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Sam Farmer’s NFL Week 7 picks

Quarterback Peyton Manning leads the high-flying Broncos offense against the stout 49ers defense in a key NFL matchup this weekend.
(Kathy Willens / Associated Press)
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The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Glantz-Culver (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 10-4-1 (.714); season 59-39-1 (.656). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 8-7 (.533); season 54-37 (.593).

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Atlanta (2-4) at Baltimore (4-2)

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Sunday, 10 a.m.

Ravens 28, Falcons 24

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Ravens by 7. O/U: 49 1/2.

Ravens are rolling. They have so much on offense, they don’t have to live and die by the run. Falcons have lost three in a row and have big problems along their broken-down offensive line.

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Minnesota (2-4) at Buffalo (3-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Bills 21, Vikings 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Bills by 5 1/2. O/U: 42 1/2.

The Pegulas can celebrate their first victory as new owners of the Bills. Buffalo is the better team. Teddy Bridgewater is an upgrade for the Vikings, but this is a team still finding its way.

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New Orleans (2-3) at Detroit (4-2)

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Sunday, 10 a.m.

Lions 31, Saints 27

TV: None. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Lions by 3. O/U: 49.

Tough one for the Saints, who are 0-3 on the road and facing a Lions defense that has finally come together. Detroit offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi knows the soft spots in Saints’ defense.

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Carolina (3-2-1) at Green Bay (4-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Packers 30, Panthers 20

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Packers by 7. O/U: 49.

As good a job as Ron Rivera has done with the banged-up Panthers, they’re facing a Packers team that has found its groove. Aaron Rodgers has 14 TDs and zero interceptions in last five games.

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Seattle (3-2) at St. Louis (1-4)

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Sunday, 10 a.m.

Seahawks 31, Rams 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Seahawks by 7. O/U: 43 1/2.

The Rams gave it a good effort in the first half against San Francisco but don’t have the firepower to hang with the Seahawks, who are primed for a bounce-back performance.

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Miami (2-3) at Chicago (3-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Bears 28, Dolphins 27

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Bears by 3 1/2. O/U: 49.

Chicago’s offense is finally getting healthier and picking up steam. With Knowshon Moreno out for the Dolphins, that much more weight is heaped on the shoulders of Ryan Tannehill.

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Cincinnati (3-1-1) at Indianapolis (4-2)

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Sunday, 10 a.m.

Colts 31, Bengals 27

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Colts by 3. O/U: 49 1/2.

The Colts lead the league in scoring and have an elite quarterback in Andrew Luck. The Bengals are too up and down, and aren’t as explosive with receiver A.J. Green nursing a bum toe.

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Cleveland (3-2) at Jacksonville (0-6)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Browns 24, Jaguars 13

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Browns by 5 1/2. O/U: 45.

The Browns are legit, with the reliable Brian Hoyer, the No. 3 rushing game and a defense that’s far better than its No. 29 ranking. The Jaguars have Blake Bortles, so that’s a plus.

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Tennessee (2-4) at Washington (1-5)

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Sunday, 10 a.m.

Redskins 23, Titans 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Redskins by 5 1/2. O/U: 46.

Bad as they are, the Redskins aren’t as horrible as their 1-5 record suggests. Tennessee can’t stop the run, so maybe Washington can control the clock a bit in this one.

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Kansas City (2-3) at San Diego (5-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Chargers 28, Chiefs 21

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Chargers by 4. O/U: 45.

Philip Rivers is red-hot, Branden Oliver has proved he wasn’t a one-game wonder, and the Chargers are finding a way with their beat-up defense. That should be enough against Chiefs.

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N.Y. Giants (3-3) at Dallas (5-1)

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Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Cowboys 28, Giants 14

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Cowboys by 6 1/2. O/U: 48.

The Cowboys are playing with as much confidence as anybody in the league. Rookie Odell Beckham could have a good game for Giants, but losing Victor Cruz really hurts this team.

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Arizona (4-1) at Oakland (0-5)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Cardinals 24, Raiders 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 716.

Line: Cardinals by 3 1/2. O/U: 44.

Every team that looks past the Raiders finds itself in trouble. Carson Palmer won’t let that happen to the Cardinals. Arizona’s defense will bounce back after a sloppy outing last Sunday.

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San Francisco (4-2) at Denver (4-1)

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Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Broncos 34, 49ers 24

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Broncos by 6 1/2. O/U: 50.

The 49ers are banged up after their game at St. Louis and probably won’t have All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis. That makes the tall order of beating Peyton Manning even taller.

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Houston (3-3) at Pittsburgh (3-3)

Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Steelers 24, Texans 23

TV: ESPN.

Line: Steelers by 3 1/2. O/U: 44 1/2.

Historically, the Steelers have bounced back and won these types of games, especially on national TV. But Pittsburgh’s wobbly defense could make this an adventure.

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