Pro Picks: Bills tilt Vikes, Packers surprise Pats
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Something has to give when the NFL’s highest-scoring offense faces the league’s stingiest defense.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills lead the league in scoring at 33.3 points per game. The Minnesota Vikings are giving up the fewest points at 13.3.
The two 6-1 teams meet Monday night in a prime-time showdown.
The Bills won’t need to reach the 30s against Minnesota’s pedestrian offense that ranks 29th in yards (279.4) and 27th in scoring (20.0). But Carson Wentz could give the Vikings an offensive jolt with Kyler Murray resting because of a hamstring issue.
The Bills are 3½-point favorites on the road. Pro Picks likes Buffalo.
BILLS: 23-17
CINCINNATI (5-2) vs. ATLANTA (3-5), in Madrid, Spain
Line: Bengals minus 3
Joe Burrow leads the NFL with 20 touchdown passes and the Bengals have scored more than 30 points in three straight games -- all wins. But their defense gave up 36 against the lowly Titans last week.
BENGALS: 27-20
CLEVELAND (5-3) at NEW ORLEANS (2-5)
Line: Saints minus 2½
Deshaun Watson ran out of comebacks and the Browns were routed by the Steelers. Watson entered concussion protocol on Wednesday so Shedeur Sanders would start if he can’t play.
SAINTS: 20-17
DALLAS (3-5) at INDIANAPOLIS (2-6)
Line: Cowboys minus 5½
Dallas blew a 14-point lead late against Arizona and pressure is on coach Brian Schottenheimer. Jonathan Taylor will possibly play his final game for Indianapolis.
COWBOYS: 27-23
DENVER (6-2) at CAROLINA (3-4)
Line: Broncos minus 2½
Bo Nix led another comeback and Denver keeps finding ways to win late.
DETROIT (5-2) at MIAMI (1-6)
Line: Lions minus 7
Detroit’s defense made significant improvements during a three-game winning streak, allowing just 17.7 points per game. But the Lions have lost key players to injury, including All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell. The Dolphins made things tough for the Patriots and covered the spread last week. Small victories for a rebuilding team.
LIONS: 26-20
LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-4) at WASHINGTON (2-4-1)
Line: Rams minus 5
The Rams could finally have Myles Garrett back to bolster a defense that was expected to be dominant with the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Aaron Donald’s return.
RAMS: 26-17
NEW YORK GIANTS (4-2-1) at PHILADELPHIA (2-6)
Line: Giants minus 3 ½
J.J. McCarthy vs. Joe Milton III. Two quarterbacks who were on other teams at the start of the season face off.
EAGLES: 23-22
NEW YORK JETS (2-6) at KANSAS CITY (5-2)
Line: Chiefs minus 9½
The Jets don’t have a chance against a Chiefs team that’s coming off two losses and trying to get back on track.
BEST BET: CHIEFS: 27-13
HOUSTON (2-5) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-7)
Line: Texans minus 4½
The underachieving Texans have no margin for error after starting 0-4. The Chargers are having a disastrous season. Justin Herbert’s regression is stunning.
TEXANS: 20-17
LAS VEGAS (4-4) at SAN FRANCISCO (6-1)
Line: 49ers minus 10
Kirk Cousins is second in the NFL with 19 TD passes and the Raiders got the run game going last week behind Mike Washington.
49ERS: 27-20
ARIZONA (3-5) at SEATTLE (4-4)
Line: Seahawks minus 12½
The Cardinals have Minshew Mania after Gardner Minshew led a stunning comeback at Dallas. But Seattle’s defense is much tougher and they’ll be motivated after giving up 34 points to the Bears.
SEAHAWKS: 23-14
GREEN BAY (5-3) at NEW ENGLAND (5-3)
Line: Patriots minus 3
Micah Parsons is nearing a return that will be a major boost for a defense that’s been playing well. If Green Bay starts to run the ball better, that’ll help Jordan Love and a potent passing attack. Drake Maye and the Patriots need a healthy A.J. Brown to have a chance to repeat in the AFC. Brown is dealing with a knee injury and didn’t play last week.
UPSET SPECIAL: PACKERS: 24-23
TAMPA BAY (3-5) at CHICAGO (6-2)
Line: Bears minus 6
The Buccaneers became the first team to play an entire game without completing a pass and still won thanks to 324 yards rushing against Atlanta. The Bears’ addition of All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons already paid off vs. Seattle, and he’ll face a resurgent offensive line and run game. Baker Mayfield will have to keep up with Caleb Williams and Chicago’s potent offense. It’ll benefit Tampa Bay that Chicago has a short week after a road game in Seattle.
BEARS: 27-22
Last week: Straight up: 11-3. Against spread: 10-4
Overall: Straight up: 75-45-1. Against spread: 66-52-3.
Best Bet: Straight up: 5-3. Against spread: 4-4.
Upset Special: Straight up: 3-5. Against spread: 3-5.
Editor’s note: Rob Maaddi predicted a 26-13 Jacksonsville victory over Baltimore in Thursday night’s game.