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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

Spanish La Liga TODAY 11:00

Celta Vigo

v

Deportivo

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS4		7/10	13/5	9/2	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT CELTA VIGO	RECENT FORM
HWAWHWHWALHD​ Most recent​	1 - 1 2 - 1 1 - 1 2 - 3	HLADHLALHWAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Deportivo have failed to score in their last four away games

EXPERT VERDICT: Deportivo, the league’s lowest scorers with just five goals to their name, are struggling going into the Galician derby. Depor have yet to find the net in any of their away games so far and have failed to notch in five of their last seven overall. Vigo have scored ten in their last four at home and can win this comfortably.

RECOMMENDATION: Celta Vigo
3

Premier League TODAY 13:30

Man City

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Southampton

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		4/9	15/4	7	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MAN CITY	RECENT FORM
AWAWADALHDAL​ Most recent​	3 - 1 2 - 0 4 - 1 3 - 2	HWAWADADHWAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Man City have not led at half-time in their last six matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Some of the gloss has been taken off Manchester City’s fine start to the season with their recent run of poor results, but Pep Guardiola's side can bounce back from their battering in Barcelona to beat Southampton. However, Saints are a sound side defensively so City may need to show patience before taking maximum points.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw-Man City double result
1


REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg STADIUM:

Dutch Eredivisie TODAY 13:30

Feyenoord

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Ajax

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		13/10	5/2	15/8	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FEYENOORD	RECENT FORM
AWHWALAWAWHW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 0 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 2	AWHWHWHWAWAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Feyenoord are unbeaten in 18 home matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Table-topping Feyenoord host second-placed Ajax and it could pay to stick with the Rotterdam side, who are nine from nine in the Eredivisie this season, and could go ten points clear of the visitors. Ajax have won their last six away matches but even they may struggle to find a way past Feyenoord's defensive wall, which has shipped just three league goals.

RECOMMENDATION: Feyenoord
1

Italian Serie A TODAY 14:00

Torino

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Lazio

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT3		11/8	23/10	21/10	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT TORINO	RECENT FORM
ALHDADHWHWAW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 0 - 2 1 - 3 1 - 0	ADHWALHWAWHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Lazio have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven away fixtures

EXPERT VERDICT: Torino started the weekend in the top four after three successive victories and their fine run can continue at the expense of Lazio. Both sides are on 14 points but Lazio needed an injury-time penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Bologna on Sunday and will need to improve if they are to trouble one of the division's form teams.

RECOMMENDATION: Torino
1

Spanish La Liga TODAY 15:15

Seville

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Atl Madrid

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS5		3	5/2	19/20	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SEVILLE	RECENT FORM
HWALHWHWAWAW​ Most recent​	0 - 3 0 - 0 1 - 3 0 - 1	ADHWHWAWHWAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Seville have failed to score in each of their last four matches against Atletico

EXPERT VERDICT: Atletico Madrid have arguably the best defence in Europe and their powers of resistance can earn them a draw from a tough fixture at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. The only remaining 100 per cent home record in La Liga belongs to HIGH-FLYING Seville but even they may struggle to find a way past Atletico's defensive wall.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

Premier League TODAY 16:00

Chelsea

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Man Utd

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		5/4	23/10	13/5	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT CHELSEA	RECENT FORM
ADHLAD*ALAWHW​ Most recent​	1 - 1 1 - 0 3 - 1 1 - 0	AWHWHWHDADHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: All five of Chelsea’s wins this season have come against teams who started the weekend tenth or lower

EXPERT VERDICT: Manchester United have flattered to deceive at times this season but look overpriced to win on Jose Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge homecoming. Chelsea started strongly under Antonio Conte but the Blues have put in their worst performances of the season against their two toughest opponents - losing 2-1 to Liverpool and 3-0 at Arsenal - and United can build on their 0-0 draw at Anfield.

RECOMMENDATION: Man Utd
1


REFEREE: Martin Atkinson STADIUM:

 

[Cheez]

Does anyone have Steve Merril? Thanks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS
(NFL)
Lions
Vikings
49ers
Cardinals

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: N.Y. Giants at Los Angeles

When: 9:30 AM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Twickenham Stadium, London

Odell Beckham Jr. finally had a performance to match the headlines and the New York Giants came out of it with a win, though it was not without further controversy. Beckham will take his show across the Atlantic on Sunday, when the Giants face the Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium in London.

