Dave Price
Washington Redskins -1½
The Redskins are in a 0-2 hole but don't count them out yet. They got off to a slow 3-6 start last season before rallying for seven straight wins on their way to the NFC East title. They haven't started 0-3 since 2001, and I don't expect them to start that way this year. Washington has won 21 in a row at home against the Lions, who have struggled at just about every road venue of late. Detroit is 2-9 in its last 11 road games, including 0-4 in its last 4. With Reggie Bush banged up, Detroit will likely have to take a pass-happy approach. We saw how well that approach worked for them last season. Even if Bush decides to lace 'em up, I can't see Detroit wanting to risk his knee by handing him the ball 20 times. Keep in mind the Lions offense went scoreless when Bush didn't play much in the second half against the Cardinals. The Redskins are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Take Washington.
Lee Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Seattle Seahawks
Play: Jacksonville Jaguars +20
Seattle is off a big win over San Francisco and we are not sure how much focus and energy they will have here against winless Jacksonville.Seahawks are 15-33-3 ATS in their last 51 games following a SU win of more than 14 points.Jacksonville will be looking for improvement offensively and we think they will get enough worked out to keep this competitive. Take points.
Alex Smart
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Seattle Seahawks
Play: Jacksonville Jaguars +19½
The square money continues to pile in on the Seattle Seahawks. Afterall these are two teams that are at the opposite end of the performance spectrum. The average bettor, might look at this game as a sure bet. The truth is that talent wise, Jacksonville is not as bad as many think and are cable of squeaking out a cover in this spot. As of the time of this recommendation the line had not hit 20. But with that said, it must be noted NFL teams that have been asked to cover 20 or more points have failed to cover the last six times! With that said, Plug your nose, take a deep breath, and take the points!
Bryan Leonard
Chicago / Pittsburgh Under 40.5
Divisional sandwich game for Chicago The Bears needed to late game comebacks to win straight up at home Chicago has a very opportunistic defense that doesn't have to worry about the Steelers running game Cutler has been sacked once after 38 sacks last season Pittsburgh is averaging just 54 offensive plays per game, league average is 66 Rushing just 37.5 yards per contest, league average is 101.7 They can't establish the run and the young offensive line can't protect Big Ben The defense is playing well now but will wear down unless the offense can keep them off the field
Terron Chapman
San Diego Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans
Play: Tennessee Titans -3
The NFL schedule-makers didn’t do the San Diego Chargers any favors to start the season. After traveling east for an early start time with the fast-paced Philadelphia Eagles and coming out victorious, 33-30, the Chargers will have to regroup and travel east for the second time in as many weeks. This time, a physical Tennessee Titans team awaits them, looking to bounce back in their home opener from a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Houston Texans, 30-24.
It’s hard to point the finger at one player for a loss, but Jake Locker’s accuracy – or lack thereof – continues to haunt the Titans. Tennessee overcame Locker’s inaccuracy against the Steelers in Week one but they weren’t able to do so Sunday. Locker’s inability to be accurate on third downs in most concerning. He was just 6-for-11 for 42 yards, a TD and a fumble on third down. Only three completions converted a third down. It’s early, but the Titans rank last in the league in passing (123y/gm). If they expect to contend, Locker will have to be more consistent. Good news for him and the Titans faithful is the Chargers and their porous pass defense is on deck. The Chargers rank 31st in the league allowing 9.4 yards per pass attempt. There should be plenty of opportunities for Locker to connect on Sunday, the question is will he?
The Chargers shouldn’t be taken lightly after blowing a 21-point lead against the Texans then following it up with bounce back win against Philadelphia. Phillip Rivers has been kept upright thus far as the O-line has allowed just two sacks. They’ll face another test Sunday against a Titans team that’s registered seven sacks so far.
The Chargers have won nine straight in the series. In fact, the Titans haven’t beaten the Chargers since relocating from Houston to Nashville (8-0) and that includes a 38-10 beat down last season. However, this is a tough spot for the visitor and we like the Titans chances of putting an end to that streak. Lay the points with the host at your sportsbook.
Larry Ness
N.Y. Giants vs. Carolina
Pick: N.Y. Giants
Carolina has lost 14 of 16 games during Rivera's two plus years as head coach in games decided by seven or less points...
The New York Giants fell 41-23 to Denver last week (now 0-2), getting plagued by turnovers for the second consecutive game. The Giants, who had six giveaways in a 36-31 Week 1 loss to Dallas, added four more vs the Broncos. Eli accounted for all of the TOs with four INTs, giving him an NFL-leading SEVEN on the season. The Giants have 10 TOs and just two takeaways for an awful minis-8 TO ratio after just two games. The Panthers are also 0-2, giving away a 4th-quarter lead at home in Week 1 to Seattle (lost 12-7), then allowing Buffalo rookie E.J. Manuel drive the Bills 80 yards (with no timeouts!) in the game’s final minutes, scoring the game-winner with two seconds remaining.
