Best bet

JETS vs VIKINGS

Time: 8:30 a.m., London, NFL.

Line: Vikings at 2½.

In total: 40½.

Records (Total/ATS): nozzles 2-2/2-2; Vikings 4-0/4-0.

The Texans were a perfect opponent for the Bears with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Unlike crazy competition for teams with great coaches, better supporting casts or simply better quarterback prospects, the Texans were in no better position than the 2024 Bears when CJ Stroud arrived last season – a first-year head coach, an untested, first-time offensive coordinator, modest weapons and a rebuilt offensive line around Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

However, there was a possible error in the composition. The Texans played in the mediocre-at-best AFC South, where they went 4-2 last season on the way to 10-7. The Bears play in the NFC North with the Packers, Lions and Vikings, who have each won a division title in the last three years.

Still, it didn’t seem to be an obstacle to the Bears’ rebuild. While they traditionally struggle against the Packers, the Bears traditionally play tougher against the Lions than most – last season they lost in the final three minutes at Ford Field and then beat them convincingly at Soldier Field.

And the Vikings, who fell from 13-4 in 2022 to 7-10 last season after Kirk Cousins ​​was injured in Week 8, appeared headed for an even bigger decline after Cousins ​​left in free agency JJ McCarthy, No. 10 overall, suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.

But maybe not.

Not only have the Vikings remained competitive after losing Cousins ​​and defensive end Danielle Hunter (16.5 sacks last season) in free agency, they are also thriving under third-year coach Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores , second-year defensive coordinator. They are 4-0, including wins over three opponents – the 49ers (23-17), Texans (34-7) and Packers (31-29 at Lambeau Field).

O’Connell, another Sean McVay protégé — he was McVay’s offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021 — has worked wonders with Sam Darnold, the third-overall draft pick in 2018 who was a bust in six seasons with the Jets, Panthers and 49ers was – 21-35 as a starter with a passer rating of 78.3.

With the Vikings, Darnold leads the NFL in passer rating (118.9) with 11 touchdown passes and three interceptions.

The defense, which ranked 29th in scoring before Flores’ arrival, was 13th last season and sits fourth after four games in 2024. Critics are waiting for the clock to strike midnight on Darnold, but right now it doesn’t look like it’s close.

Choose: Vikings 24, Jets 14.

TOP GAMES

PANTHER at BEARS

Time: Noon, Fox 32.

Line: Bears at 4.

In total: 41½.

Records (Total/ATS): Panthers 1-3/1-3; Bears 2-2/2-1-1.

Outlook: The football gods seem determined to make Caleb Williams a quarterback, whether the Bears are up to the job or not. After facing the 31st-ranked Colts and 32nd-ranked Rams, the Bears now face the 28th-ranked Panthers, who are allowing 32.3 points per game. Difficult situation for ex-Bears quarterback Andy Dalton against a strong and balanced Bears defense.

Choose: Bears 31, Panthers 17.

BILLS at TEXANS

Time: Midday.

Line: Invoices by 1.

In total: 48.

Records (Total/ATS): Bills 3-1/2-2; Texans 3-1/0-3-1.

Outlook: Bills are on the right track after being humiliated in a 35-10 loss to the Ravens – and never recover after allowing Derrick Henry’s 87-yard run on the Ravens’ first offensive play. Now they will be without Von Miller, who was suspended for violating the league’s code of conduct. Miller isn’t the player he was, but had three sacks in four games.

Choose: Bills 27, Texans 20.

PACKERS at RAMS

Time: 3:25 p.m., CBS 2.

Line: Packers at 3.

In total: 48½.

Records (Total/ATS): Packers 2-2/2-2; Rams 1-3/1-3.

Outlook: After defeating the Colts and Titans with Malik Willis at quarterback, the Packers, with Jordan Love behind them, lost to the Vikings 31-29 in Lambeau. Love’s rust showed early as he threw two INTs in the first half as the Packers fell behind 28-0 before recovering. I love being in a much better mood here.

Choose: Packers 34, Rams 17.

THE REST OF THE GAMES

DOLPHINS at PATRIOTS

Time: Midday.

Line: Patriots at 1. In total: 37.

Records (Total/ATS): Dolphins 1-3/0-4; Patriots 1-3/1-2-1.

Outlook: The Dolphins’ offense wasn’t great with Tua Tagovailoa in Weeks 1-2, but has been abysmal since Tua left with a concussion in Week 2 against the Bills – just 15 points in nine quarters. Tyler Huntley replaced Skylar Thompson last week and he hasn’t fared any better. Tyreek Hill, who had seven catches for 140 yards in Week 1, has 10 for 87 yards in three games without Tagovailoa.

