Pro Picks: Seahawks will edge the
Bears on Monday night
[October 29, 2026]
By ROB MAADDI
Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson’s high-powered offense vs. the
defending Super Bowl champions and Mike Macdonald’s stingy defense.
The Bears-Seahawks matchup on Monday night is a battle between
coaching masterminds.
Chicago (5-2) has won two in a row since Williams returned from a
three-game absence, and the star quarterback threw for 613 yards in
the victories over Atlanta and New England.
Seattle (4-3) shut down Patrick Mahomes, Kenneth Walker III and
handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season.
Despite losing Williams for three games, Johnson’s offense is third
in yards (390.7 per game) and eighth in scoring (25.7 points).
The Seahawks have the NFL’s No. 1 defense (233.9 yards per game) for
the second straight season and are fourth in points allowed (17.9).
On offense, the Sam Darnold-Jaxon Smith-Njigba connection has been
spectacular.
Seattle is a 3-point favorite at home. Pro Picks likes the Seahawks:
24-20
CAROLINA (3-3) at GREEN BAY (4-3)
Line: Packers minus 3½
Bryce Young struggled vs. Tampa Bay after the best start of his
career over the first five games, and Carolina unraveled in a
lopsided loss. The Panthers have to fix things quickly in a short
week. Two missed field goals and too many penalties cost the Packers
against the Lions. Jordan Love has to get Green Bay's red-zone
offense going. Even without Micah Parsons, the defense has stepped
up. The Packers have allowed just 13.5 points per game over the last
four.
PACKERS: 24-20
ARIZONA (2-5) at DALLAS (3-4)
Line: Cowboys minus 7
If the Cardinals play more like the team that beat the Rams than the
one that has lost 10 straight at home, they’ll have a shot.
Arizona’s defense is last in scoring, allowing 29.7 points per game.
The Cowboys aren’t much better. They’ve given up 25.7. This could be
a shootout. Now that Dallas proved it can run the ball effectively
with Javonte Williams, that should help an already prolific passing
attack led by Dak Prescott.
COWBOYS: 27-23
ATLANTA (3-4) at TAMPA BAY (2-5)
Line: Buccaneers minus 2½
The Falcons handed the 49ers their first loss and now face the
rejuvenated Buccaneers. Michael Penix Jr. excelled in a game where
the offensive line didn't even allow one hurry. Bijan Robinson leads
the NFL in rushing but faces the NFL's second-ranked run defense.
Baker Mayfield’s return sparked an impressive all-around team
performance last week. The Bucs are 0-4 at home.
BUCCANEERS: 26-22
BALTIMORE (4-3) at BUFFALO (5-1)
Line: Bills minus 3
The Ravens need Lamar Jackson to return but he can’t help them if
the defense doesn’t improve after surrendering 35 points in the
second half to Cincinnati. Josh Allen and the Bills are coming off a
bye. Buffalo leads the NFL in scoring with 32.8 points per game but
the defense has allowed an average of 28.5 each game. The Bills have
won the last two matchups by a combined total of three points,
including a playoff game.
BILLS: 28-22
CLEVELAND (5-2) at PITTSBURGH (5-2)
Line: Steelers minus 3½
Deshaun Watson has led a game-winning drive in each of his
Cleveland’s five wins and the Browns have already matched their 2025
win total in the first year under coach Todd Monken. Aaron Rodgers
has been efficient and the Steelers are winning despite some
all-around inconsistencies. The Browns beat the Steelers 27-24 on
Oct. 1. Pittsburgh has won the last five home games in this series.
Five of the last seven meetings between the AFC North rivals were
decided by one score.
STEELERS: 23-17
INDIANAPOLIS (2-5) at JACKSONVILLE (4-2)
Line: Jaguars minus 10
The Colts are trading away veterans, stockpiling draft picks and
looking ahead to 2027. They still have Jonathan Taylor but he’s
facing the league’s No. 1 run defense this week. The Jaguars are
coming off a bye that followed a split of two games in London.
They’ve won 10 straight over Indianapolis in Jacksonville. Trevor
Lawrence has 14 TD passes and four picks.
