Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.
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Mitch Trubisky gets another chance to prove he can be a starting quarterback, stepping in for the injured Kenny Pickett to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
He won’t have to do much against the dreadful New England Patriots (2-10).
The Patriots have scored 13 points over the past three games and are averaging 9.4 points per game in five straight losses.
Bailey Zappe was no better than Mac Jones, producing even fewer points. New England might as well bring back Steve Grogan or Tony Eason.
The Steelers (7-5) are six-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks expects a closer game with few points
STEELERS, 13-8
TAMPA BAY at ATLANTA
Line: Falcons minus 2 1/2
The NFC South is on the line and the Buccaneers (5-7) must win this game to have a shot at their third straight division title. The Falcons (6-6) are winning despite QB Desmond Ridder.
UPSET SPECIAL: BUCCANEERS, 20-17
DETROIT at CHICAGO
Line: Lions minus 3
Jared Goff and a high-octane offense has Detroit (9-3) winning despite a shaky defense that has given up an average of 28.8 points in the past six games. The return of Justin Fields and a much-improved defense keeps the Bears (4-8) competitive.
BEST BET: LIONS, 27-20
LOS ANGELES RAMS at BALTIMORE
Line: Ravens minus 7 1/2
A three-game winning streak has the Rams (6-6) in the playoff race. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (9-3) are chasing the AFC’s No.1 seed. Baltimore is 1-8 against the spread in the past nine games it’s been favored by seven points or more.
RAVENS, 24-17
CAROLINA at NEW ORLEANS
Line: Saints minus 5 1/2
A coaching change helped the Panthers (1-11) play more competitive. The Saints (5-7) have lost three straight and Derek Carr is back in concussion protocol.
SAINTS, 23-16
INDIANAPOLIS at CINCINNATI
Line: Colts minus 1 1/2
Rookie coach Shane Steichen has the Colts (7-5) in the playoff race with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew leading an offense averaging 25 points per game. They’ll face the league’s lowest-ranked defense. But the Bengals (6-6) are coming off a stunning upset in Jacksonville that put them back in the playoff chase.
COLTS, 27-23
JACKSONVILLE at CLEVELAND
Line: Browns minus 3
Trevor Lawrence has a sprained ankle that could force him to miss a game for the first time in his career and the Jaguars (8-4) lost wide receiver Christian Kirk to injury. They’re 6-0 away from home this season, but the Browns (7-5) are allowing just 10.2 points per game in Cleveland. Veteran QB Joe Flacco played well in his first game for the Browns, but the defense needs to step up with Myles Garrett slowed by a shoulder injury.
BROWNS, 20-19
HOUSTON at NEW YORK JETS
Line: Texans minus 5 1/2
Rookie QB C.J. Stroud and the Texans (7-5) are making a playoff run. The hapless Jets (4-8) have given Aaron Rodgers no reason to attempt an improbable comeback this season.
TEXANS, 20-10
SEATTLE at SAN FRANCISCO
Line: 49ers minus 10 1/2
Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers (9-3) are looking like the best team in the NFL. They have to keep winning to surpass Philadelphia for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Seahawks (6-6) have lost three in a row and were blown out by San Francisco at home on Thanksgiving.
49ERS, 31-22
MINNESOTA at LAS VEGAS
Line: Vikings minus 3
The Vikings (6-6) hope a week off gave them answers to fix a two-game losing streak. Same for the Raiders (5-7).
VIKINGS, 23-19
DENVER at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Line: Chargers minus 2 1/2
The Chargers (5-7) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-0 win. They’ll need to score more against Russell Wilson and the Broncos (6-6).
CHARGERS, 23-22
BUFFALO at KANSAS CITY
Line: Chiefs minus 2 1/2
The Chiefs (8-4) are 18-3 after a loss with Patrick Mahomes. Josh Allen and the Bills (6-6) have no margin for error. This game shaped up to be a potential AFC championship preview when the schedule came out. Now Buffalo has to fight just to get a wild-card spot.
CHIEFS, 27-23
PHILADELPHIA at DALLAS
Line: Cowboys minus 3 1/2
The humbled Eagles (10-2) still own the best record in the NFL after getting whipped by the 49ers. The surging Cowboys (9-3) are closing in fast. The Eagles beat Dallas 28-23 in Philadelphia last month. The Cowboys had a chance at the end with a first down at the Eagles 6 in the final minute before self-destructing.
COWBOYS, 27-26
TENNESSEE at MIAMI
Line: Dolphins minus 13 1/2
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins (9-3) seem unstoppable on offense. The good news for the Titans (4-8) in a lost season is rookie QB Will Levis has shown plenty of potential.
DOLPHINS, 31-20
GREEN BAY at NEW YORK GIANTS
Line: Packers minus 6 1/2
Fresh off an upset win over Mahomes and the Chiefs, Jordan Love and the Packers (6-6) are back in the playoff race. Tommy DeVito has led the Giants (4-8) to two straight wins, but they’re home underdogs.
PACKERS, 23-20
Last week: Straight up: 6-7. Against spread: 4-9
Overall: Straight up: 120-73. Against spread: 101-85-7.
Best Bet: Straight up: 9-4. Against spread: 6-6-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 7-6. Against spread: 9-4.
Thursday: Straight up: 11-4. Against spread: 11-3-1.
Monday: Straight up: 8-7. Against spread: 10-4-1.
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ROB MAADDIMaaddi is senior NFL writer for The Associated Press. He’s covered the league for 24 years, including the first two decades as the Eagles beat writer.mailto