New York was facing questions about its offense before breaking out in a 27-23 win over Baltimore last week, but Beckham's 222-yard, two-touchdown performance was somewhat marred by the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he drew for removing his helmet after scoring the go-ahead TD. "We can't have (penalties)," Giants coach Ben McAdoo told reporters. "(Beckham) knows that and he wanted to fire up our kick coverage team and defense. He knows we can't have it. We need to keep our focus on the ballgame." The Rams are coming off back-to-back losses and facing questions about their defense after surrendering a total of 61 points in the setbacks. Defensive end Robert Quinn sat out the last two games with a shoulder injury and was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, but Los Angeles is optimistic he can return on Sunday to help the pass rush.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Giants -2.5. O/U: 43.5

ABOUT THE GIANTS (3-3): Beckham suffered a hip pointer in the win over the Ravens and was able to return to the game and score the final TD, but he has been receiving treatment for the injury this week and sat out practice on Wednesday. Eli Manning threw for 403 yards and three scores last week, but New York's rushing attack was limited to 38 yards on 17 carries despite the return of Rashad Jennings, who missed a month with a thumb injury. Shane Vereen has not played since Week 3 and is on injured reserve with a triceps injury but still leads the Giants with 147 rushing yards.

ABOUT THE RAMS (3-3): Los Angeles' big problem at the beginning of the season was the offense, but quarterback Case Keenum and company have been doing more than enough to win of late. Keenum threw for 321 yards and completed 19 straight passes at one point against Detroit last week, but the defense failed to hold a late lead in a 31-28 loss. The Rams' defense could have a tough time covering Beckham on Sunday if top cornerback Trumaine Johnson (ankle) is forced to miss a second straight game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rams DT Michael Brockers (thigh) did not practice on Wednesday and is day-to-day.

2. New York S Nat Behre (concussion) had to be removed from practice on Wednesday and remains in the league's protocol.

3. Los Angeles RB Todd Gurley averaged a season-high 4.1 yards per carry last week but has yet to record a 100-yard performance.

PREDICTION: Rams 28, Giants 24

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cleveland at Cincinnati

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Desperate to avoid falling too far back in the AFC North playoff chase, the Cincinnati Bengals will face a division opponent they have dominated of late when the Cleveland Browns pay a visit on Sunday. Cincinnati has lost four of five since a season-opening victory and is coming off back-to-back defeats by double-digit margins.

"We're kind of behind right now, with the way this season has gone, and we've got to get it back on track," Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said in the wake of road losses to Dallas (28-14) and New England (35-17). Cincinnati has met little resistance from the Browns during a three-game winning streak in the series, outscoring its intrastate rivals 98-13. Cleveland features the reigning NBA champions and a baseball team that has advanced to the World Series, but the city's good vibes have not filtered down to its NFL entry. The Browns are the league's only winless team at 0-6 and already have been forced to play five quarterbacks due to injuries.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Bengals -10. O/U: 45.5

ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-6): Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler, who inherited the starting job following injuries to Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown, threw for 336 yards and a pair of touchdowns in last week's 28-26 loss at Tennessee. Both scoring passes went to converted quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who leads the team with 33 receptions and four touchdowns while also lining up in the backfield and under center. Injuries are also piling up on the other side of the ball. Safety Jordan Poyer was placed on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney while top cornerback Joe Haden (groin) did not practice Thursday.

ABOUT THE BENGALS (2-4): One of the biggest issues for Cincinnati has been its struggles in the end zone, a problem that could be rectified with the potential season debut of tight end Tyler Eifert, who hauled in 13 touchdown passes last season -- three coming in one game versus Cleveland. Dalton has a passer rating of over 100 in each of the last three games, throwing for four touchdowns and zero interceptions, but the running game continues to sputter and is ranked 24th with an average of 89.8 yards per game. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict returned to practice Thursday after he was carted off the field one day earlier.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Dalton had a 142.8 rating with five touchdowns and zero picks in the series sweep of the Browns last season.

2. Another loss will match the Browns' first start since returning to Cleveland in the 1999 season.

3. Bengals WR A.J. Green has six TD receptions in his last six home games, including the postseason.

PREDICTION: Bengals 27, Browns 16

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Oakland at Jacksonville

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

The Oakland Raiders put their perfect road record on the line when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. While struggling at home with losses in two of its three contests, Oakland has won all three of its games on the road - defeating New Orleans, Tennessee and Baltimore by a total of nine points.

The Raiders are coming off a 26-10 setback against visiting Kansas City that prevented them from moving ahead of Denver atop the AFC West. Jacksonville hopes to extend its winning streak to three games after it opened the season with three consecutive losses, including two at home. The Jaguars held off a fourth-quarter rally by Indianapolis in London in Week 4 and, after their bye week, entered the final period against Chicago last Sunday with a 13-point deficit before emerging with a 17-16 victory. Jacksonville holds a 4-3 edge in the all-time series and posted a 38-31 triumph in its last home meeting with Oakland on Dec. 12, 2010.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Jaguars -1.5. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (4-2): The trio of Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper continue to carry Oakland offensively. The quarterback enters Week 7 tied for fifth in the NFL with 12 touchdown passes and has thrown only three interceptions - a league-low among signal-callers with at least 225 passing attempts, Crabtree shares the league lead with five receiving TDs and Cooper is averaging 16.3 yards per catch while ranking fourth with 585 overall. The team's problems have been on the other side of the ball, as it ranks last in total defense (444.8 yards allowed) and 24th in scoring defense (27.2 points).

