Sam Farmer’s NFL picks for Week 7

The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 8-6 (.571); season 59-32 (.648). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 6-7-1 (.462); season 53-35-3 (.602).Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver and Green Bay have the week off.

::

Buffalo (3-3) vs. Jacksonville (1-5)

Sunday, 6:30 a.m.

Jaguars 23, Bills 20

Watch: Yahoo live stream from London.

Line: Bills by 4. O/U: 41.

The banged-up Bills won’t have quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and that’s a problem. Jaguars, who have lost four games in a row, finally make a decent showing in London, their second home.

::

Minnesota (3-2) at Detroit (1-5)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Lions 27, Vikings 24

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Vikings by 2 1/2. O/U: 44.

The Vikings are solid but aren’t scary good. They should be able to run on the Lions. Detroit does have talent, though, and Calvin Johnson finally came to life in last Sunday’s inaugural win of the season.

::

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

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Colts 35, Saints 28

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Colts by 4. O/U: 52.

Blooper play notwithstanding, the Colts showed some fight in their loss to New England. There isn’t likely to be a lot of good defense in this game, but both teams are capable of putting points on the board.

::

Atlanta (5-1) at Tennessee (1-4)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Falcons 31, Titans 23

TV: None. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Falcons by 5. O/U: 47.

With or without Marcus Mariota, the Titans are overmatched by an Atlanta team loaded with offensive weapons. The Falcons are rested and should bounce back from their lone loss of the season.

::

Tampa Bay (2-3) at Washington (2-4)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Redskins 24, Buccaneers 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Redskins by 3. O/U: 42 1/2.

The Redskins are going to run the ball and play keep-away from rookie Jameis Winston, who has taken some big steps forward. Washington coaches are confident Kirk Cousins is better than he’s shown.

::

Pittsburgh (4-2) at Kansas City (1-5)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Steelers 28, Chiefs 24

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Off the board. O/U: Off the board.

Uncertainty at quarterback for the Steelers — will it be Ben Roethlisberger or Landry Jones? — but Pittsburgh has figured out how to win with either. Big return to KC for Steelers OC Todd Haley.

::

Houston (2-4) at Miami (2-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Dolphins 28, Texans 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Dolphins by 5. O/U: 44 1/2.

With new coach at the helm, the Dolphins exorcised some demons with their 28- point road blowout of Titans. The Texans are hoping last Sunday’s victory jump-starts their season. Miami gets the edge.

::

NY Jets (4-1) at New England (5-0)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Patriots 28, Jets 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Patriots by 8 1/2. O/U: 47 1/2.

The Jets are closing the gap in this rivalry, and are playing hard for first-year Coach Todd Bowles. It would be a big surprise, though, if they were able to beat Belichick and Brady in Foxborough.

::

Cleveland (2-4) at St. Louis (2-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Rams 23, Browns 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

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

Both teams can put up a good fight at times, especially on defense. This one should be close, as neither team has many explosive offensive players. Turnovers will decide it and the Rams get the nod.

::

Oakland (2-3) at San Diego (2-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Chargers 31, Raiders 24

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Chargers by 4. O/U: 47.

Philip Rivers, fresh off a 500-yard passing game at Green Bay, is on an MVP pace. Oakland has improved on both sides of the ball and will make this respectable, but the Chargers have an edge at home.

::

Dallas (2-3) at NY Giants (3-3)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Giants 31, Cowboys 24

TV: Channel 1. DirecTV: 714.

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

Jerry Jones says that new Cowboys QB Matt Cassel will take some chances that Brandon Weeden didn’t take. That sounds like a recipe for turnovers. Go with the up-and-down Giants at home.

::

Philadelphia (3-3) at Carolina (5-0)

Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Panthers 24, Eagles 17

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Panthers by 3. O/U: 46.

The good news for the Eagles is they’re coming off a 20-point victory. The bad news is Sam Bradford was picked off three times. The Panthers proved something with their impressive win at Seattle.

::

Baltimore (1-5) at Arizona (4-2)

Monday 5:30 p.m.

Cardinals 35, Ravens 17

TV: ESPN.

Line: Cardinals by 9. O/U: 48.

The wind is out of the sails of the Ravens, who have lost five of six. The Cardinals are coming off two losses in three weeks and are itching to prove their fast start was no fluke. Arizona defense steps up.