Last week in the NFL was for the road favorites, who were a whopping 10-0 against the spread, including the Buffalo Bills’ 23-20 win over the New York Jets as a 2½-point favorite.
Week 7 sees only five road favorites. On to the picks:
Game of the week
Kansas City at San Francisco
In a rematch of two of the last five Super Bowls, the Chiefs are a 1½-point road underdog against the 49ers. No excuses for either team in the rest category – Kansas City (5-0) is off its bye and the 49ers (3-3) have been off since Oct. 10. The Chiefs are averaging just 23.6 points per game and quarterback Patrick Mahomes has as many touchdowns as interceptions (six). San Francisco will produce two takeaways to get back above .500 for the first time since Week 1 and give coach Kyle Shanahan his first win in five attempts against the Chiefs. 49ers 27-23.
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Season: 2-4.
Upset of the week
Detroit at Minnesota
At first glance – maybe, all glances – the deck appears stacked against the 4-1 Lions, who have a rest disadvantage (5-0 Minnesota was off last week), are playing on the road for the second consecutive week and start temporary life without star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg). Lions quarterback Jared Goff has had answers for the Vikings’ defense lately with a 114.2 rating and three straight wins. Detroit, a 2½-point underdog, is averaging 30.2 points per game and reaches that mark in a road win. Lions 33-27.
Season: 3-3.
Lock of the week
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona
A big one Monday night for the Chargers (3-2), a 3-point road favorite, as they try to stay within sight of Kansas City in the AFC West. Los Angeles is still finding its way offensively, averaging only 18.2 points and 291 yards per game, but its defense is playing lights out, allowing a league-low 13.2 points per game and ranking tied for third in turnover differential (plus-7). The Cardinals’ defense will allow Los Angeles to reach 30 points for the first time this year. Chargers 31-20.
Season: 3-3.
BUFFALO NEWS STAFF PICKS
Week 7 selections against the spread by staff reporters Jay Skurski, Katherine Fitzgerald, Mark Gaughan and Ryan O’Halloran (*best bet):
Game Jay Skurski Katherine Fitzgerald Mark Gaughan Ryan O’Halloran
Denver (-2) at New Orleans Denver Denver Denver New Orleans
Tennessee (+9) at Bills Bills Bills Bills Tennessee
Philadelphia (-3) at N.Y. Giants Philadelphia Philadelphia Philadelphia N.Y. Giants
New England (+5½) vs. Jacksonville Jacksonville New England New England Jacksonville
Seattle (+3) at Atlanta Atlanta Seattle Atlanta Atlanta
Cincinnati (-6½) at Cleveland Cincinnati* Cincinnati Cincinnati Cleveland
Houston (+2½) at Green Bay Houston Houston Green Bay Green Bay
Miami (+3½) at Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Miami Indianapolis
Detroit (+2½) at Minnesota Detroit Minnesota Detroit Detroit
Las Vegas (+7) at L.A. Rams L.A. Rams L.A. Rams L.A. Rams Las Vegas
Carolina (+7½) at Washington Washington Washington* Washington* Washington
Kansas City (+1½) at San Francisco San Francisco Kansas City Kansas City San Francisco
N.Y. Jets (+1½) at Pittsburgh N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets Pittsburgh
Baltimore (-3½) at Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Baltimore Tampa Bay Baltimore
L.A. Chargers (-3) at Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona L.A. Chargers*
Last week (season) 9-5 (52-37-3) 11-3 (41-48-3) 10-4 (38-51-3) 10-4 (46-43-3)
Best bet (season) 0-1 (5-1) 1-0 (4-2) 1-0 (4-2) 1-0 (3-2-1)