured groin.

Looking to exploit that banged-up secondary will be fleet-footed receiver T.Y. Hilton, who is sixth in the league with 46 receptions and fourth with 709 yards. However, the Colts must do a much better job of protecting Luck. He's been sacked 31 times, including at least five in four games.

"It is frustrating when you don't play well," Luck said. "Certainly, no one's pointing fingers. I think we all feel as an offense that we didn't hold up our end of the bargain. I know I don't feel like I held up my end of the bargain of being the quarterback for a team and giving us a chance to win. But now we go back to the drawing board and then go back out to practice and work on the mistakes and get ready to play a good Green Bay team. Certainly, there's a bit of frustration, but Coach Pagano does a great job of channeling I think everybody's energy in a positive way and moving on."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Panthers (2-5) at Rams (3-4)

Date: November 06, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

The Carolina Panthers make their first trip to the West Coast this season when they oppose the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX).

The Panthers (2-5) are winless on the road in 2016. The good news is both of their victories came against NFC West teams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals.

The Rams (3-4) are coming off a Week 8 bye, and they hope the break will get the team back on the winning track. Los Angeles lost its past three games.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher isn't focusing on the Panthers' disappointing record, instead looking at Carolina's 30-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals last week.

"We got a challenge," he said. "This is a good football team. It's hard to look at the tape and see that they only won two games, but it's a good football team. We get a sense for watching them match up against Arizona, because we know Arizona very well, and it's a dominating game. It was a great effort by them, and a much needed win for them."

Both teams enter the game with issues at the quarterback position. The Rams drafted Jared Goff as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2016 draft to be the franchise quarterback. The rookie has yet to see the field despite starter Case Keenum's recent struggles.

The national media and local Los Angeles pundits are calling for Goff to start playing, but Fisher continues to start and defend Keenum even though Keenum is second in the NFL with 10 interceptions.

The Panthers do not have issues with the play of quarterback Cam Newton, but they do have problems with how the NFL and referees treat the reigning NFL MVP. Newton is constantly taking hits to the head and legs this season that should have resulted in penalties but did not. Coach Ron Rivera did not mince words when discussing his frustrations.

"It's more about making sure he is getting the equal treatment and the protection he deserves as a quarterback in the pocket," Rivera said. "I have reached out to the league, and the league has responded. And most recently I have reached out to the commissioner, and he has responded, and we'll continue to work through this and see how it goes. This is something I work on every week, quite frankly."

The defending NFC champions need to get tight end Greg Olsen involved against a Rams secondary struggles at times matching up with quality tight ends.

Olsen is coming off one of the worst pass-catching performances of his career. He had only one catch against the Cardinals, so the Pro Bowler will be looking to get untracked.

He and the Panthers' offense will go after a Los Angeles pass defense that has been poor in the red zone. The Rams have allowed 11 passing touchdowns this season.

"Yeah, our efficiency in the red zone is not good," Fisher said. "We're giving up too many touchdowns. Last year, we might've been second, and this year, we're not there. Granted, I don't like to say we've been without with three or four starters, we don't have (cornerback) Trumaine (Johnson) and stuff like that, but we have to get back to, if they get down there, No. 1, we got to get back to holding them to field goals, to give us a chance."

The Panthers' rushing attack is ranked in the top five of the NFL. The return of running back Jonathan Stewart last week after he missed three games with a hamstring injury should continue to bolster the ground game.

The Rams' defensive front, led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald, only allows opponents 3.9 yards an attempt. If the Rams' front seven defenders can stop Stewart early, Los Angeles can make the Panthers' offense one-dimensional.

The Rams' ground game was supposed to be a strength this season, but running back Todd Gurley has looked pedestrian. Some of that falls on Gurley, who is averaging only 3 yards a carry, but a large part of the blame belongs to the offensive line. Against a Carolina defense that is ranked third in the NFL, things so not look any brighter.

"We're protecting a lot better in the pass game, but in the run game, we're lacking," Rams left tackle Greg Robinson said. "We need to get that going. I feel like Todd is at the line and the holes just close. I can't really explain it."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Titans (4-4) at Chargers (3-5)

Date: November 06, 2016 4:25 PM EDT

Jack Conklin came in on day one and was ready to play right tackle in the NFL. Joey Bosa came in a whole lot later than day one but was more than ready to sack NFL quarterbacks.

The former Big Ten Conference rivals square off Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego when Conklin's Tennessee Titans meet Bosa's San Diego Chargers, and the winner of this individual matchup between ballyhooed rookies could decide the game's winner.

By most metrics, Conklin has been one of the top right tackles in football this year, enabling Tennessee (4-4) to establish its first real offensive identity in years.

With Conklin and Taylor Lewan bookending the line at tackle, DeMarco Murray is on pace to rush for more than 1,500 yards and the Titans are only a game behind the idle Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South.

Bosa was the last first-round pick to sign, his agent feeling that San Diego was squeezing him on contract language. It took Bosa until Week 5 to get into the lineup, but he already has four sacks in four games and has forced opponents to double-team him.

Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey is confident in Conklin's ability to neutralize Bosa, pointing to Conklin's work against him in last year's Michigan State-Ohio State game.

