GAME OF THE WEEK – Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) at New England Patriots (3-2), NE by 3.5 – These teams have developed quite a history in recent years, most recently with the Chiefs absolutely STOMPING the Patriots on NFL opening night in 2017. So it’s certainly not a foregone conclusion the Patriots are going to win this game. In fact, on paper, the Chiefs would seem to have the advantage in just about every area in this one. But I just cannot doubt the Patriots. So frequently they make up for talent deficits through excellent coaching and disciplined play. They’re at home, they’re starting to get on a roll after their annual slow start, and this is a game they need if they want to avoid falling behind in the race for a first-round bye. I think this is where the Chiefs pick up their first loss of the season, but it should be a good one. Patriots 30, Chiefs 27
THURSDAY – Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) at New York Giants (1-4), PHI by 3 – The Giants have looked pretty bad, and even though this is a divisional game at home on a Thursday night, it’s hard for me to look past the poor play and dysfunctional locker room drama they’ve been experiencing. This is a game the Eagles need, and they’re simply better than the Giants, even with how banged up they are at the moment. Eagles 23, Giants 16
Arizona Cardinals (1-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1), MIN By 10.5 – Good on the Cardinals for getting their first win of the season last week, but I think the Vikings are starting to wake up after their September nap. Vikings 31, Cardinals 14
Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-2-1), LAC by 1 – This is actually shaping up to be a nice game. The Browns, credit where credit is due, are playing with a lot of heart so far this year. While they’re certainly not a playoff team, they’re no longer a cakewalk. Meanwhile, Philip Rivers is quietly playing out of his mind, having maybe the best season of his career. This is going to be an interesting one, and certainly feels like the kind of game the Chargers would drop, but I think quarterback play is ultimately going to be the big difference in this one. Chargers 27, Browns 17
Chicago Bears (3-1) at Miami Dolphins (3-2), CHI by 3 – The Bears are coming off a bye week and have had extra time to prepare for a Dolphins team that’s already sputtering after its fast start. I’m not buying the Bears as a contender, but I’m also not buying the Dolphins as a team that’s capable of handling that Bears front seven. Bears 17, Dolphins 13
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Washington (2-2), PUSH – Carolina is just the better team at the moment, as evidenced by Washington’s embarrassing output on Monday night. Panthers 24, Washington 16
Indianapolis Colts (1-4) at New York Jets (2-3), NYJ by 2.5 – Hard to know what to make of this one for sure. But I’m still not a big believer in the Jets. Andrew Luck has played well since his return, but the rest of his team has been letting him down. UPSET! – Colts 23, Jets 13
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-1), CIN by 2.5 – The Bengals are one of the bigger surprises in the league so far this year. After a couple down years, they’ve come storming back into relevance. The Steelers picked up a big win against Atlanta, but playing in a tough divisional game where they have to go on the road, I think they’re ceding the edge to Cincinnati here. Bengals 24, Steelers 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-4), ATL by 3.5 – Just an inexplicably awful start for the Falcons so far this season. If they can’t figure out a way to win this one at home, their season is over. Falcons 33, Bucs 20
Oakland Raiders (1-4) vs. Seattle Seahawks (2-3) in London, SEA by 3 – The first of this year’s London games is the Marshawn Lynch bowl. The Seahawks came close to taking out the Rams—they should be able to manage the hapless Raiders. Seahawks 30, Raiders 24
Buffalo Bills (2-3) at Houston Texans (2-3), HOU by 8 – The Texans have won consecutive games for the first time in recent memory. Meanwhile, the Bills are having one of the weirdest seasons in recent memory, fluctuating between beating good teams and looking like the worst team in the league. Honestly, no idea what to expect out of this one, but I’ll take Houston at home. Texans 19, Bills 13
Los Angeles Rams (5-0) at Denver Broncos (2-3), LAR by 7 – The beat goes on for the Rams. Rams 37, Broncos 19
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3), JAX by 3 – Can’t see the Cowboys putting up many points on this Jaguars defense—they’re not the Chiefs. Jaguars 20, Cowboys 12
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Tennessee Titans (3-2), BAL by 3 – This is gonna be a good one. Both of these teams resemble each other in quite a few ways… tough defenses, grind-it-out offenses, generally overlooked so far this season despite getting off to better-than-expected starts, a lack of real big-time superstars or marketable characters/players on either side. Should be a good old-fashioned football game, and I’m taking the home team. UPSET! – Titans 23, Ravens 20
San Francisco 49ers (1-4) at Green Bay Packers (2-2-1), GB by 9.5 – The Packers are a bad football team at this point in the season so far, but the 49ers are hopeless and angry Rodgers is best Rodgers. For one week, at least, the Packers will get a reprieve from the drama. Packers 27, 49ers 9
BYES: Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints