SUNDAY AFTERNOON 1:00 pm ET
1. JEANS ******* (-12.5) VS. Rams******WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ABOUT THIS GAME.
2. ****** Packers (-1.5) VS. VIKINGS********THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR TOP FIVE BETS FOR THE WEEK.
3. ****** Bears (-2.5) VS. LIONS******THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR TOP FIVE BETS FOR THE WEEK.
4. ******Texans (-2.5) VS. FALCONS******THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR TOP FIVE BETS FOR THE WEEK.
5. Ravens (-4.5) VS. BROWNS: The Browns are once again an underdog at home as they were in Week 2 when they stunned the Bengals by scoring 50-plus points. Things appear to be much more difficult on that side of the ball against a very tough Ravens defense that doubled down a bit in the second half last week against the Arizona Cardinals before hanging on for the win. Quarterback Steve McNair once again had to leave the game early with an injury and at this point no one knows if he or Kyle Boller will start. The Browns, on the other hand, are an improved team under quarterback Derek Anderson, having almost pulled off a win last week in Oakland against the Raiders. The Browns have shown some offensive rhythm since the Cincinnati game and hope to have RB Jamal Lewis all day. Lewis will be looking to put in a good performance for the team that abandoned him last season. However, the Ravens defense is very tough against the run with DT Haloti Ngata clogging up the lanes and things should be no different here. The problem with Baltimore, though, is on offense, as things seem to bog down at times like last week against the Cardinals in the second half. The Ravens aren’t much of a road favorite either, as they’ve now gone just 6-14 ATS in their 20 games as road favorites. The Browns have enough talent to stay close here, especially if McNair misses the game. If McNair is out, then this pick is even stronger for the Browns. On the other hand, if Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. misses this game with an injury, then we pass this one and so should you. THE PICK: Cleveland Browns (+4.5)
6. DOLPHINS (-3.5) VS. Raiders: The Raiders will come into this game full of confidence after beating the Browns by blowing the buzzer blocking Phil Dawson’s potential game-winning kick. Those are the kind of game scenarios that fuel teams next week and the Raiders match up well against a struggling Dolphins team that lost on the road last week to the Jets. Miami is struggling for a win as their offense has struggled and their defense has been a shadow of its former self. The Raiders also qualify in a very profitable ATS scenario of 40-11 in games following a last-second win the week before. Clearly the teams are gaining confidence after such close victories and are more focused for next week’s game. Miami should win this goal of the game by just a field goal. Go with the Raiders to stay close enough to cover. THE PICK: Oakland Raiders (+4)
7. JETS ****** (-3.5) VS. BILLS ******* WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ABOUT THIS GAME.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON 4:00 pm ET
8. PANTHERS (-2.5) VS. Buccaneers: The Carolina Panthers will turn to backup quarterback David Carr, as starter Jake Delhomme will miss this event with injury. Carolina has been maddeningly inconsistent this season, as their dominance over the Rams on the road in Week 1 belies their dismal effort in Week 2 against the Texans at home and nearly losing to the Falcons last week. The Bucs, on the other hand, have been a nice surprise this season, as quarterback Jeff Garcia has been just what coach Jon Gruden needed in terms of having a quarterback he can win with. The defense has also played surprisingly well, as talk of his demise due to old age has been unfounded. The Panthers should win this one, but they’re so inconsistent it’s hard to say what they’ll do. Carr is also a big question mark here, as he has never shown that he can consistently win games. Difficult to call, but if he must go with the local team here. There are no trends that stand out on either side, so it would be better to leave this one out though. THE PICK: Carolina Panthers (-3)
9. ***** Seahawks (-2.5) VS. 49ERS****** THIS GAME IS ONE OF OUR TOP FIVE BETS FOR THE WEEK.
10. *****COTALS (-9.5) VS. Broncos******WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ABOUT THIS GAME.
11. CHARGERS (-11.5) VS. Chiefs: The San Diego Chargers are a team in disarray as the QB and RB are bickering on the sidelines and both aren’t playing well to go with just about everyone else on the team losing two of their first three. Things will be easier at home against a weak Chiefs team that can’t get to the end zone. The Chargers defense should be able to dictate this against a Kansas City offense that can’t shoot the ball consistently and, in turn, has caused star RB Larry Johnson to see a steady dose of 8-man fronts. However, the Chiefs have better than average defense and should be able to stay close here. The Chargers are too out of sync to recommend them covering such a high number and also apply in a very negative scenario of 25-58-1 ATS week 4 where they are favored by more than 8 at home after a loss. The Chiefs are not a good team but they have enough defense to keep them in the game. Take the points and bet on a closer game than many predict. THE PICK: Kansas City Chiefs (+11.5)
12. ***** Steelers (-5.5) VS. CARDINALS ******* WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ON THIS GAME.
SUNDAY NIGHT 8:15pm ET
13. ******Eagles (-2.5) VS. GIANTS******WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ABOUT THIS GAME.
MONDAY NIGHTS 8:30 p.m. ET
14. ******Patriots (-7.5) VS. BENGALS******WE HAVE A STRONG OPINION ABOUT THIS GAME.
