Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Browns -2.5 | Total: 42.5
A bye last week should mean Baker Mayfield will return rested, if not completely healed, of the shoulder and foot injuries that diminished his recent performances. An emphasis on the passing attack for the Browns (6-6) could exploit the Ravens (8-4), who lost for the season their third member of the secondary, cornerback Marlon Humphrey (torn pectoral muscle).
2021 N.F.L. Season News and Analysis
Lamar Jackson threw four interceptions against Cleveland two weeks ago, but the Ravens still won because the Browns wasted possessions and rushed for only 40 yards. If Baltimore’s front seven can again hinder the Browns’ running and play-action passing, the hallmarks of the offense, Mayfield will have fewer opportunities to play where he’s comfortable. Pick: Ravens +2.5
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Football Team, 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Cowboys -4 | Total: 43
Washington (6-6) has slowly crept into the playoff conversation, with three N.F.C. East teams in as of Thursday morning. A win against the Cowboys (8-4) could further shake the division race as January approaches. Washington has won four consecutive games, a stretch in which Taylor Heinicke has completed over 70 percent of his passes. The Footballers’ defense has also not allowed more than 100 rushing yards in three of those four games.
The Cowboys’ offense has underperformed in recent weeks largely because of questionable play-calling and a failure to run the ball well (Dallas had fewer than 100 rushing yards in two of the last three games). If they can revert to their prolific running in the first half of the season and if the defense, led by Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, continues to create turnovers, the Cowboys should win. Pick: Cowboys -4
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Kansas City -9.5 | Total: 49
After thoroughly dispatching the Broncos, Kansas City (8-4) could increase its distance from the rest of the A.F.C. West by beating the Raiders (6-6), who currently have a 14 percent chance of reaching the postseason, according to the playoff predictor.
Kansas City’s defense has improved after a slow start to the season and has held each of its last five opponents — including the Raiders in Week 10 — to under 20 points. Meanwhile, the offense seems to have adjusted to feasting on sure gains since opponents have limited Patrick Mahomes’s downfield strikes. Kansas City is clearly the better team and should easily dole Las Vegas its fifth loss in six games. Pick: Kansas City -9.5
San Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: 49ers -1 | Total: 47.5
Both the 49ers (6-6) and the Bengals (7-5) lost key games last week just as they were gaining momentum ahead of the playoffs. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow dislocated the pinkie finger on his throwing hand against the Chargers, but played through the injury and should not miss any time. It’s unclear, though, how that will affect his performance going forward.