Will Levis has a quick turnaround to follow up an impressive debut.
The Tennessee Titans’ rookie quarterback makes his second start Thursday night on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He won’t have to face injured All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, but he can expect to see plenty of T.J. Watt. Levis revived Tennessee’s passing attack, showing off his big arm with four touchdown passes in a win over Atlanta.
The Titans (3-4) don’t have to put all the pressure on Levis and DeAndre Hopkins because they still have star running back Derrick Henry, who wasn’t moved at the trade deadline.
Kenny Pickett plans to start for the Steelers (4-3) despite finishing a loss to Jacksonville on the sideline with a rib injury.
The Steelers are 2½-point favourites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks leans toward the home team.
STEELERS, 20-16
Miami vs. Kansas City, in Germany
Line: KC minus 1½
A potential preview of the AFC championship game featuring two of the league’s most prolific offences and quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes and KC (6-2) look to get back on track after their six-game winning streak ended in Denver last week. The Dolphins (6-2) have the league’s highest-scoring offence and are No. 1 in rushing and passing. Kansas City’s No. 4 ranked defence gives them a slight edge.
BEST BET: KC, 31-23
Tampa Bay at Houston
Line: Texans minus 3
Despite a three-game losing streak, the Buccaneers (3-4) are in the mix in a mediocre division. Baker Mayfield and the offence have struggled but the defence has 13 take-aways. The Texans (3-4) are going the opposite direction, having won three of five after an 0-2 start. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud is coming off his least productive game as a pro.
UPSET SPECIAL: BUCCANEERS, 20-19
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay
Line: Packers minus 3
The Packers (2-5) have played sloppy football during a four-game losing streak and slow starts have hurt them. The Rams (3-5) could be without QB Matthew Stafford because of a thumb injury.
PACKERS, 24-17
Washington at New England
Line: Patriots minus 3½
The Commanders (3-5) pushed Philadelphia to the limit and then traded their two top pass rushers. QB Mac Jones and the Patriots (2-6) will benefit most from Washington’s fire sale this week.
PATRIOTS, 23-22
Chicago at New Orleans
Line: Saints minus 7½
Derek Carr and the Saints (4-4) seem to be coming around on offence. Their defence is already among the best in the league. Maybe Montez Sweat can bolster Chicago’s defence. The Bears (2-6) won’t have QB Justin Fields for a third straight game.
SAINTS, 27-13
Minnesota at Atlanta
Line: Falcons minus 4½
No Kirk Cousins for the first time and no Justin Jefferson for the fourth straight game for the Vikings (4-4). Rookie QB Jaren Hall gets the start for Minnesota, which has won three in a row. The Falcons (4-4) are turning to Taylor Heinicke over Desmond Ridder.
FALCONS, 23-20
Arizona at Cleveland
Line: Browns minus 7½
Too many questions at quarterback for both teams. Deshaun Watson or P.J. Walker for the Browns (4-3). Rookie Clayton Tune or Kyler Murray for the Cardinals (1-7). Arizona has no reason to rush Murray back to the lineup.
BROWNS, 26-12
Seattle at Baltimore
Line: Ravens minus 5½
The first-place Seahawks (5-2) don’t seem to be getting much respect from oddsmakers. The Ravens (6-2) have won three in a row and kick off a three-game homestand. Baltimore’s formula for success is consistent. They have the league’s No. 2 defence and No. 3 rushing offence.
RAVENS, 22-20
Indianapolis at Carolina
Line: Colts minus 2½
Colts QB Gardner Minshew has been a turnover machine during a three-game losing streak yet Indianapolis is a road favourite against a team that finally earned its first win of the season. The Panthers (1-6) are sure going to want to win one for coach Frank Reich, who was fired last season by the Colts.
PANTHERS, 23-19
Dallas at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles minus 3
The Cowboys (5-2) have to go through the Eagles (7-1) to get where they want to go. Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown have carried Philadelphia’s offence lately. Micah Parsons and Dallas’ defence present a difficult challenge. The Eagles should be up for it.
EAGLES, 30-26
New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders
Line: Raiders minus 1½
The Raiders (3-5) are in disarray after firing coach Josh McDaniels. The Giants (2-6) have plenty of issues of their own.
RAIDERS, 17-13
Buffalo at Cincinnati
Line: Bengals minus 1½
Joe Burrow and the Bengals (4-3) have hit their stride after a poor start. The inconsistent Bills (5-3) look to avenge a playoff loss in the divisional round. It’ll be an emotional return for Damar Hamlin and his teammates.
BENGALS, 27-24
Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets
Line: Chargers minus 3
The Chargers (3-4) and Jets (4-3) could be fighting for the AFC’s last wild-card spot so the winner gets an edge. Justin Herbert has a tough task throwing against Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed and New York’s fifth-ranked pass defence. Jets QB Zach Wilson made a couple of big-time plays in the clutch last week.
JETS, 19-18
Last week: Straight up: 11-5. Against spread: 8-7-1
Overall: Straight up: 80-42. Against spread: 66-51-5.
Best Bet: Straight up: 6-2. Against spread: 3-4-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 6-2. Against spread: 6-2.
Thursday: Straight up: 6-2. Against spread: 7-1.
Monday: Straight up: 7-3. Against spread: 8-1-1.