Detroit Lions at Cleveland BrownsFox at 1 p.m.
Total 45| Total: 45
Baker Mayfield has had a mixed campaign for a contract extension, and is trending downward. The Browns (5-5) are last place in the A.F.C. North, who completed only 52 per cent of his passes for 73 yard last week in a blowout defeat against the Patriots. Mayfield had to leave in halftime with a knee injury.
Mayfield’s status is day-to-day as he nurses that injury and an ailing shoulder, but Coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects Mayfield to play against the Lions (0-8-1), who recently played the season’s first tie. Detroit lost to Pittsburgh in overtime last week, and it looked exhausted trying to win. Cleveland should cover at home if Mayfield is even slightly effective and if running back Nick Chubb clears Covid-19 protocols. Pick: Browns -10
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans 1 p.m. CBS
Line: Titans -10.5 | Total: 44.5
The Titans (8-2) have won both their games without their star running back Derrick Henry, but they’re still without Julio Jones (hamstring), who must miss at least two more games while on injured reserve. Ryan Tannehill, A.J. Brown and the Titans’ cast of replacement backs should face little resistance from the Texans (1-8), who are rested from a bye week but whose defense has given up the second-most rushing yards (1,232) in the league. Pick: Titans -10.5
Miami Dolphins at Jets 1 p.m. CBS
Total: 45.5| Total: 45.5
The Dolphins (3-7), who used their 2020 strategy of aggressively blitzing in order to defeat Lamar Jackson, have returned. It can cause Joe Flacco problems. Four interceptions were thrown by Mike White against the Bills, settling any quarterback issues for the Jets (2-7). Coach Robert Saleh decided to start Flacco, a 14 season veteran, instead of Zach Wilson, as Zach Wilson was still recovering from a knee injury. Pick: Dolphins -3
New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia EaglesFox at 1 p.m.
Total 45| Total: 45
The Eagles (4-6), after ignoring the run earlier this season, have rushed more than 130 yards in each their last four games, with two performances exceeding 200 yards. The Saints (5-4), who have allowed more than 100 rushing yards once, may find that strategy ineffective. The Saints have been unbearably hard to predict, but even with running back Alvin Kamara’s (knee) status unclear, the defense should carry New Orleans, forcing the Eagles to revert to leaning on Jalen Hurts. Pick:Saints +1.5
San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars Fox at 1 p.m.
Line: 49ers -7 | Total: 46
Jacksonville (2-7) has played better in recent weeks, but a matchup with the 49ers (4-5) could test the Jaguars’ biggest strength: its rushing defense, which allows a mere 106 yards per game. The 49ers’ offense is predicated on misdirection and playing through contact, a challenge for a defense that’s still finding itself.
Source: NY Times
