Week 7 Results: Rick: 7-8; Flip: 10-5
Cumulative: Rick: 51-57; Flip: 60-48

Thursday, October 23

Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5, 44.5) 8:15 pm - Minnesota absolutely stumbled themselves into a loss to the Eagles last week, turning the ball over and making mental errors one after another. They are a much better football team, especially on defense, than their 28-22 loss would suggest.

The Chargers certainly didn’t distinguish themselves by losing to the Colts, 38-24. They’ve lost games they should have won, to the Giants and Commanders, if they were really a high quality team. Even if they lose here, which they will, they’ll be fine. The schedule is favorable with Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, a bye and then Las Vegas. Vikings should hang around enough to win it in the 4th quarter.

Coin Flip: Minnesota

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Vikings 27 Chargers 24

Sunday, October 26

Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons (-7, 44.5) 1:00 pm - The Dolphins absolutely stink. Their only win was at home, against the Jets, 27-21. There is no cohesion and no team unity. Players are acting more like thugs than professionals, which is why the Falcons, which is not a great team, is favored by a touchdown. Tua Tagovailoa seems to have never recovered from his second concussion.

The 3-3 Falcons have an easily identifiable pattern. L-W-L-W-BYE-W-L. The “W” is up for this week.

Coin Flip: Atlata

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 28 Dolphins 17

Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens (-6.5, 50) 1:00 pm - How can the Ravens possibly be favored in any game the rest of this season, especially after the Bears have won four straight?

It isn’t a rumor, it’s a fact. Baltimore has the worst defense in the league, allowing 32.3 points per game. A bye week doesn’t fix that.

Coin Flip: Chicago

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 34 Ravens 17

Buffalo Bills (-7, 45.5) at Carolina Panthers 1:00 pm - The Panthers have surprised everybody, including possibly themselves by winning three in a row and challenging 5-2 Tampa Bay for the lead in the NFC South with a 4-3 mark.

Hard to see Carolina winning this game, even at home, since the Bills are coming off two straight losses (New England and Atlanta) and a bye. They should have been able to fix whatever is broken with the week off.

Coin Flip: Buffalo

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 30 Panthers 20

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5, 45) 1:00 pm - Well, here’s a game the Jets could actually win, though Joe Flacco and the Bengals, fresh off beating divisional rival Pittsburgh last Thursday, 33-31, and getting extra time off plus staying at home, might have other ideas.

Until the Jets actually win a game, they’re worth betting against.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bengals 24 Jets 13

San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans (-1.5, 41.5) 1:00 pm - The Texans have completely disappointed this season on offense, averaging just 21 points per game, while their defense has excelled, allowing a league-low 14.7.

The Texans face multiple issues. The offense may be without Nico Collins (concussion), the 49ers are 5-2, and Houston hasn’t beaten any team with a winning record so far this season.

Coin Flip: San Francisco

Fearless Rick’s Pick: 49ers 26 Texans 18

Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots (-7, 40.5) 1:00 pm - Winners of four straight the Patriots are once again a team with which to be reckoned. Coach Mike Vrable has them playing hard-nosed football and they’ve won four straight.

2-5 Cleveland is still auditioning quarterbacks.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Patriots 31 Browns 10

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5, 43.5) 1:00 pm - a few weeks ago, the Giants upset the Eagles, 34-17 on a Thursday night game, raising questions about the reigning champs. Since then, the Eagles won at Minnesota, 28-22, and the Giants blew a huge lead at Denver in a 33-32 defeat.

One might think that the Giants may not be able to bounce back and that Philadelphia has fixed what went wrong in that Thursday night loss. One would probably be right, but the gap is small.

Coin Flip: Philadelphia

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Eagles 21 Giants 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4, 46.5) at New Orleans Saints 4:05 pm - The Buccaneers are completely banged up after taking a 24-9 beating at Detroit and now have to hit the road again. New Orleans isn’t very good (1-6), but they’re catching the Bucs at the right time.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Saints 23 Buccaneers 20

Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos (-3.5, 50.5) 4:25 pm - This should be a fun game. Both teams appear to be playoff bound, though neither has a clear-cut path. The Bronco had to rally huge in the 4th quarter last week to defeat the Giants, and, while Dallas slaughtered the Commanders, 44-22, they are just 1-3 on the road.

