Pro Picks: Eagles will get back on
track with a victory at Minnesota
[October 16, 2025]
By ROB MAADDI
The Philadelphia Eagles had a few extra days off to seethe and
regroup after a humiliating loss to the New York Giants.
The Minnesota Vikings (3-2) had an extra week off to rest, prepare
and let their ailing quarterbacks heal up.
Critics were bashing Philadelphia (4-2) after a 4-0 start because an
offense featuring Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown looked
stagnant and predictable. The defending Super Bowl champions are
hearing even more criticism following losses to Denver and New York.
It won’t get easier for Hurts and Co. against Minnesota’s defense.
The Vikings are 2-1 with Carson Wentz. He’s dealing with a shoulder
injury and would face the team that drafted him if he can play and
J.J. McCarthy can’t. McCarthy is trying to return from an ankle
injury after splitting his first two career starts.
The Eagles are 2-point favorites on the road, per BetMGM Sportsbook.
Pro Picks sees Philadelphia rebounding no matter who is under center
in Minnesota.
BEST BET: EAGLES 26-18
Indianapolis (5-1) at LA Chargers (4-2)
Line: Chargers minus 1 1/2
Daniel Jones has revived his career in Indianapolis and Jonathan
Taylor is having an outstanding season. He’ll be running against a
defense that allowed De’Von Achane to average 8.0 yards per carry
last week. Justin Herbert rallied the Chargers to a win at Miami and
third-string running back Kimani Vidal had a breakout game. A
depleted offensive line needs to protect Herbert, though the Colts
have the fewest sacks in the NFL. Jim Harbaugh hasn’t lost four
straight games against the spread in his career.
UPSET SPECIAL: COLTS: 23-21
Pittsburgh (4-1) at Cincinnati (2-4)
Line: Steelers minus 5 1/2
Aaron Rodgers vs. Joe Flacco. Advantage goes to the Steelers, who
can increase their lead in the AFC North with a victory over the
reeling Bengals. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is 4-1 straight up and
ATS against Bengals coach Zac Taylor when Joe Burrow isn’t playing.
But Pittsburgh is 2-8 straight up, 3-7 ATS on Thursday nights under
Tomlin.
STEELERS: 23-18
LA Rams (4-2) vs. Jacksonville (4-2), in London
Line: Rams minus 3
A stingy defense led the Rams to a victory last week, but they’ll
need Matthew Stafford and the offense to get on track against the
Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence needs better protection, especially against
a fierce pass rush. Jacksonville won’t have linebacker Devin Lloyd,
who was the AFC defensive player of the month in September. Los
Angeles is 2-0 in international games under coach Sean McVay. The
Jaguars are 7-6 abroad.
RAMS: 24-20
Las Vegas (2-4) at Kansas City (3-3)
Line: Chiefs minus 12
Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty and the rest of the Raiders' offense is
underachieving. But they’ve played well against Kansas City in
recent years, winning twice on the road since 2020. The Chiefs are
back after an 0-2 start, and looked like contenders in a convincing
win over Detroit. Rashee Rice is returning to give Patrick Mahomes
another playmaker. The Chiefs are 9-0 straight up, but 1-7-1 ATS
under Mahomes as a favorite of six points or more over the past two
seasons.
CHIEFS: 27-16
New Orleans (1-5) at Chicago (3-2)
Line: Bears minus 5 1/2
The Saints have been competitive in losses. They haven’t started 1-5
since 1999 and have defeated the Bears eight straight games. Coming
off an impressive Monday night win at Washington, Caleb Williams and
the Bears have to avoid a letdown on a quick turnaround. They’re 0-4
with Williams on short rest.
BEARS: 20-17
Miami (1-5) at Cleveland (1-5)
Line: Browns minus 3
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat and a loss to the
Browns could be the final straw. Tua Tagovailoa needs to put up
after calling out teammates. Won’t be easy against Myles Garrett and
a tough defense. Rookie Dillon Gabriel makes his third start for
Cleveland, which has scored 17 points or fewer in 11 straight games.
