This article is part of our NFL Picks series.
Games
Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5
The Steelers are reeling after three straight losses but they'll be home and were favorites when this line originally came out. I think both defenses are solid and this game probably comes down to which old man quarterback - Ben Roethlisberger or Philip Rivers - makes the fewest mistakes. If you want to be a little risk-averse, I don't mind going Pittsburgh +3.5 here for -139.
Jacksonville Jaguars +7
At times this week, this line was 7.5, which I liked much better. I'd wait to take this as I think it could creep back up to that between now and game time, I don't see it dipping below 7. While this isn't the greatest analysis, I feel like with two straight wins people are buying into the Bears and now they're due to a letdown. Before those two wins they lost six straight and while I'm not thrilled about James Robinson likely to miss this game, I think it's Gardner Minshew and his receivers that make the difference. Don't be surprised either if we see Mitchell Trubisky have a bad game.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks Over 47.5 Points
The Rams looked awful last week and they're a good enough team (and facing a questionable defense) that I'd be surprised if they didn't bounce back. While the Rams defense has been very good this season, I can't bet against Russell Wilson and his upside. Without Cam Akers and given how suspect the Seahawks defense has been this season, I think the Rams game plan is put this game in the hands $100 million Jared Goff. More throwing should lead to more scoring which is why I like the over.
Player Props
Le'Veon Bell Over 21.5 Receiving Yards (+100)
Bell had a catch for 14 yards last week while only playing 31 offensive snaps and that number is almost guaranteed to rise this week with Clyde Edwards-Helaire sidelined. CEH had eight targets over his last two games (obviously one being with Bell) so it's almost certain Bell gets at least 3-4 targets.
Jared Goff Over 277.5 Passing Yards
Goff has hit this over only once in his past four games and that may have actually suppressed this number for this week. Goff already has a 300-yard games under his belt against Seattle and as already stated, I expect them to bounce back this week.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Over 55.5 Receiving Yards
This feels like a trap to me given that JuJu hasn't gone over this number in any of his last five games. However, he's averaging eight targets over his last four games and after "DanceGate" this week (and JuJu backing off said TikToks) there should be a concerted effort to get him the ball.
Tyreek Hill Under 77.5 Receiving Yards (+100)
I'd wait until Sunday to take this wager as I can see that once he's officially active, this number could go up. I'd expect Hill should be somewhat limited and there's a better than normal chance he leaves this game after re-tweaking his hamstring. If the game narrative goes as planned, the Chiefs could sit him late in the game as a precaution, looking at the bigger picture.
Player Touchdowns
Donald Parham +300
In case you aren't familiar with the fantasy stylings of Donald Parham, he's going to be the main tight end for the Chargers this week with Hunter Henry out. Henry has gotten a ton of red-zone targets and Parham is a large man at 6-foot-8. Given the odds and upside, this is the "player touchdown" I like the best this week.
Dare Ogunbowale +550, Devine Ozigbo +600
James Robinson is listed as questionable and didn't practice Friday but he seems like he has a 50/50 chance to play. Only if he's ruled out, I'd take this wager. If that's the case you're basically getting the Jacksonville team RB at a tad under +300 to score. Anytime you can do that, I think you take that wager. While it's a longshot, both could score without Robinson making this a low-risk, high ceiling wager.
Melvin Gordon -139
Phillip Lindsay has been ruled out and Royce Freeman is banged up. Gordon should handle all of the goal line work and be in line for around 20 touches as well. If you buy into the "revenge game", that's in play here as well.