ABOUT THE JAGUARS (2-3): While Blake Bortles hasn't put up the numbers to match fellow 2014 draft pick Carr, he also has a big-time receiver to target in Allen Robinson. The 23-year-old Robinson has made 15 touchdown catches in his last 17 games and 10 in his last 10 contests at home. Jacksonville has taken a step backward in the scoring department, entering Week 7 ranked 21st (20.2 points) after finishing 14th (23.5) in the league last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Raiders DE Khalil Mack has registered eight sacks in his last six road games while Cooper is seeking his third straight overall contest with at least 100 receiving yards.

2. Jacksonville DE Yannick Ngakoue is one of two players (Terrell Suggs) in NFL history to record at least four sacks and an interception over the first five games of his career.

3. Oakland's Jack Del Rio is returning to Jacksonville for the first time since being fired as the Jaguars' coach in 2011.

PREDICTION: Raiders 33, Jaguars 27

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Buffalo at Miami

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

The Buffalo Bills have run roughshod over the NFL during their four-game winning streak, but the key cog in the backfield may be held out of Sunday's road contest with the Miami Dolphins. LeSean McCoy (NFL second-best 587 yards, league-high 5.6 yards per carry) sustained a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday, three days removed from rolling up 140 yards and a career high-tying three touchdowns in Buffalo's 45-16 rout over San Francisco.

"It wasn't like it was full blown or anything like that. But we'll just see," coach Rex Ryan said Thursday of the injury that ESPN's Josina Anderson reported could sideline McCoy for several weeks. "They're giving him treatment and we're hopeful that he'll play Sunday." Mike Gillislee would see an uptick in workload should McCoy be out for Buffalo, which looks to exploit Miami's 31st-ranked rushing defense. On the other side of the ball, Jay Ajayi ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday's 30-15 victory over Pittsburgh to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. "You got to keep working. Just continue to build off it," the 23-year-old Ajayi said. "It was good to have a performance like that, but you definitely don’t want to be satisfied."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Bills -3. O/U: 43.5

ABOUT THE BILLS (4-2): Quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw two touchdown passes in each of his last two contests for Buffalo, which is looking to secure its first five-game winning streak since 2004. The Miami native is 2-0 with four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 145.0 QB rating against the Dolphins, but his receiving corps could take a different look on Sunday. Wideout Robert Woods was in a walking boot and missed practice on Thursday to put his availability in jeopardy, while Marquise Goodwin and Justin Hunter would expect to take the majority of snaps at receiver if he cannot play.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (2-4): Ryan Tannehill enjoyed a rare occurrence last week as the 28-year-old wasn't sacked and was pressured on just six percent of dropbacks versus the Steelers -- a far cry from the 32 percent in his previous five. Tannehill continues to rely on trusted wideout Jarvis Landry (NFL second-best 41 receptions), who leads the league in market share of his team's passing game with 31.3 percent of Miami's targets. The 23-year-old Landry reeled in nine catches in both outings versus Buffalo last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Buffalo DE Lorenzo Alexander has a league-best eight sacks playing in the same position as Miami's Mario Williams, who has just six tackles and one sack this season.

2. Tannehill has been sacked 17 times, tied for fourth-most in the league.

3. Bills rookie LB Shaq Lawson (shoulder), who is a first-round pick, is expected to be activated from the PUP list and make his season debut on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Dolphins 23, Bills 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Baltimore at N.Y. Jets

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

A 1-5 start may or may not have cost the New York Jets a playoff berth but it certainly cost quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick his starting role. The Jets will turn to Geno Smith, making his first start since 2014, in an attempt to turn their season around when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

New York figured to get off to a rough start playing a brutally difficult schedule, but Fitzpatrick didn't help things by leading the league in interceptions (11) by a wide margin. The loss of wide receiver Eric Decker to a season-ending shoulder injury and the poor play of their secondary, including All-Pro Darrelle Revis, haven't helped the cause and prompted coach Todd Bowles to make the switch to Smith this week. This is the second straight week the Ravens will play at the MetLife Stadium, having lost to the Giants in the game's final minute last week. Close games are nothing new for Baltimore, which has had all six games decided by one possession.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Jets -1. O/U: 40.5.

ABOUT THE RAVENS (3-3): Besieged by injuries on its offensive line Baltimore has lost three straight games and quarterback Joe Flacco has paid the price by getting pressured a league-high 52 times during the stretch. To no surprise, Flacco missed practice time during the week with a shoulder injury. Terrance West has seized the role of No. 1 running back, rushing for 295 yards and three scores in his three starts on the season. The Ravens have won eight straight in the series but won't have star linebackers Terrell Suggs (biceps) and Elvis Dumervil (foot).

