Patriots this week

Patriots (7-2) at Raiders (4-5), 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

Outlook: The NFL visits high-altitude Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Tom Brady could play wearing a sombrero and he’d still throw for 350 yards against a Raiders defense that’s the worst in NFL in opponent passer rating and completion percentage.

Spread: Patriots by 7

Prediction: Patriots, 38-23

GAME OF THE WEEK

Eagles (8-1) at Cowboys (5-4), 8:30 p.m. NBC

Outlook: One team has the best record in the NFL. The other is a marquee franchise. The Cowboys are a very tempting home underdog but are seriously diminished by the absence of RB Ezekiel Elliott and LB Sean Lee. Take Philly, but hedge on the Cowboys at home with that added half-point on the line.

Spread: Eagles by 31/2

Prediction: Eagles 30-27.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Rams (7-2) at Vikings (7-2), 1 p.m. (FOX)

Outlook: It’s Jared Goff vs. his old teammate Case Keenum in a matchup that also could have been our game of the week. These teams have won nine games in a row between them. These are two comparably solid defenses, but on offense, while the Vikings are pretty good, the Rams are great.

Spread: Vikings by 21/2

Predictions: Rams 28-23.

Other games

• At Dolphins (4-5, even) over Buccaneers (3-6), 21-20: Against a Bucs squad that is 0-4 on the road, look for the Dolphins to shake their lapse into awfulness and get back to being average.

• Lions (5-4, -3) over At Bears (3-6), 24-20: The 175th meeting will be another close one, but Detroit is 3-1 on the road and Matthew Stafford has his offense humming while Chicago’s sputters.

• Jaguars (6-3, -71/2) over At Browns (0-9), 21-13: Jacksonville safety Tashaun Gipson, an ex-Brown, angered and likely inspired Cleveland by predicting they’d go 0-16. But he may be right. The Jaguars’ big-sacking ‘D’ will be a big problem for the Browns in expected sleety weather.

• At Packers (5-4, +2) over Ravens (4-5), 19-17: The Ravens arrive off a bye and their pass defense will be a big test for Brett Hundley, but the gut says pick the Packers.

• At Saints (7-2, -71/2) over Washington, 34-24: This should be an entertaining pointfest. New Orleans has won seven straight but Washington, though injury-wracked, is 4-1 vs. the Sean Payton-coached Saints.

• Chiefs (6-3, -101/2) over At Giants (1-8), 27-23: Andy Reid teams are 16-2 following a bye and Kansas City catches the Giants unraveling. The hunch is it’s a competitive game anyway. The Chiefs have been nothing special since their 5-0 start, and New York will respond to Ben McAdoo’s call-out team meeting.

• At Texans (3-6, -1) over Cardinals (4-5), 20-17: Tom Savage has been awful at QB for Houston but Arizona will likely be down to third-string arm Blaine Gabbert. Defense carries the Texans at home.

• At Chargers (3-6, -41/2) over Bills, 23-20: The Chargers’ sackers will make it a tough first start for QB Nathan Peterman. But still give Buffalo a big shot, especially with L.A. down to Kellen Clemens if a concussion ends Philip Rivers’ streak of 194 straight starts.

• At Broncos (3-6, -21/2) over Bengals (3-6), 24-20: Denver has lost five straight and its once-stout defense has sagged, but the Broncos are much better at home, and the Bengals’ O-line is a shambles.

• At Seahawks (6-3, -3) over Falcons, 24-20: Monday night gets a good show from Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan. CB Richard Sherman’s injury lessens the Legion of Boom, but that’s offset by Atlanta’s missing RB Devonta Freeman.

Week 11 byes: Colts, 49ers, Jets, Panthers

Last week: 11-3 overall, 5-9 vs. spread

Season: 83-63, 58-79-9.

– Greg Cote, Miami Herald

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