So far this season I’m a perfect 3-0 when it comes to having 2-1 weeks. Last week I nailed myBengals6 pick, as well as the over in Atlanta-Indianapolis, but came up short taking theRedskinsat home on “Monday Night Football.” It turns out the Redskins are so bad that even Mitch Trubisky can throw three touchdowns against them.
So, no, I will not be betting on the Redskins this week, nor will I likely be doing so in the near future.
Thankfully there are still three other games on theNFLslate that I like in Week 4. So let’s try to disrupt the streak of 2-1 weeks with a 3-0 week, shall we?
1.New England PatriotsatBuffalo BillsUnder 42.5
While I’m not opposed to laying the points with the Patriots in this spot, I’m a bigger fan of making a play on the total. I don’t know how good Buffalo is, but its defense is legit. It will giveTom Bradyand the Patriots offense problems, and New England’s run game will be affected by the loss of fullbackJames Develin. The Patriots have a terrific defense as well, and if there’s anybody in the NFL who I’m sure can find a way to makeJosh Allenstick to doing all the things he does poorly, it’s Bill Belichick. This should be a low-scoring, ugly affair. And not just because of all the red and blue Zubaz in the seats.
Prediction: Patriots 24, Bills 13
2.Oakland Raiders7 atIndianapolis Colts
The Raiders were beat up by theVikingslast week, losing 34-14 on the road, and that’s contributing to this line. I always like looking for teams coming off blowout losses because they’re often undervalued the following week. Well, at least the ones that aren’t theMiami Dolphinsare sometimes. I think this is one of those situations. The Colts looked better last week at home against theFalcons, but we don’t know if T.Y. Hilton will be fully healthy for this game. Even if he does play, the Raiders aren’t going to get blown out in this spot. The Colts let them hang around.
Prediction: Colts 27, Raiders 21
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3.New Orleans Saints2.5 vs.Dallas Cowboys
I don’t want to undersell the importance ofDrew Brees, as he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game, but I do think some are overreacting to his loss. Drew Brees hasn’t been DREW BREES for a couple of years now, and New Orleans’ offense had been transitioning to a state where Brees was more of a game manager than focal point lately. So I don’t believe the drop from Brees toTeddy Bridgewateris as steep as it would have been a few years ago. This line does, however. Dallas has been terrific so far, but going on the road to play in the Superdome in a prime-time game won’t be easy. It’s hard to pass up the Saints as home dogs in this spot.
Prediction: Saints 27, Cowboys 24
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Last Week |
2-1 |
0.9 |
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Season |
6-3 |
2.7 |
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