"That's one thing we saw about Jack -- there weren't a lot of guys that gave him problems or a lot of mismatches at all," Mularkey said. "We like what Jack's done for us against some very good pass rushers that we've faced this year."

Conklin and his teammates up front definitely had their way with hapless Jacksonville in last week's Thursday night game, rolling up a 27-0 halftime lead and cruising to a 36-22 win.

It guaranteed the Titans of upping their win total for the second straight year and gave them multiple home wins for the first time since 2013.

That's also the last time Tennessee played any kind of meaningful football in the season's second half. Mularkey is telling his team to treat the final eight games like they're starting a game.

"We're starting from scratch," he said. "We can't watch what anybody else is doing. All we have control over is this game, and lock in. Whatever we have to do, see if we can repeat, continue to make the progress that we're making."

While the Titans are shooting for their first playoff berth since 2008, the Chargers (3-5) are at best longshots for a wild card. They trail Denver and Oakland by three games in the AFC West, thanks largely to their inability to close out games.

San Diego coughed up fourth quarter leads in their first three losses, including a 14-point advantage at Kansas City in Week 1 and a 13-point margin three weeks later to New Orleans.

The Chargers also botched the hold on a potential tying field goal late in the fourth quarter in Week 5 at Oakland, and failed on four plays from the Denver 2-yard-line last week in a 27-19 defeat.

Despite the steep odds, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers says the team can still make a run at the playoffs.

"I'm fired up," Rivers said. "We have two at home to get 5-5, get the bye and we go have a six-game season. This feels a little bit like our 2007 season to me. We hem-hawed around and found a way to get to 5-5 and never looked back."

Of course, that 2007 team was loaded with talent, deep enough that it finished 11-5 and reached the AFC championship game despite a spate of injuries to key players.

This team lost key starters to season-ending injuries after Weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4, leaving them with little margin for error.

But any team with Rivers, who is on pace to throw 30 touchdown passes, has a chance in any game.

Rivers has mismatch possibilities in the passing game if he can find running back Melvin Gordon or tight ends Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates against Tennessee linebackers and safeties who have not covered receivers well this year.

Guard Matt Slauson looks at last year's Kansas City Chiefs, who started 1-5 and won 10 straight games to reach the playoffs, as an example San Diego can follow.

"It's the same thing," he said. "We can still accomplish everything we need to accomplish. We've just got to play better as a group."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Broncos (6-2) at Raiders (6-2)

Date: November 06, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

After years of lopsided results in Denver's favor, the rivalry between the Broncos and the Oakland Raiders appears to be heating up again.

Both teams are 6-2 and tied atop the AFC West heading into Sunday's matchup in Oakland, the 111th meeting between the division rivals. Denver has regularly gotten the better of the Raiders in recent years, winning eight of the last nine since 2011, and the Broncos are 26-7 overall in divisional play over the last five years, the best winning percentage against divisional foes in the NFL in that span.

But the Raiders have served notice that they are a different team this season, with quarterback Derek Carr leading a dynamic offense that is averaging 401.6 yards per game, ranked fifth in the league. In last week's overtime win over Tampa Bay, Carr became the third player in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards passing (513), four touchdowns and zero interceptions in a game.

"He's playing at a really high level," Broncos linebacker Shane Ray said. "With all the talk that's been going around the league, with how he's been playing and his number of pass attempts through the game, he's a quarterback that you definitely have to have pressure on or he'll pick you apart. They've been a really good balanced team as far as running the ball and passing the ball. Derek Carr is definitely making an impression on the league right now."

Carr has helped turn Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree into one of the most feared receiving tandems in the league. Cooper had 12 catches for 173 yards, both career highs, against Tampa Bay and Crabtree has six touchdown catches, tied for the league lead.

"He's doing some good things this year," Broncos safety T.J. Ward said of Carr. "He seems to have a handle of the entire offense and his receivers are catching some great passes from him. They're clicking right now."

The upward trajectory for the Raiders, who would match their win total from last season with a victory Sunday, has coincided with the arrival two years ago of coach Jack Del Rio, who was the Broncos' defensive coordinator before going to Oakland.

"We're obviously still learning," Carr said "Where we're at? I'm not sure, but we're in a good spot. We're heading the right way, but we still have a way to go as a football team."

Del Rio said he senses something of a culture change among the Raiders.

"I think we've changed the mentality here in this building. That's part of it," Del Rio said. "Last year, we learned how to compete and this year we're learning how to close plays, how to make the plays that need to be made to win."

The Raiders and their high flying offense face a severe test against a Broncos defense that already has shown its mettle against some of the best quarterbacks in the league, beating such stalwarts as Carolina's Cam Newton, Indianapolis' Andrew Luck and San Diego's Philip Rivers, against whom the Broncos had three interceptions last week, including one that cornerback Bradley Roby returned 49 yards for a touchdown.

Denver leads the NFL in sacks with 26, and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller ranks second in the NFL with 8.5 sacks. In addition, no team in the league has scored more points off turnovers (80) than the Broncos.

Carr said he considers Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib, who is expected back Sunday after missing last week's game with a back injury, the best cornerback tandem in the league.

