Trevor Lawrence didn’t get much time to rest his banged-up knee.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) and their hobbled quarterback take a three-game winning streak to New Orleans (3-3) to face Derek Carr and the Saints on Thursday night.
Lawrence, who is wearing a brace after spraining his knee late last week, aims to play. How effective he’ll be is the big question. If needed, the Jaguars will turn to veteran C.J. Beathard.
The Jaguars shouldn’t need too much offence thanks to an improved defence that leads the NFL in takeaways and has allowed 15.7 points per game the past three weeks.
Also, Carr hasn’t given the Saints a big boost on offence just yet. They’re 24th in scoring and 20th in total yards.
Lawrence’s iffy status makes the Saints 1½-point favourites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. In a week filled with road favourites – six total – Pro Picks likes a road underdog.
JAGUARS, 20-17
Buffalo at New England
Line: Bills minus 8½
The Patriots (1-5) are a disaster for the first time in Bill Belichick’s tenure. The Bills (4-2) were lucky to escape with a win last week and that near-upset should’ve served as a wake-up call.
BEST BET: BILLS, 30-13
Green Bay at Denver
Line: Packers minus 1½
Sean Payton is off to his worst start as a head coach in his first season with the Broncos (1-5). Struggling Jordan Love and the Packers (2-3) provide an opportunity for Payton, Russell Wilson and the Broncos to get on the winning track.
UPSET SPECIAL: Broncos, 19-17
Cleveland at Indianapolis
Line: Browns minus 2½
The Colts (3-3) need to rely on Jonathan Taylor now that Anthony Richardson is done for the season. If Deshaun Watson doesn’t return from a shoulder injury, the Browns (3-2) can count on a stingy defence that helped them upset the 49ers.
BROWNS, 20-12
Washington at New York Giants
Line: Commanders minus 2
The Giants (1-5) would’ve upset Buffalo on the road if two drives didn’t stall at the 1 to end both halves. They’ll likely start backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor again this week in a winnable game against the Commanders (3-3). Washington can’t afford a letdown as it aims for a second road win in two weeks.
GIANTS, 17-16
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
Line: Buccaneers minus 2½
This NFC South matchup will help determine whether the Buccaneers (3-2) or Falcons (3-3) are real contenders in the division. Tampa needs to improve its woeful rushing attack to help out Baker Mayfield. That’ll be difficult against Atlanta’s defence, but Desmond Ridder faces a tough challenge against the Bucs defence.
BUCCANEERS, 23-17
Las Vegas at Chicago
Line: Raiders minus 3
A potential battle of backup quarterbacks with Justin Fields sidelined by a thumb injury for the Bears (1-5) and Jimmy Garoppolo dealing with a back injury for the Raiders (2-4). Las Vegas isn’t good enough to be a road favourite, even against lowly Chicago.
BEARS, 16-13
Detroit at Baltimore
Line: Ravens minus 3
The Lions (5-1) are off to their best start since 2011 and looking to improve to 4-0 on the road. The Ravens (4-2) try to avoid a London hangover. They can’t settle for six field goals against Jared Goff and Detroit’s offence.
LIONS, 26-22
Pittsburgh at Los Angeles Rams
Line: Rams minus 3
Perhaps a bye helped the Steelers (3-2) figure out how to score points. The Rams (3-3) have an opportunity to get over .500 in a season that began with low expectations.
RAMS, 23-21
Arizona at Seattle
Line: Seahawks minus 7
Rookie coach Jonathan Gannon has the Cardinals (1-5) playing hard, but they’re just too overmatched. The Seahawks (3-2) need to bounce back after a mistake-filled loss in Cincinnati in which Geno Smith threw two picks.
SEAHAWKS, 26-17
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City
Line: KC minus 5½
The Chiefs (5-1) are winning despite a spotty offence thanks to a suddenly strong defence. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co. should get going against the Chargers (2-3).
KC, 29-20
Miami at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles minus 2
A pair of 5-1 teams with high-powered offences led by former Alabama teammates Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa is the marquee matchup NBC wanted for Sunday Night Football when the schedule came out. It should be a shootout with home-field advantage giving the Eagles an edge over the Dolphins.
EAGLES, 30-27
San Francisco at Minnesota
Line: 49ers minus 7
Brock Purdy and the 49ers (5-1) need Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel back. Winning a second straight game without Justin Jefferson won’t be easy for the Vikings (2-4) against San Francisco’s stout defence.
49ERS, 23-17
Last week: Straight up: 11-4. Against spread: 6-9
Overall: Straight up: 61-32. Against spread: 49-40-4.
Best Bet: Straight up: 5-1. Against spread: 3-2-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 4-2. Against spread: 4-2.
Thursday: Straight up: 4-2. Against spread: 5-1.
Monday: Straight up: 6-2. Against spread: 6-1-1.