THE SPORTS DOCTOR’S WEEK 7 NFL PICKS
Last week I was a very impressive 12-3 (49-44) and 9-6 (44-49) against the spread.
Sunday Early
Tennessee Titans (3-3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) in London
Line: Chargers by 6.5
No real home advantage here; in fact the Chargers are used to playing in front of indifferent fans. The Titans looked terrible last week at home and I can’t see them regrouping here.
Dr. Football: Take the Chargers to win and cover.
New England Patriots (4-2) at Chicago Bears (3-2)
Line: Patriots by 3.5
New England is slowly building momentum and while the Bears are a much-improved team, Tom Brady and company will find a way to win on the road.
Dr. Football: Take the Patriots to win and cover.
Cleveland Browns (2-3-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
Line: Buccaneers by 3
Firing their DC won’t be the spark that can fix the Bucs; their offense is horrible. Cleveland has looked solid thus far and they’ll get in done in Tampa.
Dr. Football: Take the Browns in an upset.
Detroit Lions (2-3) at Miami Dolphins (4-2)
Line: Lions by 2.5
Even with Ryan Tannehill in the lineup, Detroit is a better team and will be well rested coming off their bye week after beating the Packers.
Dr. Football: Take the Lions to win and cover.
Carolina Panthers (3-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
Line: Eagles by 4.5
Philadelphia regrouped nicely last week and is playing their second consecutive home game while the Panthers remain on the road after a beat down in Washington. Expect a shootout.
Dr. Football: Take the Eagles to win and cover.
Buffalo Bills (2-4) at Indianapolis Colts (1-5)
Line: Colts by 7.5
I think one of those NFL Films “Football Follies” would be close to what you can expect in this one.
Dr. Football: Take the Colts to win but not cover.
Minnesota Vikings (3-2-1) at New York Jets (3-3)
Line: Vikings by 3
Even without Dalvin Cook, the Vikings are getting it done and the Jets defense won’t stop Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
Dr. Football: Take the Vikings to win and cover.
Sunday Late
Houston Texans (3-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
Line: Jaguars by 4.5
Even match-up, but you must consider the Texans’ only road victory so far this season was in overtime over the Colts. In fact, they have won just one of their past 10 games on the road overall. Jacksonville has won their last 10 straight at home. Safe bet on this one.
Dr. Football: Take the Jaguars to win and cover.
New Orleans Saints (4-1) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
Line: Ravens by 2.5
Tough one; the Ravens are one team that Drew Brees has never beat and New Orleans is 1-9 all time in Baltimore. But coming off the bye, I think they can get it done.
Dr. Football: Take the Saints in an upset.
Dallas Cowboys (3-3) at Washington Redskins (3-2)
Line: Redskins by 1.5
The Redskins have lost four in a row to the Cowboys and haven’t defeated them at home since 2012. Dallas gets their first road win of the season.
Dr. Football: Take the Cowboys in an upset.
Los Angeles Rams (6-0) at San Francisco 49ers (1-5)
Line: Rams by 10
San Fran pushed hard against the Packers on Monday showing that even without Jimmy Whatshisname they can compete. I said compete, not win. The Rams have the Packers next week, so I think they may take their foot off the gas a bit in this one.
Dr. Football: Take the Rams to win but not cover.
Sunday Night
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)
Line: Chiefs by 6
Even in defeat, the Chiefs look good, and I can’t see them going into a tail spin after their first loss like last year. Patrick Mahomes is the real deal.
Dr. Football: Take the Chiefs to win and cover.
Monday Night
New York Giants (1-5) at Atlanta Falcons (2-4)
Line: Falcons by 6
Expect the Giants to look like contenders in this one; Atlanta has allowed 150 total points and 1,834 yards in their last four games. But don’t be fooled; Atlanta knows how to win at home. But it will be closer than it should.
Dr. Football: Take the Falcons to win but not cover.
