NFL

Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines this week’s matchups (Lines according to Glantz-Culver). See Farmer’s video picks online at our Fabulous Forum blog at latimes/sports.

(Last week: 11-5; against the spread: 5-11):

Cincinnati at Green Bay

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 704.

Line: Packers by 9. Over/under: 42.

The Bengals are 0-4 at Lambeau Field, and the Packers are looking better defensively than they have looked in a long while. Packers 20, Bengals 10.

Oakland at Kansas City

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Chiefs by 3. Over/under: 38.5 .

The Raiders looked great on defense for most of their debut, and they should be able to handle this short week against a team that has lost 24 of 26. Raiders 20, Chiefs 17.

New England at N.Y. Jets

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Patriots by 3.5. Over/under: 46.

Bill Belichick is 5-1 against rookie quarterbacks, and the Patriots are likely to draw up more confusing schemes than the Texans did last week. Patriots 21, Jets 17.

Houston at Tennessee

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Titans by 6.5. Over/under: 40.5.

The rested Titans are getting a lot of pressure from their front four, even without Albert Haynesworth, now a Redskin. Titans 17, Texans 10.

Arizona at Jacksonville

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Jaguars by 3. Over/under: 42.5.

The struggling Cardinals had a lot of trouble on the East Coast last season -- all West Coast teams did -- and Jacksonville looked tough against the Colts. Jaguars 13, Cardinals 10.

Carolina at Atlanta

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Falcons by 6.5. Over/under: 43.

Jake Delhomme can’t go on like this forever -- 11 turnovers in two games -- but he hasn’t given an indication he’s nearing a turnaround, either. Atlanta 21, Carolina 17.

New Orleans at Philadelphia

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Pick ‘em. Over/under: 46.5.

A lot depends on Donovan McNabb. If he can’t go because of a cracked rib, the Kevin Kolb-led Eagles can’t keep pace with the scoring. Saints 20, Eagles 17.

Minnesota at Detroit

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Vikings by 10. Over/under: 46.5.

This won’t be as big a blowout as it might appear, but the Lions -- whose losing streak is up to 18 -- just aren’t as good a team across the board. Vikings 24, Lions 14.

St. Louis at Washington

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Redskins by 10. Over/under: 37.

If the Redskins are going to build some momentum, they had better start now. Their next four opponents: Rams, Lions, Buccaneers and Panthers. Redskins 20, Rams 17.

Tampa Bay at Buffalo

When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Bills by 5. Over/under: 42.

It won’t make Urlacher-type headlines, but the Bills suffered a real setback in losing middle linebacker Paul Posluzny to a broken arm. Buccaneers 20, Bills 13.

Seattle at San Francisco

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 714.

Line: 49ers by 1.5. Over/under: 39.5.

Seattle’s defense looked terrific in shutting out St. Louis, but the Seahawks’ linebackers are hurting and the 49ers showed some moxie in their opener. 49ers 17, Seahawks 14.

Pittsburgh at Chicago

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Steelers by 3. Over/under: 37.5.

The Steelers can handle losing free safety Troy Polamalu better than the Bears can deal with losing middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. Steelers 24, Bears 17.

Cleveland at Denver

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 716.

Line: Broncos by 3. Over/under: 37.5.

Denver’s defense played surprisingly well in the opener and should prove to be the difference in this showdown between former Bill Belichick assistants. Broncos 17, Browns 13.

Baltimore at San Diego

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 717

Line: Chargers by 3. Over/under: 40.5.

The Chargers should eventually be the better team, but they are slow starters as the last two seasons have shown. Baltimore just ekes out this one. Ravens 21, Chargers 20.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas

When: Sunday, 5:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Cowboys by 3. Over/under: 44.5.

The Cowboys make their regular-season debut in their new stadium, and Tony Romo does what he does in September. He wins. Cowboys 27, Giants 24.

Indianapolis at Miami

When: Monday, 5:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Line: Colts by 3. Over/under: 42.

If he gets good protection, Peyton Manning should have a good night against the Dolphins’ rookie corners. Colts 24, Dolphins 14.