FARMER’S PICKS / WEEK 9

The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Glantz-Culver (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 8-5 (.615); season 78-38 (.672). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 5-8 (.385); season 51-59-6 (.464).

NYJ

(4-3)

at

BUF

(5-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Bills 27, Jets 23

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 704.

Line: Bills by 2. O/U: 44.

Running back Fred Jackson will be the key to this game for the Bills, who will have a tough time throwing against Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Jets have not won away from home.

CLE

(3-4)

at

HOU

(5-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Texans 21, Browns 15

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Texans by 11. O/U: 41.

The Browns have not won on the road since beating Indianapolis in Week 2. Houston has its flaws, but the Texans will pull away down the stretch with a grind-it-out offense.

MIA

(0-7)

at

KC

(4-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Chiefs 24, Dolphins 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Chiefs by 4. O/U: 40.

Coach Todd Haley has done a remarkable job restoring the Chiefs’ confidence after an 0-3 start and a pile of injuries. Close losses are taking the wind out of winless Miami’s sails.

SEA

(2-5)

at

DAL

(3-4)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Cowboys 31, Seahawks 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Cowboys by 11. O/U: 44.

The Seahawks don’t do a good enough job of protecting their quarterbacks, and the Cowboys should be able to turn loose their front seven. DeMarcus Ware will be a big factor.

TB

(4-3)

at

NO

(5-3)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Saints 28, Buccaneers 24

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Saints by 8. O/U: 50.

The Saints are due for a bounce-back game after their shocking loss to the Rams. The Buccaneers have a tendency to fall behind early, which is difficult on the road.

SF

(6-1)

at

WAS

(3-4)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

49ers 21, Redskins 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: 49ers by 3. O/U: 37.

The 49ers will have a few big things going for them: They can run, they have an outstanding defense and they are not heaping too much on Alex Smith’s shoulders.

ATL

(4-3)

at

IND

(0-8)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Falcons 27, Colts 20

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Falcons by 7. O/U: 44.

Until the Colts start running the ball better, Curtis Painter will be a sitting duck. The Falcons have started to improve on defense, but they know they can’t relax here.

DEN

(2-5)

at

OAK

(4-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Raiders 30, Broncos 12

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Raiders by 8. O/U: 42.

The Raiders are rested and waiting for Tim Tebow, who has been sacked 13 times in two games. The week off gave Carson Palmer a bit of time to crack the playbook.

CIN

(5-2)

at

TEN

(4-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Bengals 20, Titans 18

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Titans by 3. O/U: 41.

The Bengals get a rested Cedric Benson back, and Andy Dalton is getting better and more comfortable by the week. Will Titans’ Chris Johnson ever have a breakout game?

STL

(1-6)

at

ARI

(1-6)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Cardinals 23, Rams 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Cardinals by 2. O/U: 41.

Are the Rams the same defense that was trampled by the Cowboys or that shut down the running game of the Saints? Here’s betting Beanie Wells and the Cardinals can run on them.

NYG

(5-2)

at

NE

(5-2)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Patriots 28, Giants 24

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Patriots by 9. O/U: 51.

It’s rare that the Patriots lose two in a row, and they haven’t lost at home this season. This will be close, but Tom Brady gets the nod over Eli Manning at Gillette Stadium.

GB

(7-0)

at

SD

(4-3)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Packers 30, Chargers 28

TV: None. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Packers by 5. O/U: 51.

Philip Rivers has been the most reliable part of the Chargers in recent years, but he’s really struggling. That’s not good against a team that can score like the Packers.

BAL

(5-2)

at

PIT

(6-2)

Sunday, 5:15 p.m.

Steelers 28, Ravens 21

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Steelers by 3. O/U: 42.

The Ravens smoked the Steelers in the season opener, 35-7. That probably means the Steelers are going to come back and play some of their best football at home.

CHI

(4-3)

at

PHI

(3-4)

Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Eagles 35, Bears 31

TV: ESPN

Line: Eagles by 7. O/U: 47.

The Eagles are finally starting to run

the ball, giving it to LeSean McCoy 58 times in the last two games. That sets up Michael Vick for big throws downfield.

Off: Carolina, Detroit, Jacksonville, Minnesota.