Predictions NFL and NCAA Football- College & Pro Basketball

Picks for 10/19/25

NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 454
Chiefs -11.5 over Raiders (win)

The Raiders are coming off a win over the Titans, which isn’t a huge feat, but it was enough for the Titans to fire their coach. Vegas QB Geno Smith has to prove he can be trusted, as he throws too many interceptions. The Raiders are missing tight-end Brock Bowers, and the status of Alex Bachman and Jakobi Meyers is in question. You can’t be too excited if you are a Raiders fan looking at the active wide receivers. Kansas City will get Rashee Rice back from suspension today, which will help open up the downfield passing game. The Chiefs are a well-balanced offense that should move the sticks against a weaker Las Vegas pass defense. Take the Chiefs.

NFL
4:05 PM EST
Rotation # 465
Colts +2.5 over Chargers (win)

The Chargers were hit hard with the injury bug at running back. I don’t trust the running back room to move the ball enough to keep the Colts’ defensive front seven honest. Los Angeles will be missing their starting right and left tackle today, which will have the Colts foaming at the mouth to get to the quarterback. The injury bug has also hit the Chargers’ front seven, and I don’t trust them in the trenches today. Indiapolis will look to get its run game behind Jonathan Taylor, allowing Daniel Jones to throw downfield. Most games in the NFL are won in the trenches, and I expect Indianapolis to win the point of attack all game. Take the Colts.

NFL
4:05 PM EST
Rotation # 468
Broncos -7 over Giants (loss)

The Giants got a humongous win over Philadelphia last week in a bizarre game that might leave some hints of the Eagles locker room not being united. Either way, Jaxson Dart looked spectacular, but he is only a rookie and hasn’t played in that many career games, so performing on the road will be challenging. Darius Slayton will miss today’s game, and Malik Nabers is out for the year. Cam Skattebo is a bull, but he is still a rookie. The Giants are missing their starting center this afternoon. I can’t trust this team after one big home win that came on a short week. The Broncos are solid in the trenches and can run the ball well behind JK Dobbins. Look for Denver to attack the Giants’ depth at the linebacker position, in which the injury bug has been super unkind to them this year. Take the Broncos.

NFL
4:25 PM EST
Rotation # 469-470
Commanders/Cowboys Under 54.5 (loss)

I am curious why Vegas made this game the highest total on the board. The Commanders are missing receivers Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, and Noah Brown, and tight end Zach Ertz is a question mark with a shoulder injury. The running game lost Brian Robinson to a trade and Austin Ekeler to injury. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is just a rookie who fumbled away the game last week. Dallas’ running game is nothing to write home about either. Neither team can utilize the running game enough to keep the opposing defense from focusing on the pass. Neither defense is excellent on paper, but it should do enough to keep this from being a high-scoring game. Take the Under

NFL
8:20 PM EST
Rotation # 473-474
Falcons/49ers Over 47.5 (loss)

Atlanta got a big win over the Bills on MNF. The Falcons’ defense has looked good on paper, but I am not ready to put them in elite company yet. This is the same Falcons team that was blanked 30-0 in their last road game, week three, against the Panthers. Luckily for Atlanta, they face a 49ers front seven that can’t compete in this league due to all the injuries. Nick Bosa is out for the year, and now Fred Warner is too. I don’t see San Francisco being able to get constant pressure on Michael Penix. Bijan Robinson is the most talented back in the league and is eager to run through the battered 49er defense. San Francisco has a few question marks in the secondary, and it’s unclear just how effective Malik Mustapha will be coming back from injury. Atlanta should put up points. The 49ers will start Mac Jones at QB, and they are dealing with many offensive injuries. The good news is their running backs are healthy, and they have talented receivers who have stepped up with some superstars on the sidelines. Look for a shootout. Take the Over.