Denver Broncos (3-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-4): On Monday, Denver head coach Sean Payton told the media, “I feel like we’re better than we were four or five weeks ago.” The Broncos have won two of their past three games, including a shocking upset over the Chiefs in Week 8.
Conversely, Buffalo has lost two of its last three games.
“Just too inconsistent overall,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said of his team’s struggles following a Week 9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Turnovers have contributed to the erratic play. Buffalo has logged 14 giveaways, tied for the seventh most in the NFL.
Despite the Bills’ problems, oddschecker lists Buffalo as a 7.5-point favorite as of Wednesday. Even though the Broncos are improving, they lack offensive firepower. They’re 16th in the NFL in points scored (21.5) and 28th in passing yards (185.4). The explosive Buffalo offense — fifth in points scored (26.7) — gives it the upper hand.
PREDICTION: Bills, 31-21
New York Jets (4-4) at Las Vegas Raiders (4-5): After an awful start, can the Raiders turn things around under interim HC Antonio Pierce?
Wrote ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: “Perhaps Pierce can have a similar effect” to the Raiders last interim, Rich Bisaccia, who led them to a playoff appearance in 2021.
Meanwhile, New York’s offense — 30th in the NFL in points scored (16.5) — keeps faltering. Some of the struggles tie to the play of third-year QB Zach Wilson, who has posted a below-average 32.3 QBR. On Tuesday, New York HC Robert Saleh said he’s not making a change, and it’s “lazy” to pin all problems on Wilson.
To be fair to Wilson, the O-line has allowed 32 sacks, the third most in the league. Don’t be surprised if Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby — who’s tied for second in the league in sacks (9.5) — dominates and leads Las Vegas to a second straight win.
PREDICTION: Raiders, 21-17
Detroit Lions (6-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (4-4): On Tuesday, Lions QB Jared Goff said, “There’s a lot of meat left on the bone, both for offense and defense,” and noted the team has only played one complete game despite its impressive start.
Concerns about Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, hampered by a fractured left middle finger, are growing. In a Week 9 victory against the Jets, he recorded season lows in completion percentage (53.3) and passer rating (65.4).
Since Herbert’s floundering, don’t be surprised if he struggles against a fearsome Detroit defense, which has the ninth-best pressure rate (25.5 percent) in the NFL. As of Wednesday, oddschecker lists the Lions as 2.5-point favorites.
PREDICTION: Lions, 28-20