Cam Newton looks to be back to MVP form
Well after my first week making picks, I went 7-5. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. So if you followed all my picks, maybe you came away with an extra few bucks(I’m assuming you didn’t). Either way, anyone that followed me last week is probably thinking that they could maybe follow me again. Or maybe somebody out there is thinking they should follow me this week. DON’T. I don’t want to give anyone any hope here. Going above .500 was a fluke. It won’t happen again. I mean ever again. So same rules apply this week. Don’t follow me, don’t bet your grocery money on my picks, and don’t expect me to have a positive record again after this week.
So without further ado here are the picks for this week. All picks use current odds as of Tuesday evening.
Record 7-5-0
Philadelphia Eagles(+3) at Carolina Panthers – Thursday 8:25 ET
Well looks like I was wrong about Cam Newton, he’s looking like he is back in MVP form. On the other side of the field though is Carson Wentz, who is starting to emerge as a superstar in Philly. Both teams have pretty solid defenses, and not the greatest of rushing offenses. In the end, I think it’s going to come down to the receiving cores, in which case I’ll take the Eagles.
My pick: Eagles
Chicago Bears(+6.5) at Baltimore Ravens – Sunday 1:00 ET
Well, Trubisky had his first start in Minnesota and it went just about as well as everyone thought it would. This week he gets to take on another solid defense in Baltimore. However, the Ravens offense is so bad that I think Chicago can stay close to them and pound the ball on the ground.
My pick: Bears
Cleveland Browns(+10) at Houston Texans – Sunday 1:00 ET
Last week Kizer was benched in favor of Kevin Hogan, and he looks to be the starter for this week too. Houston took some big losses to their defense(J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus), but they still should feast against a bad Browns team. Deshaun Watson is playing lights out football, and I think this one has the makings of a blowout in Houston.
My pick: Texans
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Sunday 1:00 ET (NO LINE)
This game has no line yet most likely due to the quarterback issue in Minnesota. Which I don’t quite understand. Each week we wait for a line to come out on Vikings games, and I just don’t see a monumental difference between Sam Bradford and Case Keenum. Either way, I think the Vikings aren’t looking great and will look even worse if Diggs is out. I’d take the Packers in this one
Detroit Lions() at New Orleans Saints – Sunday 1:00 ET (NO LINE)
Another game with no line, here in New Orleans. If Stafford was for sure playing I think they’d be the favorites in this one, but I’m liking New Orleans to upset with or without Stafford on the field. They are finally cutting away the corpse of Adrian Peterson from their roster, and are moving on to a two-headed monster in Mark Ingram, and electric rookie Alvin Kamara. Saints take this one at home.
Miami Dolphins(+11) at Atlanta Falcons – Sunday 1:00 ET
What a week for my favorite team, the Miami Dolphins. First, you play some of the worst football I’ve ever seen at home against the Titans. I’ve never seen a team get booed so much during their home opener. Plus news as of Monday morning is the offensive line coach resigns after the video I’m sure everyone as seen. Cutlers woes continue, and I think we could be in for an offensive clinic by the Falcons at home.
My pick: Falcons
New England Patriots(-9.5) at New York Jets – Sunday 1:00 ET
The Patriots defense looked a little bit better last week against the Bucs, and I think that momentum continues this week. Somehow, some way, the Jets are 3-2. Sadly for their fans, They will be 3-3 after this week. Patriots win, cover the spread, and make Jets fans cry per usual.
My pick: Patriots
San Francisco 49ers(+10) at Washington Redskins – Sunday 1:00 ET
Redskins coming off their bye fresh against a bad 49ers team, that might not be giving Carlos Hyde, their only offensive weapon, a full workload? Redskins win this one big.
My pick: Redskins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers(-2) at Arizona Cardinals – Sunday 4:05 ET
Adrian Peterson is now a Cardinal. After his long and illustrious five-week career with the Saints, he’ll now be wearing red and white. Some sources say he could immediately become the starter in Arizona, and who knows maybe he gets a little bit of old AP back. But not this week. Tampa Bay hasn’t looked like world beaters, but they did just play a tough game against the Patriots. I think they’ll lean on Doug Martin a bit more in this game, and cruise to a 5-10 point victory.
My pick: Buccaneers
Los Angeles Rams(+2.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sunday 4:05 ET
The Jaguars are so hot and cold. One week they absolutely destroy a team, and the next week they lose to the Jets, rinse and repeat. The two things that are stable in Jacksonville are Leonard Fournette and the Jaguar pass defense. Bouye and Ramsey are the best young corner duo in the league, and maybe the best in general. But where their pass defense is great, their rushing defense has not. This is a tough one to call because if the Rams rely on Gurley to shoulder the load, I think they win this one. But if Goff is asked to step up against this defense I think this ends miserably. Something tells me the Rams will know to pound the rock so I’ll take them.
My pick: Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers(+4.5) at Kansas City Chiefs – Sunday 4:25 ET
Only 4.5 points? It seems like every week Kansas City is getting no love. They look like legit super bowl contenders, and I think Alex Smith has to be in the conversation for MVP. Couple that with Roethlisberger’s meltdown and I will absolutely be taking the Chiefs at home. P.S. Kareem Hunt is incredible
My pick: Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers() at Oakland Raiders – Sunday 4:25 ET (NO LINE)
Last reported, Carr was supposed to be out 2-6 weeks, so I guess Vegas is just waiting for confirmation that he is out. E.J. Manuel will not win a single game in Carr’s absence, so I’ll take the San Diego *cough cough* Los Angeles Chargers in this one.
New York Giants(+11.5) at Denver Broncos – Sunday 8:25 ET
It’s always tough to see a young star like Odell Beckham go down, and it’s even tougher when your top FOUR receivers go down. I can’t name a single receiver on the Giants who is going to start this week. Oh, and they’re going against the Broncos. Smells like a classic Eli five-interception meltdown.
My Pick: Broncos
Indianapolis Colts() at Tennessee Titans – Monday 8:30 ET (NO LINE)
Tennessee without Mariota was just awful. The Colts are also awful. This Monday night game is just awful. If I was forced to pick then I think I’ll take the Colts, but I don’t like the pick whatsoever.
