Best Bet
1. Tennessee Titans (+2.5) vs. New York Jets
This is an extremely dangerous game for the Jets. New York is feeling real good about itself while the Titans are in danger of falling to 0-3 and virtually out of the AFC South race. Expect a spirited effort by Fisher’s team and for Tennessee’s defense to begin making plays. We actually like our best bet to win straight up, so this is also a good money line bet as well (+125).
Next in Line
The 2-0 Niners match up very well in this one. The last time these two teams met, Adrian Peterson was held to just three yards on 14 carries; MLB Patrick Willis was a monster in that game. Expect the defense to once again take away the running game and make Favre beat them, which looks unlikely based on his first two starts back. While the Niners won’t do much on offense either, they’ll keep the final score within a TD.
The under (40) should be highly considered as well as points will be difficult to come by.
3. Green Bay Packers (-6.5) vs. St. Louis Rams
The Packers are coming off a tough Week Two loss and looking to get their passing game on track. The Rams are coming home after managing just seven points in two games. Look for Green Bay to be too much offensively and for its defense to put the clamps on Marc Bulger and Co. This should be a double digit win.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (+4) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
See Money Line Analysis
Others We Like
New York Giants (-6.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Giants are a bit shorthanded defensively but will still prove too much – on both sides of the ball – for Tampa Bay. Offensively, look for the Giants to rediscover their running game and for Eli to torch the Bucs secondary. Defensively, the front seven will get after Leftwich and force him into turnovers.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+3.5) vs. Houston Texans
This is another scary game for the Texans as the Jaguars will be desperate to avoid an 0-3 start. Jacksonville could just be that bad and this game will prove it to everyone, but we’re expecting a big effort on Sunday. This has the look of a game which comes down to a game winning FG.
Baltimore Ravens (-13) vs. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have been horrific on offense dating back to last year and the beginning of the Mangini era has done nothing to inspire hope in Cleveland. Baltimore’s given up a few more points to start the season than usual but we see a big bounce back at home and a Browns team held under 10 points. And Joe Flacco and Co. will easily surpass 24 points against this defense.
Money Line
Cincinnati Bengals (+170) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bengals are a much better team this year than most people think. For the most part, they’re healthy, QB Carson Palmer’s back in the fold, and after a horrific opening week loss to the Broncos they bounced back to defeat the Packers in Green Bay in impressive fashion.
The Steelers on the other hand are without standout S Troy Polamalu, and this changes the complexion of their entire defense. They’re also coming off a bad road loss to the Chicago Bears in which two Jeff Reed missed FGs ended up costing them.
Look for the Bengals to attack the Steelers defense through the air as Pittsburgh, even minus Polamalu, is still strong against the run. But the trio of receivers (Ochocinco, Coles and Henry) match up well against the Steelers secondary and Palmer will look for the quick strikes to offset the Steelers aggressive pass rush.
Defensively, the Steelers still haven’t found a running game, so it’ll be up to Roethlisberger to lead them to the win. But the Bengals front seven is getting a lot of pressure on opposing QBs and Big Ben has a knack for making ill advised throws when guys are in his face.
While we expect a heated, physical contest, and one with a lot of bad blood in it, look for the upstart Bengals to pull out a close victory and push the defending champs to 1-2.
2009 Record Thus Far vs. the point spread
Best Bets: 1-1
Next In Line: 5-1
Others We Like: 1-5
Money Line: 2-0
