Each Week, Head of Content Michael Schottey makes his picks for the upcoming slate of NFL action. For more on the best picks of the week, check out Pickwatch Pro for only $30 per year and get access to in-depth insights on proven winners. 

All odds are courtesy of our friends at BetMGM. 

New England Patriots (-6.5) @ Atlanta Falcons

There is an outside chance with the Patriots’ schedule coming up that they might look past the Falcons—specially on a short week. That said, the Patriots are playing like a Super Bowl contender right now and the Falcons are, well, whatever the opposite of that is. Pick: Patriots

Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills (-7)

The Colts almost certainly can keep this close and keep themselves in the game, but I really don’t trust Colts QB Carson Wentz in Buffalo on a cold, potentially rainy weekend. Pick: Bills

Baltimore Ravens (-6) @ Chicago Bears

This game feels far more up in the air than it would’ve been a few weeks ago. The Ravens have the better players and coaches at almost every level, but the Bears are coming off a bye and playing better than they had. Meanwhile, the Ravens have had some stinkers. I’m not super confident in the pick, but the Ravens should be the victors here. Pick: Ravens

Detroit Lions @ Cleveland Browns (-10)

Baker Mayfield’s lingering injury makes them a little less attractive (looking at you, 10 point spread) but the Browns’ rushing attack should be able to pick up any slack. Pick: Browns

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans (-10.5)

Every week I completely count the Texans out, it seems like they have a little extra fight. I’m completely counting them out again this week. Let’s see what happens! Pick: Titans

Green Bay Packers (-2.5) @ Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are going to be a trendy pick in this one, because they always play Green Bay close and it’s at home, but the Vikings have played everyone close this season and lost a great many of those games. Pick: Packers

Miami Dolphins (-3) @ New York Jets

Joe Flacco is starting this game for the Jets, so pick the Dolphins, but I wouldn’t watch this one. Go for a nice walk instead, you’ll be happier with your life choices. Pick: Dolphins

New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles (-1)

The Eagles were able to bend and stretch the Broncos defense last week, but the Saints are a different animal. This should be a low scoring game but the Saints rushing attack and their defense hold the advantage. Pick: Saints

Washington Football Team @ Carolina Panthers (-3.5)

If Cam Newton knew “two touchdowns worth” of the playbook last week, he’s probably added at least one more for this week against a really bad Washington defense. Pick: Panthers

San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars showed a lot against the Buffalo Bills, but a healthier-than-they’ve-been and far-more-talented 49ers team also just showed out against the Los Angeles Rams. Pick: 49ers

Cincinnati Bengals (-1) @ Oakland Raiders

Both of these teams are deflating after various moments in the season where they were out playing their actual talent level. The Raiders, however, really seem to lack the needed deep threat to their game with the subtraction of Henry Ruggs and the Bengals can put up a bunch of points in a hurry. Pick: Bengals

Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)

There are a lot of reasons to like the Chiefs after last week’s win and it’s important to remember that the Raiders defense they just beat up on (lead by defensive coordinator Gus Bradley) shares a lot of DNA with the Dan Quinn-led Cowboys defense. This defense, though, has a lot more talent...as does the offense. Pick: Cowboys

Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) @ Seattle Seahawks

If Kyler Murray is playing, I’m going to come back and change this pick as the Cardinals are head and shoulders above the Seahawks this season. As of this moment, though, his status is very much up in the air and the Cardinals do not appear to want to rush him back like the Seahawks did with Russell Wilson. Pick: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Los Angeles Chargers (-5.5)

The Chargers have lost a lot of games this season to teams just like the Steelers. I like them to show out here—especially if both Ben Roethlisberger and TJ Watt sit—but the Steelers run game and defense can still carry this team.  Pick: Steelers

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10.5)

I keep waiting for the Buccaneers to turn it back on (especially quarterback Tom Brady). They are, at least, two touchdowns better on paper than the Giants, but they have to actually play like it. I’m picking them here, but I’m not happy about it. Pick: Buccaneers