BEST BETS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-0) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-2)
LINE: Pittsburgh by 1.5
Anthony Richardson is getting worse, not better, as he heads into his eighth career start against a Mike Tomlin defence that leads the NFL in fewest average yards allowed and fewest points allowed … Justin Fields has thrown just two TD passes and a pick, but the only other AFC quarterbacks at 3-0 are a couple of guys named Mahomes and Allen … The Colts defeated the Steelers 30-13 in Indy last year to snap an eight-game losing streak against the Steelers, who lead all-time series 27-7.
TAKING: PITTSBURGH -1.5
(O/U 40): Steelers 20, Colts 13
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-1) at ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)
LINE: Atlanta by 2.5
The Saints offence crashed back to earth with three points in the first three quarters of New Orleans’ 15-12 home loss to the Eagles last week … The Falcons are 0-2 at home, but the defence was sufficient in a 22-17 loss to the Chiefs last week, and Atlanta QB Kirk Cousins is getting stronger on that repaired Achilles … The Saints have won 10 of the last 13 meetings, but not today.
TAKING: ATLANTA -2.5
(O/U: 41.5): Falcons 23, Saints 17
CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-3) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-2)
LINE: Cincinnati by 4
The storyline likes the Panthers, who last week turned to the old “Red Rifle” for guidance to their third win since the start of last season. Now Andy Dalton looks to make it two in a row against the team he spent the first nine seasons of his career with — and the team that in 2019 benched him on his 32nd birthday. Even though the Bengals defence has looked bad and Joe Burrow’s protection has been weak, the Panthers ‘D’ is worse and brings very little pressure to the QB. The Bengals are desperate, Tee Higgins has a game under his belt. Ja’Marr Chase is coming off his best performance, and Burrow is 15-7 ATS after a loss.
TAKING: CINCINNATI -4
(O/U: 46.5): Bengals 34, Panthers 24
THE REST
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-0) at GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1)
LINE: Green Bay by 2.5
Sam Darnold is on track to become the NFL’s comeback player of the year, and his banged-up knee didn’t prevent him from practising in full as of Wednesday. Dealing with his own knee issues, Jordan Love will be a game-time decision. But the biggest reason for this pick is the return to Lambeau of Aaron Jones, third on the Packers’ career rushing list, who went to Minny when he wasn’t re-signed. That, and the fact teams have alternated wins the last six times they’ve met. It’s the Vikings’ turn.
TAKING: MINNESOTA +2.5
(O/U: 43.5): Vikings 24, Packers 23
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-3) at HOUSTON TEXANS (2-1)
LINE: Houston by 6.5
Do the Jaguars love coach Doug Pederson? I’ve met him. Nice man. If his players feel the same, they’ll fight for his job after a head-spinning 47-10 loss to Buffalo. The Texans were also embarrassed 34-7 by the Vikings last week. DeMeco Ryans’ job is not in jeopardy … The teams split their season series in 2023, with the Jags winning 24-21 in Houston. The Texans take this one, but that’s a big spread for an offence coming off a one-score game to face a divisional rival.
TAKING: JACKSONVILLE +6.5
(O/U: 45): Texans 27, Jaguars 23
LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-2) at CHICAGO BEARS (1-2)
LINE: Chicago by 3
The Rams were looking at an 0-3 start when Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams rallied them to a 13-point fourth quarter versus the Niners. But expect them to keep winning with their two star receivers out and those injuries on the O-line? Against Bears QB Caleb Williams, coming off his first good day? … The Bears have won their last six home games and the home team has covered in seven of Chicago’s last eight anywhere … The Rams have won the last three meetings, but haven’t tasted victory in Chicago since 2003.
TAKING: CHICAGO -3
(O/U: 41): Bears 20, Rams 10
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-1) at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-1)
LINE: Philadelphia by 2.5
The Bucs have won five of the last six meetings, including 32-9 and 31-15 in their last two wildcard showdowns. Suddenly Jalen Hurts is going to figure out Todd Bowles’ defence? Without A.J. Brown AND possibly DeVonta Smith? Not unless Saquon Barkley goes absolutely nuts … The Bucs are also dealing with injuries on both sides of the ball, but they’ll be better than they were in last week’s 19-point home loss to Denver. Gimme this home ‘dog.
