Despite the rising pandemic numbers, the NFL season marches on. This week, in the games that are played, many teams are heavily favored. I think we could be in line for a handful of blowouts, but maybe a couple upsets too. Keep reading below to see which upsets and blowouts I see happening plus more.

TNF (Posted to Twitter Thursday Night)

I’m expecting a close one tonight, as the Bears D will be able to limit the capabilities of QB Tom Brady and a banged up Bucs offense. QB Nick Foles and his receivers should score enough against the Tampa secondary to allow the Bears to edge out a victory here. pic.twitter.com/n0n0DWOsbh

— Boston Sports Mania (@AndrewRoberts1) October 9, 2020

Lock of the Week

I think QB Kyler Murray as well as RBs Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds will have success on the ground against a flawed Jets D.  QB Sam Darnold is still lacking the weapons to put up much of a fight.

Upset of the Week

This one could come down to the wire.  The Browns have TE David Njoku back to add to a strong TE room.  RB Kareem Hunt could also have a big game with both RB Nick Chubb and Colts LB Darius Leonard out.  The Colts should have some offensive success too, relying on the RB duo of Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines as well as emerging TE Mo Alie-Cox.  I have Cleveland edging out a victory against a Colts D that’s missing Leonard and others.  

	Baltimore’s run first offense should have success against an improving, but still flawed Bengals D.  QB Joe Burrow has proven himself as a quality rookie QB, but I expect his receivers to struggle against CBs Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and Jimmy Smith.  Baltimore should win pretty comfortably here.
	Look for QB Ben Roethlisberger to have success against a depleted Eagles defense.  Philly may have added CB Darius Slay, but their secondary is still flawed.  Meanwhile, QB Carson Wentz is unlikely to put up a fight considering he’s missing more than half of his top receiving options.
	QB Deshaun Watson and the Houston offense have not looked nearly as good without WR DeAndre Hopkins.  However, they should look good as new against a Jaguars D that has struggled throughout the year.  QB Gardner Minshew II could have a strong game as well, but I don’t expect it to be enough for victory.
	Raiders star RB Josh Jacobs and star TE Darren Waller should have some success against the Chiefs D, but I doubt it’s enough to even come close to outperforming QB Patrick Mahomes and company.
	Washington has a pretty strong front seven, but I expect them to struggle to stop QB Jared Goff and his receivers.  I could see TE Tyler Higbee having a big game too.  Meanwhile, I doubt Washington comes close in this one with a huge question mark at QB.
	This Panthers offense has outperformed expectations all year, and I expect more of the same this week against the below average Atlanta D.  However, I think QB Matt Ryan and his receivers will put up even more points and grab their first win of the season.
	TE George Kittle, WR Deebo Samuel, and QB Jimmy Garoppolo are back.  If the 49ers can annihilate the Jets and Giants without those guys, they can top the Dolphins with those guys. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has made most of this year’s Dolphins games close though.  Expect him to put up a fight against this 49ers D with DE Nick Bosa and CB Richard Sherman among others injured.
	This Giants defense has looked better, but don’t expect it to be enough to stop QB Dak Prescott and his receivers.  They can cause the Cowboys offense to be explosive at times.  QB Daniel Jones will have more success than usual against a struggling Cowboys D, but it won’t be enough.
SNF	QB Russell Wilson is having an MVP caliber year and I expect the dominance to continue.  I definitely think Minnesota will give Wilson a tough time and make this close though.  Look for a big game from QB Kirk Cousins against a weak Seattle secondary.
MNF	Expect the Pats to shut down Denver’s run game here. With CB Stephon Gilmore out, WR Jerry Jeudy might have a big game.  I think the Pats should be able to pick up a victory in the end though.
MNF	QB Justin Herbert could make this close, utilizing TE Hunter Henry against a Saints D that has struggled to stop TEs. However, I expect the Saints to win in the end, especially if WR Michael Thomas and TE Jared Cook are back.
Tuesday Night	Even if the Titans are able to play, they are so depleted by COVID-19 that it will be difficult to post a big game against a strong Bills D.  This will be close though, as Tennessee’s defense is no joke either.  I have Buffalo winning in a defense heavy game.

Stay tuned for more NFL coverage in the coming weeks.