NFL Picks Week 3: Straight up pick’em and against the spread

After an up and down week in Week 2, I’ll hopefully get it a little better this time around. I feel like I did fairly well in picking against the spread in Week 2 getting seven right, but picking winners straight up appears to be another matter with a sad 9-7 showing.

The odds I’ll be using are those current from the day of this posting.

Time to bounce back!

Week 3 NFL Picks

Houston Texans at New England Patriots (+1)

I so had the Texans winning this game with the Patriots down to the third-string quarterback, but then Vegas made them home underdogs. Why did you have to do that? I now predict a pride-filled and angry Patriots team will come out win the game.

Prediction: Patriots 17, Texans 13

ATS: Patriots

Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills (+4)

The Bills are in almost complete disarray. I can’t trust them as far as I can throw them and for that reason, I’m going with one of the better teams in the NFL to not only win, but to easily cover the spread.

Prediction: Cardinals 34, Bills 21

ATS: Cardinals

Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans (-1.5)

The Raiders have the worst defense in NFL history through two games, which is a far cry from experts suggesting they could be as good as Denver’s this year. Apparently, Khalil Mack is not superior to a Von Miller in the real world. Still, the Titans are not a passing team and that is where the Raiders are weakest.

Prediction: Raiders 20, Titans 17

ATS: Raiders

Washington Redskins at New York Giants (-4.5)

The Redskins are in trouble. It appears some players are complaining about Kirk Cousins leadership skills, which is definitely a major red flag. The Giants on the other hand have a defense and if that offense starts clicking this team could be a real threat in the NFC. It has been only two weeks, though, so don’t get too excited.

Prediction: Giants 27, Redskins 17

ATS: Giants

Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins (-9.5)

The Browns are terrible, but the Dolphins are not elite by any measure. They should not be nearly 10-pt favorites over any team. I’d rather lose against the spread than bet money on a bad team winning by double digits. In other words, you’d be dumb to bet on this game. lol

Prediction: Dolphins 24, Browns 16

ATS: Browns

Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars (+1)

The Ravens are my underrated team of 2016 and Joe Flacco seems to have his deep ball back with Mike Wallace. The Jaguars just got smoked by the San Diego Chargers too, which only makes me more confident about this pick.

Prediction: Ravens 30, Jaguars 20

ATS: Ravens

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)

Aaron Rodgers should be angry and play lights out this week against the Lions. However, the Packers seem to be kind of broken on offense and the Lions are actually playing okay themselves. The spread is a bit high given how the Packers have been playing to start the season.

Prediction: Packers 21, Lions 17

ATS: Lions

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

Predictably, this Broncos fans is going to predict this team keeps winning until proven otherwise. The Bengals are a good football team, but this defense is otherworldly it seems. It’s going to be a close one, though.

Prediction: Broncos 17, Bengals 16

ATS: Broncos

Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers (-7)

I put the Vikings ahead of the Panthers in my power rankings this week, so why would I ever believe they should be seven point dogs to Carolina on the road? I think the Panthers ultimately win, but its going to be closer than a touchdown. That Vikings defense is pretty darn good.

Prediction: Panthers 23, Vikings 20

ATS: Vikings

Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5)

Todd Gurly will show up at some point and it will probably be this week. The Buccaneers are coming off an embarrassing blowout loss, but the Rams can’t score touchdowns or field goals. Seriously, they are averaging 4.5 pts per game. I think Tampa Bay bounces back here.

Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Rams 13

ATS: Buccaneers

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-9.5)

So I officially hate this spread. The Seahawks should win by double digits, but so far they haven’t done squat. They can’t even score 10 points a game yet! Meanwhile, the 49ers have been moving the ball and scoring points. At some point, the Seahawks will right the ship and I just can’t pick against them against a team that I don’t think is very good overall.

Prediction: Seahawks 24, 49ers 13

ATS: Seahawks

New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs (-3)

What to make of the Kansas City Chiefs. Are they good? It’s hard to tell. They should have been blown out by the Texans and if not for a Chargers meltdown they would have been blown out by them. I’m starting to think that maybe they are just average. That pass defense is a joke and the Jets have weapons, but Arrowhead Stadium. That place.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Jets 26

ATS: Jets

San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)

Speaking of “are they good”. What are the Chargers? What are the Colts for that matter? This game could be anyone’s, because both teams are so unpredictable. In these kinds of situations, I usually err to the home team.

Prediction: Colts 28, Chargers 27

ATS: Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5)

I’m not high on the Eagles, but they are surprising me in 2016. The Steelers are one of the five best teams in the NFL, so they should still come out on top. It will be a tough, close game though.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Eagles 21

ATS: Eagles

Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys (-7)

John Fox is coaching a team that might end up at the bottom of my power rankings soon. They are just bad. All of those weapons and the team just stinks, so strange. The Cowboys on the other hand are actually a fairly good football team. The spread feels high, but I’m going to roll with the team I trust.

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Bears 17

ATS: Cowboys

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-3)

The Falcons are flying high with their incredible win on the road over the Raiders, meanwhile the Saints are desperate for their first win. Never count out Drew Brees at home and the Falcons are traditionally terrible there.

Prediction: Saints 31, Falcons 27

ATS: Saints

What are you biggest upset picks of Week 3?