The Giants visit the Panthers for the second consecutive year in Week 3, this time with both teams winless and desperate to salvage their seasons. The Giants can only hope this Sunday’s game goes as well as last year’s visit to Carolina, a game the Giants won, 36-7! The Giants scored on EIGHT of 10 possessions last year vs the Panthers, running for 125 yards while Eli threw for 288 yards with one TD and no INTs. One can’t expect the Giants to rely much on their running game on Sunday, basically because the Giants don’t have one. New York enters Week 3 dead-last in the NFL, averaging 36.5 YPG on 2.2 YPC!
However, Eli’s 812 passing yards are second to only Rodgers’ 813 and despite shooting itself in the foot with 10 TOs, New York has scored 31 and 23 points. The Bills got 24 vs Carolina last weekend, so I see no reason why the Giants won’t score here. After all, Carolina has allowed 403.0 YPG, including 293.5 passing and now must play without Charles Godfrey for the rest of the season, after the starting free safety tore his right Achilles tendon last Sunday.
Newton had an awful game against the Giants in Week 3 of last year (16-of-30 for 242 yards with three INTs) and in the end, I don’t want any part of the Panthers. Since Rivera took over in Carolina in 2011 (Newton’s rookie year), the Panthers have lost 10 games in which they've held a lead in the fourth quarter, tied with Philadelphia for most in the league.
Rivera is firmly on the hot seat, having lost 14 of 16 games during his two plus years as head coach in games decided by seven or less points. That’s a record which is hard to ignore. New York is well aware that it needs to win here, as the last time a team made the postseason after starting 0-2 was 2008, and NO team opening 0-3 has qualified for the playoffs since 1998! Giants get the “must-win” game.
Joseph D'Amico
Buffalo Bills vs. NY Jets
Play: Buffalo Bills +3
Let's talk about a big AFC East rivalry game this Sunday as the Buffalo Bills are at the New York Jets. New York is -1. Total 39. Both teams come in a perfect 2-0 against the line this season. NY's defense has looked good but their offense has mustered a mere 28 total points. Geno Smith's inexperience along with a Jets weak OL has resulted in the QBs 4 INTs and 9 sacks. EJ Manuel has looked sharp with a 68.2% CR and 446 YP. His TD pass with two seconds left on the clock to give the team a win over Carolina gave him some self-esteem and the team some momentum. The solid ground game of Spiller and Jackson will keep the Jets "D" honest and allow the Bills to get the win here against their Divisional rival.
Carlo Campanella
Browns vs. Vikings
Play: Under 41
Off an 0-2 start, Cleveland had a busy week, trading starting RB Trent Richardson to the Colts and benching QB Weeden with a minor injury and replacing him with 3rd stringer, Brian Hoyer (2nd stringer is Jason Campbell.) The Browns have struggled offensively since last season, being held to 12 points or less in 4 STRAIGHT games, including 10 points by the Dolphins in Week #1 and just 6 points last Sunday by the Ravens. With the offensive changes made this week, don't expect a major turnaround this Sunday on the road in Minnesota, especially knowing that these Browns are 1-8 SU in their last nine games away from home. The one thing the Browns do have going for them is their defense against the run- It's currently ranked 6th in the NFL. In fact, Cleveland held Ray Rice and Baltimore to 99 yards rushing last week and Reggie Bush and his Dolphins to only 20 yards in Week #1, for a 3.4 yards per rush average. That's a BAD match-up for the Vikings, who rely on RB Peterson to move the ball. With QB Ponder facing the Brown's secondary of CB Joe Haden and S TJ Ward, expect the Vikings to have trouble putting up points as they look for their first victory of the season.
Doug Upstone
Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints
Play: Arizona Cardinals
On Sunday, Play On road underdogs like Arizona, who was a bad team from last season (25% to 40% win percentage), playing a team (New Orleans) that had a losing record last year. In the past decade, this NFL system is 27-6 ATS, 81.6 percent including 11-1 the last five seasons. During this period the underdog has lost by just 4.6 yards a game.
Rob Vinciletti
Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
Play: Baltimore Ravens +3
Baltimore will be taking at least 3 here points here today as they will be without Starting Running back Ray Rice. The Ravens fit 2 Powerful systems here today. First we want to play on defending super bowl champions vs an opponent that is off back to back wins. They we want to play against road favorites like Houston of -3 or less that are off a home favored win but lost to the spread. These road favorites are just 5-22 ats. Baltimore has won 17 of 19 at home, 11 of the last 12 Conference games and 6 of 7 in the series. Houston is 1-7 straight up in game three of the season. The Texans have not played well particularly on the first half's the last 2 weeks and need late rallies to win at San Diego and then at home last week to Tennessee. Look for Baltimore to give Houston a tough game here and perhaps emerge with a win. Take Baltimore.
