Last season’s record:
151-105
Against the spread:
131-125
Steelers (12-4 last season) at Ravens (12-4), noon
Line:
Ravens by 2
Over/under:
36 1/2
Ravens had franchise-low 27 sacks last season, but nine of those were of Ben Roethlisberger. A Steelers’ concern: Journeyman Jonathan Scott is protecting Roethlisberger’s blind side.
Pick:
Ravens 20, Steelers 17
Bengals (4-12) at Browns (5-11), noon
Line:
Browns by 6 1/2 Over/under: 35 1/2
NFL has given Browns every chance to get off to good start, consistently scheduling them at home for their openers. So far, Browns haven’t taken advantage. Here, they will.
Pick:
Browns 23, Bengals 13
Colts (10-6) at Texans (6-10), noon
TV:
WBBM-Ch. 2
Line:
Texans by 8 1/2
Over/under:
43
Having undergone more neck surgery, Peyton Manning will be a spectator. That’s really bad news for the Colts, even though Kerry Collins knows Texans’ defense from days with Titans.
Pick:
Texans 27, Colts 16
Titans (6-10) at Jaguars (8-8), noon
Line:
Jaguars by 2
Over/under:
37 1/2
In short term, Jaguars will pay price for late release of David Garrard. Titans’ Matt Hasselbeck will have time to pass, and he’s very accurate in those situations.
Pick:
Titans 20, Jaguars 17
Noon Bills (4-12) at Chiefs (10-6)
Line:
Chiefs by 6
Over/under:
40
Chiefs had league’s No. 1 rushing offense last season, and no one was worse at stopping run than Bills. Every season is new, but those things don’t change overnight.
Pick:
Chiefs 21, Bills 17
Falcons (13-3) at BEARS (11-5), noon
TV:
WFLD-Ch. 32
Line:
Falcons by 3
Over/under:
40 1/2
Bears need time for offensive line to jell, and Falcons have beefed up defensive front with Ray Edwards. Jay Cutler was sacked 56 times last season.
Pick:
Falcons 24, Bears 17
Eagles (10-6) at Rams (7-9), noon
Line:
Eagles by 4 1/2
Over/under:
44
Debut of so-called Dream Team will feature some hiccups and Rams quarterback Sam Bradford will keep things interesting. But Michael Vick makes difference.
Pick:
Eagles 27, Rams 20
Lions (6-10) at Buccaneers (10-6), noon
Line:
Buccaneers by 2
Over/under:
41
If this indeed is new era for Lions, they need to beat tough opponent on road. Buccaneers need Josh Freeman to get off to quicker start.
Pick:
Lions 21, Buccaneers 20
Panthers (2-14) at Cardinals (5-11), 3:15 p.m.
Line:
Cardinals by 7
Over/under:
37
Cam Newton showed real flashes of promise in preseason. That was against defenses showing vanilla looks though. Cardinals will make things more exotic and difficult.
Pick:
Cardinals 23, Panthers 13
Vikings (6-10) at Chargers (9-7), 3:15 p.m.
TV:
WFLD-Ch. 32
Line:
Chargers by 8 1/2
Over/under:
41 1/2
Chargers are notoriously slow starters, but veteran additions Takeo Spikes and Bob Sanders should wake up defense. Philip Rivers will find holes in Vikings’ secondary.
Pick:
Chargers 30, Vikings 17
Seahawks (7-9) at 49ers (6-10), 3:15 p.m.
Line:
49ers by 5 1/2
Over/under:
37 1/2
Even though he was in Darrell Bevell’s system last season, Tarvaris Jackson still is getting used to offense. And Seahawks’ line — particularly right side — isn’t giving him time.
Pick:
49ers 17, Seahawks 13
Giants (10-6) at Redskins (6-10), 3:15 p.m.
Line:
Giants by 3
Over/under:
38
Rex Grossman isn’t long-term answer at quarterback for Redskins, but he’s decent enough to present problems for opponents. If Redskins can contain run, they can eke out victory.
Pick:
Redskins 21, Giants 20
7:20 p.m. Cowboys (6-10) at Jets (11-5)
TV:
WMAQ-Ch. 5
Line:
Jets by 5
Over/under:
40 1/2
Cornerback Darrelle Revis healthy helps make difference in defensive showdown between Jets coach Rex Ryan and brother Rob, Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator.
Pick:
Jets 20, Cowboys 14
MONDAY’S GAMES
Patriots (14-2) at Dolphins (7-9), 6 p.m.
TV:
ESPN
Line:
Patriots by 7
Over/under:
45 1/2
Tom Brady trumps Chad Henne, as Patriots — whose defensive front is bolstered by Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis — already are looking in midseason form. What else is new?
Pick:
Patriots 28, Dolphins 17
Raiders (8-8) at Broncos (4-12), 9:15 p.m.
TV:
ESPN
Line:
Broncos by 3
Over/under:
40
Raiders have lost cornerstone Pro Bowl players on both sides of ball — cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and tight end Zach Miller — and those departures will be tough to overcome early.
Pick:
Broncos 17, Raiders 13