Denver is 3-0 at home, with wins over the Titans, Bengals, and Giants, all teams with some defects. Dallas, with the highest scoring offense in the NFL, won’t be going down easy, if at all.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 30 Broncos 24

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (-14, 47) 4:25 pm - Nope, this is not the week the Titans win their second game of the season. This is the week they get pasted by one of the top three teams in the league.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 38 Titans 6

Green Bay Packers (-3, 45) at Pittsburgh Steelers 8:20 pm - Shouldn’t Aaron Rodgers retire? While the Steelers are 4-2 and on top of the AFC North, it’s mostly because the other teams in their division have multiple injuries or other issues with key players.

The Steelers are pretty good, but the Packers’ only loss was a flukey, 13-10 defeat at Cleveland. Other than their 40-40 OT tie at Dallas, they’ve won their games by an average of nine points and will probably do better than that in the steel city.

Coin Flip: Green Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 31 Steelers 19

Monday, October 27

Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs (-10, 47) 8:15 pm - The Commanders looked absolutely broken in their huge, 44-22, loss at Dallas last week and they are on the road again against what may be the hottest team in the NFL.

No hope for the Commanders. The ship is sinking.

Coin Flip: Washington

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chiefs 31 Commanders 10

BYE: Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, LA Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 7 NFL Football Picks

Week 6 Results: Rick: 5-10; Flip: 8-7
Cumulative: Rick: 44-49; Flip: 50-43

Thursday, October 16

Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5, 45.5) at Cincinnati Bengals 8:15 pm - The Bengals picked up veteran Joe Flacco from the Browns and he should have most of the playbook covered in his second game for the ailing Cincinnati squad.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers has Pittsburgh all alone in first place in the AFC North, with the Bengals and Ravens both imploding. Last week, the Steelers dominated Cleveland with a 23-9 win and look like a solid choice to go to 5-1 to open week 7 in the NFL

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Steelers 31 Bengals 21

Sunday, October 19

Los Angeles Rams (-3, 44.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley, London), 9:30 am - Both teams are 4-2, though the Jaguars are coming off a 20-12 loss to Seattle while the Rams make the short hop from Baltimore across the pond after a 17-3 win.

No real edge to speak of, though Matthew Stafford leads the league in passing yards (1,684) and the Rams are slightly better defensively. Points may help in what should be a close call.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 27 Rams 24

New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-4.5, 46.5) 1:00 pm - Chicago and Caleb Williams have figured out how to win games - three straight after last week’s 25-24 win at Washington, avenging last season’s wild finish loss.

1-5 Saints may be thinking about Arch Manning, as Spencer Rattler really isn’t a long-term option. Bears should wallop the Saints.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 31 Saints 10

Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns (-2.5, 36) 1:00 pm - With both teams at 1-5, this one gets the “Toilet Bowl” rating. At least the Browns may have a future and a defense. The Dolphins have come down a long way since 2023. They look like something out of the USX.

Browns are 1-2 at home; Miami, 0-3 in road games.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Browns

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-12, 45.5) 1:00 pm - After a rough start, the Chiefs seem to have all the parts working again. Last week’s 30-17 win over Detroit was solid and they are home again.

The Raiders have not done well with Geno Smith at QB and Ashton Jeanty has rushed for over 100 yards only one time this season. The Raiders beat Tennessee last week, 20-10. Big deal. LV is 2-4 and risking obscurity.

Coin Flip: Kansas City

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chiefs 35 Raiders 14

Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5, 43.5) at Minnesota Vikings 1:00 pm - Carson Wentz, who spent his first five seasons (2016-2020) in Philadelphia, may have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, plus, he gets the added advantage of maybe winning over some hometown fans.

The Eagles last week lost to the Giants, 34-17, which, for a team coming off a Super Bowl win, is perplexing, to say the least. Philly’s troubles begin with their offense, but are extending over to the defense. They’re 4-2 and still in first place in the NFC East, but for how long? Coming off their bye week, the Vikings should prevail with a defense allowing fewer than 20 points per game.

