Pro Picks: 49ers will beat the
Commanders to become the first 6-0 team in NFL this season
[October 15, 2026]
By ROB MAADDI
Dan Quinn is coming off one of the all-time worst coaching blunders.
Kyle Shanahan's team is undefeated after beating the defending Super
Bowl champions on the road.
The two coaches going in opposite directions meet Monday night when
the Washington Commanders (1-3-1) visit the San Francisco 49ers
(5-0).
They have history.
Shanahan was Quinn's offensive coordinator in Atlanta when the
Falcons blew a 28-3 lead against Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super
Bowl 51. Atlanta's time management was poor in that one.
Jayden Daniels had a big day running the ball against the Giants
until forgetting how to stop the clock with a spike. Brock Purdy is
playing at an MVP level for the Niners. Christian McCaffrey is
running with fresh legs and Mike Evans has been an excellent
addition for San Francisco's depleted receiving corps.
The 49ers are 7 1/2-point favorites. Pro Picks likes the home team.
49ERS: 30-20
SEATTLE (3-2) at DENVER (3-2)
Line: Seahawks minus 3
The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks are turning the ball over
too much, their run game is inconsistent and they don’t have much
going on offense other than All-Pro Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But
Seattle’s defense remains elite. Bo Nix and the Broncos are also
having trouble on offense but an injury-riddled defense has been
stout. The Seahawks are 13-5-1 against the spread on the road under
coach Mike Macdonald. Denver is 3-2 as a home underdog with coach
Sean Payton.
SEAHAWKS: 20-19
HOUSTON (1-4) at JACKSONVILLE (4-1), in London
Line: Jaguars minus 3
C.J. Stroud is playing well, hasn’t thrown an interception and gets
Marvin Harrison Jr. to add to his receiving corps. The Texans’
defense got on track after coach DeMeco Ryans took over play-calling
duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke. The Jaguars barely
beat the undermanned Eagles last week. They’re 8-7 in London and 2-0
in the second of back-to-back games there. Houston is 13-3 in this
series since 2018.
JAGUARS: 23-22
BALTIMORE (4-1) at CLEVELAND (3-2)
Line: Ravens minus 4½
Lamar Jackson could be returning after missing a game. If not, the
Ravens will again turn to Tyler Huntley, who played well in a win at
Atlanta. Deshaun Watson was under duress much of the game last week
in a loss to the Jets. The Browns need to get their offense on
track. The Ravens are a league-best 21-7 on the road since 2023 and
have won three straight in the series.
RAVENS: 22-16
CAROLINA (2-2) at PHILADELPHIA (2-3)
Line: Eagles minus 1 1/2
Bryce Young leads the No. 1 passing offense against a pass defense
that’s 26th despite two All-Pro cornerbacks. The Panthers are coming
off a bye and are 11-6 ATS as an underdog since the start of the
2025 season. The Eagles are back from an international game. Teams
off a bye facing teams following an overseas game are 4-0. Depleted
Philadelphia was missing six offensive starters last week and still
should have beat the Jaguars if not for a long kickoff return with 8
seconds left. The Eagles also blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead
against the Rams. Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts are hearing the
criticism. They’ve responded before and could get some players back.
EAGLES: 26-20
CHICAGO (3-2) at ATLANTA (2-3)
Line: Bears minus 3
There's quarterback uncertainty for both teams heading into the
practice week. Caleb Williams has missed three straight game for the
Bears. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum both struggled against the
Packers after each played well in starts. Michael Penix Jr. is
expected to start if he doesn't have any setbacks to his injured
rib. He's got Bijan Robinson to lean on. The All-Pro back leads the
NFL with 580 yards rushing.