ABOUT THE JETS (1-5): Smith lost his job in the preseason last year after an altercation with a teammate left him with a broken jaw. Smith is 11-18 as a starter with 27 touchdowns and 36 interceptions but made just one appearance last season. The Jets rank 29th in the league against the pass and are last in the league in scoring, averaging just 15.8 points a game. New York has managed little from its ground game as the duo of Matt Forte and Bilal Powell head a unit ranked 19th in the league, averaging 92.5 yards a game. Forte hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 2.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Flacco is expected to play but if he doesn't and the game evolves into a contest of backup quarterbacks, Ryan Mallett would get the start for the Ravens.

2. New York is second in the league with 15 turnovers.

3. The Ravens lead the league in rushing defense, allowing 69.7 yards a game.

PREDICTION: Jets 20, Ravens 17

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indianapolis at Tennessee


When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Marcus Mariota, who has thrown for three touchdowns in back-to-back games, carries his hot hand into Sunday's divisional contest as the Tennessee Titans host the Indianapolis Colts. The Titans enter the game on a rare two-game winning streak and, if they win, would be over the .500 mark for the first time since Week 5 of the 2013 season.

Indianapolis has never lost to Tennessee in the Andrew Luck era but will need to protect its star signal-caller -- sacked a league-high 23 times -- much better if it hopes to make a push for a playoff berth. Feeling the heat from his team's 2-4 start, Colts coach Chuck Pagano got a vote of confidence from owner Jim Irsay after his team blew a 14-point lead in the final three minutes of last week's overtime loss to the Houston Texans. The Titans haven't been to the playoffs since 2008, but with Mariota on a roll they should move the ball against the Colts, who rank 30th in the league in total defense and have allowed 29 points a game. DeMarco Murray is also off to a strong start, ranking fourth in the NFL with 526 yards rushing.

TV: 1 p.m. CBS. LINE: Titans -2.5. O/U: 48.

ABOUT THE COLTS (2-4): The Colts have not only won nine straight in the series but they've scored at least 27 points in six of the games. Things may not be as easy this week, however, as the Titans run a ball-control offense and Indianapolis will be without wide receiver Donte Moncrief (shoulder) and tight end Dwayne Allen (ankle). Running back Frank Gore rushed for 106 yards in last week's game, marking the first time in 55 contests that the Colts had a 100-yard rusher.

ABOUT THE TITANS (3-3): Mariota still has a tendency to turn the ball over as he has thrown six picks and lost two fumbles for the Titans, who haven't won three straight games since the 2011 season. Tennessee has six sacks in each of the last two games and will certainly attempt to pressure Luck, led by Brian Orakpo, who has at least one sack in five straight games. Titans coach Mike Mularkey gave the credit to veteran defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau for their recent success in attacking the quarterback. "There's a lot of moving parts. There's a lot of pre-snap disguising. That's the beauty of coach LeBeau," he said.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Colts K Adam Vinatieri has made 41 straight field goals, one shy of the all-time NFL record held by another Colt, Mike Vanderjagt.

2. Titans WR Kendall Wright has emerged as a strong vertical threat and caught eight passes for 133 yards and a touchdown last week.

3. Luck has thrown for 1,721 passing yards (262.3 per game) with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.

PREDICTION: Titans 27, Colts 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Washington at Detroit

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

The Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions rebounded from early-season missteps to regain their footing in a big way of late. The Redskins vie for their fifth consecutive victory on Sunday when they visit the Detroit Lions, who have won two in a row to even their record.

Michigan-born Kirk Cousins returns to his home state for the first time as an NFL starter, and he does so after finding the end zone twice in a 27-20 victory over Philadelphia last Sunday and eight times during Washington's winning streak. Cousins once again will likely be without tight end Jordan Reed, who was held out of practice on Thursday as he works his way through his fifth diagnosed concussion. While Cousins is at the helm of the league's fifth-ranked scoring offense, Detroit's Matthew Stafford is doing quite nicely in his own right with a 68.9 completion percentage and an NFL third-best 14 touchdowns heading into his 100th career regular-season game. The 28-year-old recorded his 10th four-touchdown performance in a 31-28 victory over Los Angeles last week, but faces a Redskins defense that has surrendered only six touchdown passes this season.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Lions -1. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (4-2): Cousins will look to Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder to exploit Detroit's 23rd-ranked pass defense, although fellow wideout DeSean Jackson's involvement in Sunday's game is in question. Jackson missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday with a sore shoulder, sustained in the second half against the Eagles. "I want to play and I think I'll be able to, so I'll be all right," Jackson said. "It's nothing too serious, but still enough to hold me back from practicing. They're giving me the time I need to get it right, so hopefully I'll be ready for Sunday."