Coin Flip: Philadelphia

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Vikings 23 Eagles 17

Carolina Panthers (-1.5, 41.5) at New York Jets 1:00 pm - The Jets are the only winless team in the league (0-6). Carolina comes off a win over the Cowboys, 30-27, and are a surprising 3-3. The light schedule helps, and they’re probably catching the Jets at the right time.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Panthers 28 Jets 14

New England Patriots (-7, 42) at Tennessee Titans 1:00 pm - For the Titans, Brian Callahan is out, Mike McCoy, in. Big deal. Tennessee still reeks at 1-5 and an interim coach with spotty experience as an offensive coordinator doesn’t impress. Nor does Cam Ward, so far.

The Patriots are thinking playoffs with three straight wins and tied with the Bills in the AFC East at 4-2. Should be a breeze.

Coin Flip: New England

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Patriots 31 Titans 16

New York Giants at Denver Broncos (-7, 40.5) 4:05 pm - The Giants are just 2-4, but those two wins have been in the last three weeks, after Jaxson Dart took over at QB from Russell Wilson. But, they’ve also come at home. The one loss with Dart behind center was in New Orleans.

After whipping the Eagles last week, 34-17, one has to wonder how good the Giants actually are. Also, Denver hasn’t been lights out this season. Bo Nix seems a little less daring, but the defense is still solid. Denver also beat the Eagles, but last week’s 13-11 win over the Jets in England was hardly impressive. Jet lag? Giants can cover, maybe win.

Coin Flip: Denver

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 21 Giants 17

Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers (-1.5, 48.5) 4:05 pm - One of the better games of the week, with the 5-1 Colts visiting the 4-2 Chargers, both vying for first place in their divisions.

The Chargers come in off a marginal, 29-27, win at Miami and two losses prior to that. Indy comes in with a two-game win streak and a high-flying offense (32.3 mpg, leads league).

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Chargers

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 36 Chargers 31

Green Bay Packers (-7, 45) at Arizona Cardinals 4:25 pm - Pretty simple. You cannot lose to Tennessee and be considered legitimate. The Cardinals have lost four in a row and another loss sends them deeper behind in the competitive NFC West.

Green Bay came off their bye with a 27-18 win over the Bengals last week and should be well-prepared for this.

Coin Flip: Arizona

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 27 Cardinals 13

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (-1, 54.5) 4:25 pm - The Commanders can only blame themselves for last week’s 25-24 loss to the Bears and should rebound with a better effort if they don’t think about KC next week.

Dallas, 2-3-1, has won just two games, one over the Giants in OT and the other over the Jets in New York. Not very impressive.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 30 Cowboys 24

Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers (-1.5, 47) 8:20 pm - Following a Week 5 bye, the Falcons got down to business last week with a 24-14 upset of the Bills, and appear to start putting together some wins. At 3-2, they’re in good shape with a solid defense and a great ground game with Bijan Robinson.

Mac Jones remains the QB for SF, and they may be in trouble after a poor showing in a 30-19 loss at Tampa Bay last week.

Coin Flip: San Francisco

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 26 49ers 20

Monday, October 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (-6, 52.5) 7:00 pm - This should be a toss-up game. The Bucs lost a playoff game to the Lions in 2023, 31-23, but beat them, 20-16, in Week 2 of last season, both game in Detroit.

Tampa Bay is 5-1, and taking no prisoners. If they don’t win outright, the winning margin is likely to be razor thin. Should be a shootout, so the over looks promising.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buccaneers 34 Lions 31

Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks (-3, 41) 10:00 pm - 2-3 Houston has been under-performing this season. After an 0-3 start, they’ve won two straight, over Tennessee and Baltimore, which isn’t saying much. Even so, the defensive effort in both games was solid.

