#There’s no defense in betting Cowboys

Browns (+4.5) over COWBOYS: Them ’Boys have yielded 97 points in their first three outings and have typically been broadly comatose prior to each of their season’s fourth quarters. You want to lay points with this crew?

Chargers (+7) over BUCCANEERS: The Bolts stumbled when hosting the Christian McCaffrey-less Panthers last week, but the visitors’ defense remains sneaky-good. The Bucs have been representative behind Tom Brady — but they haven’t beaten a top-drawer foe yet in this campaign. Believe the underdog’s ground game, directed by young QB Justin Herbert, is still good enough to deprive the Bucs valuable time-of-possession.

Giants (+12.5) over RAMS: This opened in the high single-digit range and got drilled, pronto. Would be reluctant to chase this number, given Rams’ likelihood of gliding past this one with a draining two-game road trip on tap. Big Blue didn’t quit in an earlier road effort in Chicago, and the talent at hand will be playing for their jobs.

BEARS (+2.5) over Colts: Bears QB Nick Foles again assumes field-general roles — after one too many disappointing, sustained stretches out of previous 2017 second-overall draft choice Mitchell Trubisky. But home side keeps winning, deploying a punishing ground game and a secondary that drives opposing quarterbacks to distraction.

LIONS (+4) over Saints: As the NFL world turns, N’Orleans now appears clearly past its peak, though — could it be? — the Lions may be ready to advance after lengthy rebuilding. Close call!

PANTHERS (+3.5) over Cardinals: The Cardinals will need to distribute their energies carefully in this first of three consecutive road games. Despite injuries, the Panthers took full advantage of overconfident Bolts on the Left Coast last week and want to maintain that feeling.

Jaguars (+3) over BENGALS: Embarrassed by a home-field stinker versus the Dolphins, the relatively fresh Jags snap back. Share optimism about Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s career prospects, but rookie QBs face a stiff NFL learning curve, and anticipate a photo finish, making points worth taking.

Vikings (+4) over TEXANS: Both of these “name” sides enter this schedule juncture winless. Both have excuses, given the stiffness of their schedules. The Texans’ slate of games has been more difficult, but Houston coach Bill O’Brien has failed to carry his sideline success from Penn State to the Lone Star State. Results derived from underperforming draft classes dooming hosts.

DOLPHINS (+6.5) over Seahawks: Lay of the land is the Dolphins have likely passed through the worst of their form cycle, and a respectable ground defense should keep them in this. If Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t leave himself too much to do, Miami should rack its fair share of points, keeping this competitive.

Ravens (-13) over WASHINGTON: The Football Team’s focus on minimizing turnovers and lost fumbles could make a difference here. Market represents a huge head start for Dan Snyder’s team. The Ravens will be chewing nails after being foiled again by the imposing Chiefs, but K.C.’s remaining schedule is softer, and Baltimore can’t afford to falter.

RAIDERS (+3) over Bills: With the Bills clearly a length or so ahead of the home-standing Raiders on the developmental curve, this doesn’t loom as a speculative slam-dunk. That noted, Jon Gruden’s merry men are no longer eternal pushovers on third downs, and the Bills arrive after having gone all-out in their closing-stages effort against the peaking Rams.

49ERS (-7) over Eagles: Despite a nasty brace of injuries, the Niners come off of a matter-of-fact dismembering of the Giants at MetLife. Now, San Francisco faces an NFC East entity with a porous offensive line and a broadly diminished receiving corps, making QB Carson Wentz’s task more difficult.

Monday

PACKERS (-7) over Falcons: Looked like early market-shapers nudged this number in the right direction. Expect Matt Ryan to have his moments in what looms as an up-and-down affair, but expect a late Packers surge to secure the win. Coverage another matter entirely — and the way the Falcons come up short, late, with mindboggling consistency, this ’dog side is primarily for the brave.

Last Week: 8-7. Season: 23-20-2.