The Browns are 0-5 straight up as favorites the past two seasons.
BROWNS: 19-17
New England (4-2) at Tennessee (1-5)
Line: Patriots minus 7
Mike Vrabel goes back to Tennessee with his first-place Patriots in
the first game since the Titans fired the coach who replaced him.
Drake Maye is playing at a high level under offensive coordinator
Josh McDaniels. Cam Ward has an interim coach for the next 11 games.
It’s a bad situation for a rookie quarterback.
Patriots 24-13
[to top of second column] |
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) fails to catch
the ball as Cleveland Browns Greg Newsome II challenges during the
first half of the NFL game between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland
Browns at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 5,
2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Carolina (3-3) at New York Jets (0-6)
Line: Panthers minus 2
Rico Dowdle has helped the Panthers win two in a row to even their
record. He has 473 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the
past two games. The Jets had a chance to upset the Broncos in London
but Justin Fields struggled and Aaron Glenn made questionable
coaching decisions. Carolina is 0-10 straight up and ATS as a
favorite since 2021.
PANTHERS: 24-17
New York Giants (2-4) at Denver (4-2)
Line: Broncos minus 7
Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo have brought excitement and a pair of
wins to New York, and the Giants have a formidable front four.
Defense has carried the Broncos, who need more from their offense
after a lackluster performance in London. Denver is 4-0 ATS the week
after scoring fewer than 14 points under Sean Payton.
BRONCOS: 24-16
Washington (3-3) at Dallas (2-3-1)
Line: Commanders minus 2
The Commanders aren’t playing like the team that reached the NFC
championship game last season. Jayden Daniels and the offense need
to get going. Playing against the worst defense in the NFL should
help. But Washington’s defense has struggled, too. The Cowboys
present a major challenge offensively. Dak Prescott is playing at an
MVP level so this could be a shootout.
COMMANDERS: 33-30
Green Bay (3-1-1) at Arizona (2-4)
Line: Packers minus 6 1/2
Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs have been productive, and Micah Parsons
has been a disruptive force yet the Packers haven’t been dominant
the past three games. Jacoby Brissett nearly led the Cardinals to an
upset in Indianapolis while filling in for Kyler Murray. Quarterback
controversy? Not really. The Packers are 16-2 straight up under
coach Matt LaFleur against backups.
PACKERS: 30-19
Atlanta (3-2) at San Francisco (4-2)
Line: 49ers minus 2
Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson were impressive in a Monday
night win over Buffalo. The Falcons have a quick turnaround for a
trip to the West Coast to face a 49ers team decimated by injuries.
Losing All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner for the season was a crushing
blow for San Francisco. If Brock Purdy and George Kittle return,
that’ll be a major boost.
49ERS: 23-20
Tampa Bay (5-1) at Detroit (4-2)
Line: Lions minus 5 1/2
Baker Mayfield is doing whatever it takes to win games for the
Buccaneers, who will be missing at least three of their top four
receivers and possibly all four if Mike Evans doesn’t return. The
Lions have injuries in their secondary and Brian Branch is suspended
so that could help even things out. Jared Goff and Detroit’s dynamic
offense struggled in Kansas City. Now, they have to face Todd
Bowles’ defense.
LIONS: 30-27
Houston (2-3) at Seattle (4-2)
Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2
The Texans have won two in a row after opening 0-3 and will have
gone 15 days between games by the time this one kicks off. Houston
has the league’s stingiest defense, allowing 12.2 points per game.
The Seahawks are 10-1 on the road and only 4-8 at home under coach
Mike Macdonald. But Sam Darnold is 14-4 when facing teams that allow
fewer than 20 points per game.
SEAHAWKS: 21-16
___
Last week: Straight up: 11-4. Against spread: 8-7.
Overall: Straight up: 66-26-1. Against spread: 47-45-1.
Prime-time: Straight up: 11-10-1. Against spread: 9-13.
Best Bet: Straight up: 5-1. Against spread: 4-2.
Upset Special: Straight up: 5-1. Against spread: 5-1.
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