Jets (4-2) at Denver Broncos (2-4), 4:05 p.m. CBS
Line: Broncos -.5 | Total: 38
The Jets are 4-2 and playing with a confidence bolstered by the performance of rookie running back Breece Hall, who accounted for most of the Jets’ yards before the scrimmage, underscoring just how fond this team is of him and the running game depends .
The Broncos’ impressive defense surpassed high expectations from last season, holding Chargers quarterback Justin Hebert to his first game without a passing touchdown in a game Los Angeles still managed to win. Denver will need its strong defense as quarterback Russell Wilson struggles with shoulder and hamstring injuries. Despite these teams’ inverted records, the Broncos are anywhere from a half to a point and a half. Pick: Broncos -.5
Green Bay Packers (3-3) at Washington Commanders (2-4), 1 p.m. Fox
Line: Washington +5.5 | Total: 42
Aaron Rodgers has thrown just 29 percent of his shots for 20 yards this season. It’s a paltry number for the long passes that have been his trademark, having completed 65.4 percent of them over the course of his career. A thumb injury on his throwing hand in Week 5 could hit him as well as the Packers’ mediocre receiving corps.
Washington quarterback Carson Wentz also injured a finger on his throwing hand and will be out for Sunday’s game to recover from surgery. Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, whose 15-start performance for Washington last season prompted the team to trade for Wentz, could be an upgrade. Wentz’s 62.1 completion percentage ranks 22nd in the league while beating most starters with his six interceptions (third) and 23 sacks (tie first). Green Bay is run-prone, which is good for a Commanders team that relies on its running backs. Choice: Commanders +5.5
Cleveland Browns (2-4) at Baltimore Ravens (3-3), 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Ravens -6.5 | Total: 45.5
Last week, the Ravens finally got a good rushing play from someone other than Lamar Jackson when Kenyan Drake rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown. This should be the missing ingredient to Baltimore’s offense, which has given the team an early lead in each of their three losses before opponents took the lead in the final two minutes of games.
The Ravens’ rushing ability should bear fruit against AFC North rivals Browns, who gave up the league’s ninth-most rushing yards with 789. Despite their .500 record, the Ravens are statistically one of the strongest teams in the league. If they run the ball as well as they did last week, Baltimore should win at home. Selection: Ravens -6.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-5), 1 p.m. Fox
Line: Panther +10.5 | Total: 40.5
The Panthers are 10.5 points at home, the widest spread on the board this week, after their offense scored just 3 points in last week’s loss to the Rams. Carolina backup PJ Walker injured his neck during that game but was scheduled to start against Tampa Bay.