FALCONS: 24-23
NEW ORLEANS (1-4) at NEW YORK GIANTS (3-1-1)
Line: Saints minus 1½
The Saints looked like potential contenders after losing to Detroit
in overtime and beating the Ravens on the road. But they’re reeling
after three straight losses at home. Yet, they’re somehow favorites
on the road against a team that’s only lost once. Oddsmakers are
disrespecting the Giants. Jameis Winston is 2-0-1 since replacing
Jaxson Dart and faces one of his former teams. He’s done a decent
job protecting the ball. Cam Skattebo needs to do the same.
UPSET SPECIAL: GIANTS: 20-17
[to top of second column] |
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to reporters
following an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday,
Oct. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
NEW YORK JETS (2-3) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-2)
Line: Patriots minus 7½
The Jets are playing tough defense, Geno Smith hasn’t thrown an
interception and there’s reason for optimism. The next step would be
beating a division rival. The Patriots are banged-up on offense and
in the secondary but Drake Maye is back to his 2025 form. New
England’s injuries will keep this close.
PATRIOTS: 22-16
PITTSBURGH (3-2) at TAMPA BAY (1-4)
Line: Steelers minus 2½
Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren and the Steelers face a tough challenge
against Tampa Bay’s seventh-ranked defense. Rodgers has thrown three
TD passes in three straight games for the first time since his
fourth MVP season in 2021. Undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels has
impressed in Baker Mayfield’s absence. The Buccaneers were 0-13 ATS
before beating Dallas on the road last Thursday.
STEELERS: 24-18
TENNESSEE (0-5) at INDIANAPOLIS (2-3)
Line: Colts minus 7
Cam Ward is struggling in Brian Daboll’s offense and the Titans are
last in the NFL in scoring 11.6 points. The Colts traded a ton to
get two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner last year but he
hasn’t fixed a pass defense that’s fifth-worst in the league. Daniel
Jones had a turnover-free game last week. Titans are 4-5-1 ATS with
Ward.
COLTS: 23-17
ARIZONA (1-4) at LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-3)
Line: Rams minus 12½
The Cardinals are bad at football. The Rams don’t look like the team
some people foolishly predicted would go 17-0. Sean McVay is ticked
and kicker Harrison Mevis paid the price for missing field goals.
With Matthew Stafford leading a prolific passing attack, this one
should be easy.
BEST BET: RAMS: 34-13
BUFFALO (4-1) at LAS VEGAS (3-2)
Line: Bills minus 4½
Josh Allen is the reason the Bills are winning despite a defense
that’s third-worst in total yards and fifth-worst in points allowed
(28.2). The team is staying on the West Coast after beating the Rams
in Los Angeles on Monday night. The Raiders have lost two in a row
and Fernando Mendoza saw his first action in a lopsided loss to New
England. Kirk Cousins is still QB1 for Las Vegas for now. Both teams
are 4-1 ATS this season.
BILLS: 27-24
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-5) at KANSAS CITY (4-0)
Line: Chiefs minus 8½
This version of Justin Herbert in Mike McDaniel’s offense isn’t
working for the depleted Chargers. The Chiefs are rested after a
bye. Kenneth Walker III is on pace to run for nearly 2,300 yards.
His presence has elevated the offense led by Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs
coach Andy Reid is 22-5 after a regular-season bye.
CHIEFS: 24-17
DALLAS (2-3) at GREEN BAY (3-2)
Line: Packers minus 2½
Micah Parsons won’t get to face his former team again but at least
this time it shouldn't end in a tie. The Cowboys are coming off an
embarrassing loss at home to previously winless Tampa Bay. Their
defense has allowed the second-most yards and 27.2 points per game.
Dak Prescott and a potent passing attack has kept Dallas
competitive. Jordan Love could have another big game throwing to
Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. The Packers need it because
their rushing offense is last in the NFL. The depleted defense will
get a huge boost whenever Parsons returns.
PACKERS: 28-27
___
Last week: Straight up: 7-7-1. Against spread: 7-8.
Overall: Straight up: 47-31-1. Against spread: 38-39-2.
Best Bet: Straight up: 3-2. Against spread: 2-3.
Upset Special: Straight up: 2-3. Against spread: 2-3.
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