TAKING: TAMPA BAY +2.5
(O/U: 44): Buccaneers 23, Eagles 21
DENVER BRONCOS (1-2) at NEW YORK JETS (2-1)
LINE: N.Y. Jets by 7.5
Aaron Rodgers rediscover his old self in last week’s pummelling of the Patriots, while rookie Bo Nix was also good in a win over Tampa Bay. Now, the Jets defence is much better that the Bucs’, and Rodgers has more weapons that Nix, but the Jets may already have their bags packed for next week’s game in London. Did I mention that heading into this week, teams giving 6.5 points or more have failed to cover in 12 of 13 games?
TAKING: DENVER -7.5
(O/U: 39.5): Jets 20, Broncos 13
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-1) at ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-2)
LINE: Arizona by 3.5
One incredible TD pass (to Terry McLaurin) and I’m sold on Jayden Daniels. Plus Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury must have some idea had to disrupt Kyler Murray from his days as Cards coach … Washington has won three of the last four meetings.
TAKING: WASHINGTON +3.5
(O/U: 50.5): Commanders 28, Cardinals 24
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2) at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-2)
LINE: San Francisco by 10.5
Injuries to Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle have transformed the Niners from a NFC kingpin to a club that squanders 10-point lead against the Rams — and one that can barely be trusted as a double-digit favourite against a Patriots team that still might be the worst in the league. Yes, I say barely. Their game last week was a wakeup call for Niners.
TAKING: SAN FRANCISCO -10.5
(O/U: 40.5): Niners 21, Patriots 10
CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-2)
LINE: Las Vegas by 1.5
The Raiders have won the last four meetings and they will respond after a shameful loss to the Panthers last week. At this point, it seems a good gamble to take Gardner Minshew in a showdown with Deshaun Watson.
TAKING: LAS VEGAS -1.5
(O/U: 37): Raiders 14, Browns 10
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-0) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-1)
LINE: Kansas City by 7.5
Not only have the Chiefs won the last five meetings, but they haven’t lost as visitors to the Chargers, whether it be in Los Angeles or San Diego, in 10 showdowns. Five of the Chiefs’ last six victories over the Chargers have been by less than one score, but Justin Herbert (ankle) will be limited if he does in fact play.
TAKING: KANSAS CITY -7.5
(O/U: 39.5): Chiefs 24, Chargers 14
BUFFALO BILLS (3-0) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-2)
LINE: Baltimore by 2.5
The Bills lead the league in points per game, and the Ravens ‘D’ has given up more passing yardage than any team in the NFL — by a lot. Can Derrick Henry come close to duplicating last week’s outburst of 152 yards? He’ll need to for the Ravens to prevail. I’m going with the underdog Josh Allen, who is 2-1 in head-to-head meetings with Lamar Jackson.
TAKING: BUFFALO +2.5
(O/U: 46.5): Bills 28, Ravens 27
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-3) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-2)
LINE: Miami by 1.5
Will Levis has mostly looked like a bad idea, but he did pass for 260 yards last week with TD tosses to go along with those pair of pics. Either way, I’ll go with him over whoever “Mysterious” Mike McDaniel unveils as his starting QB, whether it be Skylar Thompson or Tim Boyle or Tyler (Snoop) Huntley or Snoop Dogg himself.
TAKING: TENNESSEE +1.5
(O/U: 36.5): Titans 13, Dolphins 12
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-0) at DETROIT LIONS (2-1)
LINE: Detroit by 3.5
The Lions have yet to get it going offensively, and the Seahawks have the best pass defence in the NFL, allowing an average of 132.3 yards while facing Bo Nix in his first game, Jacoby Brissett and the less than deadly duo of Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle. The Seahawks have won the last six meetings and nine of the last 10, but the Lions will make a statement in this prime-time slot.
TAKING: DETROIT -3.5
(O/U: 46.5): Lions 27, Seahawks 20