ABOUT THE LIONS (3-3): Wide receiver Marvin Jones has cooled down from his hot start, but still found the end zone in back-to-back weeks despite reeling in just six total receptions for 47 yards. The 26-year-old is expected to see a healthy dose of cornerback Josh Norman on Sunday, so perhaps Stafford will shift his focus toward veteran Anquan Boldin or Golden Tate. The 36-year-old Boldin collected his third touchdown this season last Sunday and has eight scores in his last five encounters with Washington while Tate erupted after a sputtering start to haul in eight catches for 165 yards and a touchdown versus Philadelphia last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington RB Matt Jones has sandwiched two strong outings around a stinker, highlighted by rushing for a career-high 135 yards and a touchdown against Philadelphia.

2. Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah has 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in his last eight home games and two sacks and a forced fumble in his last encounter with the Redskins.

3. Washington LB Su'a Cravens (concussion) was a full participant in practice on Thursday, but is expected to visit an independent doctor prior to being cleared to face Detroit.

PREDICTION: Redskins 24, Lions 23

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: San Diego at Atlanta

When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Falcons hope to put last week’s disappointing finish behind them and cushion their lead in the NFC South when they host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. The Chargers, coming off a victory over Denver last Thursday, are trying to win consecutive games for the first time since 2014.



Atlanta appeared to be on its way to a fifth consecutive win last week at Seattle before Matt Ryan threw a late interception that led to a game-winning field goal by the Seahawks. The Falcons look to bounce back against a San Diego team that has won just one of its last 12 road contests but snapped a three-game skid with a 21-13 win over defending Super Bowl champion Denver. “You know how I feel about momentum – week to week,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers told reporters. “But we’re now like, ‘Guys, that’s how you beat a good team. That’s what it feels like.'" The Falcons have won their last six meetings with the Chargers – and eight of nine all-time – but the teams have met just once in the past 12 seasons, with Atlanta winning 27-3 at San Diego in 2012.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Falcons -6.5. O/U: 53.5



ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2-4): Despite numerous injuries, San Diego has the league’s No. 3 scoring offense largely on the strength of Rivers and the passing game. Turnovers are a concern, though, as the Chargers have 13 giveaways – including an NFL-high 10 lost fumbles – and have committed at least two turnovers in four straight games. The defense struggled early in the season but was stout against Denver and has yet to allow 100 yards rushing in a contest.

ABOUT THE FALCONS (4-2): Atlanta boasts the league’s top offense, averaging 441.5 total yards and 33.2 points, but has failed to hit either mark in the last two games. Ryan and Julio Jones have developed into the league’s most prolific passing duo, but it was a drop by Jones that resulted in the game-turning interception against the Seahawks. The Falcons have been tough on the run, but the young secondary has faced rough patches and will have a difficult assignment versus Rivers and the Chargers.



EXTRA POINTS

1. Ryan has averaged 369.3 passing yards and thrown nine touchdown passes over his last four home games.

2. Atlanta rookie S Keanu Neal has forced a fumble in each of the Falcons’ last two contests.

3. San Diego TE Hunter Henry has caught a touchdown pass in three consecutive games.



PREDICTION: Falcons 34, Chargers 27

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: New Orleans at Kansas City

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri


The Kansas City Chiefs looked like a different team coming out of their bye week, and they hope the same dominant squad shows up when they try for a ninth consecutive home win Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are aiming for their third straight victory as they attempt to climb back into the race in the NFC South.



Kansas City turned in a clunker in a 43-14 loss at Pittsburgh in Week 4 but returned after the bye week to post a 26-10 victory at Oakland on Sunday. The Chiefs have been wildly inconsistent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. “What we’re trying to do is not be that yo-yo team that plays great, and then they don’t play too good,” Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson told reporters. “We have a personality, and that’s fear nothing and attack everything. That’s how we should play every game.” The Saints have been on a wild ride of their own with four of their five games decided by three points or fewer, including one- and three-point victories in their last two contests.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Chiefs -6. O/U: 50.5



ABOUT THE SAINTS (2-3): Some things never seem to change in New Orleans, with one being the productivity of Brees and the passing game. New Orleans ranks second in the league in total offense (413.4 yards) and leads the NFL in passing (335.4 yards). Unfortunately for the Saints, the defense has characteristically struggled, allowing 419.4 yards and 33.3 points per contest.

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (3-2): Kansas City’s defense drastically improved after the bye week, as the team gave up a season-low 286 total yards and held Oakland to 65 on the ground. The team’s biggest weakness had been its run defense, but that’s not likely to be a big factor against the Saints’ punchless ground game. The Chiefs’ passing game isn’t especially dynamic, but the running attack took off last week with a season-high 183 yards - including 131 from Spencer Ware.



EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chiefs have forced 10 turnovers in their three wins and two in their two losses.

2. New Orleans WR Michael Thomas has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games.

3. Kansas City CB Marcus Peters has made 10 interceptions in his last 12 games, including the playoffs, and has recorded three in his last four home contests.



