Last week: 9-5 Season: 69-49
Sunday’s games
Cardinals (4-4) at Packers (5-3), noon
Line: Packers by 10. Over/under: 44.
Cardinals have lost four in row and have to be losing confidence. If Aaron Rodgers and Packers needed wake-up call, they got one with their near-miss against Jaguars.
Pick: Packers 35, Cardinals 20.
Lions (3-4) at Jaguars (1-6), noon
Line: Lions by 31/2. Over/under: 44.
Jaguars have yet to win home game, and prospects of that become lot tougher without services of Maurice Jones-Drew. Lions pick up road victory.
Pick: Lions 24, Jaguars 20.
Bears (6-1) at Titans (3-5), noon, WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Bears by 31/2. Over/under: 431/2.
It’s easy to forget Bears have lost only once and have won five in row. Titans have shown some signs of life, so this game should be competitive.
Pick: Bears 24, Titans 21.
Panthers (1-6) at Redskins (3-5), noon
Line: Redskins by 3. Over/under: 46.
Just because they see an ultra-mobile quarterback in practice every day doesn’t mean Panthers can shut one down. Robert Griffin III is due for another big day.
Pick: Redskins 28, Panthers 27.
Broncos (4-3) at Bengals (3-4), noon, WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Broncos by 31/2. Over/under: 471/2.
Peyton Manning is on a roll and getting increasingly comfortable with his receivers. That’s daunting challenge for any defense, even one playing at home.
Pick: Broncos 30, Bengals 24.
Ravens (5-2) at Browns (2-8), noon
Line: Ravens by 31/2. Over/under: 421/2.
Browns were competitive when these teams met in Baltimore in Week 4. Stopping Trent Richardson will be difficult without healthy Haloti Ngata in middle.
Pick: Ravens 21, Browns 17.
Bills (3-4) at Texans (6-1), noon
Line: Texans by 10. Over/under: 471/2.
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Few would dispute Texans are better, and playing at home only sharpens edge. But Bills tend to play well coming out of off week.
Pick: Texans 27, Bills 20.
Dolphins (4-3) at Colts (4-3), noon
Line: Dolphins by 1. Over/under: 43.
Amazingly, this game has relevance in playoff picture. Colts should hold ground at home, especially if Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill isn’t 100 percent.
Pick: Colts 17, Dolphins 14.
Buccaneers (3-4) at Raiders (3-4), 3:05 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 1. Over/under: 45.
Bucs are rested and coming off impressive road victory in Minnesota. Resurgent as they are, Raiders will have hands full.
Pick: Buccaneers 24, Raiders 21.
Vikings (5-3) at Seahawks (4-4), 3:05 p.m.
Line: Seahawks by 4. Over/under: 391/2.
Seahawks are different, better team at home. Key for them will be the Russells — quarterback Wilson and left tackle Okung, who will try to keep Jared Allen at bay.
Pick: Seahawks 21, Vikings 14.
Steelers (4-3) at Giants (6-2), 3:25 p.m., WBBM, Ch. 2
Line: Giants by 31/2. Over/under: 471/2.
Each of Steelers’ four victories have come against teams with losing records. Giants have won four in row and apply more defensive pressure than Steelers.
Pick: Giants 28, Steelers 24.
Cowboys (3-4) at Falcons (7-0), 7:20 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5
Line: Falcons by 41/2. Over/under: 471/2.
Falcons have had some close calls at home to some lesser opponents. But stat that jumps out is this: Falcons are plus-10 in turnover ratio; Cowboys are minus-11.
Pick: Falcons 30, Cowboys 28.
Monday’s game
Eagles (3-4) at Saints (2-5), 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Saints by 31/2. Over/under: 521/2.
Eagles haven’t scored more than 24 points this season, and they don’t have notable road victory. Saints quarterback Drew Brees gets edge over beleaguered Michael Vick on home turf.
Pick: Saints 31, Eagles 24.