Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 8 NFL Picks

Week 7 Results: Rick 7-6-1; Flip: 9-4-1
Cumulative: Rick: 50-53-4; Flip: 59-44-4

Thursday, October 29

Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers (-3, 47.5) (8:15 pm, Amazon Prime Video) - The Packers come off a tough loss at Detroit, 20-17, wherein they played well on both sides of the ball, but their special teams let them down. Kicker Trey Smack missed two short field goals, one of them a potential game-winner. Pressure from fans to cut the rookie kicker have emerged, but, for now, the packers are sticking with him.

Carolina was ripped by Tampa Bay, 43-13, as Baker Mayfield returned fro injury and torched the Panthers. Arguably, the Packers are in the best division in the NFC, the Panthers, the weakest. Edge to Green Bay.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 28 Panthers 20

Sunday, November 1

Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills (-3, 54) (1:00 pm, CBS) - QB Lamar Jackson should get the start for Baltimore after missing three games, including last week’s humbling 35-13 loss to the Bengals.

Buffalo comes of a bye and is still regarded as one of the main Super Bowl contenders. They’ve lost just one game, to New England, four weeks back, 29-26. These two teams met in a wild Week 1 of 2025, with the Bills emerging with a 41-40 win at Baltimore.

Coin Flip: Buffalo

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Ravens 34 Bills 31

Las Vegas Raiders @ New York Jets (-1.5, 45.5) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Both teams have hit the skids, with the Raiders sliding faster, losing four straight. Calls for rookie Fernando Mendoza to replace Kirk Cousins at QB have been heard, but it’s the defense that’s ailing, allowing 28.1 points per game, worst in the AFC

Jets defense has been pretty good, butt they have problems on offense as well. This all adds up to a low-scoring contest. Coming off a 28-25 loss to the lowly Dolphins, at least the Jets get a second straight home game which should help their cause.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jets 23 Raiders 13

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5, 39) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Browns and Steelers are tied for the lead in the AFC North, but Cleveland won the first meeting, 27-24. Since then, the Steelers have racked three straight wins and look to even the score with a win at home.

Aaron Rodgers has been sharp recently and he’s getting help from his receivers. This is a pretty even match-up statistically. Taking the surprising Browns may not be a bad idea in what figures to be a close game.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Browns 25 Steelers 23

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-9.5, 46.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Colts have lost three in a row, mostly because of their inability to maintain offense, especially telling in last week’s 16-10 loss at Minnesota. They remain on the road for a second straight week.

The Jaguars had a week off after getting stunned by Houston, at home, 34-31. Jacksonville is allowing just 17.3 ppg, the Colts, 25.7. The week off and home field should work well for the Jags.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 31 Colts 10

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3, 45) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Returning from injury, Tampa QB, Baker Mayfield, came out firing in the Buc’s 43-13 rout at Carolina. Both the 2-5 Buccaneers and 3-4 Falcons have sights set on the NFC South title, which isn’t unrealistic, since the Panthers currently lead at 3-3.

What figures to be an offensive showcase may also be a close call. Each team won on the others’ turf in 2025, Tampa Bay by three points, Atlanta by one. Points may come in handy.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 34 Buccaneers 31

Tennessee Titans @ Cincinnati Bengals (-10, 46.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - This ought to be the blowout of the week. Tennessee is 1-6, while the Bengals are 4-2 and this is only their third home game of the season.

The Bengals buried Baltimore last week on the road, 35-13. The Titans dropped a home decision, 27-24, to the Browns. While the Titans are improving, it’s not fast enough. They may surpass their three wins from last season, but this doesn’t look like one of them.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bengals 41 Titans 17

Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys (-7, 55) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Arizona was 3-14 last season, but one of those wins was against the Cowboys, in Big D, a 27-17 stunner. The Cardinals are 2-5 on the season, while Dallas is 3-4, having won Monday night in Philly, 38-21, over a depleted Eagles squad.

Arizona may be slightly better than they were last season, but that win at Dallas had to leave a bad taste on Cowboy pallets. Look for a big time revenge assault by Dak Prescott and the high-octane Cowboy offense.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 38 Cardinals 24

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions (-3, 47) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Classic setup of offense (Detroit) versus defense (Minnesota)

The Vikings are first in points allowed per game (12.3). The Lions are second in points scored (30.7). Something has to give, but it’s probably the Vikings’ offense, which is scoring just under 21 points per game. The Lions’ defense may be able to contain them and get the home win.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Lions 23 Vikings 17

Los Angeles Chargers @ Los Angeles Rams (-6.5, 45.5) (4:05 pm, FOX) - Mercifully, the 0-6 Chargers had a bye last week, but a week off isn’t likely to solve their multiple issues. They have no running game to speak of, making their offense rather one-dimensional. Justin Herbert has thrown five TDs and eight picks. The offense is the lowest-scoring in the league and the defense ranks 22nd.

The Rams may not be as good as their preseason hype, but they’re probably much better than the hapless, hopeless Chargers.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Chargers

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rams 27 Chargers 14

Kansas City Chiefs (-2, 40.5) @ Denver Broncos (4:25 pm, CBS) - One of just two road favorites (the other New England, right below) this week has first place in the AFC West on the line. KC comes off its first loss of the season, 20-3, at Seattle, while Denver took care of business at Arizona, 30-16.

The Broncos won the division last season, and the teams met in Week 1, with the Chiefs burying the Broncos, 31-10. Denver could not have played a worse game and will be on the prowl for revenge.

Coin Flip: Kansas City

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 27 Chiefs 20

New England Patriots (-7, 43.5) @ Miami Dolphins (4:25 pm, CBS) - Miami got its first win of the season last week in New York, 28-25, and despite their ugly record, they have been playing some tough opposition (49ers, Chiefs, Vikings, Bengals).

Seven-point+ dogs at home is one of the most potent wagering opportunities, and this lines right up.

Coin Flip: Miami

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Patriots 24 Dolphins 21

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders (-5.5, 41) (8:20 pm, NBC) - Sorry Eagles, not your year. Five straight losses - three of them with Jalen Hurts at QB - and an injury list a mile long adds up to a losing season.

Washington has Jaden Daniels back and had a bye last week. Despite their 1-4-1 record, they’re in much better shape physically than the Eagles.

Coin Flip: Washington

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 30 Eagles 20

Monday, November 2

Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks (-3, 46.5) (8:15 pm, ESPN) - A real treat for Monday night and a possible playoff preview. The Seahawks got their mojo working in a 20-3 win over Kansas City. Chicago took down New England, 30-24, on Thursday, so they’ve had additional time off to prepare.

Give Seattle the nod here with distinct home field advantage and a defense that is #1 in yards per game (233.9) and hitting its best stride.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 24 Bears 17

BYES: Saints, Giants, 49ers, Texans

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 7 NFL Picks

Week 6 Results: Rick 4-10; Flip: 7-7
Cumulative: Rick: 43-47-3; Flip: 50-40-3

Thursday, October 22

New England Patriots @ Chicago Bears (-3, 50) (8:15 pm, Amazon Prime Video) - Both teams come off solid wins and are 4-2. Bears won on the road at Atlanta (31-23), while the Pats downed the Jets, 26-19, at home.

The Bears appear to have the upper hand with Caleb Williams back at QB, home field and a solidified defense. Patriots are 1-2 on the road, with losses at Seattle and Jacksonville, and a win at Buffalo.

Coin Flip: New England

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 34 Patriots 24

Sunday, October 25

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 44.5) @ New Orleans Saints (9:30 am NFL Network, Paris) - The Saints come off a 34-27 win over the Giants in New Jersey, but are somewhat dinged up on defense. Both teams are on the wing again after road wins last week. New Orleans is only 2-4, while the Steelers are tied with the Ravens and Browns at 4-2 in the AFC East.

The Saints have allowed the most points in the league (178, tied with Arizona) giving the Steelers a huge edge when Aaron Rodgers leads the offense onto the field.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Steelers 30 Saints 17

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (-4.5, 39.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Dolphins are one of two teams without a win (Chargers, 0-6) and would seem to be up against it at a division rival.

The Jets rallied against the Patriots in New England last week, but came up short in a 26-19 loss. They should have more success offensively as Miami can’t sustain drives which causes the defense to be on the field far too often. Miami has averaged just 14 points per game through five weeks. They come off a bye week but still have too many issues to overcome.

Coin Flip: Miami

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jets 24 Dolphins 10

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (-3, 51.5) (1:00 pm CBS) - The Bengals had a bye last week are are 1/2-game behind the other three teams in the division, so a win here improves their chances.

With Lamar Jackson out indefinitely, the Ravens are short on offense and that could be a problem with a healthy Joe Burrow in a divisional clash. The Bengals won at Baltimore last season, 32-14, but lost, 24-0, at home. Edge to the Bengals.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bengals 31 Ravens 24

Cleveland Browns (-1.5, 37.5) @ Tennessee Titans (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Titans finally got a win, 26-20, against a very suspect Indianapolis offense that fell flat in the second half. Stringing together two in a row might be difficult, but, the Titans are home, Cleveland isn’t exactly Super Bowl bound, so there is reason for optimism.

The Titans won a 2025 meeting in Cleveland, 31-29, and home field will help this time around. The Browns are 1-2 on the road and have scored just 45 points in those games (15 ppg).

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Titans 23 Browns 20

New York Giants @ Houston Texans (-10, 42) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Unkown whether Jameis Winston or J.J. McCarthy will get the start of the Giants, but it may not make a difference. The Texans, after a rough, 0-4, start to the season, have won two straight and are back at home after topping the Jaguars, 34-31, in London last week.

The Texans know they can’t afford a loss here. The defense needs to step up in a big way against the unsure Giants’ offense. C.J. Stroud has found mid-season form and his offense is loaded with outside weapons in Nico Collins and Marvin Harrison Jr..

Coin Flip: Houston

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Texans 28 Giants 14

Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings (-6.5, 41.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Colts failed to generate offense in the second half against the Titans last week and seem very limited in their downfield approach.

The Vikings come off a bye week and have yet to taste defeat (5-0). Even though the offense isn’t completely healthy, the Minnesota defense leads the NFL in yards (1,299) and points allowed (64, 12.8 per game).

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Vikings 31 Colts 13

San Francisco 49ers (-3, 51) @ Atlanta Falcons (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Falcons have improved from their 0-2 start with Michael Penix Jr. running the offense, but, they’ve now lost two in a row, arguably against tow of the better teams in the league, Baltimore (30-23 OT), and Chicago (31-23). This will be their third straight home game and a very important one for them to stay in touch in the division. Only Carolina (3-2) has a winning record in the NFC South.

San Francisco doesn’t seem to be tired of winning and deserve to be favored here, but the Falcons will likely add some urgency to their offense. If Atlanta’s defense can hold up against the 49er offense, without Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans, they may pull off the upset. While the Falcons are 0-3 at home, it’s notable that this seventh game of the season for the 49ers is only their second road trip. Amazing.

Coin Flip: Atlanta

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 27 49ers 24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers (-3, 45) (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Buccaneers are in a world of hurt without Baker Mayfield, sidelined for the last three games with a dislocated thumb and they’re not likely to get any relief against the Panthers, a team coming off a bye, then a win over the Eagles last week and in first place in the division.

Being at home, the Panthers should turn back the short-handed Bucs with relative ease. Last season’s games were close, with the Panthers winning at home, 23-20, and losing at Tampa, 16-14.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Panthers 27 Buccaneers 20

Denver Broncos (-4.5, 43.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (4:05 pm, CBS) - Coming off the upset of week 6, the 18-16 win in LA over the Rams, the Cardinals are likely to suffer a letdown, and home field, where they are 0-2, may not offer any relief.

Denver, winner of their last two, arrive with purpose, that being staying in touch with AFC West-leading 5-0 Kansas City, their opponent in week 8. The Broncos are just 1-2 on the road, but the losses were to Kansas City and San Francisco. Arizona is not on that level.

Coin Flip: Denver

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 26 Cardinals 13

Los Angeles Rams (-4.5, 49) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 pm, FOX) - The 2-4 Rams have been the biggest disappointment in the league thus far. Picked by many to win the Super Bowl, they’ve been inconsistent on both sides of the ball.

There could be redemption for the Rams in Vegas, as the Raiders have one of the weakest defenses in the league, the Rams one of the best. LA hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher yet this season, but they might this week as they finally put together a complete game.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rams 34 Raiders 20

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (-3, 54) (4:25 pm, FOX) - Big time NFC North matchup as the Lion come off a bye week and the Packers took care of business Sunday night against Dallas, 23-13.

Both teams are playing at a high level, but Green Bay took both meetings last year and have a significant edge on defense. The Lions have trouble stopping anybody, and the Packers, winners of three straight, are red hot.

Coin Flip: Green Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 28 Lions 24

Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks (-2.5, 42.5) (8:20 pm, NBC) - The Seahawks welcome back Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, albeit in a KC uniform. Walker is the X factor for the Chiefs this season, giving them the ability to run or pass on any down anywhere on the field, which is confusing to defenses.

While the Seahawks are still solid, they are just 3-3, and have dropped their last two, losing close ones to San Fran and Denver (last Thursday, 17-14). The Chiefs are just superior right now and should go to 6-0 here.

Coin Flip: Kansas City

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chiefs 23 Seahawks 21

Monday, October 26

Dallas Cowboys (-4, 44.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:15 pm, ESPN) - With Jalen Hurts probably out for the season, the Eagles are in big trouble, having lost four straight and facing a determined Dallas team, looking to run down the Giants in the very weak NFC East.

Both teams are 2-4, but the Cowboys have only lost two straight, but this is their third straight night game and second straight on the road. It’s a good thing they’re facing a team with limited offense.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 31 Eagles 17

BYES: Buffalo, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington, Jacksonville

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 6 NFL Picks

Week 5 Results: Rick 4-10-1; Flip: 6-8-1
Cumulative: Rick: 39-37-3; Flip: 43-33-3

Thursday, October 15

Seattle Seahawks (-2.5, 42.5) @ Denver Broncos (8:15pm, Amazon Prime Video) - Solid matchup between probable playoff teams to start the week. Seattle coms off a tough home loss to the 49ers in an error-filled, 32-29, game, while the Broncos handled the desperate, now 0-5, Chargers, 23-17

This game is also one of seven games this week with home underdogs/road favorites, a real test for football handicappers. Both teams have shown to be fairly adept on both sides of the ball and this should be a toss-up game, so let’s go with Denver at Mile High.

Coin Flip: Denver

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 26 Seahawks 21

Sunday, October 18

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-3, 43) (9:30 am NFL Network, London) - Jacksonville continues to look like one of the top three teams in the AFC after winning over Philly, 19-17, last week in London. Getting back on home turf can only help their cause against a serious division rival.

Jacksonville, besides being 4-1 against 1-4 Houston, has statistical advantages on both offense and defense.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 23 Texans 16

New Orleans Saints (-1.5, 45) @ New York Giants (1:00 pm, FOX) - Coming off a 23-13 hot loss to the Vikings, it’s difficult to see how New Orleans can be favored on the road with a 1-4 record.

The Giants escaped with a 27-all tie at Washington last week and still sit atop the NFC East with a 3-1-1 record, though they might have been better. Jameis Winston has stepped up as backup QB and has the Giants believing in themselves.

Coin Flip: New York Giants

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Giants 27 Saints 17

Carolina Panthers (-1.5, 41) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 pm, CBS) - Philly has lost three games back-to-back-to-back that might have shattered other teams, but their 2-3 record isn’t really indicative of the talent they possess, despite injuries. They are heavily banged up on offense, but overall are probably still a better team than the Panthers.

Getting points at home never hurts, especially when you have Jalen Hurts behind center. This could easily turn into a low-scoring, defensive struggle won by a late field goal.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Eagles 20 Panthers 17

Baltimore Ravens (-5.5, 42.5) @ Cleveland Browns (1:00 pm, FOX) - While Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson is listed as questionable, the oddsmakers have chose to give the Ravens a big plus in this divisional road encounter with the Browns.

The trouble with that line of thinking is that the Browns are 2-0 at home (but the Ravens are 3-0 on the road). Something has to give, and its probably going to be Baltimore’s matador-style defense.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Browns 19 Ravens 17

Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5, 39.5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 pm, CBS) - Undrafted free agent signee, Jalon Daniels vs. future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers? All the money will go on the Steelers, despite their 0-2 road record.

1-4 Tampa Bay is fortunate to be in one of the weakest divisions in the NFL. A win here could set the stage for a solid return to respectability given Baker Mayfield should soon return.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buccaneers 23 Steelers 20

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (-7, 44.5) (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Colts come off a disappointing 34-22 loss at Pittsburgh, but should preform better against one of the league’s worst teams.

The Titans will eventually win a game this season (maybe), but not this one.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 30 Titans 16

Chicago Bears (-2.5, 50.5) @ Atlanta Falcons (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Falcons battled the Ravens all the way to OT Sunday night in a 30-23 loss and have proven to be one of the better teams in the league with Michael Penix Jr. at QB. Chicago was plastered by Green Bay, 31-7, but are expecting the return of QB Caleb Williams, but prospects for his return to action remain iffy.

Should the Bears really be favored on the road without their starting QB, and, even if Williams does play, will he be 100%?

Coin Flip: Atlanta

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 31 Bears 24

New York Jets @ New England Patriots (-7.5, 44) (1:00 pm, CBS) - New England has improved to 3-2 with consecutive wins at Buffalo (29-26) and last week’s ripping of the Raiders at home, 45.17, where they are 2-0 on the year.

The Jets have a road win this season, but it was at Tennessee in Week 1, a 23-10 triumph. Last week’s 17-12 win over the Browns was in New York, so this really favors the Patriots in a big way. Last season, New England took both meetings, 27-14, at home, and 42-10, in New York.

Coin Flip: New York Jets

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Patriots 28 Jets 13

Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (-12.5, 51.5) (4:05pm, FOX) - While the Rams have plenty of talented players, they haven’t seemed to add up to much in the way of winning football games. Monday night’s setback at home to the Bills, 37-34, in OT, dropped them to just 2-3.

Arizona was outrun and outplayed at home last week by the Lions, a 45-21 rout, their fourth straight loss. They’re at the bottom of the division, a space they’re likely to occupy for the remainder of the season.

Coin Flip: Arizona

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rams 40 Cardinals 10

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs (-8, 42.5) (4:25pm, CBS) - Things appear dire for the Chargers, staring at 0-6 if they lose this divisional road showdown.

Hard to believe LA can drop out of the race so early. While they may not win at KC, they might manage to keep it close.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Chargers

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chiefs 24 Chargers 20

Buffalo Bills (-5.5, 53.5) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4:25pm, CBS) - Buffalo has every reason to whip the Raiders despite being on the road for the second straight week and having played Monday night. They defeated the Rams, 37-34 in overtime.

Vegas comes off a humbling, 45-17, loss at New England and are beginning to come back to reality, losing two straight after three wins to start the season. Buffalo may be Super Bowl bound, but the Raiders will be lucky to be playing in January.

Coin Flip: Buffalo

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 38 Raiders 24

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers (-1.5, 54) (8:20pm, NBC) - Dallas continues to cope with the ailment that has plagued them the past three seasons: no defense. That’s not helpful playing at Lambeau, no matter the weather (which should be OK).

Green Bay got their offense in gear against the Bears last week and appears headed in the right direction. This is only their third home game this season, and Dallas is 1-1 in road tests this year.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Packers 28 Cowboys 23

Monday, October 19

Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers (-7, 50) (8:15pm, ESPN) - The 49ers improved to 5-0 with a wild win at Seattle last week, winning 32-29, in a game marred by turnovers and mental mistakes on both sides.

Speaking of mental mistakes, the Commanders blew a perfect chance to win in overtime against the Giants last week, allowing the clock to run out when they were well within field goal range. While a tie is better than a loss, Washington could have used the win and will do everything they can to get things right at San Fran.

Coin Flip: Washington

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 30 49ers 23

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 5 NFL Picks

Week 4 Results: Rick 12-3-1; Flip: 9-6-1
Cumulative: Rick: 35-27-2; Flip: 37-25-2

Thursday, October 8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys (-8.5, 47.5) (8:15 pm, Amazon Prime Video) - This is a tough call, only because the Buccaneers have yet to win a game. Tampa Bay will be pulling out the complete playbook against a still-suspect Dallas defense.

The Cowboys are likely to win, but Tampa Bay will fight until the end.

Coin Flip: Dallas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 31 Buccaneers 26

Sunday, October 11

Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars (-7, 42.5) (9:30am NFL Network, London) - Very tough spot for the 2-2 Eagles after their defense gave in against the Rams last week in a 24-20 defeat at home. A trip across the pond, multiple injuries and the retirement of right tackle Lane Johnson, adds up to a rough trip against one of the AFC’s best teams.

The Jags have lost just once this season, and that was to a quality Denver team on the road, 20-13, in Week 2. Jacksonville leads the AFC South and is likely to remain on top of the division for the duration of the regular season.

Coin Flip: Jacksonville

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 28 Eagles 16

Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets (-2.5, 40) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Jets try hard every outing, but keep coming up short, now having lost three straight after an opening 23-10 win at Tennessee, a victory which doesn’t inspire confidence.

The Browns are tied with the Ravens at 3-1 atop the AFC North, and this appears to be a solid spot to extend their winning streak to four straight. After losing their opener at Jacksonville, 34-10, the Browns have knocked off Tampa Bay, Carolina and Pittsburgh, the last on Thursday night, giving Cleveland extra time off in preparation for their visit to the Big Apple.

Coin Flip: New York Jets

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Browns 27 Jets 17

Cincinnati Bengals (-7, 42.5) @ Miami Dolphins (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Dolphins have established the low standard for offense, thus far having scored just 46 points, or, 11.5 per game.

With the Bengals at 2-2 following last week’s humbling, 22-17, home loss to Jacksonville, Joe Burrow will come out firing, but he may be without two or three of his top receivers, including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati’s defense is about average, yielding roughly 20 points per game. Expect a better performance this week.

Coin Flip: Miami

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bengals 27 Dolphins 10

Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots (-3, 45) (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Patriots rose up in an emotional win at Buffalo last week, 29-26, but may suffer a letdown here, despite being on home turf.

The Raiders fell just short of beating the Chiefs last week, surrendering a 30-27 decision at home for their first loss of the season. As long as Kirk Cousins keeps making plays, the Raiders are a threat every week and their defense is relentless. While the Patriots have evened their record at 2-2, they’ve not managed to find explosive, chunk plays on a regular basis, making this an iffy call.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Raiders 30 Patriots 27

Houston Texans (-7, 37.5) @ Tennessee Titans (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Titans and Texans are two of the five NFL teams without a win this season, so somebody is going to get one, unless the game ends in a tie, which is possible considering the ineptness displayed by both squads.

Figure on this being an error-prone affair, and the Titans getting a boost from the home town fans and a few long field goals.

Coin Flip: Houston

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Titans 19 Texans 17

Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5, 44.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Battle of 2-2 teams with the Colts coming off a 30-13 win over the Commanders in London and the Steelers dropping a 27-24 decision at Cleveland last Thursday.

Pittsburgh seems to be just average, even with Aaron Rodgers running the offense, while the Colts have significant upside. Last season, they had run up an 8-3 record before QB Daniel Jones was lost for the season. Their first two losses this season were to Baltimore and at Kansas City, but have bounced right back with two straight wins and are looking to remain competitive in the AFC South.

Coin Flip: Pittsburgh

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 31 Steelers 21

Chicago Bears (-3, 45.5) @ Green Bay Packers (4:25 pm, FOX) - The Bears won with Tyson Bagent being center last week, whipping the Jets, 23-12, in what was Chicago’s third straight home game. Caleb Williams remains out, but Bagent proved worthy of another start and will make life tough on the Packers’ defense.

Green Bay is healthy, but both offense and defense have been shaky at times this season. A loss here might erode the team’s confidence even more, but the Bears are a solid group in all phases. Their +47 differential is third-best league-wide.

Coin Flip: Green Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 26 Packers 18

New York Giants @ Washington Commanders (-3.5, 43.5) (1:00 pm, FOX) - Coming off a serious drubbing in London, a 30-13 pounding by the Colts, it doesn’t seem right that the Commanders should have favoritism in this divisional clash, unless, of course, Jayden Daniels returns to start at QB, which is the plan for Washington.

In that case, OK, the Commanders get the points nod, but it needs to be understood that the Giants are 3-1 and Washington, 1-3. The Giants have lost four straight to the Commanders, so maybe things are going to begin evening out in the NFC East.

Coin Flip: New York Giants

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Commanders 27 Giants 20

Minnesota Vikings (-1.5, 42.5) @ New Orleans Saints (1:00 pm, FOX) - The Vikings have been winning with defense, the Saints have been losing without having one, making this one of the easier picks of the week.

Minnesota has allowed a league-low 51 points and are 4-0. New Orleans doesn’t have a defense. They gave up 45 Monday night to the Falcons, at home, and, even though they get a second straight home game, they’re not going to stand up against the Vikings. The Saints have allowed 128 points, worst in the league.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Vikings 24 Saints 14

Denver Broncos (-3.5, 42.5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (4:05 pm, CBS) - These two split their regular season meetings last year, each winning at home, and, despite the Chargers’ 0-4 start, that figures to be the way it will go in 2026.

The Chargers aren’t scoring a lot, but neither is Denver, and the Broncos are coming off a 24-14 loss at San Francisco and are on the road a second straight week, which often takes its toll. Wouldn’t bet the house on this, but the Chargers are probably better than their 0-4 record might suggest.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Chargers

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Chargers 30 Broncos 20

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks (-3, 47) (4:25 pm, FOX) - Even though it’s only week 5, this game is highly important to both teams, not only because the winner claims first place in the division, but also in terms of playoff tie-breakers.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the ‘Niners won this game because they’ve won the last four meetings in Seattle and seem to have the Seahawks’ number and a way to quiet the Seattle fans.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick’s Pick: 49ers 26 Seahawks 24

Detroit Lions (-5.5, 54.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (4:25 pm, FOX) - Detroit’s defense - or lack thereof - will be their undoing. The Lions have allowed 127 points in four games, second only to New Orleans (128). Arizona isn’t far behind, having yielded 117, so look for plenty of scoring.

This is only Arizona’s second home game of the season. They lost the first one, 31-7, to Seattle in Week 2, but, the Lions are a miserable 0-2 on the road, with losses at Buffalo and Carolina, last week’s 32-26 loss to the Panthers dropping them to 2-2. Cardinals might bounce back from their 36-24 loss at the Giants last week, the final score somewhat misleading, as the Cardinals were driving late in the game before the Giants ended it all with a pick-6.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cardinals 40 Lions 31

Baltimore Ravens @ Atlanta Falcons (-3, 43.5) (8:20 pm, NBC) - Possibly the toughest call of the week, as the Falcons are on a two-game roll and Baltimore, at 3-1, appears to have lived up to the billing as the team to beat in the AFC North.

Clouding - or perhaps clearing up - the issue will be the absence of Ravens’ starting QB, Lamar Jackson, apparently out with an ankle sprain. Makes it a lot easier to go with hot-handed Atlanta.

Coin Flip: Atlanta

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 35 Ravens 21

Monday, October 12

Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams (-3, 54.5) (8:15 pm, ESPN, ABC) - Expect this game to go well over the posted O/U, possibly the highest-scoring game of the weekend. Neither team has demonstrated stoutness on defense, but the offenses are humming.

Buffalo is coming off its first loss of the season, a 29-26 defeat at home to division rival, New England. The Rams rallied to win at Philly, 24-20. These two last met in 2024, with the Rams coming away with a 44-42 home win.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 41 Rams 38

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 4 NFL Picks

Week 3 Results: Rick 9-6-1; Flip: 9-6-1
Cumulative: Rick: 23-24-1; Flip: 28-19-1

Thursday, October 1

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 38.5) @ Cleveland Browns (8:15 pm, Amazon Prime Video) - Apparently, Aaron Rodgers can still spin it. Rodgers threw for 292 yards and three TDs in Pittsburgh’s, 30-27, home win over the Bengals, leaving all four AFC North teams with identical 2-1 records after three weeks.

Cleveland stunned Carolina, 21-18, in their home opener. The Browns likely have a better defense than the Bengals and should pester Rodgers into a couple of costly mistakes. These two split their season series last year with the Browns winning at home, 13-6.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Browns 23 Steelers 16

Sunday, October 4

Indianapolis Colts (-3.5, 47) @ Washington Commanders (9:30 am, NFL Network, London) - The Colts found their winning ways last week at home, holding off Houston, 19-17, to go to 1-2 on the season, ending a nine-game losing streak extending back to week 12 of last season. The Commanders shocked everybody by knocking off Seattle, 33-31, in DC.

Being played across the pond makes for an interesting matchup, though the Colts seem to be better prepared - and with their regular starting QB, Daniel Jones, as opposed to Marcus Mariota filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels - for the trip abroad.

Coin Flip: Indianapolis

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Colts 30 Commanders 21

New York Jets @ Chicago Bears (-3.5, 42.5) (1:00 pm, Fox) - While the Jets have looked better than they did in 2025, they’re still not quite up to many of the other NFL teams. Their lone win this season came at Tennessee, which is neither surprising nor inspiring.

The Bears got an exceptional performance from fill-in QB, Case Keenum, in their 27-7 rout of the Eagles Monday night. The quick turn-around at home shouldn’t bother the Bears. They appear to be one of the top three teams in the league at this juncture, even without Caleb Williams.

Coin Flip: New York Jets

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bears 31 Jets 10

Arizona Cardinals (-1.5, 44.5) @ New York Giants (1:00 pm, CBS) - The Giants traded with Minnesota to add QB J.J. McCarthy as a backup to Jameis Winston, who is starting in place of injured Jaxson Dart, likely out for the season. He’s not going to help and the Vikings were happy to let him go.

The Cardinals are off to a 1-2 start to the 2026 campaign. Despite their record, the losses have been to Seattle and San Francisco, with the win over the Chargers in Week 1. They are likely to find it tough going against the stout Giants’ defense, which needs to carry the day until the offense finds some answers.

Coin Flip: New York Giants

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Giants 23 Cardinals 17

Los Angeles Rams (-3, 44) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 pm, Fox) - Neither of these teams have lived up to expectations thus far. The Rams are 1-2 and the Eagles, 2-1, after a miserable performance against the Bears on Monday night.

While this may eventually serve as a precursor to some playoff matchup, the main interest is in seeing which team screws up less, and, at this point, it seems the Eagles have a lock on making poor decisions. Miss this fiasco if at all possible.

Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rams 24 Eagles 14

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills (-7, 48.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Drake Maye has not come through for the Patriots as well as he did in 2025, while the Bills are one of five remaining teams without a loss.

The way the Bills are going, and especially being at home against a hated division rival, this could very well be a blowout performance. Buffalo is one of the top three teams in the league. Even their defense is improving.

Coin Flip: New England

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 38 Patriots 17

Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens (-11.5, 43.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Face it, Tennessee fans, Cam Ward is a complete bust. The team has generated just 37 points in three games, Ward has thrown just two TD passes on one interception and the coaching staff is second rate.

