Pro Picks: Steelers will edge the Packers to give Aaron Rodgers a victory over his former team

Aaron Rodgers already beat one former team. Now, he’s going against his original one.

Rodgers faces the Green Bay Packers for the first time when they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. The four-time NFL MVP led the Packers to a Super Bowl title 15 years ago and was traded to the New York Jets in 2023.

Rodgers and the Steelers (4-2) beat the Jets in Week 1. The Packers (4-1-1) present a more difficult challenge.

Micah Parsons, who didn’t get the win against his old team, was unblockable last week, registering three sacks. He should give Rodgers trouble all night.

But the Packers haven’t been dominant since Week 1. They lost to the Browns, tied the Cowboys and had to rally to beat the Cardinals.

The Steelers are coming off extra rest following a loss to the Bengals.

Green Bay is a 3-point favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook. Pro Picks likes the upset after failing to get the cover on Thursday night when the Chargers beat the Vikings 37-10.

UPSET SPECIAL: STEELERS: 24-23

Line: Texans minus 2

The 49ers are 4-1 with Mac Jones filling in for Brock Purdy. Christian McCaffery is doing everything for an offense missing several receivers. Even without stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, San Francisco’s defense excelled against Atlanta. Houston’s offense has held the team back while the defense has been formidable. The offensive line is still struggling to protect C.J. Stroud and the run game is lacking. The 49ers are 1-13 against the spread in their last 14 games following a win.

BEST BET: TEXANS: 23-18

Line: Buccaneers minus 3 1/2

Baker Mayfield is coming off his worst game of the season and the Buccaneers lost Mike Evans for a significant period. But they have talented playmakers to help them overcome a big loss. They just need other stars to get healthy. The struggling Saints present a bounce-back opportunity for Tampa Bay, which has won five of the last six meetings. QB Spencer Rattler is 0-6 ATS as a home underdog.

BUCCANEERS: 24-17

Line: Bengals minus 6 1/2

Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor? The Jets have been dismal no matter who is under center. Fields will start again this week because Taylor is injured. Joe Flacco has rejuvenated Cincinnati’s offense. But the Bengals are 2-5 ATS on extra rest under coach Zac Taylor with backup quarterbacks.

BENGALS: 23-18

Line: Patriots minus 7

Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s top-ranked defense present a tough challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots. Rookie RB Quinshon Judkins is coming off a three-TD game, taking pressure off rookie QB Dillon Gabriel. Maye has been outstanding for the Patriots and Mike Vrabel has turned the team around quickly. The Browns are 0-14 straight up, 1-13 ATS when they allow three sacks or more.

PATRIOTS: 23-17

Line: Bills minus 7

Josh Allen and the Bills had an extra week to reflect on two straight losses. They’ll be eager to get back on track. The Panthers have won three in a row and are unbeaten in three games at home but Bryce Young is dealing with an ankle injury.

BILLS: 27-18

Line: Ravens minus 2 1/2

Ben Johnson has led the Bears to four straight wins. D’Andre Swift has run wild while Caleb Williams is still inconsistent, and the defense is forcing turnovers at a fast pace with 15 in the last four games. A bye came at the right time for injury-riddled Baltimore. Still, Lamar Jackson was ruled out for the Ravens on Saturday. That moved the line four points.

RAVENS: 29-20

Line: Falcons minus 7

The Dolphins are a mess and it seems like a matter of time before coach Mike McDaniel is out. The up-and-down Falcons need to rebound again after a lackluster offensive effort vs. San Francisco. Bijan Robinson was held under 100 scrimmage yards for the first time in that game. He could go over 200 against Miami. Tua Tagovailoa is 1-9 straight up in his last 10 road games.

FALCONS: 28-18

Line: Eagles minus 7

Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and the Giants dominated the Eagles a couple weeks ago. Now they’re coming off a devastating loss where the defense blew an 18-point lead in the final 6 minutes at Denver. Jalen Hurts was flawless and the passing attack broke out against Minnesota. The Eagles are still waiting for Saquon Barkley and the run game to get going. Hurts is 28-4 straight up as a favorite at home.

