Week 3 NFL Picks
Two weeks into the 2015 NFL season, only one team has looked like a legit Super Bowl contender. That would be those highly-motivated defending champion New England Patriots. The Pats have been so impressive they are giving 13.5 points at home to a Jaguars team that just “upset” the Dolphins. Speaking of lopsided spreads, the 0-2 Seahawks are favored by 14.5 points in their home opener against the Jimmy Clausen led Bears. Covering two touchdowns in the NFL is hardly a sure thing, but it won’t be at all surprising if both New England and Seattle do that very thing. Here’s a look at some of Week 3’s more interesting matchups.
Tampa Bay at Houston -7 – Okay, so the Texans are 0-2 and have been outscored 51-37. Arian Foster won’t suit up, DeAndre Hopkins is questionable with a concussion, and Ryan Mallett is the starting quarterback. Meanwhile, the Bucs just slammed the Saints in the Superdome. And yet Vegas has installed the Texans as a touchdown favorite. Curious. Sure, Tampa was atrocious in Week 1 versus Tennessee, but it’s not like Houston has done anything thus far to instill trust they can cover this number. Bucs are 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games. Texans are 2-5 ATS in their last seven at home.
Bet Tampa Bay +7
Philadelphia at NY Jets -1.5 – Okay, so the Eagles are 0-2 and have amassed a total of 70 yards rushing. Kiko Alonso, Mychal Kendricks, and Cedric Thornton won’t play, and DeMarco Murray is questionable with a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, the Jets have yielded 17 points in two wins and just stymied Andrew Luck and the Colts. And yet Vegas has the Jets giving only 1.5 points at home. Strange. Sure, the Eagles are desperate to avoid an 0-3 start, but it’s not like they have done anything thus far to instill trust they won’t be completely flattened by a defense that has already forced ten turnovers. Jets are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall. Eagles are 1-5 ATS in their last six overall, but are 9-0 SU all-time in the series.
Bet NY Jets -1.5
Indianapolis at Tennessee +3 – The 0-2 Colts have looked very suspect through two games, scoring a paltry 21 points. Now, Buffalo and the Jets boast above average defenses, but free agent hires Andre Johnson and Frank Gore have offered little to no help. The Titans caught the Bucs sleeping in the opener, but made the Browns offense seem competent last Sunday. With games against New England, Carolina, and Denver on the horizon, Indy cannot afford to fall to 0-3. Tennessee is heading in the right direction with Marcus Mariota under center, but they are still a very young team. The Colts are 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last ten tilts in the series. The Titans are 1-7 ATS in their last eight overall.
Bet Indy -3
San Francisco at Arizona -6.5 – The 49ers crashed back down to earth in Week 2 against the potent Pittsburgh offense. Don’t expect different results facing the top ranked Cardinals attack on the road. Carson Palmer has tossed at least two touchdowns in seven of his last eight starts. Also, the ‘Zona rush defense is allowing 81.5 yards per game. Niners are 1-7 ATS in their last eight overall, but 6-4 ATS in the last ten meetings. Cards are 11-4 ATS in their last fifteen overall and 7-1 ATS in the last eight at home.
Bet Arizona -6.5
