The Virginian-Pilot
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GAME OF THE WEEK
New England (5-1) at Pittsburgh (5-2), 4:15 p.m., WTKR
The line New England by 3
Outlook The key battle will be how New England’s top-ranked passing offense (350.5 ypg) fares against the No. 1 pass defense (171.9). Look for both teams to air the ball out - Pittsburgh has the No. 9 pass offense (265.4) while New England has the NFL’s worst pass defense (322.2).
Quick hit After averaging 442.3 passing yards in New England’s first three games, Tom Brady has averaged 278.7 yards in the Patriots’ past three.
Match-up Pittsburgh’s defense is tied for last in the league with 2 INTs, but Brady has thrown seven in his past four games.
The pick Brady is 6-1 in his career against the Steelers. Patriots 30, Steelers 24.
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Indianapolis (0-7) at Tennessee (3-3), 1 p.m.
The line Tennessee by 8½
Outlook Indianapolis hasn’t held a team to less than 23 points all season and has the No. 30 overall defense. Tennessee has lost two straight by a combined 55 points and has the No. 24 offense.
The pick Titans RB Chris Johnson finally gets things going against the 31st-ranked run defense (150.9). Titans 24, Colts 17.
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New Orleans (5-2) at St. Louis (0-6), 1 p.m.
The line New Orleans by 13½
Outlook New Orleans has averaged 44.0 ppg in its three games in domes this season and has the No. 2 offense. St. Louis hasn’t scored more than 16 in a game all season and will rely on QB A.J. Feeley.
The pick St. Louis has lost by less than 12 once all season, in Week 4 when it had Sam Bradford at QB. Saints 37, Rams 10.
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Jacksonville (2-5) at Houston (4-3), 1 p.m.
The line Houston by 9½
Outlook Jacksonville has held four opponents to less than 18 points and has the No. 6 overall defense. Houston has cracked 30 points three times but won’t get WR Andre Johnson back from injury.
The pick Six of Jacksonville’s games have had a combined score of less than 36, so take the under. Texans 20, Jaguars 13.
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Miami (0-6) at N.Y. Giants (4-2), 1 p.m., WTKR
The line N.Y. Giants by 9½
Outlook Miami already has four double-digit losses this season and hasn’t scored more than 16 points since Week 1. New York has two double-digit wins and last scored less than 25 in Week 1.
The pick Giants QB Eli Manning goes for 300 yards after a week off to prepare for the No. 21 pass defense. Giants 30, Dolphins 10.
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Minnesota (1-6) at Carolina (2-5), 1 p.m.
The line Carolina by 3½
Outlook Minnesota has the No. 29 pass defense (274.9) while Carolina has the No. 5 pass offense (288.4). Carolina has the No. 29 run defense (133.4); Minnesota the No. 3 run offense (153.0).
The pick Carolina QB Cam Newton goes for 300 yards, and WR Steve Smith catches 10 passes. Panthers 27, Vikings 21.
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Arizona (1-5) at Baltimore (4-2), 1 p.m.
The line Baltimore by 12½
Outlook Arizona last won in Week 1, and last allowed less than 31 points in a game in Week 3. Baltimore is coming off a 12-7 loss at Jacksonville, but is 3-0 at home, with all three wins by at least 15 points.
The pick Baltimore bounces back as QB Joe Flacco goes for 300 yards vs. the No. 28 pass defense (274.2). Ravens 33, Cardinals 14.
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Detroit (5-2) at Denver (2-4), 4:05 p.m.
The line Detroit by 3
Outlook Detroit has lost two straight and has averaged 19.7 points in its past three games. Denver is 1-2 at home this season, but neither of the losses are by more than five points.
The pick Detroit’s weakness is its No. 28 run defense, but Denver is thin at RB with Willis McGahee hurt. Lions 26, Broncos 20.
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Washington (3-3) vs. Buffalo (4-2) in Toronto, 4:05 p.m., WVBT
The line Buffalo by 6
Outlook Washington has lost 3 of 4 and last scored more than 20 points in a game in Week 2. Buffalo hasn’t scored less than 20 points in a game all season.
The pick Washington’s offense is injury-riddled; Buffalo’s offense is high-octane and healthy after a week off. Bills 30, Redskins 20.
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Cleveland (3-3) at San Francisco (5-1), 4:15 p.m.
The line San Francisco by 8½
Outlook Cleveland hasn’t scored more than 17 points in a game since Week 2, and RB Peyton Hillis is in doubt. San Francisco has won four straight, averaging 32.3 ppg in its past three.
The pick San Francisco is 2-1 at home this season, with the two home wins by an average of 30.5 points. 49ers 27, Browns 14.
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Cincinnati (4-2) at Seattle (2-4), 4:15 p.m.
The line Cincinnati by 3
Outlook Cincinnati has won three straight, scoring at least 23 points in each game. Seattle hopes to have QB Tarvaris Jackson and RB Marshawn Lynch back after both sat out last week.
The pick Seattle is 7-4 at home and 3-10 on the road (including playoffs) in the past two seasons. Seahawks 23, Bengals 20.
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Dallas (3-3) at Philadelphia (2-4), 8:20 p.m., WAVY
The line Philadelphia by 3½
Outlook Dallas has the No. 4 pass offense (295.8), but Philadelphia has the No. 10 pass defense (217.3). Philadelphia has the No. 1 run offense (170.0), but Dallas has the No. 1 run defense (69.7).
The pick Philadelphia, off last week, is 12-0 under coach Andy Reid coming off a regular-season off week. Eagles 33, Cowboys 24.
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MONDAY
San Diego (4-2) at Kansas City (3-3), 8:30 p.m., ESPN
The line San Diego by 4
Outlook San Diego beat Kansas City 20-17 in Week 3, but is 1-2 on the road this season. Kansas City hasn’t lost since that Week 3 game, and is coming off an impressive 28-0 win at Oakland.
The pick Kansas City isn’t as good as it played last week, when it forced six interceptions. Chargers 26, Chiefs 24.
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Straight up 10-3 (75-28 for the season).
Against the spread 7-5-1 (49-48-6 for the season).
Upset special 1-0 straight up (5-2 for the season).
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