A slow start doomed them against the Buccaneers last week, but the Bills (7-6) could spot the Panthers (5-8) a touchdown and Carolina would likely still lose this one. No matter their quarterback — P.J. Walker and Cam Newton have shared snaps since Sam Darnold went down with an injury — the Panthers’ offense has underwhelmed, averaging only 19.8 points per game. Newton has completed only 58.7 percent of his passes since returning as the starter (yuck).
Josh Allen sprained his left foot and is listed as day-to-day, but even if he doesn’t play Sunday, the Bills’ offense is more trustworthy, especially at home in near-freezing temperatures. Pick: Bills -10.5
Jets at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Dolphins -8.5 | Total: 42.5
Don’t count the Dolphins (6-7) out of the hunt in the wild A.F.C. Their postseason chances are currently teetering at 8 percent, according to the playoff predictor, but if they win out and other teams collapse, there’s still a possibility. A resurgence of the Dolphins’ aggressive, blitz-happy defense and efficient play from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has Miami on a five-game win streak.
The Jets (3-10) have not been as successful without their top two receivers, Elijah Moore (quad) and Corey Davis (core), giving quarterback Zach Wilson few options in the passing game. Three of Miami’s running backs and safety Jevon Holland were placed on the Covid-19 list, but the Dolphins are still a safer bet to cover. Pick: Dolphins -8.5
Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Cardinals -13.5 | Total: 47.5
Inaccurate passes, turnovers, poor clock management. That sounds like a description for a Lions (1-11-1) game, but those aspects defined how the Cardinals (10-3) lost to the Rams in Week 14.
Arizona is still on top of the N.FC. West, but slid to the No. 3 seed in the conference. The team will reportedly rest DeAndre Hopkins (knee) for the rest of the regular season ahead of a playoff push. But quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals should still bounce back Sunday because the Lions rank second-to-last in the league in sacks (20), and worked remotely this week while dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak. Even at 100 percent, Detroit would’ve been an underdog, but those challenges should make this a rout. Pick: Cardinals -13.5
Dallas Cowboys at Giants, 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Cowboys -10.5 | Total: 44.5
In a shocking reversal, the Cowboys’ (9-4) offense is now underwhelming while their defense is excelling. Dak Prescott has thrown eight touchdowns and six interceptions in the last six games, a trend that even the team owner Jerry Jones said is “fair” to characterize as a slump. Offensive lineman Tyron Smith is out with an ankle injury and running back Ezekiel Elliot is still playing through a knee injury.