Bruce Marshall
San Diego vs. Tennessee
Pick: Tennessee
At some point, QB Jake Locker (only 137 ypg passing) needs to demonstrate a bit more dynamism for us to keep shading Tennessee, which has played better than expected from gate. But offseason defensive upgrades have added a few needed playmakers to the Titan stop unit mix. And early looks at the new San Diego “D” (31 ppg) suggest it is hardly the old Steelers Steel Curtain reincarnated. Unlike Eagles, Titans well-equipped to slow pace and play keepaway with CJ2K, and Philip Rivers likely without preferred target Malcolm Floyd (carried off field at Philly) this week.
Teddy Covers
St. Louis vs. Dallas
Pick: St. Louis
Even after their fraudulent cover (six Giants turnovers) on opening night, the Cowboys are still a woeful 2-10 ATS in their last dozen in Arlington; 4-13 ATS dating back to the start of the 2011 campaign. And there’s no reason to think that the 2013 Cowboys will be any better at covering spreads as home chalk.
The Cowboys have key injuries on both sides of the ball already, including DE Anthony Spencer, WR Dez Bryant, DE DeMarcus Ware and CB Morris Claiborne; all of whom are banged up right now even if they suit up on Sunday. Monte Kiffin’s Cover-2 defense is looking every bit as suspect as Rob Ryan’s defense was last year. That’s particularly bad news against a Rams offense that is going to spread the field and play uptempo football; a style the Cowboys have repeatedly struggled to contain.
St Louis got off to a terrible start last week at Atlanta, but they nearly rallied back for the win. In Week 1, they also were outplayed early, but that time they did rally back for the victory against Arizona. This is a team playing well during crunch time, and not giving up when trailing – the backdoor should be open should we need it. And it’s surely worth noting Fisher’s 11-4 ATS mark as an underdog since he arrived in St Louis, a continuation of his moneymaking history in this role with the Titans.
Steve Merril
Houston vs. Baltimore
Pick: Houston
The Ravens’ defense has been torched for 5.9 yards per play which is much worse than the Texans allowing 4.3 yards per play. Houston has played significantly better football so far so we’ll lay the short price with the Texans on Sunday afternoon.
Houston looked like the best team in the NFL when they opened the 2012 season at 11-1. The Texans have come out strong once again this season even though it doesn’t look that way on the scoreboard. Houston won their season opener 31-28 at San Diego and beat Tennessee 30-24 in overtime last week. While both wins were close on the scoreboard, Houston dominated both games as they held a 51-28 first down edge while out-gaining those opponents 901-511. That’s clear domination on both sides of the ball despite winning both games by a combined 9 points.
Baltimore has not looked good in either of their first two games. They were blown out 49-27 at Denver in their season opener and they barely beat the Browns last week 14-6. The Ravens haven’t been able to run the ball (2.8 yards per rush) and Ray Rice has been declared out for this game. He is a major piece of the Ravens’ offense, and without him on the field, it’s hard to imagine Baltimore moving the ball with consistency. The Ravens’ defense has been torched for 5.9 yards per play which is much worse than the Texans allowing 4.3 yards per play. Houston has played significantly better football so far so we’ll lay the short price with the Texans on Sunday afternoon.
Scott Spreitzer
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
Prediction: New Orleans Saints
We cashed with the Cardinals in week-1 and I like what new HC Bruce Arians has brought to this team. But they're in a tough spot on Sunday. Arizona's secondary, while owning some talent, is young and they're allowing 286 yards passing per game. They'll face their toughest test yet against Drew Brees and the league's 5th ranked passing offense that gains over 318 yards passing per game, thus far. Keeping up with the Saints will not be easy, especially with the way the Saints' new look defense is performing and also due to a banged-up Arizona receiving corps. We also have no doubt New Orleans' DC Rob Ryan will "bring it" against a drop-back traditional QB in Carson Palmer. The Saints are on a 17-5 ATS run at home and I'm expecting a wide-margin win on Sunday. I'm recommending a play on the Saints, minus the points.
Jimmy Boyd
Baltimore Ravens +1½
There is a lot of value on the Ravens getting points at home against the Texans. Houston's defense has been horrible this year. They are giving up an average of 26 points per game. As far as total yardage goes, Houston is in line with any other average defense, but the fact that they give up so many points off that yardage tells me this red zone defense is not good.
The Ravens are coming off a confidence boosting performance last week against the Cleveland Browns. After getting torched in the season opener, they responded by holding Cleveland to just six-points. Their run defense has been solid, allowing just 65 yards per game and three yards per carry. That should interrupt the offensive flow of this Houston team that relies heavily on Arian Foster's ability to run the ball.