JAGUARS: 26-17
LAS VEGAS (3-4) at NEW YORK JETS (2-5)
Line: Jets minus 1½
The Raiders have lost four straight but Kirk Cousins isn’t the
problem and won’t lose his job to Fernando Mendoza just yet. Las
Vegas’ defense has allowed 35.8 points per game over the last five
weeks. The Jets keep playing like the Jets. Aaron Glenn can’t manage
the clock, and the team makes too many mistakes. Geno Smith faces
his former team. Maybe that’ll spark New York.
RAIDERS: 23-22
[to top of second column] |
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and Seahawks wide
receiver Cooper Kupp, left, leave the field after an NFL football
game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 25,
2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
MINNESOTA (6-0) at DETROIT (4-2)
Line: Lions minus 3
The Vikings are the only undefeated team in the NFL thanks to a
fierce defense and strong special teams. But they need Kyler Murray
and the league’s 29th-ranked offense to be more productive. The
Lions are second in the NFL in scoring at 30.7 points per game.
Jared Goff is having his best season — 14 TDs, no picks — and Jahmyr
Gibbs is third in the league in scrimmage yards. If Dan Campbell
doesn’t make any reckless decisions on fourth downs, the Lions can
end Minnesota’s winning streak.
BEST BET: LIONS: 27-16
TENNESSEE (1-6) at CINCINNATI (4-2)
Line: Bengals minus 10½
The Titans are playing better than their results, staying close and
finding ways to lose. Their defense gave up nearly 500 yards to
Cleveland and has a bigger challenge against Joe Burrow and the
Bengals. Cincinnati racked up 35 points in the second half vs.
Baltimore. Burrow has eight TDs, no picks in the last two games.
BENGALS: 28-19
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-6) at LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-4)
Line: Rams minus 6½
The Chargers are the away team against the Rams in the battle
between So-Fi Stadium tenants. It’s been a horrendous start for
Justin Herbert and an offense that’s last in scoring under
first-year coordinator Mike McDaniel. The up-and-down Rams can’t
afford any letdowns. Matthew Stafford has had three straight games
with a passer rating over 111. The teams have split two previous
meetings since both moved to Los Angeles.
RAMS: 30-20
KANSAS CITY (5-1) at DENVER (5-2)
Line: Chiefs minus 1½
Patrick Mahomes, Kenneth Walker III and the rest of Kansas City’s
offense was shut down by Seattle and now faces Denver’s talented
defense that hasn’t played up to expectations. Bo Nix finally got
going last week and the Broncos might have 2024 NFL Defensive Player
of the Year Pat Surtain II back from injury. The Chiefs routed the
Broncos in Week 1.
UPSET SPECIAL: BRONCOS: 20-18
NEW ENGLAND (4-3) at MIAMI (1-6)
Line: Patriots minus 6½
The Patriots are coming off a mini-bye after a Thursday night loss
to Chicago snapped their three-game winning streak. Drake Maye has
12 TD passes and two interceptions in the last four games. Coach
Jeff Hafley earned his first win last week against the Jets but the
Dolphins are a long way from being competitive. New England had lost
five straight games at Miami before a win in September of 2025.
PATRIOTS: 27-16
PHILADELPHIA (2-5) at WASHINGTON (1-4)
Line: Commanders minus 6
Hard to believe these two teams met in the NFC championship game 21
months ago. Tanner McKee hasn’t been the problem for the
injury-riddled Eagles. A defense that was supposed to be among the
best in the league has been terrible. If Saquon Barkley is healthy,
Philadelphia’s offense has energy. Jayden Daniels won’t have top
target Terry McLaurin and needs to find a way to extend drives. The
Commanders’ offense is last in the NFL in third-down conversions.
COMMANDERS: 23-20
Last week: Straight up: 9-5. Against spread: 11-2-1.
Overall: Straight up: 64-42-1. Against spread: 56-48-3.
Best Bet: Straight up: 4-3. Against spread: 3-4.
Upset Special: Straight up: 2-5. Against spread: 2-5.
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