EAGLES: 31-22

Line: Broncos minus 3

Dak Prescott is leading the NFL’s top-ranked offense. But the problem for the Cowboys is their 32nd-ranked defense. Denver has the No. 3 defense, which presents a big challenge for Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The Cowboys haven’t defeated the Broncos since 1995, going 0-7.

BRONCOS: 27-22

Line: Colts minus 14 1/2

The Titans showed some positive signs with a fast start under interim coach Mike McCoy before things fell apart last week. Cam Ward is getting sacked too much and turning the ball over. The Colts have been the NFL’s biggest surprise behind Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor. Indianapolis has won five straight against Tennessee and has covered the spread each time.

COLTS: 29-16

Line: Chiefs minus 12 1/2

Jayden Daniels is dealing with a hamstring injury so Marcus Mariota will make the start for the Commanders, who would match last season’s loss total if they don’t pull off a major upset. Patrick Mahomes has all his playmakers, the defense is stout and the Chiefs are playing like Super Bowl contenders.

CHIEFS: 27-16

Last week: Straight up: 13-2. Against spread: 8-7.

Overall: Straight up: 79-28-1. Against spread: 55-52-1.

Prime-time: Straight up: 14-11-1. Against spread: 12-14.

Best Bet: Straight up: 6-1. Against spread: 5-2.

Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United managers come and go with disturbing regularity and Pep Guardiola has faced a few since taking charge at Manchester City 10 years ago.

On Saturday in fact, Michael Carrick becomes the sixth.

That number sums up the varying fortunes of the Manchester rivals over the past decade, with City dominating the Premier League and conquering Europe while United has lurched from one crisis to another.

Asked on Friday what the secret was to his longevity, Guardiola's answer was brief.

“Results,” he said. "If you don’t win, you’re sacked. So we won a lot. That’s why I’m still sitting here. There’s no other secret."

Guardiola has won 15 major trophies at City, including six Premier Leagues and the Champions League. This season City is still in contention for four trophies.

By contrast United crashed out of both domestic cup competitions at the earliest possible stage, is seventh in the Premier League and didn't qualify for any European competition.

Ruben Amorim last week became the sixth permanent United manager to be dismissed since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Former player Carrick was hired this week until the end of the season while United's hierarchy weigh up its long-term options.

One of those could include Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who announced on Friday he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 51-year-old Austrian is reportedly being considered by United.

"I am looking for a new challenge,” Glasner said, adding he had not spoken to another club.

For now, Carrick has the hot seat and 17 games to make his case to stay in charge beyond this season.

“I’m eager to succeed," he said. "We’ve got a big job to do. It’s an important job and it always is here to win games and to play well and to to do it in a certain way.”

United's priority is to secure Champions League qualification from a top four position. Should Carrick achieve that, as well as provide the type of attacking soccer the club's fans crave, his case will be strengthened.

“We want to be top of the league ... but we've got to take some small steps towards that and European football would be a step forward and we've got to keep pushing.”

Victory against second-placed City at Old Trafford would be the perfect start for Carrick, who then has to prepare for a trip to league leader Arsenal.

United has had to get used to living in its neighbour's shadow since Ferguson departed.

The once dominant force in English soccer has not finished above City in the standings since taking the title in Ferguson's final season.

Since then City has won 18 major trophies and United five.

While United was runner-up twice to Guardiola's City, it finished 19 and 12 points adrift each time.

“It is what it is,” said Guardiola who has experienced far more intense rivalries in England with Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool and Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

“You know since day one the opinion I have of Man United. But what happened (there), I don’t know because I’m not there.”

Despite City's bulging trophy cabinet, its head-to-head statistics in one-off games are much closer.

Carrick's first Manchester derby will be Guardiola's 27th, more than any other City manager. He has won 14 of them, including penalty shootouts and victories against each United manager he has faced from a list including Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag and Amorim.

United has won nine.

The teams met in back-to-back FA Cup finals in 2023 and 24, winning one each.

City has enjoyed more dominant wins — scoring three or more goals on seven occasions — and in 2022 routed United 4-1 and 6-3.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola reacts after Erling Haaland missed a scoring opportunity during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

FILE - Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, right, and assistant Michael Carrick stand on the touchline during the English League Cup soccer match between Manchester United and West Ham at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, File)