PATRIOTS THIS WEEK

Bears (2-4) at Patriots (3-3), 8:15 p.m. Monday (ESPN)

Spread: Patriots by 8

Outlook: The Monday night stage may see history. A win would be Bill Belichick’s 325th and move him past George Halas into second all time behind Don Shula. New England QB Mac Jones is very close to returning from an ankle injury, but the team is 2-0 under Bailey Zappe. Chicago is on an 0-9 skid in prime time, and its tepid offense won’t get much going against Pats’ D.

Prediction: Patriots, 23-10

GAME OF THE WEEK

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Colts (3-2-1) at Titans (3-2), 1 p.m. (CBS)

Spread: Titans by 2

Outlook: Not a scintillating Game of the Week, we admit, but pickings are slim, and this is the only Week 7 matchup in which both teams have a winning record. The Colts could get running back Jonathan Taylor back, but if it’s a ground war, I’d fancy Derrick Henry. And Tennessee is coming off a bye, with a defense getting better and healthier, and with a clutch offense that has cashed 12 TDs in 13 red-zone chances.

Prediction: Titans, 23-20

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Giants (5-1) at Jaguars (2-4), 1 p.m. (FOX)

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Spread: Jaguars by 3

Outlook: I know, the Giants are 5-1 and it’s hard to wrap the mind around. Well, they are with a top-10 defense, Daniel Jones elevating to acceptably OK and Saquon Barkley being, simply, great. The Giants have won four in a row outright as underdogs, and the Jags are in a 1-7 rut straight up as the home favorite. The sharps who set the betting lines are often spot on, but I don’t get this one.

Prediction: Giants, 21-17

OTHER GAMES

@Bengals (3-3, -6 1/2) over Falcons (3-3), 27-20: Both have won three of four, with Atlanta’s the more surprising rally in an unexpected renaissance season for Marcus Mariota. The Falcons’ D also has shown unforeseen competence. An outright upset would not shock. Still, Atlanta is not good on the road and, Joe Burrow will find lots of passing lanes.

@Cowboys (4-2, -7) over Lions (1-4), 31-16: The return of QB Dak Prescott is highly expected, though Dallas was still being coy late into week. Detroit is coming off a bye and should have offensive weapons Amon-Ra St. Brown and D’Andre Swift back, but Dak in his comeback enjoys a favorable soft-landing against a horrific Lions defense.

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Packers (3-3, -5) over @Commanders (2-4), 23-20: Aaron Rodgers and the offense is struggling offense. Washington is no points machine – although Taylor Heinicke starting for injured Carson Wentz might be a spark and prove a good thing. Green Bay is on a 13-2 run against sub-.500 teams, but lean on Washington with the points.

Buccaneers (3-3, -11) over @Panthers (1-5), 27-6: Tampa is sputtering and Tom Brady is raging, but here comes everybody’s antidote in awful Carolina, who turns to QB3 P.J. Walker. Good luck to him. If the Bucs lose this game, Brady’s head is liable to turn beet red and then explode.

@Ravens (3-3, -6 1/2) over Browns (2-4), 30-20: Baltimore is on a 4-1 series run and has won 12 of its last 14 at home in the rivalry. Cleveland’s defense is not good and neither is Jacoby Brissett. Lamar Jackson will romp by air and by land.

@Broncos (2-4, -1) over Jets (4-2), 19-17: A difficult call because Denver QB Russell Wilson (hamstring) is iffy to start. The surprising Jets are 3-0 on the road but face a letdown game after shocking Green Bay at Lambeau. Pinning this pick on Denver’s defense.

@Raiders (1-4, -7) over Texans (1-3-1), 27-17: Two of the NFL’s remaining one-win teams meet here, with the Raiders bringing a bunch more offense. And Derek Carr still has Davante Adams, who has yet to be suspended by the league for pushing that cameraman.

@Chargers (4-2, -6) over Seahawks (3-3), 27-23: The hoped-for return of wide receiver Keenan Allen for first time since a Week 1 hamstring injury should unlock the Chargers offense for Justin Herbert. They could go cautious on Allen, though, with a bye next week. Still, I like Seattle to keep it inside the bet-line.

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Chiefs (4-2, -2 1/2) over @49ers (3-3), 28-20: In a duel of KC’s great offense vs. the Niners’ stellar defense, Patrick Mahomes is after his 55th victory in his 70th career start – only Otto Graham had more with 56. If Marcus Mariota and Atlanta can figure out the 49ers’ defense, so will Mahomes.

@Dolphins (3-3) over Steelers (2-4), 27-17: It’s the return of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa from his concussion, against a Steelers team showing life after a stunning upset over Tom Brady’s Bucs. Bad-blood drama? Got that with ex-Miami coach Brian Flores returning as a Pittsburgh assistant after being fired and filing a lawsuit against Miami owner Stephen Ross.

Bye weeks: Bills (5-1), Eagles (6-0), Rams (3-3), Vikings (5-1)

Last week: 7-7 overall, 8-6 vs. spread

Season: 50-43-1, 43-50-1


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