"To have them on the same team, it's ridiculous," Carr said. "I think the world of them. When you study them, they're very tight cover guys that are very smart. You can tell that they study. You can definitely tell that they know where their help is. They know how to communicate in the secondary, so I think they're some of the best, not only in this league, but that we've ever seen together."

The Broncos, meanwhile, are hoping to get more production out of their offense, which has struggled to achieve balance this season between the pass and the run, most especially since the loss of running back C.J. Anderson to a knee injury.

"There's conversation all of the time about how are we balanced-wise? What is going on here?" Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. "Like last week, you know you're out of whack. You have to go out there and make plays to win games. The key to balance is you have to run plays. We had fifty-something plays last week and we have to find a way to be more balanced as a group. You also have to do what the defense is telling you to do, too. It's a commitment and one that you have to hang on to, but at the same time, you have to stay aggressive in this league. You have to make plays."

The Broncos have had injury issues in their backfield. Beyond Anderson, his replacement, rookie Devontae Booker, had some limitations in practice this week because of a shoulder injury suffered in last Sunday's win over San Diego.

Denver cornerback Kayvon Webster also had some practice restrictions because of a hamstring injury.

Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall could return this week from a hamstring issue after missing the San Deigo game, though he remains questionable.

Raiders defensive tackle Stacy McGee (ankle) also has missed practice time this week after missing ast week's game against Tampa Bay.

Cornerback Sean Smith suffered a shoulder injury against Tampa Bay and has been limited in practice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bills (4-4) at Seahawks (4-2)

Date: November 07, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

The Seattle Seahawks are struggling on offense and Pete Carroll has seen enough.

The veteran coach uncharacteristically called out the unit after two consecutive poor showings and is hoping to see a much-improved level of performance when the Seahawks host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Seattle (4-2-1) ranks 29th in points per game (18.7) and 23rd in total offense (339.9) after the consecutive sub-par efforts. The Seahawks have scored just one offensive touchdown in their last nine quarters and suffered a 25-20 road loss to the New Orleans Saints last Sunday.

"We need to get out of what we've been in the past two weeks," Carroll said during a news conference. "This is not the way we want to play football. We need to fix this."

Part of the offensive issues can be pinpointed to the health of quarterback Russell Wilson, who hasn't accounted for a single touchdown over the past three games.

Wilson has dealt with knee, ankle and pectoral injuries this season and the Seahawks have asked him to curtail his running and scrambling abilities.

But Carroll said Wilson made it through the New Orleans game without an injury setback.

"He's getting better," Carroll said. "I'm really fired up about that and we're going to keep progressing as he is able and do what we can to get back to the kind of mix that we like."

Wilson doesn't feel the Seahawks are far away from getting the offense back on track.

"Just needs to continue being consistent," Wilson said. "Just takes one or two plays and we'll (get going). I believe that and I believe we'll make those plays happen."

The Bills (4-4) made a bold move by luring receiver Percy Harvin out of retirement and the reaction in Seattle could be interesting if Harvin suits up.

He was a ballyhooed acquisition by the Seahawks prior to the 2013 campaign and played in just six regular-season games over two seasons before being dealt to the New York Jets. However, Harvin returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in Seattle's 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Harvin played in just five games for Buffalo last season and retired last spring as hip and knee injuries wore him down both physically and mentally.

"Percy is a guy that worked so hard," Bills coach Rex Ryan said. "It's either full speed (or nothing), and sometimes you try to back him down a little bit, but that's why last year he was so frustrated that he wasn't able to contribute more to our team. He just needed some time away from the game to get healed up. So hopefully we catch lightning in a bottle so to speak and Percy is back to himself."

A healthy Harvin would be a big help for a Buffalo passing game that remains without standout receiver Sammy Watkins, who is on injured reserve with a foot injury. And Harvin said he is ready to help after the much-needed period of rest.

"It was time for me to just step back and let my body heal without training it, putting the time on it, and knowing I'm getting rest," the 28-year-old Harvin said. "I just wanted to take time off for myself. I was able to relax with my family. At this time, I'm just kind of getting myself together. I'm refreshed and I'm ready to go."

The Bills won't know until close to game time if standout running back LeSean McCoy (hamstring) can play. McCoy is sixth in the NFL with 598 rushing yards despite missing last Sunday's 41-25 loss to the New England Patriots.

NFL sacks leader Lorenzo Alexander (nine) also could be limited due to a hamstring injury. Alexander plans to play with the Bills having a bye the following Sunday.

Buffalo ranks 16th in total defense (360.3) but is tied for first with 26 sacks. The Bills rank third in turnover margin (plus 8).

Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense is again one of the top units in the league and ranks second in scoring defense (15.4) and third in total defense (319.4).

Veteran defensive end Cliff Avril is tied for third in the NFL with 7 1/2 sacks. Avril has been sensational over the past four games with 6 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner has a team-best 72 tackles while cornerback Richard Sherman and free safety Earl Thomas share the team lead with two interceptions.

The Seahawks trounced the Bills 50-17 in 2012 in Toronto in the most-recent meeting. Wilson rushed for three touchdowns and passed for one.