Well, we opened up with a great win. Boy did that game look ugly for the Bears. They had the game plan I talked about in the last post however, couldn’t stick to it. Not because the game strayed away from it but because they couldn’t hold onto the football early on. Lots of early turnovers and giving the ball to Aaron Rodgers instead of keeping it from hi, put them in an early hole that they never could escape. I always feel hesitation when swallowing a touchdown but I couldn’t pass there and now we have a few Sunday to choose from. There’s work to do for my comeback off of a really bad week. This week I’m going to pick just a handful of games to write about and then just give you my picks for the rest. Lets get to it.
New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins (L), 9:30a (Dolphins +3, O/U: 50.5)
This one scares me only because teams that play in London one week, have the next week off. I wonder how much of a distraction Adrian Peterson is in the locker room, calling for some more touches. Take the Dolphins in the under, 27-21.
Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons, 1p (Falcons -8, O/U: 48.5)
Bills looked good last week at home against one of the best defenses in the league but the Falcons are monsters at home. I don’t like swallowing a touchdown or more but you need to have an amazing offense to cover, which the Falcons have. Take the Falcons to win in the Over, 38-13.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 1p (Ravens +3, O/U: 42.5)
This game will surely disappoint on offense but if you’re a defense kind of game. As long as you’re a defense guy, this is a heckuva matchup. Ravens are more consistent at home, and the Steelers unravel away from Heinz Stadium. Some outlier stats is that the Steelers are 0-4-1 against the spread with the Ravens with the underdog being 4-0-1 in those same meetings. Take the Ravens in the under, 17-10.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1p (Browns +3, O/U: 41.5)
Bengals and Browns. Probably the worst matchup of the season. Bengals FINALLY scored some touchdowns last week! I think the Bengals pull this one out in front of the dog pack. Bengals in the under, 20-14.
Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys, 1p (Cowboys -6.5, O/U: 48.5)
This line started around -9.5 and -10 in some areas, went to -6 and now at -6.5. That tells me that Vegas, doesn’t know if they can truly trust a Rams line. Cowboys are tough at home and will more than likely win this game but it’ll be closer given that the Rams have a new coaching staff that has this offense clicking. The defense has always been solid but never had a complimentary offense. The Rams will break that unreal Cowboys offensive line here and there but Dak is too good when escaping the pocket. This is a favorite by nearly a touchdown that I just can’t pull the trigger on. Take the Rams in the under but the Cowboys to win, 24-21.
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans, 1p (Texans +2.5, O/U: 43.5)
Titans even on the road will roll on the Texans. Watson may shine a bit but the Titans are sneaky good this year on both sides of the ball. Take the Titans in the over, 27-17.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 1p (Vikings -2.5, O/U: 42.5)
Another NFC North matchup this week. Once again, no Sam Bradford but we all have seen how capable this team is with or without him. The Vikings have some really solid weapons other than Diggs. The Lions are coming off of a heartbreaking loss due to a replay basically taking away a touchdown. The bets are swinging around 54% Lions -46% Vikings. That is too close to touch for most bettors but if your feeling lucky, listen up. Take the Lions in the over, 31-27.
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots, 1p (Patriots -9, O/U: 49.5)
I want to give the Panthers the benefit of the doubt, that they’ll keep it close and respectable but I can’t. Again, another touchdown, plus spread that the favorite will cover given the lack of available weapons and a declining Cam Newton. Take the Patriots to win in the under, 34-13.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets, 1p (Jets +3, O/U: 38.5)
The Jets defense has awoken. I know what you’re gonna say, “but Jacksonville looked so good last week in London and blew out the Ravens”. Well, again, I go back to how things used to be. There’s more London games this year and thus has resulted in you not getting the next week off if you play there. In turn, it’s basically a short week for the team with all of that travel. Take the Jets as home dogs to win it in the over, 21-20.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05p (Cardinals -6.5, O/U: 44.5)
Another big spread for the week and again one that I think gets covered by the home team. Typically if a team plays Thursday night the week before and Sunday the next week, I like taking them with the extra few days of preparation. Those extra days aren’t going to help the 49ers who last week gave up a ton of yards and points to the Rams. Now they eventually came back with a valiant effort but ultimately, still lost. The 49ers were given a +3 spread last week at home, this week +6.5. Only a 3.5 point difference and that is basically a 3 point swing for being away now. So to me, that’s saying that the Cardinals are viewed as .5 point favorites over the Rams. I don’t buy that yet. Larry Fitzgerald will have another solid matchup this week given how bad the 49ers secondary is. Take the Cardinals in the under, 31-10.
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05p (Chargers -2.5, O/U: 47.5)
LeGarrette Blount had himself a game last week. Look for him to bust loose again with Sproles out for the season with the multitude of injuries sustained in last weeks game (knee/wrist). Smallwood will be peppered in there as a change of pace back and Wentz will be told to launch the big chunk yardage plays when he can. The Chargers are 0-3 this year and playing their home games in a soccer field. There’s even talks about if the Chargers should stay or go back to San Diego. Even with their defensive front, I think this team has already lost the edge. Take the Eagles to win in the over, 35-17.
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05p (Buccaneers -3, O/U: 44.5)
Gosh, where do I begin? Winston can’t keep himself from making poor decisions with the ball through the air, even with the weapons he has. The Giants looked a bit better last week with OBJ back and healthy last week. They are still struggling with their ground game but making it work with 4 different guys. The Buccs also banged up on defense, especially their front. Take the Giants to win in the over, 26-20.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos, 4:25p (Broncos -3, O/U:46)
Rivalry game with a really good and young offense going to the house of a really good, veteran defense that have won a super bowl recently. The Broncos, while not having a household name at quarterback, have been consistently gaining yards and scoring, complementing their defense well. The Raiders defense, especially through the air, has been atrocious. Take the Broncos to win in the under, 24-17.
Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks, 8:30p (Seahawks -13, O/U: 41.5)
This line I have no clue how it blew up to 13. I mean, it even grew a .5 point since the line opened. The Seahawks offense, even at home, has been absolutely terrible. They only scored 12 points at home against the 49ers a few weeks ago. What is the logic behind this line? Brissett is a capable quarterback and proved it last week with the start and win at home over the Browns. This game is looking juicy for a Colts bet. Take the Seahawks to win but the Colts to keep it close in the under, Colts 17-10.
Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5 on the year is an amazing 11-4 to start 2017, here’s his picks for the week:
| Giants (+3) @ Buccs |
| Steelers @ Ravens (+3) |
| Rams (+8) @ Cowboys |
| Raiders @ Broncos (-2.5) |
| Redskins @ Chiefs (-6.5) |
Necessary Roughness 