Cheat Sheet: Dan is the man when it comes to preparedness

Best bet

LIONS at PACKERS

Time: 3:25 p.m., Fox 32.

Line: Lions at 3.

In total: 48½.

Records (Total/ATS): Lions 6-1/6-1; Packers 6-2/4-4.

The record shows that Bears coach Matt Eberflus tried to take responsibility for his team's painful 18-15 loss to the Commanders last week because of a botched Hail Mary pass.

“It’s about responsibility and implementation, and that starts with me,” said Eberflus. “And the game didn’t end the way we wanted, and again that starts with me.”

But when it comes to responsibility, Eberflus could learn a lesson from Lions coach Dan Campbell, who pointed the finger much more directly at himself after his time management error played a role in the Lions' 20-16 lead at the end of the first half Home loss to the Buccaneers in Week 2.

“I asked our team to improve from last week and we improved. And then their coach gave them a critical error,” Campbell said after the loss. “It’s 100% on me, and I told them that.”

Maybe it's just a coincidence that the Lions responded the next week. Facing the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium – the same challenge Eberflus and the Bears face this week after their debacle against the Commanders – the Lions opened with a textbook nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. They led 20-7 in the first half and finished with a businesslike 20-13 win.

Since then, the Lions have been on a roll. They led 21-7 in the first half in a 42-29 victory over the Seahawks; 27-3 in the first half of a 47-9 Cowboys loss; and 35-14 in the first half of a 52-14 Titans loss. When they fell behind once – 10-0 against the undefeated Vikings at US Bank Stadium – they rallied for a 31-29 victory.

The Lions' resurgence is thanks to general manager Brad Holmes, who built a team the old-fashioned way – with a strong offensive line, two good, complementary running backs in former Bear David Montgomery and 2023 first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs ( ( only the second running back ranked in the top 20 since the Giants took Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018) and a quarterback who plays well with the wind behind him is former No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff.

But the Lions are following Campbell's example. His aggressive style got to him in the playoffs last year when he spurned two field goals for failed fourth-down attempts against the 49ers. But in a big away game against a division rival, you know his team will be ready.

Choose: Lions 35, Packers 31.

Top pieces

COMMANDERS at GIANTS

Time: Midday.

Line: Commanders at 4.

In total: 44.

Records (Total/ATS): Commanders 6-2/6-1-1; Giants 2-6/2-5-1.

Outlook: It's nearly impossible for amateur players to predict the upsets in the NFL. The Commanders are in for disappointment after Hail Mary miraculously defeated the Bears last week. And they weren't very good, even though they led most of the way. The danger is that the Giants, winless at home, are a good landing spot for a team that is doing so well.

Choose: Giants 20, Commanders 16.

RAIDERS at BENGALS

Time: Midday.

Line: Bengals at 7.

In total: 46½.

Records (Total/ATS): Raiders 2-6/4-4; Bengals 3-5/4-4.

Outlook: Vic Fangio tackled Joe Burrow after an opening TD drive last week (84.7 passer rating) in a 37-17 Eagles win, but Burrow figures to be against a Raiders defense that was at is in 27th place in terms of points allowed, will have an easier time. The Raiders played hard against the undefeated Chiefs last week and earned backdoor coverage.

Choose: Bengals 30, Raiders 20.

RAMS at SEAHAWKS

Time: 3:25 p.m

Line: Rams by 1½.

In total: 48½.

Records (Total/ATS): Rams 3-4/2-5; Seahawks 4-4/2-5-1.

Outlook: The Rams struggled without WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua (although they still beat the 49ers). After Kupp and Nacua returned last week, coach Sean McVay put on an offensive drill in a 30-20 win over the Vikings and reminded the NFL that he is one of the best coaches in the league.

Choose: Rams 31, Seahawks 17.

Other games

BEARS at CARDINALS

Time: 3:05 p.m., CBS 2.

Line: Cardinals at 1. In total: 44½.

Records (Total/ATS): Bears 4-3/4-2-1; Cardinals 4-4/5-3.

Outlook: Without the Hail Mary loss, the Bears would have pulled off a win by doing what good teams do: stealing a game to make the most of a poor post-bye performance. With the NFC North challenge looming, the Bears have a sense of urgency. And Caleb Williams should be sharper.

Choose: Bears 24, Cardinals 20.