Seattle has lived up to expectations at 4-2, their only losses a 17-13 setback in Week 1 to the 49ers and a 38-35 defeat at home to Tampa Bay. While Monday’s early game looks to go over, this looks like a defensive struggle brewing.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Texans 20 Seahawks 13

Bye: Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 6 NFL Football Picks

Week 5 Results: Rick: 9-5; Flip: 11-3
Cumulative: Rick: 39-39; Flip: 42-36

Thursday, October 9

Philadelphia Eagles (-7, 40.5) at New York Giants 8:15 pm - Coming off their first home loss since a Monday night, 22-21, defeat by Atlanta on September 16 of last year, it’s been even longer - 12/31/23 and 1/7/24 - since the Eagles lost two games in a row, so the odds are working against the Giants here. Philly won both contests last season, 28-3 and 20-13, the last game a season ender in which the Eagles sat a number of starters, including QB Jalen Hurts.

Last Sunday’s 21-17 loss to Denver was understandable. The Broncos had a solid defensive game plan, holding Saquon Barkley to just 30 yards.

Despite the loss, the reality is that the Giants don’t have nearly the defensive prowess of the Broncos. The Eagles should get back on track.

Coin Flip: Philadelphia

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Eagles 27 Giants 13

Sunday, October 12

Denver Broncos (-7, 43.5) vs New York Jets (Tottenham, London) 9:30 am - Following last week’s one-sided, 37-22, home loss to the Cowboys, the Jets are now the only team in the NFL without a win this season. That’s not going to go well against Denver, which ranks second in points allowed (84 though 5 games) and now have their offense in gear.

The Jets can’t score much against average defenses. It’s not likely they’ll find the end zone often against Denver.

Coin Flip: Denver

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 34 Jets 13

Los Angeles Rams (-7.5, 44.5) at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 pm - This one is likely to get very interesting as the 1-4 Ravens can ill afford another loss. With Lamar Jackson banged up, Derrick Henry ineffective and the banged-up Ravens defense the worst in the league (177 points allowed), one would expect a huge blowout by the Rams, which certainly could happen.

The only wins the Rams have this season are against AFC foes - Houston, Tennessee, Indianapolis - and only the Tennessee game was on the road. Something about this match-up doesn’t seem quite right. Going with the Ravens because they can’t be 1-5, can they?

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Ravens 23 Rams 20

Dallas Cowboys (-3.5, 49) at Carolina Panthers 1:00 pm - The Panthers are still trying to figure out how to win two games in a row, something they’ve done just once since 2022. The Cowboys, on the other hand, need a win here because they have Washington and Denver the two weeks following, and then Arizona and a bye week.

A win here assures them of being at worst, 3-5-1 with eight weeks left to the season, reasonably in good shape. Dad Prescott is playing lights out. With a little defense, the Cowboys could win this by three scores or more.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 34 Panthers 13

Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts (-6.5, 47) 1:00 pm - The Cardinals lost at home to Tennessee - one of the three or four worst teams in the NFL - by making far too many mistakes and not taking the game seriously enough. Now having lost three straight, by a total of five points, Arizona appears ready to fall back to the level of mediocrity that has defined them since 2022, when they hired current head coach Jonathan Gannon. Could be a short tenure as the Colts should roll over this bunch of misfits.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 38 Cardinals 17

Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars (-1, 47) 1:00 pm - Could be the game of the week as Jaguars get rewarded for their 31-28 win over the Chiefs Monday night with a second straight home game.

This game will revolve around each team’s ability to handle emotions; the Jags trying to not suffer a letdown and the Seahawks attempting to shrug off a tough, 38-35, home loss to Tampa Bay. Add in the West-East travel by Seattle for extra stress. Currently, the Jaguars seem more focused and have rediscovered a winning attitude and the home crowd loves it.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 24 Seahawks 21

Los Angeles Chargers (-4, 43.5) at Miami Dolphins 1:00 pm - Miami has managed to lose four of five, all except last week’s disgrace at Carolina against AFC foes and they face another one this week. Their lone win was against the Jets, the only NFL team without a win.

Think the Chargers are discouraged after losing two straight, 21-18 at the Giants, and, 27-10, vs. Washington? Think again. San Diego has too much talent to lose this game. Miami’s an easy mark for Justin Herbert and one of the best defenses in the league.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Chargers

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chargers 30 Dolphins 16

New England Patriots (-3.5, 46) at New Orleans Saints 1:00 pm - Believe it or not, both teams are coming off a win, but there’s a pretty big difference as to how they got here. The Saints were gifted a 26-14 home win over the 5-turnover Giants, while the Patriots (now somewhat legit at 3-2), upset Buffalo on the road, though the Bills did commit three turnover to the Patriots’ one.

New England’s Drake Maye (2nd in completion %, 73.9%; 5th in passing yards, 1,261) is maturing into one of the better NFL QBs and the New Orleans defense is about as solid as small curd cottage cheese, so no wonder the Vegas guys have the Pats as road favorites.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Patriots 26 Saints 10

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5, 38.5) 1:00 pm - On Tuesday, Cleveland (1-4) traded old reliable Joe Flacco to Cincinnati, and will rely on rookie Dillon Gabriel to lead them to another forgettable season. The Browns played in England last week, and were at Detroit the week prior. Making them travel to Pittsburgh seems a bit unfair, even cruel. Well, it’s a tough world. Just ask Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers, who is likely to find some leg-weary defenders in the Browns’ secondary.

Cleveland hasn’t scored more than 17 points in any game this season.

Coin Flip: Pittsburgh

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Steelers 27 Browns 10

Tennessee Titans at Las Vegas Raiders (-4.5, 41.5) 4:05 pm - The Titans and QB Cam Ward finally got a win (and, incidentally, covered the spread for the first time this season), but don’t think they didn’t catch a load of breaks in their 22-21 win at Arizona.

This week is likely to be a different story as the Titans are on the road for a second straight week and the Raiders have lost four straight, though the competition was stiff - Chargers, Commanders, Bears, Colts. Both teams are 1-4, but the Raiders just appear to be slightly better than Tennessee and have home field.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Raiders 21 Titans 14

San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3, 47.5) 4:25 pm - Premium match-up between a pair of 4-1 teams which are both 3-0 on the road. Tampa being at home, 1-1, their only loss of the season the 31-25 defeat to Philly on a last second blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. The Buccaneers could easily have been 5-0.

The QB edge goes to Baker Mayfield, fourth league-wide in passing yardage, but he may be without RB Bucky Irving and wideout Mike Evans, both of whom missed last week’s 38-35 win at Seattle.

The 49ers return from their 26-23 win over the Rams in England, but are also fairly banged-up, with QB Brock Purdy and wideouts Juan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall all questionable. With all the injuries, Tampa looks to be in better shape with a healthy Baker Mayfield

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buccaneers 30 49ers 20

Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers (-14, 44.5) 4:25 pm - The Bengals picked up Joe Flacco to help out the offense, but he may not be the answer. The bengals front O-line has been a mess, allowing too much penetration and sacks. Packers’ linemen will be setting up camp in the Bengals’ backfield.

There are an abundance of reasons why this is the biggest spread on the board. It looks to be a total blowout at Lambeau.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 41 Bengals 10

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5, 52) 8:20 pm - Following their loss at Jacksonville Monday night, the Chiefs find themselves in third place, 2-3, behind Denver and the Chargers, both 3-2. The danger of losing this game means falling further behind in the standings and putting the AFC champs on the ropes for playoff positioning.

The Lions have not lost since their opening day loss to the Packers, which served as a wake-up call. The Detroit offense is the highest scoring the in the NFL. Tough spot for KC. They cannot afford another loss at this juncture.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Lions 34 Chiefs 30

Monday, October 13

Buffalo Bills (-4.5, 49.5) at Atlanta Falcons 7:15 pm (ESPN) - The Bills come off their first loss of the season, while the Falcons resume play following a bye in Week 5. Buffalo has too much skill not to rebound here.

Atlanta is one of the toughest reads in the league. They lost to the Bucs by 3, then hammered the Vikings in Minnesota, 22-6, were dumped the following week at Carolina (30-0), and then bested the Commanders - without Jayden Daniels - 34-27. If the good Atlanta shows up, the one that uses Bijan Robinson as a battering ram, they can certainly make this one interesting. Expect the line to move to -6 possibly in favor of the Bills. Juicy.

