Last week: 12-1. Season: 60-44.
Sunday’s games
Panthers (1-5) at Bears (5-1), noon, WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Bears by 9. Over/under: 45.
Even with Bears coming off short week, struggling Panthers will have tough time against defense that’s No. 1 in scoring (13 ppg) and turnovers (21).
Pick: Bears 21, Panthers 17.
Seahawks (4-3) at Lions (2-4), noon
Line: Lions by 1. Over/under: 43.
Seahawks defense presents big challenge for Matthew Stafford and Lions’ sputtering, turnover-prone offense. Can Russell Wilson get it done on road?
Pick: Seahawks 21, Lions 20.
Falcons (6-0) at Eagles (3-3), noon
Line: Eagles by 1. Over/under: 46.5.
Andy Reid’s teams are 13-0 after open date. Falcons had close calls at home against Panthers and Raiders.
Pick: Eagles 27, Falcons 24.
Redskins (3-4) at Steelers (3-3), noon
Line: Steelers by 5. Over/under: 47.5.
Ben Roethlisberger has thrown TD pass against every NFL opponent except Redskins. That will change, even though Robert Griffin III will be more exciting QB on field.
Pick: Steelers 24, Redskins 21.
Chargers (3-3) at Browns (1-6), noon
Line: Chargers by 1. Over/under: 44.5.
Deflated as they were by collapse against Broncos, Chargers know their season isn’t over. They’re better than Browns, even on road.
Pick: Chargers 28, Browns 20.
Jaguars (1-5) at Packers (4-3), noon
Line: Packers by 16. Over/under: 45.5.
Without Maurice Jones-Drew to help control clock, Jaguars will spend a lot of time on defense. Aaron Rodgers will pick apart 24th-ranked pass defense.
Pick: Packers 35, Jaguars 14.
Dolphins (3-3) at Jets (3-4), noon
Line: Jets by 1. Over/under: 40.5.
Jets will have hard time running against stout Dolphins defense, and that shifts weight to passing game. First road win for rookie Ryan Tannehill.
Pick: Dolphins 17, Jets 14.
Patriots (4-3) vs. Rams (3-4), noon
Line: Patriots by 7. Over/under: 47.
The Rams have yet to win a road game, although this London game counts as a home game. They might not have firepower to take advantage of Patriots’ secondary weaknesses.
Pick: Patriots 30, Rams 20.
Colts (3-3) at Titans (3-4), noon
Line: Titans by 3.5. Over/under: 47.
Andrew Luck slowly is helping Colts turn around, but they still haven’t proved they can win on road — 10 losses and counting. Chris Johnson finally is getting traction.
Pick: Titans 23, Colts 21.
Raiders (2-4) at Chiefs (1-5), 3:05 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Chiefs by 1. Over/under: 42.5.
Last time Chiefs played at home, some fans cheered an injury to Matt Cassel. They aren’t likely to be much more receptive of Brady Quinn.
Pick: Raiders 20, Chiefs 14.
Giants (5-2) at Cowboys (3-3), 3:25 p.m., WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Cowboys by 1. Over/under: 47.5.
Cowboys never have beaten Giants in Jerry Jones’ palace. This divisional showdown figures to be close and hinge on a turnover. Eli Manning gets the nod.
Pick: Giants 27, Cowboys 24.
Saints (2-4) at Broncos (3-3), 7:20 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5
Line: Broncos by 6. Over/under: 55.5.
Saints forced eight turnovers in first six games. Broncos forced six in Chargers game alone. Drew Brees is 0-4 in Denver with Saints.
Pick: Broncos 28, Saints 24.
Monday’s game
49ers (5-2) at Cardinals (4-3), 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: 49ers by 6.5. Over/under: 37.
With season slipping away, Cardinals are desperate and dangerous. Niners get edge on road, even though their passing game is anemic.
Pick: 49ers 17, Cardinals 13.