If the Ravens don’t completely dominate Derrick Henry’s former team, the universe is cockeyed. No way anybody in their right mind would take the Titans on the road, even with 14 points.

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Ravens 30 Titans 6

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5, 51.5) (1:00 pm, CBS) - Her’s a solid matchup between teams that are going to be vying for playoff spots and probably division crowns throughout the season, barring injuries.

While Joe Burrow has gotten most of the positive press in recent years, he’s been outplayed by Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, who also has managed to stay healthy for his 5+ seasons with the Jags. Jacksonville is coming off a big, 35-6, win over New England, and are currently cooking red hot. Cincy lost at Pittsburgh last week, 30-27. The Bengals’ defense probably won’t hold up here.

Coin Flip: Cincinnati

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jaguars 31 Bengals 17

Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans (-2.5, 47.5) (1:00 pm, Fox) - Dallas somewhat snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last week in Rio, losing on a last-second, 56-yard field goal by the Ravens after tying the game just seven seconds earlier. No fault but their own, Dallas actually played a solid game against a talented team.

Houston, on the other hand, still has problems too numerous to count. They can’t sustain drives and the defense is sloppy and prone to missed coverages, which might turn deadly against Dallas.

Coin Flip: Houston

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cowboys 34 Texans 18

Green Bay Packers (-3.5, 39) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 pm, Fox) - Here are another two teams still searching for the winning formula. The Packers are 1-2; Tampa Bay has started the season 0-3 and one has to wonder how much not signing QB Baker Mayfield prior to the season has affected the overall tone in the locker room and play on the field.

At this juncture, Green Bay appears to have fewer issues than the Bucs, though after their 35-14 home loss to Atlanta, one wonders if they can bounce back to win on the road. Tampa Bay is desperate for a win and this one might be it.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buccaneers 23 Packers 14

Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings (-12, 38.5) (4:05 pm, Fox) - Believe it or not, the Vikings are leading the NFC North with a 3-0 record. The Vikings may have the best defense in the NFL and they continue to prove it every week. Getting a very weak Miami team at home makes them 4-0.

Miami might be the worst team in the league, though Tennessee might press them on that account.

Coin Flip: Miami

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Vikings 20 Dolphins 10

Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5, 47.5) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 pm, CBS) - This turns out to be a battle for first place in the AFC West, both squads sporting 3-0 records. While the Chiefs look like their usual awesome selves, the Raiders made wholesale changes in the offseason to turn things around in a hurry.

Wins over Miami, the Chargers and the Saints may not sound like much, but, for the Raiders, they are the essence of finding ways to win. The Chiefs may not find the atmosphere in Las Vegas to be friendly and heads-up play by the Raiders may produce the upset of the week.

Coin Flip: Kansas City

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Raiders 26 Chiefs 24

Denver Broncos @ San Francisco 49ers (-3, 46.5) (4:25 pm, CBS) - The 49ers are off to a 3-0 start after dispatching Arizona last week, 36-30, a somewhat sloppy performance by a banged-up San Fran defense.

After their opening week loss to the Chiefs, Denver has won two straight and looked very positive doing so. Last week’s 30-26 win over the Rams was no fluke. Denver has athletes and attitude.

Coin Flip: Denver

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Broncos 28 49ers 14

Los Angeles Chargers @ Seattle Seahawks (-7, 42) (4:25 pm, CBS) - Seattle’s defense got a little surprised in last week’s 33-31 loss at Washington, but they’re likely to put things together against the Chargers, a team that hasn’t shown much at all this season, and, if they go to 0-4, they might as well forget about the playoffs and maybe another Harbaugh gets fired.

Seattle, being the reigning champion of the league, gets every team’s best shot. Unfortunately for the Chargers, that shot may be a blank.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 41 Chargers 14

Detroit Lions (-3.5, 50.5) @ Carolina Panthers (8:20 pm, NBC) - Detroit still has one of the more explosive offenses in the league, which usually carries the Lions to victory, but the defense is very lacking on most aspects.

RB Chuba Hubbard of the Panthers may have a breakout game against a soft Detroit run defense.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Panthers 34 Lions 24

Monday, October 5

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (-3, 48.5) (8:15 pm, ABC, ESPN) - solid divisional matchup with two teams that are improving, though both have records of just 1-2, making this a very pivotal contest.

Tyler Shough has been on target for the Saints and actually may emerge as one of the league’s top QBs this season. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. led the Falcons to their first win of the season with a 35-14 win over the Packers last week. Give Atlanta a slight edge in an emotionally-charged game.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Falcons 26 Saints 19