For the second straight week, things got off to a good start before falling apart after the 4:00 games. This time it was even better, as the 1:00 and 4:00 games were 8-3. But the late games again went 0-2, although this time they weren’t the best bets. After two weeks, the overall record is 14-12 while the best bets are 3-2.
All odds come from yahoo!sportsbook, with home team in bold. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Atlanta (+2.5) over Los Angeles – The Falcons are 3-1 at home this year and their only defeat was a one-point loss to New Orleans in the first week of the season. Meanwhile, the Chargers just lost by two touchdowns at home and have to follow that up with a trip to the East Coast. Place 25 Zooks on the home team.
Chicago (+4.5) over Miami – The Dolphins have had trouble playing 60 minutes of winning football and last week they escaped Detroit with a four-point win. This week their Midwest tour continues with a trip to Chicago. The Bears aren’t good but they play hard until you give them a reason not to care. Can the Dolphins play good from the start? Maybe but it seems the time to take the points. Flip 25 Paytons on the Bears.
Cincinnati (-7) over Carolina – The Bengals laid an egg in their first game without Ja’Marr Chase while the Panthers lost a heartbreaking game because their kicker missed an extra point in the fourth quarter and a field goal in overtime. That’s a lot to take with you on the road, probably too much for a team that’s young and not very good. Bet 25 Esiasons on the Bengals.
Detroit (+3.5) over Green Bay – How the mighty have fallen. Aaron Rodgers is 18-5 lifetime against the Lions yet despite Detroit being 1-6, the Packers are barely favorites. The Lions are just 1-3 at home but haven’t lost by more than four points with home-field advantage. And they’ve scored 143 points in those four home games. Wager 25 Sims’ on the home team.
Indianapolis (+5.5) over New England – Which Patriots team will show up this week? Beats me. Everything seems to point to a win for New England, which is why I’m taking the points. Go 25 Irsays on the Colts.
Buffalo (-11.5) over New York – The Bills gave up a fourth-quarter TD last week to blow the cover in a game they were favored by 10.5 but they’ll show no such mercy to a division rival. Meanwhile, the Jets couldn’t beat a reeling Patriots squad at home last week. There’s little reason to think they’ll fare any better against perhaps the best team in the NFL. Throw down 50 Smerlas’ on the Bills.
Minnesota (-3) over Washington – Kirk Cousins comes back to D.C. for the first time. The Vikings beat the then-Redskins in Minnesota since Cousins joined the team but that came without Cousins throwing a TD pass. Cousins owns the longest active streak with a TD pass in 37 straight games and he’ll look to make it 38 against his former team. Put 25 Tinglehoffs on the Vikings.
Jacksonville (+2.5) over Las Vegas – There sure are a lot of home dogs this week. It’s hard to imagine a Raiders team that was shut out last week being favored over anyone, even a Jags team that’s lost five straight. The schedule gets really tough for Jacksonville after this one, the last of three consecutive home games. This may be their last decent shot for a win this season. Drop 25 McCardells on the home squad.
Arizona (-1.5) over Seattle – The Seahawks are on a roll, having won three straight games by double digits. It seems odd that they’re getting points against a struggling Arizona team. The first game between the two squads this year was a 10-point Seattle win. But the Cardinals were without DeAndre Hopkins for that game. Hopkins has 22 receptions for 262 yards in his two games this season and his big game will make the difference. Pick: 25 Gores on the Cardinals.
Tampa Bay (-3) over Los Angeles – This figured to be a matchup of two of the top teams in the NFC. Instead, it’s a tilt between two sub-.500 teams, with the loser likely out of the playoff mix. It’s a rule that Tom Brady has to make the playoffs, right? Toss 25 Selmons on the Bucs.
Kansas City (-12.5) over Tennessee – That’s a lot of points against a good Titans team. But it was one thing for Tennessee to win with no passing game against the Texans. It’ll be a different matter entirely to do it in KC. Ryan Tannehill is listed as questionable and odds are he’ll play. Still, it’s not a good idea to go into Arrowhead at less than full strength. Fork over 25 Laniers on the home team.
Baltimore (-2) over New Orleans – The Ravens have won three of their last four games and after a tough early-season schedule, are set up nicely to go on an extended winning streak. The Saints haven’t been a great home team this year and this week figures to be a lot tougher than last week’s blowout of the Raiders. Charm 25 Harbaughs on the visitors.