Each week during the NFL season, the staff at theScore will put on their prognosticator hats and offer up selections against the spread for each of the week’s games, highlighting several marquee matchups.
| Game | Bottero | Holroyd | Wilkins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals at Rams | ARI +4 | ARI +4 | STL -4 |
| Raiders at Chiefs | OAK +10 | KC -10 | OAK +10 |
| Jaguars at Ravens | BAL -14 | JAX +14 | JAX +14 |
| Steelers at Falcons | PIT -3 | ATL +3 | PIT -3 |
| Texans at Colts | HOU +6.5 | IND -6.5 | HOU +6.5 |
| Bengals at Browns | CIN pk | CLE pk | CLE pk |
| Dolphins at Patriots | MIA +7.5 | NE -7.5 | NE -7.5 |
| Buccaneers at Panthers | TB +6 | CAR -6 | CAR -6 |
| Redskins at Giants | NYG -6.5 | NYG -6.5 | NYG -6.5 |
| Packers at Bills | BUF +5 | GB -5 | GB -5 |
| Vikings at Lions | MIN +8 | MIN +8 | DET -8 |
| Jets at Titans | NYJ -2 | NYJ -2 | NYJ -2 |
| Broncos at Chargers | DEN -4 | DEN -4 | SD +4 |
| 49ers at Seahawks | SF +10 | SF +10 | SEA -10 |
| Cowboys at Eagles | PHI -3 | PHI -3 | PHI -3 |
| Saints at Bears | CHI +3 | NO -3 | CHI +3 |
Unanimous selections: Giants -6.5, Jets -2, Eagles -3
Unanimous selections are 24-22-1 ATS for the season. Last week: 3-0 ATS.
Marquee Matchups
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-7.5)
Gino Bottero: There are games that teams circle on their calendar prior to the season starting, and the two dates with the Patriots are always highlighted by the Dolphins. New England certainly highlighted this matchup as well after stumbling in Miami back in Week 1. Even still, the Dolphins are going to put up a fight, which will keep this one close. Dolphins +7.5
Caitlyn Holroyd: This is a much different Patriots team than the one that lost to the Dolphins in Week 1. They're also facing a Miami defense that has been ravaged by injuries and allowed an average of 220.3 rushing yards over the past three games. This one could get ugly fast for the Dolphins. Patriots -7.5
Dan Wilkins: The Dolphins cruised to victory in the Week 1 matchup, but things should be different this time around. With New England's offense now in rhythm and the defense having grown capable of shutting down the best of opponents, they should have their way with Miami en route to a second consecutive win. There's also the fact that the Patriots haven't lost a home game since 2012. Patriots -7.5
Denver Broncos (-4) at San Diego Chargers
Bottero: Few teams have given the Broncos a run for their money in the Peyton Manning era the way the Chargers have, and bettors have taken notice, but this is an extreme over-adjustment. Over the last three seasons, the Broncos have won five of six meetings with the Chargers, and each of those came by more than four points. Broncos -4
Holroyd: Peyton Manning has thrown for less than 200 yards in his past two games and was held without a touchdown pass against the Bills. Should the Broncos be concerned? Maybe. But they won both of those games and sit two games ahead of the Chargers in the AFC West. They're also 3-0 in their last three road games against San Diego, outscoring their division rival by a combined score of 79-57. Broncos -4
Wilkins: With the Broncos turning in some less-than-impressive performances of late, and the Chargers desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, this one has upset written all over it. Chargers defenses have always given Peyton Manning a tough time, and doing so again this week, even if only temporarily, should give Philip Rivers and the offense enough of a window to take advantage of a vulnerable Broncos pass defense. Chargers +4
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
Bottero: The Seahawks put together a great game plan to stop the Eagles' explosive offense last week. They took away LeSean McCoy and the running game and dared Mark Sanchez to beat them through the air. He couldn't. The Cowboys have extra time to prepare and implement a similar scheme, but they simply don't have the horses on that side of the ball to execute it. Eagles -3
Holroyd: The Eagles had one of their worst offensive showings of the year in Week 14, putting up a measly 153 total yards in a 24-14 home loss to the Seahawks. But while Seattle proved too much to handle for Mark Sanchez and co., they should have no problem taking advantage of a Cowboys defense that is allowing 365 yards per game. Philadelphia will once again prevail over Dallas and distinguish themselves as the best team in the NFC East. Eagles -3
Wilkins: The Cowboys seem to be regressing after their fast start, and a second matchup with the Eagles in a three-week span certainly won't help them turn it around. While anything can happen in these kinds of division rivalry games, look for Philadelphia's high-powered offense to once again be far too much for the Cowboys to handle, allowing the Eagles to take complete control of the NFC East. Eagles -3
Wild-Card Selections
Cincinnati Bengals (pk) at Cleveland Browns
Bottero: Historically, Andy Dalton doesn't fare all that well against the Browns, but after last week's loss, the Bengals can't afford to let this one get away. They'll also have revenge on their minds after getting embarrassed by the Browns at home in front of a national audience. Bengals pk
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Atlanta Falcons
Holroyd: The Falcons may be without Julio Jones, but it may not matter, as two of the Steelers' five losses this season have come against NFC South teams. In fact, Pittsburgh is the only team in the AFC North to have lost against the NFC South this season. The Falcons managed to keep things close against the Packers on the road and should be able to do the same at home against the Steelers. Falcons +3
Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams (-4)
Wilkins: The Cardinals remain the NFC's top seed after another impressive win, but a Thursday night game against the Rams has them primed for a setback. While the Rams' slow start to the season created a hole far too deep to climb out of, they've been one of the league's hottest teams of late. A dominant defense that has put up two straight shutouts should carry the team once again, bringing them to the .500 mark on the year. Rams -4
Lines courtesy Scoresandodds.com.
