GAME OF THE WEEK

Packers (4-7) at Eagles (9-1), 8:20 p.m., (NBC)

Spread: Eagles by 7

Outlook: If Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were what we expected this season, this would be a heck of a duel for a Sunday night. Now we have mighty Philly, looking a bit beatable the past two weeks, and downtrodden Green Bay – scrambling to desperately stay on the periphery of the playoff chase. The Packers have covered seven of the last eight times as an underdog and should again . If they can force Jalen Hurts to use his arm more than his legs, an outright upset will be in play.

Prediction: Eagles, 24-20

UPSET OF THE WEEK

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Broncos (3-7) at Panthers (3-8), 1 p.m. (FOX)

Spread: Broncos by 2

Outlook: Sam Darnold gets his crack at Carolina’s disheveled QB job after Baker Mayfield was what you would expect last week. Denver’s league-worst offense means Darnold won’t need to score much – and won’t against this Broncos defense. This, for me, is foremost a venue call. Denver is only 1-4 on the road, while all three Panthers wins have come at home.

Prediction: Panthers, 16-13

OTHER GAMES

@Dolphins (7-3, -13 1/2) over Texans (1-8-1), 40-10: It was 2003 when Miami was last this big of a favorite, owing to both Houston’s awfulness and the growing respect for the Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should keep the air raid going, and a beefed-up ground game should feast on the Texans’ NFL-worst run defense.

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Buccaneers (5-5, -3 1/2) over @Browns (3-7), 24-20: Tampa Bay has disappointed on offense, but this is Tom Brady, coming off a bye, facing a Cleveland squad ranked 31st in scoring defense. Medium upset shot, but nothing I would bet on.

@Titans (7-3, +1 1/2) over Bengals (6-4), 23-21: In the only Sunday matchup with two winning-record teams, Cincy could get Ja’Marr Chase (hip) and Joe Mixon (concussion) back this week, but both were iffy. Gambling both might be out and feeling the home dogs Titans for the upset.

@Jets (6-4, -4 1/2) over Bears (3-8), 20-17: Wild card in this pick is Justin Fields’ (non-throwing) shoulder injury. Fields has blossomed – whereas Jets counterpart Zach Wilson’s play has called into doubt his future as a starter. The Bears are 1-5 on the road, but the Jets have lost 12 straight to teams with a losing record.

@Commanders (6-5, -4) over Falcons (5-6), 23-20: Washington has won five of its past six games, brings a solid defense and is also home against the Falcons, who are 1-4 on the road and missing TE Kyle Pitts. Chance Atlanta with the points, though.

Ravens (7-3, -3 1/2) over @Jaguars (3-7), 27-17: This betting line doesn’t show much respect to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Or to the Ravens defense, which has not allowed more than two TDs for four straight games and will handle the Jags’ turnover-prone offense.

Chargers (5-5, -4 1/2) over @Cardinals (4-7), 30-23: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (hamstring) is iffy after missing the past two games, but either way they are not a good home team (1-4), and I love Justin Herbert against a quite-dreadful Arizona pass defense.

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@Seahawks (6-4, -3 1/2) over Raiders (3-7), 27-23: Geno Smith faces a generous secondary, while Derek Carr-to-Davante Adams is “en fuego” lately. Feel an upset chance, but I’ll take Seattle, off a bye, healthy as it’s been, and in its first home game since Oct. 30.

@Chiefs (8-2,-15) over Rams (3-7), 31-13: This crazy point spread speaks to the might of the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, but even more loudly to the state of the Rams. The Rams covering requires a monumental performance by their defense, but I would bet instead on Mahomes outscoring the opponent’s awful offense by more than two TDs.

@49ers (6-4, -9 1/2) over Saints (4-7), 24-13: San Francisco’s sack attack will bother and hound Andy Dalton, while its offense has averaged 30.3 in its three-game winning streak and faces a bottom-fourth Saints scoring defense.

@Colts (4-6-1, -2 1/2) over Steelers (3-7), 24-20: With Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris and Indy’s Jonathan Taylor both coming on strong lately, this should be a run-first contest light on points. The Steelers are on a 7-0 run in this series but also 1-4 away this year.

Last week: 10-4 overall, 7-6-1 vs. spread

Season: 94-69-1, 81-78-5


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