GAME OF THE WEEK

Packers (3-1) at Cowboys (2-2), 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

Outlook: These are two of the NFL’s most storied franchises, and when they last met, in the 2016 playoffs, Green Bay won a thriller, 34-31, in Dallas – the second time in three years the Packers had ousted the Cowboys from the postseason. Revenge time? I think so. As much as I hesitate to pick against Aaron Rodgers anywhere, I like Dallas at home behind that stout offensive front, which I see finally paving the way to a breakout game from Ezekiel Elliott. And Dak Prescott has a 109.6 rating in his past seven home games. The Cowboys’ defense will miss injured LB Sean Lee, but bring a bit more desperation.

Spread: Cowboys by 21/2.

Prediction: Cowboys, 30-27.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Vikings (2-2) at Bears (1-3), 8:30 p.m. Monday (ESPN)

Outlook: Chicago adds new starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the rookie who could be very good very fast. And Minnesota subtracts running back Dalvin Cook, the dynamic rookie lost for the season. Those are equalizers in what suddenly is an interesting Monday night matchup. The Bears have beaten the Vikings in eight of the past nine at Soldier Field. Minnesota’s getting QB Sam Bradford back from injury is a wild card, but I’m betting it’s Case Keenum again.

Spread: Vikings by 3.

Prediction: Bears, 24-21.

OTHER GAMES

n At Dolphins (1-2, +3) over Titans (2-2), 24-17: Not sure this will prove to be much beyond an average Dolphins team, or a playoff team, but it is a team that wins this game at home. Or it better be.

n At Bengals (1-3, -3) over Bills (3-1), 19-17: Andy Dalton has found his touch after a rough start, and the Bengals’ defense will stand up at home in a low-scoring game.

n At Browns (0-4, even) over Jets (2-2), 21-20: The Browns have lost 27 of their past 29. But my hunch is Cleveland wins at home with a spark from the debut of top pick Myles Garrett.

n At Lions (3-1, -21/2) over Panthers (3-1), 24-20: Cam Newton belittled a female reporter. Time for Detroit’s turnover-inducing defense to befuddle Cam Newton.

n At Colts (1-3, -11/2) over 49ers (0-4), 18-15: Two struggling teams, two struggling quarterbacks, so make it a venue call and hope the less-bad team wins.

n At Giants (0-4, -31/2) over Chargers (0-4), 27-23: Two of the four remaining winless teams. Somebody’s got to win. Eli Manning and Philip Rivers should make it entertaining.

n At Eagles (3-1, -61/2) over Cardinals (2-2), 28-23: The better team is home, but I’m liking Carson Palmer to keep it inside a plump betting line.

n At Steelers (3-1, -81/2) over Jaguars, 27-16: Le’Veon Bell is really, really good and coming off a breakout game. Jacksonville has the league’s worst run defense. You do the math.

n At Raiders (2-2, -21/2) over Ravens (2-2), 19-16: E.J. Manuel in for injured Derek Carr is a huge QB dropoff for the Raiders, but Joe Flacco’s struggles will continue vs. this pass rush.

n Seahawks (2-2, even) over at Rams, 27-17: A home team loses. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley lead the top-scoring offense, but the Seattle ‘D’ will have something to say about that.

n At Texans (2-2, +1) over Chiefs (4-0), 24-20: Break out the champagne, ’72 Dolphins. The last unbeaten is about to fall. The Sunday nighter finds Kansas City on the road after a short week, and facing a huge challenge in scintillating Texans rookie QB Deshaun Watson.

Week 5 byes: Broncos, Falcons, Washington, Saints.

Last week: 7-9 straight up, 7-8-1 vs. spread. Overall: 33-30, 26-34-3

By Greg Cote, Miami Herald