Our best bets had another winning weekend last week, going 3-2. That puts our season total up to 17-13. Let’s have another winning week. Here are the picks.

Lions +7.5 over Cowboys

This is my favorite pick of the week. Many have faded the Lions after being shut out by the Patriots two weeks ago. However, Detroit missed multiple key players, including DJ Chark, D’Andre Swift, and more. While Chark will be out for this contest, Swift will return, and star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown should be in total health after the bye.

For the Cowboys, all signs indicate QB Dak Prescott will be under center after missing five games with a hand injury. However, given that his backup, Cooper Rush, performed efficiently in his absence, Dak’s presence may make little difference in this matchup. The Lions have one of the worst defenses in the league, so scoring on Detroit should be easy enough.

Still, as terrible as the Lions’ defense may be, their offense is a scoring machine. While Dallas’ defense will be the toughest matchup to date, don’t forget this Lions’ squad managed to post 35 points against the Eagles’ potent defense in Week 1. There’s a solid chance the Lions could pull off the remarkable upset, but I’m not willing to go that far. I’ll gladly take the points.

Bengals -7 over Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have been a bettor’s dream this season, with a perfect record of 6-0 ATS. However, all good things must eventually come to an end. In this case, it will be this weekend against a rejuvenated Bengals team.

Following a slow start, the Bengals have seemed to right their ship, winning three of their last four. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase rekindled their chemistry last week when Chase caught a 40-yard TD pass to seal the win against the Saints. At home in Cincinnati, expect the Bengals to drive up the score on an overperforming Falcons’ defense. 

While Atlanta has managed to pull off impressive upsets, such as the 49ers most recently, this team does not match up well against a healthy Bengals defense. Cincy should be able to take away the running game from the Falcons, which has been their strength, and force Marcus Mariota to beat them through the air. Desmond Ridder may want to get ready on the sideline. The Bengals win and cover.

Bucs -13 over Panthers

When the Panthers traded away their franchise RB Christian McCaffrey late Thursday night, it signaled Carolina was finally ready to wave the white flag on this season and begin their rebuild. It’s been a disastrous season for a team many pegged to be a sleeper to clinch a Wild Card berth. First, head coach Matt Rhule was fired after a 1-4 start, then QB Baker Mayfield was declared out with a high ankle sprain. From there, it only went from bad to worse when WR Robbie Anderson was kicked out of the game against the Rams and traded to the Cardinals the following day. 

Even though the Bucs also started the season on a disappointing note, they should easily be able to drive up the score on a team tanking for the No. 1 pick in April. Tom Brady has heard criticism all week, from his outburst at his offensive linemen to the tabloid reports after his personal life. If there was a game to bounce back, it is this one. I am curious to know how Carolina will manage to score in this game. Take the Bucs.

Seahawks +5 over Chargers

I am not advocating an upset, but the Seahawks will keep this contest close. For one, the Chargers are playing on a short week after an OT win on Monday night against the Broncos. And two, the Seahawks’ rookies have proved they have a bright future on this team, both on the offense and defense. 

The Chargers still are dealing with some injuries on both sides of the ball, and the offense hasn’t looked the same since LT Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. The Seahawks’ improved defensive unit should be able to keep RB Austin Ekeler and WR Mike Williams at bay and apply plenty of pressure to QB Justin Herbert.

For Seattle, rookie RB Kenneth Walker III has emerged as a true playmaker since Rashaad Penny went down for the year. The combination of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett should expose the Chargers’ subpar pass defense. Geno Smith is loving every minute of this. Take the Seahawks to cover.

Dolphins -7 over Steelers

Tua is back. That is the major news entering this matchup. After back-to-back weeks between Skylar Thompson and Teddy Bridgewater, the Dolphins’ offense should return to the juggernaut they were when Tua was under center. The Tyreek Hill-Jaylen Waddle tandem should be able to capitalize on a depleted Pittsburgh secondary and drive up the points on the scoreboard.

For the Steelers, after Mitch Trubisky led Pittsburgh on a game-winning drive against Tampa Bay, it appears he will resume his backup duties as Kenny Pickett returns. That bodes well for Miami’s defense which should feast on Pickett’s inexperience. We saw Buffalo completely demolish Pickett and the Steelers two weeks ago. Expect more of the same from a Dolphins squad that will be energized with their QB’s return.