Choose: Patriots 17, Dolphins 13.

RABS at BENGALS

Time: Noon, CBS 2.

Line: Ravens at 2½. In total: 48½.

Records (Total/ATS): Ravens 2-2/2-2; Bengals 1-3/2-2.

Outlook: The Ravens can’t beat the Chiefs, but they do pretty well against all other contenders with great/good quarterbacks – they beat the Bills and Josh Allen last week after beating the Cowboys and Dak Prescott in Week 3. Derrick Henry’s rushing totals have increased each week – 46, 84, 151 and 199 last week, including an 87-yard touchdown. Joe Burrow is good but doesn’t play defense.

Choose: Ravens 27, Bengals 24.

BROWNS at COMMANDERS

Time: Midday.

Line: Commanders at 3½. In total: 43½.

Records (Total/ATS): Browns 1-3/1-3; Commanders 3-1/3-1.

Outlook: Surprise teams like the Commanders often hit the wall at some point. But also the Commanders – third in scoring (30.3 ppg) behind rookie QB Jayden Daniels (107.4 points, 82.1% completions) and OC Kliff Kingsbury after wins against the Bengals (38-33) and Cardinals (42 -14) – have improved the most running game in the NFL. They moved from 27th (93.6) to third (169.3) in 2023.

Choose: Commanders 26, Browns 22.

COLTS at JAGUARS

Time: Midday.

Line: Jaguars at 3. In total: 46.

Records (Total/ATS): colt 2-2/3-1; Jaguars 0-4/2-2.

Outlook: Both teams have been looking for an elite quarterback in recent seasons, but the Jaguars are going with the same guy. Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, made the Pro Bowl in his second season (25 TDs, 8 INTs, 95.2) but has regressed since then. And now coach Doug Pederson appears to be reeling.

Choose: Colts 20, Jaguars 17.

CARDINALS at 49ERS

Time: 3:05 p.m

Line: 49ers at 7½. In total: 50.

Records (Total/ATS): Cardinals 1-3/2-2; 49ers 2-2/2-2.

Outlook: Underdogs with seven or more points are 5-2 SU/5-1-1 ATS this season. The Cardinals have only beaten the undermanned Rams (in a 41-10 loss), but their losses come to the Bills (3-1), Lions (3-1) and Commanders (3-1). However, Niners are getting healthier.

Choose: 49ers 30, Cardinals 23.

GIANTS at SEAHAWKS

Time: 3:25 p.m

Line: Seahawks at 6. In total: 43½.

Records (Total/ATS): Giants 1-3/1-2-1; Seahawks 3-1/1-2-1.

Outlook: The Giants improved last week against the rival Cowboys. They seem more likely to return to form here – the Giants are 0-4 SU/ATS over the last three seasons on the West Coast, losing to the Chargers, Seahawks, 49ers and Raiders. But it’s the NFL.

Choose: Giants 24, Seahawks 23.

RAIDERS at BRONCOS

Time: 3:05 p.m

Line: Broncos by 3. In total: 36.

Records (Total/ATS): Raiders 2-2/2-2; Broncos 2-2/3-1.

Outlook: Sean Payton’s Broncos have bounced back from an 0-2 start against rookie QB Bo Nix with wins over the Bucs and Jets, but their defense is doing the heavy lifting, allowing 16 points in the two wins.

Choose: Broncos 23, Raiders 19.

COWBOYS at STEELERS

Time: 7:20 p.m., NBC 5.

Line: Steelers up 2. In total: 44½.

Records (Total/ATS): Cowboys 2-2/1-2-1; Steelers 3-1/3-1.

Outlook: The Steelers squandered Justin Fields’ best total yards of 367 yards and lost as away favorites when Colts backup Joe Flacco threw two touchdowns. A tip for all young sports bettors: Don’t punish the team that burned you.

Choose: Steelers 23, Cowboys 20.

SAINTS at CHIEFS

Time: 7:15 p.m., Monday, ESPN.

Line: Chiefs at 5. In total: 43½.

Records (Total/ATS): Saints 2-2/3-1; Chiefs 4-0/3-1.

Outlook: The Chiefs still lead a charmed life – winning by 7, 1, 5 and 7 points. They lost No. 1 WR Rashee Rice (24-288, 2 TDs) to a knee injury to the Chargers, but with Patrick Mahomes around, it’s never as bad as it looks.

Choose: Chiefs 19, Saints 17.