Home team in CAPS:

A simple question of preferring the underrated Panthers as tangible ’dogs against this side. Carolina fills this bill for us, nicely. 

Focused, dedicated overachievers continue to show to best advantage, with their clear-cut knowledge and redoubtable experience as they seek to maintain their optimum health and fervor, and strive to take further long steps forward. The Broncos have lost a couple of tough ones and appear to be up against it, competitiveness-wise. Look to roll with the hot side. 

Not expecting easy pickings on either side, but would be willing to nibble on the homestanding green-and-whites at fair market value. Meadowlands home side could be worth a nibble, while the Pats are not quite valued at their likely peak. 

Have the feeling that the vastly more experienced Bills should seize command, but am of the belief the wily home side should manage to keep within striking range. Buffalo wins, narrowly. 

With Houston likely the least-talented base roster at hand, expect the Jags may continue to manage to keep on overachieving, given their history of similar ways and means. No bargain, but game chalk worth trying. 

Detroit has finally made its way to the upper rungs of the NFC North. The Falcons are also undeniably improved, but they appear up against it when matched against the hard-trying Lions and their ambitions. 

Cleveland comes up against another tough matchup opponent, leaving us to prefer allying with Tennessee with their head start. Not impressed with the most recent Browns disappointments. 

Minnesota enjoyed a defensively smooth campaign last season, escaping with multiple narrow victories. This year has been less smooth, leaving an optimal situation for QB Justin Herbert and friends to make the most of the Chargers’ passing game. The Bolts endure a decent squad and outgame the home side. 

Classic matchup between two diversified sides — though Baltimore figures to bring this home as it pleases. Indy’s defensive shortcomings make it doubtful it will finish on top. Classic Baltimore “win but no cover” looms. 

Anticipating better things from the Pack, as we work our way through the season’s opening quarter. The Saints tend to be a better proposition as the season wears on. The Pack loom worthy as short chalk against decent teams. 

We note that an extensive rout staged by K.C. is not guaranteed … and the fact that the Chiefs could be looking ahead at one spot or another is a very real possibility. Better things to do this week than fiddle with tall number. 

This apparent mismatch could get out of hand if the Cards stumble into a tangible double-digit deficit in the first half. This is the best Dallas conglomeration in years, with routs of varying sizes very possible. The ’Boys could be off and gone in a flash. 

Pittsburgh’s upper-crust defensive displays are likely to be more than it will need against a Raiders side that tends to be less than optimal for the full 60 minutes. Pittsburgh finds way, even on the road. 

Not crazy about jumping all over some of these rotund road lays. They often turn out to be stretches. This could well be a closer call than you might think, though the Eagles rank among the league’s top outfits. 

Now off two season-opening losses, expect Cincy to settle into a more consistent positive development as it relies on the Bengals’ best stuff. Lay the wood. 

Last week: 8-6-1 
Season: 15-14-1