PREDICTION: Chiefs 26, Saints 23

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: San Diego at Atlanta

When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Falcons hope to put last week’s disappointing finish behind them and cushion their lead in the NFC South when they host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. The Chargers, coming off a victory over Denver last Thursday, are trying to win consecutive games for the first time since 2014.



Atlanta appeared to be on its way to a fifth consecutive win last week at Seattle before Matt Ryan threw a late interception that led to a game-winning field goal by the Seahawks. The Falcons look to bounce back against a San Diego team that has won just one of its last 12 road contests but snapped a three-game skid with a 21-13 win over defending Super Bowl champion Denver. “You know how I feel about momentum – week to week,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers told reporters. “But we’re now like, ‘Guys, that’s how you beat a good team. That’s what it feels like.'" The Falcons have won their last six meetings with the Chargers – and eight of nine all-time – but the teams have met just once in the past 12 seasons, with Atlanta winning 27-3 at San Diego in 2012.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Falcons -6.5. O/U: 53.5



ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2-4): Despite numerous injuries, San Diego has the league’s No. 3 scoring offense largely on the strength of Rivers and the passing game. Turnovers are a concern, though, as the Chargers have 13 giveaways – including an NFL-high 10 lost fumbles – and have committed at least two turnovers in four straight games. The defense struggled early in the season but was stout against Denver and has yet to allow 100 yards rushing in a contest.

ABOUT THE FALCONS (4-2): Atlanta boasts the league’s top offense, averaging 441.5 total yards and 33.2 points, but has failed to hit either mark in the last two games. Ryan and Julio Jones have developed into the league’s most prolific passing duo, but it was a drop by Jones that resulted in the game-turning interception against the Seahawks. The Falcons have been tough on the run, but the young secondary has faced rough patches and will have a difficult assignment versus Rivers and the Chargers.



EXTRA POINTS

1. Ryan has averaged 369.3 passing yards and thrown nine touchdown passes over his last four home games.

2. Atlanta rookie S Keanu Neal has forced a fumble in each of the Falcons’ last two contests.

3. San Diego TE Hunter Henry has caught a touchdown pass in three consecutive games.



PREDICTION: Falcons 34, Chargers 27

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: New England at Pittsburgh

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What was shaping up as one of the marquee matchups of the season lost some of its luster when Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a torn meniscus last weekend. With Roethlisberger sidelined after undergoing surgery, the Steelers will host the New England Patriots in a matchup of division leaders on Sunday.

The Patriots weathered a four-game suspension to quarterback Tom Brady, so they realize Pittsburgh still presents an imposing obstacle. "It's tough to see any injury for any player, and he's obviously dealing with a significant one, but I'm sure they'll still be ready to go," Brady said of Roethlisberger's injury. "We're playing them at home where they've won them all, so it's going to be a big challenge for us." New England is playing its third consecutive AFC North opponent, having dispatched Cincinnati and Cleveland by a combined 68-30 over the past two weeks. Likewise, the Steelers are facing a third straight team from the AFC East, following a rout of the New York Jets with a 30-15 loss at Miami last weekend.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -7. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (5-1): Sitting out the first month had no apparent negative effect on Brady, who has thrown for 782 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions while completing 76 percent of his passes in the first two games. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, hobbled by a hamstring injury that forced him to sit out two games, has come alive with a pair of 100-yard games since the return of Brady, including seven receptions for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown in last week's 35-17 win over Cincinnati. New England's linebacker corps is riddled with injuries, although Dont’a Hightower was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

ABOUT THE STEELERS (4-2): Backup quarterback Landry Jones, who appeared in seven games last season and struggled in a start at Kansas City, is surrounded by plenty of talent -- namely star wideout Antonio Brown and do-everything running back Le'Veon Bell. Brown tied for the league lead with 136 receptions last season and has 376 catches from 2013-15, but he has failed to find the end zone in 11 games without Roethlisberger. Bell is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and has 20 receptions in his three games since returning from suspension and will likely carry a heavy workload. Pittsburgh's defense ranks 30th against the pass (293.7 yards per game).

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Steelers have won seven in a row at home.

2. Brady is 6-2 against Pittsburgh with 22 scoring passes and three interceptions.

3. Brown had a touchdown catch in all three meetings against New England.

PREDICTION: Patriots 24, Steelers 23

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Buffalo at Miami

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

The Buffalo Bills have run roughshod over the NFL during their four-game winning streak, but the key cog in the backfield may be held out of Sunday's road contest with the Miami Dolphins. LeSean McCoy (NFL second-best 587 yards, league-high 5.6 yards per carry) sustained a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday, three days removed from rolling up 140 yards and a career high-tying three touchdowns in Buffalo's 45-16 rout over San Francisco.

