SUNDAY:

SEAHAWKS (5-2-1) at PATRIOTS (7-1), 8:30 p.m.

Outlook: So Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are both Donald Trump guys. Yeah, like half the country needed one more reason to hate the Patriots, right? Give this team its props, though. Brady has been better than ever and New England is firing on more cylinders than most teams even have under the hood. But Seattle’s defense is as good as ever, too. These teams’ first meeting since the 2014-season Super Bowl will be worth the prime-time stage but for me, Belichick coming off a bye and Brady at home are close to unbeatable.

Television: ESPN

Prediction: Patriots, 27-23

COWBOYS (7-1) at STEELERS (4-4), 4:25 p.m.

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Outlook: Dallas is the real deal and better all around, but there’s something special about Ben Roethlisberger at home, where the Steelers have won seven of their past eight by an average margin of 14 points. The Cowboys are the only team yet to allow an opposing 100-yard rusher or receiver, but Le’Veon Bell or Antonio Brown (or both) should change that.

Television: FOX

Prediction: Steelers, 30-27

VIKINGS (5-3) at WASHINGTON (4-3-1), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Minnesota, once the league darling at 5-0, is too good to lose a fourth consecutive game. Its sputtering offense should perk up against a defense that’s struggled on third downs. And Minnesota pass rushers will make it a hectic pocket and tough afternoon for Washington QB Kirk Cousins, especially with left tackle Trent Williams suspended.

Prediction: Vikings, 23-20

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RAMS (3-5) at JETS (3-6), 1 p.m.

Outlook: The Rams have lost four straight against a Jets crew pinned in the AFC East cellar. New York has been a big disappointment defensively, especially against the pass, but Case Keenum is not well armed to take advantage. Meanwhile, the maligned Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Jets has topped a 100 rating in four of the past six home games.

Prediction: Jets, 19-13

PACKERS (4-4) at TITANS (4-5), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers both blasted Green Bay’s effort and energy after last week’s loss to Indianapolis. Expect a big bounce-game. Despite the lack of a running game, Rodgers has been heating up the past three games (10 TDs, 106.4 rating). And a strong run defense should limit DeMarco Murray.

Prediction: Packers, 34-17

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BEARS (2-6) at BUCCANEERS (3-5), 1 p.m.

Outlook: The Bears have won five of the past six against the Bucs, including last season, and are coming off a bye. Still, I’m liking Tampa Bay at home. A weak Bears offense should be a timely tonic for the Buccaneers’ recent defensive woes.

Prediction: Buccaneers, 27-21

CHIEFS (6-2) at PANTHERS (3-5), 1 p.m.

Outlook: The Chiefs have won four straight but the Panthers, with back-to-back wins, are starting to show signs of recovery from an awful start. Kansas City gets Alex Smith back but he’ll face a defense among the league sack leaders.

Prediction: Panthers, 24-20

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FALCONS (6-3) at EAGLES (4-4), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Atlanta has won the past three meetings, including last year, and is 4-1 on the road. Philadelphia is 3-0 at home by a combined score of 84-23. But the Eagles have made a cottage industry of losing close games ever since they jumped out to a 3-0 record, while the Falcons and Matt Ryan have been finding ways to win.

Television: FOX

Prediction: Falcons, 31-24

BRONCOS (6-3) at SAINTS (4-4), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Drew Brees has averaged 355 passing yards with 11 TDs and a 114.7 rating in his past four games. Seeing him face a very good Broncos passing defense will be fun. But it’s Denver’s not-very-good-lately run defense that could tip this game.

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Television: CBS

Prediction: Saints, 30-27

TEXANS (5-3) at JAGUARS (2-6), 1 p.m.

Outlook: Houston is 0-3 on the road but coming off a bye and should handle Jacksonville, which has lost three straight games and four of the past five in this AFC South series. QBs Brock Osweiler and Blake Bortles together have 19 interceptions, leading two struggling offenses that could make for a brutal game to watch. Fewest turnovers wins?

Prediction: Texans, 17-14

DOLPHINS (4-4) at CHARGERS (4-5), 4:05 p.m.

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Outlook: Miami’s three-game winning streak was fun. So was the NFL post-merger record of 44 consecutive days at home between road games. But this is a tall task. The Chargers have won three of their past four and Miami is 0-3 on the road. It isn’t that San Diego’s is a daunting venue; it’s that the Chargers present big challenges. Prolific Philip Rivers (two TD throws from being the ninth to reach 300) and hot Melvin Gordon front a high-powered offense that will be a ton to handle. And San Diego, though not a great defense overall, produced two defensive TDs last week and has an impact rookie sacker in Joey Bosa. The Chargers also play the run very solidly and will make it tough for Jay Ajayi to continue his surreal run of 529 yards in the past three games.

Prediction: Chargers, 31-23

49ERS (1-7) at CARDINALS (3-4-1), 4:25 p.m.

Outlook: San Francisco’s run defense is monumentally horrible, allowing an average of 193 yards per game and 5.3 per carry. And now it’s facing, in David Johnson, perhaps the NFL’s most productive dual-threat running back. Oh, and Colin Kaepernick in his last start in the desert threw four interceptions in a 47-7 loss. This could be ugly. With all due disrespect to winless Cleveland, the 49ers could be the worst team in the league.

Prediction: Cardinals, 41-13

MONDAY NIGHT

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BENGALS (3-4-1) at GIANTS (5-3), 8:30 p.m.

Outlook: Could be a pretty entertaining Monday nighter for fans of the forward pass. The league’s worst run offense has turned Eli Manning into a bombardier. And Andy Dalton and A.J. Green can’t wait to attack a Giants secondary prone to giving up large plays at inopportune times. The Giants have won three straight and are 3-0 at home.

Television: ESPN

Prediction: Giants, 28-24

(Greg Cote last week: 8-5, season 83-48-2)


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