Sunday, September 30
Philadelphia @ Tennessee
The Super Bowl hangover is real. Philadelphia hasn’t looked that great through three games so far and Wentz wasn’t that great in his first live action of the season. Marcus Mariota is banged up, but I think Tennessee’s defense can keep Philly in check and at least cover the spread.
Line: Tennessee +3.5
Pick: Tennessee
Buffalo @ Green Bay
Green Bay isn’t that good this year, and I am honestly confused by Buffalo. I’m picking Buffalo in this and that has nothing to do with me having confidence in Buffalo, rather I have no confidence in Green Bay covering that large spread.
Line: Green Bay -10
Pick: Buffalo
Detroit @ Dallas
There is already talk after three games of who the quarterback of the future is for Dallas. Meanwhile, the Lions finally got a win last weekend against Matt Patricia’s former team, New England. Detroit got the run game going and the offense still features a few playmakers that will be able to make Dallas miserable all day. Take a good look at Jason Garrett. He won’t be the head coach of Dallas for long if they keep this up.
Line: Dallas -3
Pick: Detroit
Tampa Bay @ Chicago
Chicago’s defense is good, but its offense isn’t. Tampa’s defense finally meets an offense it can match up with. I’m taking the lesser of two evils here. Tampa’s offense led by journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will help seal the deal in the Windy City.
Line: Chicago -3
Pick: Tampa Bay
New York Jets @ Jacksonville
I am only picking the Jets here because the spread is large and Jacksonville’s offense isn’t overly explosive. They followed up a great game against New England with an offensive egg against Tennessee. Jacksonville will win but it’ll be a defensive battle and remain closer than the large spread.
Line: Jacksonville -7.5
Pick: New York Jets
Miami @ New England
I feel bad for Miami. They are 3-0, but I don’t think they are legit. Plus, they are facing a pissed off Patriots team, and although this line is pretty big for a conference game, I think Tom Brady is going to have a field day against Miami.
Line: New England -7
Pick: New England
Houston @ Indianapolis
Deshaun Watson hasn’t looked like the electrifying quarterback we saw in the first part of last season, and the Texans are suffering because of it. Neither team is going to be a playoff contender this year, but I am going to give this to the home team and Andrew Luck.
Line: Indianapolis -1.5
Pick: Indianapolis
Cincinnati @ Atlanta
Although Atlanta is at home, they haven’t looked very good through three weeks of the NFL season. Cincinnati, however, has looked great so far and their offense is explosive. I expect Gio Benard to have a big day as Atlanta can’t cover anyone out of the backfield.
Line: Atlanta -4
Pick: Cincinnati
Seattle @ Arizona
It only took three weeks of absolute ineptitude on offense for the Cardinals to bench Sam Bradford and replace him with rookie quarterback Josh Rosen. Unfortunately for Rosen, his first season in the NFL isn’t likely to be very rosy for the young quarterback from UCLA. Seattle’s defensive line, although not what it used to be, is still solid and Arizona’s offensive line is one of the worst in the league. This will be a long day for the Cardinals.
Line: Arizona +3
Pick: Seattle
Cleveland @ Oakland
It’s officially Baker Mayfield time in Cleveland, and I have bought into the hype. Oakland is looking at an 0-4 start in Gruden’s first season if they aren’t able to take this game at home, but Cleveland’s defense has quietly been good. Furthermore, Mayfield looked like the real deal and had the offense firing on all cylinders last Thursday night. Even if Cleveland doesn’t win, they’ll cover the spread. This game will be close.
Line: Oakland -3
Pick: Cleveland
San Francisco @ Los Angeles Chargers
Jimmy GQ is out for the season, and in his place is former Iowa quarterback CJ Beathard who absolutely should not have been a third-round draft pick last season. Regardless, Beathard was able to string together a few solid games last year and is capable of airing it out when needed to. I am picking San Francisco to cover simply because the Chargers always manage to keep games close no matter who they are facing.
Line: -10.5
Pick: San Francisco
New Orleans @ New York Giants
New Orleans doesn’t look like the same team that took the NFL by storm last year with an impressive rookie class. While the offense hasn’t missed a beat, the defense has taken a giant step backward. The New York Giants, meanwhile have played quite an ugly brand of football through three games, but at home, I anticipate they’ll be able to pull this one off and win by more than three.
Line: New York Giants +3
Pick: New York Giants
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh
This rivalry game was tough to pick. Pittsburgh has its share of weaknesses, and I am not sure what to make of Baltimore yet. Their offense is actually scoring points and their defense looks good, but a rivalry game in Pittsburgh will not be easy. Big Ben will ensure the Steelers win this one.
Line: Pittsburgh -3
Pick: Pittsburgh