"It wasn't like it was full blown or anything like that. But we'll just see," coach Rex Ryan said Thursday of the injury that ESPN's Josina Anderson reported could sideline McCoy for several weeks. "They're giving him treatment and we're hopeful that he'll play Sunday." Mike Gillislee would see an uptick in workload should McCoy be out for Buffalo, which looks to exploit Miami's 31st-ranked rushing defense. On the other side of the ball, Jay Ajayi ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday's 30-15 victory over Pittsburgh to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. "You got to keep working. Just continue to build off it," the 23-year-old Ajayi said. "It was good to have a performance like that, but you definitely don’t want to be satisfied."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Bills -3. O/U: 43.5

ABOUT THE BILLS (4-2): Quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw two touchdown passes in each of his last two contests for Buffalo, which is looking to secure its first five-game winning streak since 2004. The Miami native is 2-0 with four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 145.0 QB rating against the Dolphins, but his receiving corps could take a different look on Sunday. Wideout Robert Woods was in a walking boot and missed practice on Thursday to put his availability in jeopardy, while Marquise Goodwin and Justin Hunter would expect to take the majority of snaps at receiver if he cannot play.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (2-4): Ryan Tannehill enjoyed a rare occurrence last week as the 28-year-old wasn't sacked and was pressured on just six percent of dropbacks versus the Steelers -- a far cry from the 32 percent in his previous five. Tannehill continues to rely on trusted wideout Jarvis Landry (NFL second-best 41 receptions), who leads the league in market share of his team's passing game with 31.3 percent of Miami's targets. The 23-year-old Landry reeled in nine catches in both outings versus Buffalo last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Buffalo DE Lorenzo Alexander has a league-best eight sacks playing in the same position as Miami's Mario Williams, who has just six tackles and one sack this season.

2. Tannehill has been sacked 17 times, tied for fourth-most in the league.

3. Bills rookie LB Shaq Lawson (shoulder), who is a first-round pick, is expected to be activated from the PUP list and make his season debut on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Dolphins 23, Bills 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tampa Bay at San Francisco

When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to exploit the league's worst run defense without their top rusher when they visit the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Tampa Bay again will call upon Jacquizz Rodgers, who ran for 101 yards in last week's victory over Carolina, as Doug Martin suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained hamstring.

The Buccaneers also will be without veteran receiver Vincent Jackson, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ACL injury in Monday's triumph. Rodgers very well could have another big game against San Francisco, which has allowed an average of 174.5 yards on the ground. The 49ers also have been quite generous in the scoring department, yielding a league-worst 185 points - and at least 33 four times during their five-game losing streak. San Francisco also is likely to be without its top running back in Carlos Hyde, who injured his shoulder in last week's loss to Buffalo.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Buccaneers -1. O/U: 46.5

ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (2-3): With Jackson on the shelf, Tampa Bay will be hoping for someone to step up from a group that consists of Cecil Shorts, Adam Humphries, Donteea Dye and Russell Shepard. Shorts returned to practice this week after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2 and Dye was just added to the active roster after being signed to the practice squad on Monday. Mike Evans, the Buccaneers' other starting receiver, has made a touchdown catch in each of his last three road games.

ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-5): With Hyde unlikely to play, Shaun Draughn and Mike Davis will handle the rushing duties for San Francisco, which enters Week 7 ranked fifth in the league with an average of 123.3 yards on the ground. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick also is a threat, as he gained a team-high 66 rushing yards versus the Bills in his first start of the season. The 49ers' defense could receive a boost Sunday as cornerback Jimmie Ward hopes to play for the first time since suffering a quadriceps injury in a Week 3 loss to Seattle.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy (calf), who missed last week's victory, has been practicing on a limited basis and could return to the lineup.

2. The 49ers signed DeAndre Smelter to the practice squad and released fellow WR Dres Anderson.

3. San Francisco has dominated Tampa Bay, winning four of the last five meetings to improve to 17-4 in the all-time series.

PREDICTION: 49ers 24, Buccaneers 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Minnesota at Philadelphia

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sam Bradford's days in the City of Brotherly Love were numbered the moment the Philadelphia Eagles maneuvered their way to select Carson Wentz with the second overall pick of the 2016 draft. A trade to the Minnesota Vikings followed fellow quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's preseason knee injury, and Bradford's return to Philadelphia on Sunday provides the major storyline as the undefeated Vikings visit the Eagles.

