This article is part of our NFL Picks series.
Games
Cincinnati Bengals 
team total Over 23.5 (-125) vs. Green Bay Packers
The Bengals passing offense is among the more explosive in the league, with rookie WR Ja'Marr Chase reuniting with his college QB Joe Burrow to form one of the league's top passing tandems through the first four games. Second-year WR Tee Higgins returns to the lineup this week, which is another huge plus for the Bengals passing attack. These two figure to cause giant problems for the Packers, who will be missing their top cornerback Jaire Alexander due to a shoulder injury. Even with Alexander in the lineup, the Packers have allowed 10 receiving touchdowns this year (one off the league-worst total of 11, allowed by the Buccs/Colts/Falcons). Meanwhile, Joe Burrow has thrown 9 touchdown passes this year, even with Bengals posting the third-fewest passing attempts in the league (107). That efficiency could spike this week, as the injury to Jaire Alexander (combined with the likely absence of Bengals RB Joe Mixon) should lead to more passing from the Bengals, especially in this high-totaled game that could easily evolve into a shootout. The Packers have allowed 38 and 28 points in their two road games thus far, while the Bengals have scored 24+ points in three out of their four games. It seems likely they can do it again here.
Carolina Panthers 
-3.0 (-110) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Panthers have shown themselves to be a decent team thus far, getting good play from QB Sam Darnold and WR D.J. Moore while posting the 7th-most passing yards in the league (even with Christian McCaffrey missing some time). The only game they've had any real trouble in was last week's road loss at Dallas, where they faced (by far) the strongest offense of their four opponents to date. The Eagles haven't shown much outside of an easy road win over the Falcons in their season-opener, and it's hard to see that changing vs. a Panthers defense that has allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the league this year. The Panthers should also be able to run the ball effectively (even with McCaffrey still out), as the Eagles defense has allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league to date. Seems like a small number for the Panthers to be laying at home vs. a vulnerable opponent.
Player Props
Ja'Marr Chase anytime touchdown (+125), Tee Higgins anytime touchdown (+150)
Picking up on the earlier theme, I expect the Bengals passing game to provide most of their scoring here, with Chase/Higgins being the two most likely recipients. There's an excellent chance at least one of them scores here, with both of them scoring being more likely than neither of them scoring.
Ja'Marr Chase over 63.5 receiving yards (-125)
In addition to the expected added volume vs. the Packers, it should be noted that Ja'Marr Chase has caught passes of 34+ yards in all four games this year (50, 42, 34, 44). Seems likely he can get to 64 yards here, especially if the Bengals find themselves playing from behind.
Kareem Hunt over 47.5 rushing yards (-125)
Kareem Hunt has really stepped up recently, as he recorded arguably his best game since he left the Chiefs (10-81 rushing, 6-74 receiving) when facing the Bears a couple of weeks ago. In addition to that performance, it should be noted that Hunt has recorded double-digit rushing attempts (13, 10, 14) in each of his last three games. That seems unlikely to stop this week, as we've just learned that Browns QB Baker Mayfield has been playing with a torn labrum in his shoulder (and has apparently been wearing a harness). Combine this with the fact that the Chargers have allowed a near league-high 5.3 yards per carry (league-worst is 5.4) while allowing the fourth-most rushing yards overall heading into this week's games. There should be plenty of (successful) Browns rushing attempts in this one. Obviously, Nick Chubb (listed at 87.5) is worth a look here as well, but I prefer Hunt at the lower number (he could have 60-70% of Chubb's total carries, and is averaging slightly more yardage than Chubb on a per-carry basis, 5.4 to 5.2).
