Pro Picks: Bills will beat the
Vikings in Monday night showdown between 6-1 teams
[November 05, 2026]
By ROB MAADDI
Something has to give when the NFL’s highest-scoring offense faces
the league’s stingiest defense.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills lead the league in scoring at 33.3
points per game. The Minnesota Vikings are giving up the fewest
points at 13.3.
The two 6-1 teams meet Monday night in a prime-time showdown.
The Bills won’t need to reach the 30s against Minnesota’s pedestrian
offense that ranks 29th in yards (279.4) and 27th in scoring (20.0).
But Carson Wentz could give the Vikings an offensive jolt if Kyler
Murray can’t play because of a hamstring issue.
The Bills are 3½-point favorites on the road. Pro Picks likes
Buffalo.
BILLS: 23-17
JACKSONVILLE (5-2) at BALTIMORE (4-4)
Line: Jaguars minus 9½
The Jaguars have a comfortable lead in the division and face an
overmatched opponent missing Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley.
Undrafted rookie QB Joe Fagnano will make his first career start for
the Ravens and possibly his last following a trade for Jacoby
Brissett. Handing the ball off to Derrick Henry 40 times seems like
a sound strategy but Jacksonville has the No. 1 run defense in the
NFL. Baltimore hasn’t covered the spread in five straight games.
JAGUARS: 26-13
CINCINNATI (5-2) vs. ATLANTA (3-5), in Madrid, Spain
Line: Bengals minus 3
Joe Burrow leads the NFL with 20 touchdown passes and the Bengals
have scored more than 30 points in three straight games — all wins.
But their defense gave up 36 against the lowly Titans last week. The
inconsistent Falcons beat the Packers and 49ers but were shut out by
a team that didn’t complete a pass last week. Bijan Robinson leads
the NFL with 780 yards rushing. Michael Penix Jr. threw a
career-high four picks against Tampa Bay. The Bengals are 1-4
against the spread over the last five games.
BENGALS: 27-20
CLEVELAND (5-3) at NEW ORLEANS (2-5)
Line: Saints minus 2½
Deshaun Watson ran out of comebacks and the Browns were routed by
the Steelers. Watson entered concussion protocol on Wednesday so
Shedeur Sanders would start if he can’t play. The Saints are winless
at home (0-3) and coming off a bye after losing to Pittsburgh in
France. QB Tyler Shough followed up an excellent performance in a
road win over the Giants with a 30-for-38 game in the loss to the
Steelers.
SAINTS: 20-17
DALLAS (3-5) at INDIANAPOLIS (2-6)
Line: Cowboys minus 5½
Dallas blew a 14-point lead late against Arizona and pressure is on
coach Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys still have a shot in a
wide-open NFC East but their defense has to play better. The Colts
are looking ahead to 2027 and eyeing more moves ahead of next week’s
trade deadline. Jonathan Taylor will possibly play his final game
for Indianapolis. Colts are 0-4 ATS in the last four games.
COWBOYS: 27-23
DENVER (6-2) at CAROLINA (3-4)
Line: Broncos minus 2½
Bo Nix led another comeback and Denver keeps finding ways to win
late. The Broncos have to put together a complete game. The Panthers
are reeling and fired their defensive coordinator after two straight
losses. Bryce Young struggled in both of those games after a hot
start. Denver has covered four straight games.
BRONCOS: 23-19
DETROIT (5-2) at MIAMI (1-6)
Line: Lions minus 7
Detroit’s defense made significant improvements during a three-game
winning streak, allowing just 17.7 points per game. But the Lions
have lost key players to injury, including All-Pro linebacker Jack
Campbell. The Dolphins made things tough for the Patriots and
covered the spread last week. Small victories for a rebuilding team.
LIONS: 26-20
LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-4) at WASHINGTON (2-4-1)
Line: Rams minus 5
The Rams could finally have Myles Garrett back to bolster a defense
that was expected to be dominant with the two-time NFL Defensive
Player of the Year and Aaron Donald’s return. They have to take
advantage against inferior opponents before the schedule gets much
harder. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders beat up on depleted
Philadelphia but face a more difficult challenge this time.
RAMS: 26-17
[to top of second column] |
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the
Baltimore Ravens in the first half during an NFL football game in
Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
NEW YORK GIANTS (4-2-1) at PHILADELPHIA (2-6)
Line: Giants minus 3 ½
J.J. McCarthy vs. Joe Milton III. Two quarterbacks who were on other
teams at the start of the season face off. The Giants got McCarthy
from the Vikings after losing Jaxson Dart and he’s helped them to
the top of the NFC East. The Eagles have lost six in a row and are
turning to Milton, who was signed off Dallas’ practice squad after
Jalen Hurt was placed on injured reserve last month.
EAGLES: 23-22
NEW YORK JETS (2-6) at KANSAS CITY (5-2)
Line: Chiefs minus 9½
The Jets don’t have a chance against a Chiefs team that’s coming off
two losses and trying to get back on track. New York has to focus on
stockpiling picks before next week’s trade deadline. Kansas City
needs a receiver to help Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker III
after losses to Seattle and Denver exposed their weaknesses.
BEST BET: CHIEFS: 27-13
HOUSTON (2-5) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-7)
Line: Texans minus 4½
The underachieving Texans have no margin for error after starting
0-4. C.J. Stroud has played well but a talented defense has been the
biggest issue. The Chargers are having a disastrous season. Justin
Herbert’s regression is stunning. They’re also 0-7 ATS.
TEXANS: 20-17
LAS VEGAS (4-4) at SAN FRANCISCO (6-1)
Line: 49ers minus 10
Kirk Cousins is second in the NFL with 19 TD passes and the Raiders
got the run game going last week behind Mike Washington. The 49ers
are coming off a bye following their first loss and needed some time
away for injured players to heal up. It may not have been long
enough. Christian McCaffrey opened the practice week questionable
along with Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa.
49ERS: 27-20
ARIZONA (3-5) at SEATTLE (4-4)
Line: Seahawks minus 12½
The Cardinals have Minshew Mania after Gardner Minshew led a
stunning comeback at Dallas. But Seattle’s defense is much tougher
and they’ll be motivated after giving up 34 points to the Bears. The
defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks are turning to Drew Lock
again with Sam Darnold dealing with an injury. They need their run
game to get going.
SEAHAWKS: 23-14
GREEN BAY (5-3) at NEW ENGLAND (5-3)
Line: Patriots minus 3
Micah Parsons is nearing a return that will be a major boost for a
defense that’s been playing well. If Green Bay starts to run the
ball better, that’ll help Jordan Love and a potent passing attack.
Drake Maye and the Patriots need a healthy A.J. Brown to have a
chance to repeat in the AFC. Brown is dealing with a knee injury and
didn’t play last week.
UPSET SPECIAL: PACKERS: 24-23
TAMPA BAY (3-5) at CHICAGO (6-2)
Line: Bears minus 6
The Buccaneers became the first team to play an entire game without
completing a pass and still won thanks to 324 yards rushing against
Atlanta. The Bears’ addition of All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery
Simmons already paid off vs. Seattle, and he’ll face a resurgent
offensive line and run game. Baker Mayfield will have to keep up
with Caleb Williams and Chicago’s potent offense. It’ll benefit
Tampa Bay that Chicago has a short week after a road game in
Seattle.
BEARS: 27-22
Last week: Straight up: 11-3. Against spread: 10-4
Overall: Straight up: 75-45-1. Against spread: 66-52-3.
Best Bet: Straight up: 5-3. Against spread: 4-4.
Upset Special: Straight up: 3-5. Against spread: 3-5.
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