"They (the Eagles) didn't want to trade me in the spring, so I figured they weren't going to trade me a week before the season," said the 28-year-old Bradford (league-best 70.4 percent completion percentage), reflecting on his asking for a trade following the draft and holdout from voluntary offseason workouts. The Wentz bandwagon began to gain national attention after Philadelphia won its first three games, only to lose steam as the Eagles yielded 21 first-half points in back-to-back setbacks. Wentz was sacked five times and hit on 11 occasions in a 27-20 loss to Washington and faces the top-ranked defense of Minnesota, which is averaging league bests in sacks per game (3.8), points allowed per contest (12.6) and a plus-11 turnover differential.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Vikings -2.5. O/U: 40

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (5-0): Jerick McKinnon, who is averaging only 3.1 yards per carry behind a suspect offensive line, "erupted" for 85 yards versus the New York Giants on Oct. 3 and faces an Eagles squad that permitted 230 on the ground to the Redskins. Fellow running back Matt Asiata rolled up 101 yards from scrimmage (55 rushing, 46 receiving) and a touchdown in a 31-13 victory over Houston on Oct. 9 and had three scores in a 48-30 triumph over Philadelphia on Dec. 15, 2013. Adam Thielen reeled in a career-high seven receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown versus the Texans, but leading receiver Stefon Diggs (groin) and fellow wideouts Jarius Wright (ankle) and Laquon Treadwell (thumb) were limited in practice this week.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (3-2): Protecting Wentz became a much harder task after veteran tackle Lane Johnson began serving his 10-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai endured an afternoon to forget in his place, highlighted by allowing two first-half sacks to Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. "He had a couple missed assignments early and felt like he settled into the game as the game wore on," coach Doug Pederson said. "He'll learn from it and be ready for (Minnesota)."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia WR Jordan Matthews has been limited to just seven receptions over his last two games, but has found the end zone in four consecutive home contests and amassed 100-plus yards receiving in three of those tilts.

2. Minnesota TE Kyle Rudolph scored a touchdown in three straight games before being limited to just two catches for 15 yards in his last contest.

3. The Eagles have committed 27 penalties for 225 yards in their last two games.

PREDICTION: Eagles 21, Vikings 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends - N.Y. Giants vs Los Angeles


ATS Trends


N.Y. Giants
•Giants are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
• Giants are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Giants are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• Giants are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 vs. NFC.



Los Angeles
•Rams are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Rams are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss.
• Rams are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
• Rams are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
• Rams are 2-14 ATS in their last 16 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.


OU Trends


N.Y. Giants
•Under is 4-1 in Giants last 5 vs. NFC.
• Over is 10-4 in Giants last 14 games on fieldturf.
• Under is 21-10-1 in Giants last 32 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.



Los Angeles
•Under is 7-0 in Rams last 7 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
• Under is 9-1 in Rams last 10 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Under is 6-1 in Rams last 7 games on fieldturf.
• Under is 6-1 in Rams last 7 games following a straight up loss.
• Under is 5-1 in Rams last 6 games following a ATS loss.
• Under is 5-1 in Rams last 6 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Under is 13-5 in Rams last 18 games overall.
• Under is 10-4 in Rams last 14 vs. NFC.
• Under is 5-2 in Rams last 7 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Over is 11-5 in Rams last 16 games in October.
• Under is 11-5 in Rams last 16 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.


Head to Head


•Giants are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
• Over is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings.
• Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings in Los Angeles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: New England at Pittsburgh

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What was shaping up as one of the marquee matchups of the season lost some of its luster when Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a torn meniscus last weekend. With Roethlisberger sidelined after undergoing surgery, the Steelers will host the New England Patriots in a matchup of division leaders on Sunday.

The Patriots weathered a four-game suspension to quarterback Tom Brady, so they realize Pittsburgh still presents an imposing obstacle. "It's tough to see any injury for any player, and he's obviously dealing with a significant one, but I'm sure they'll still be ready to go," Brady said of Roethlisberger's injury. "We're playing them at home where they've won them all, so it's going to be a big challenge for us." New England is playing its third consecutive AFC North opponent, having dispatched Cincinnati and Cleveland by a combined 68-30 over the past two weeks. Likewise, the Steelers are facing a third straight team from the AFC East, following a rout of the New York Jets with a 30-15 loss at Miami last weekend.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -7. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (5-1): Sitting out the first month had no apparent negative effect on Brady, who has thrown for 782 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions while completing 76 percent of his passes in the first two games. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, hobbled by a hamstring injury that forced him to sit out two games, has come alive with a pair of 100-yard games since the return of Brady, including seven receptions for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown in last week's 35-17 win over Cincinnati. New England's linebacker corps is riddled with injuries, although Dont’a Hightower was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

ABOUT THE STEELERS (4-2): Backup quarterback Landry Jones, who appeared in seven games last season and struggled in a start at Kansas City, is surrounded by plenty of talent -- namely star wideout Antonio Brown and do-everything running back Le'Veon Bell. Brown tied for the league lead with 136 receptions last season and has 376 catches from 2013-15, but he has failed to find the end zone in 11 games without Roethlisberger. Bell is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and has 20 receptions in his three games since returning from suspension and will likely carry a heavy workload. Pittsburgh's defense ranks 30th against the pass (293.7 yards per game).

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Steelers have won seven in a row at home.

2. Brady is 6-2 against Pittsburgh with 22 scoring passes and three interceptions.

3. Brown had a touchdown catch in all three meetings against New England.

PREDICTION: Patriots 24, Steelers 23