Coin Flip: Atlanta

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 27 Bills 24

Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders (-4.5, 50) 8:15 pm (ABC) - Commentators will rave about the QB match-up between Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, but Daniels has more skill players at his disposal and Williams has been prone to making mistakes trying to do too much himself. Washington arguably has a better defense as well.

The Commanders are 2-0 at home and likely to be 3-0 when this one is over.

Coin Flip: Chicago

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 31 Bears 21

Bye: Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 5 NFL Football Picks

Thursday, October 2

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (-8.5, 43.5) 8:15 pm - This line moved from Tuesday by two points, from -6.5 to -8.5, plus the O/U is three points lower than the opening line. Money is moving to the Rams, who are 2-0 at home, but both games have been won by a TD or less (Texans, Colts).

Last season, the Rams won both meetings, 27-24, and, 12-6, so this figures to be a well-played, close game. San Francisco already has two road wins, 17-13, at Seattle, and, 26-21, at New Orleans, so the 8.5 spread seems a bit much in this divisional clash.

At issue is the health of the 49ers, with QB Brock Purdy and both wideouts - Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall - out. Mac Jones has been solid as a backup, but his options will be limited. The 49ers can keep this close because their defense is solid and all healthy. The offense will have to lean on Christian McCaffrey, which isn’t a bad option.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rams 21 49ers 17

Sunday, October 5

Minnesota Vikings (-3.5, 38.5) vs Cleveland Browns (Tottenham, London), 9:30 am - Wake up call for the Browns, who apparently weren’t all there last week as they got blasted at Detroit, 34-10. They have to travel again this week, much further, and may be a little leg-weary.

Speaking of road warriors, the Vikings were in Dublin last week, and just have a short hop over to London for this contest. If they haven’t been overindulgent on tourist treats, the Vikings should put on a winning display for the Brits. Carson Wentz will have to be a little more careful with the ball after tossing two INTs last week.

Coin Flip: Minnesota

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Vikings 24 Browns 16

Houston Texans (-2.5, 41) at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 pm - It’s hard to believe that one of these teams is going to be 1-4 after this game, but that’s the reality of life in the NFL.

Baltimore, admittedly, has had the tougher schedule, already having suffered losses to the Bills, Lions, and Chiefs, so they may find the Texans a little easier than recent competition. Houston doesn’t have any excuses for losses to the Rams, Bucs, and Jaguars, but their 26-0 win over Tennessee last week might have gotten out some of the frustration. The Ravens are another story altogether and even being at home may not help Houston, who has a problem.

Coin Flip: Baltimore

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Ravens 24 Texans 18

Miami Dolphins (-1, 44.5) at Carolina Panthers 1:00 pm - The Panthers got pounded at New England last week, 42-13, in their third road game in four weeks, so they may be a little better than expected at home, where they were last seen pounding Atlanta into 30-0 dust.

Miami has an identical 1-3 record, earning their first win Monday night, by topping the Jets, 27-21. It was the first time this season that the Dolphins hadn’t allowed 31 or more points, so, all indications point to Byrce Young thrilling the hometown fans with some dazzling QB play.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Panthers 34 Dolphins 20

Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-6.5, 48) 1:00 pm - The Colts suffered their first loss of the season last week, losing Sunday at the Rams, 27-20, but, otherwise, they’ve shown they are a team with which to be reckoned.

Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor are a great 1-2 backfield punch and should send Geno Smith and the 1-3 Raiders home with a fourth straight loss.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 28 Raiders 17

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints (-2, 41) 1:00 pm - The line has moved all over the place, from the Giants initially being 2.5-point favorites to New Orleans -2.5. It may be a straight up even play by game time, but Spencer Rattler, the Saints’ QB seems destined to have a short career as a starter in the NFL, whereas Jaxson Dart is just getting started, having won his first start with a stunning, 21-18 upset of the Chargers.

Dart may be just the boost the Giants need to get them back to respectability. The defense isn’t bad and 0-4 New Orleans, even at home, doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon except towards a high draft pick.