BRONCOS at RAVENS

Time: Midday.

Line: Ravens at 9. In total: 46½.

Records (Total/ATS): Broncos 5-3/6-2; Ravens 5-3/4-3-1.

Outlook: Broncos rookie Bo Nix has a 102.7 rating (7 TDs, 1 INT) in his last four games. The Ravens' defense isn't what it used to be, but John Harbaugh's team will be on the right track at home after a surprising road loss to the Browns.

Choose: Ravens 24, Broncos 14.

CHARGERS at BROWNS

Time: Midday.

Line: Chargers at 1½. In total: 43.

Records (Total/ATS): Chargers 4-3/4-3; Brown's 2-6/3-5.

Outlook: Browns QB Jameis Winston passed for 334 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs with a 115.3 rating in an upset of the Ravens last week. However, consistency has always been the problem. Chargers have similar problems.

Choose: Browns 27, Chargers 23.

SAINTS at PANTHERS

Time: Midday.

Line: Saint at 7½. In total: 43½.

Records (Total/ATS): Saints 2-6/3-5; Panthers 1-7/1-7.

Outlook: The Saints have lost six straight games (1-5 ATS), the last four by scores of 13, 24, 23 and 18, but they could get QB Derek Carr back. The Panthers have lost five straight (0-5 ATS) and lost leading receiver Diontae Johnson.

Choose: Saints 30, Panthers 22.

COWBOYS at FALCONS

Time: Noon, Fox 32.

Line: Falcons at 2½. In total: 52.

Records (Total/ATS): Cowboys 3-4/2-4-1; Falcons 5-3/4-4.

Outlook: The little-known Falcons have won 4 of 5 and scored 26 or more points in the four victories. The disappointing Cowboys have a good game in front of them, but you might go broke trying to figure out when that will be.

Choose: Cowboys 31, Falcons 28 (OT).

DOLPHINS at BILLS

Time: Midday.

Line: Invoices by June 6th In total: 49½.

Records (Total/ATS): Dolphins 2-5/1-6;
Bills 6-2/5-3.

Outlook: Tua Tagovailoa posted an impressive performance (234 yards, 97.9 rating) after recovering from a concussion. But he had three fumbles, one on a mishandled shotgun snap that led to a safety in a 28-27 loss to the Cardinals. It's been such a year for the Dolphins.

Choose: Bills 24, Dolphins 13.

PATRIOTS at TITANS

Time: Midday.

Line: Titans at 3. In total: 38.

Records (Total/ATS): Patriots 2-6/2-5-1; Titans 1-6/1-6.

Outlook: The Titans will be happy to move down in class after losing to the Bills (34-10) and Lions (52-14) in the last two weeks. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is in the concussion protocol, but veteran Jacoby Brissett got the job done last week.

Choose: Titans 17, Patriots 13.

JAGUARS at EAGLES

Time: 3:05 p.m

Line: Eagles by 7½. In total: 45½.

Records (Total/ATS): Jaguars 2-6/4-4; Eagles 5-2/4-3.

Outlook: The talented but timid Eagles appear to have found their rhythm after defeating the Bengals 37-17 for the third straight season. The Jags lost WR Christian Kirk to a season-ending injury and traded for OT Cam Robinson last week.

Choose: Eagles 34, Jaguars 16.

COLTS at VIKINGS

Time: 7:20 p.m., NBC 5.

Line: Vikings at 5. In total: 46½.

Records (Total/ATS): colt 4-4/7-1; Vikings 5-2/5-2.

Outlook: The Vikings have suffered two straight losses after a surprising 5-0 start, with the Lions' Jared Goff (2 TDs, 140.0 rating) and the Rams' Matthew Stafford (4 TDs, 124.5) exposing their vulnerable defense . The Colts turn to Joe Flacco after benching Anthony Richardson.

Choose: Vikings 24, Colts 20.

BUCCANEERS at CHIEFS

Time: Monday, 7:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC 7.

Line: Chiefs by 8½. In total: 46.

Records (Total/ATS): Buccaneers 4-4/4-4; Chiefs 7-0/5-2.

Outlook: Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield have lost two in a row, but they are capable with wins over the Commanders, Lions and Eagles. The Chiefs are 3-0 SU, but 0-2-1 ATS as favorites for a touchdown or more.

Choose: Chiefs 27, Buccaneers 17.