Coin Flip: New York Giants

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Giants 27 Saints 13

Dallas Cowboys (-2.5, 47) at New York Jets 1:00 pm - Boy, the Jets really stink. They’re 0-4 and couldn’t even beat Miami last week and the Dolphins aren’t very good.

At least the Cowboys have the look and feel of a real NFL team, and they have Dan Prescott, who, when he’s on, can light up just about any defense. Playing away from home is probably a bonus for the Cowboys. Takes some of the pressure off. Last week’s tie with the Packers was not a bad thing, though a win would have been better. With a win here, Dallas may begin to look like a contender. They have Carolina, Washington, Denver, and Arizona after this, leading up to a bye in Week 10.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 38 Jets 17

Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5, 43.5) 1:00 pm - Denver’s defense basically swallowed up Cincinnati’s offense in their 28-3 win Monday night, and JK Dobbins rushed for 101 yards, something a Broncos back hadn’t done in quite a long while. If Bo Nix can stay in a groove, the Broncos defense should be able to hold down the Philly offense enough to make this a close game in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles haven’t won any game by more than seven points this season and are going to lose one of these close ones sooner or later. This could be the week.

Coin Flip: Denver

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 23 Eagles 20

Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals (-7.5, 41.5) 4:05 pm - Not much to say good about the Titans and their #1 draft pick, Cam Ward, especially after their worse loss of the season, 26-0, at Houston last weekend.

At 2-2, Arizona remains in the hunt in the wide open NFC West and this is a game they should win with relative ease. The Titans have yet to cover this season. It’s been the easiest angle this season. Ride it until it breaks or HC Brian Callahan gets the hook. Might be soon.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cardinals 40 Titans 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (-3, 44.5) 4:05 pm - Really a solid match-up here between two teams that may meet again in January. They’re both 3-1, and in the overall mix for either division champions or wild cards.

Neither team has any discernible edge in this game other than the Seahawks being at home. Tampa Bay is coming off a tough, 31-25 loss against the Eagles, and have to travel a long distance. Edge to Seattle, but this could go either way.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 24 Buccaneers 18

Detroit Lions (-10.5, 49.5) at Cincinnati Bengals 4:25 pm - Hate to be the one to break it to Cincinnati fans, but your season ended when Joe Burrow limped off the field a few weeks ago.

Nearly shut out in Denver Monday night, 28-3, this one could be even worse.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Lions 42 Bengals 0

Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Chargers (-3, 48) 4:25 pm - Is Superman, aka, Jayden Daniels, back? Why, yes, he’s suiting up for this one. The Commanders were 1-1 without him, with a win over Las Vegas (41-24) and a loss last week at Atlanta (34-27).

The Chargers were shocked by Jaxson Dart and the Giants last week, so they need to get back on the winning track, though the Commanders won’t make it very easy. At 3-1, LA is in the driver’s seat in the AFC South, and a loss here wouldn’t hurt that much. Should be one of the best games of the weekend. Leaning toward the visiting team.

Coin Flip: Washington

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 26 Chargers 24

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-7.5, 49) 8:20 pm - The Patriots find themselves in second place, at 2-2, in the AFC East but they’re chasing the 4-0 Bills, who are simply heads and shoulders better than just about every team, league wide.

The Bills kind of went through the motions in their 31-19 win over New Orleans, and they’re home for the third straight week. Wile the Pats appeared superbly talented in whipping Carolina, 42-13, this is a whole different ball game.

Coin Flip: Buffalo

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 35 Patriots 17

Monday, October 6

Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5, 46.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars 8:15 pm - OK, so, the Chiefs haven’t looked invincible the first four weeks of the season, but, they’re 2-2 after dismantling Baltimore’s defense last week in a 37-20 romp and there are still 13 games left in the regular season.

The Jaguars actually have a better record, 3-1, and deserve credit for wins over both Houston (17-10) and San Francisco (26-21). They may have one of the better defenses in the league and being at home certainly helps against the AFC champions. Of course, the Chiefs could just blow them away, but this game may be Jacksonville’s opportunity to send a message that they belong to the rest of the league.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 30 Chiefs 27