NFL FOOTBALL PICKS ATS - FREE WEEKLY EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Both teams got big wins last week. The Jags are trying to become a legitimate threat in the AFC South and have looked great in 2 games and awful in the other. By sticking with the run, they are keeping pressure off of Bortles and he responded with one of his best days as a pro last week. The Jets are in total rebuild and feature young players everywhere in their lineup. I expect the Jaguar defense to put the clamps on a below-average NY offense and for the running game to lead them to another big road victory.

Generally speaking, the stock in Detroit is far elevated compared to that of Minnesota. Though the two teams enter with identical records, the body of work by the Lions is more proficient from a market perspective. Detroit has been more undervalued be that they own two outright wins as an underdog. Though the Lions failed to cover a three-point line against Atlanta on Sunday in a four-point loss, the market has yet to catch-up to the Lions. This scenario maybe prime for that adjustment.

Minnesota’s offense is frightening. The Vikings own the second best passing attack in the league, as well as the second most productive offensive unit. Minnesota has some exceptional young playmakers across the board, most notably in wide-out Stefon Diggs and newcomer rushing back Dalvin Cook. In comparison, Detroit’s numbers have been more mediocre offensively and if they hope to get their rushing department up and running against Minnesota, they better think again. The Vikings own a top-five rushing defense and will smother any hopes of gashing the middle. Since Calvin Johnson retired from the Lions, the Motor City has been looking for a weapon to get this team to productive numbers offensively. The defense has failed to pick up the slack for the most part. While, Matthew Stafford may be the highest paid athlete in history after landing a new contract in the off-season, he is going to have his hands filled with the likes of Everson Griffen harassing him in the pocket.

The talk of the town is Dallas Cowboys and their vaunted offensive line. Such talent has been able to make the likes of running back Ezekiel Elliot an overnight superstar. However, Los Angeles has some premier talent in their rolls. First, bull rusher Todd Gurley who can very likely be the NFL’s next top-of-the league running back. Gurley, a Georgia product is a well-balanced and versatile playmaker. He is also complemented by another quality and high-caliber talent in wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Collectively with Jared Goff at quarterback, the Rams’ offense is on its way to being a very potent and methodical attack. As a whole, Dallas in Big D is a position many takers like. In such scenarios, many that are keen on the Cowboys can expect to a premium if they wish to take action. Nevertheless, the market is enticing action on the Cowboys and sets up a perfect fade opportunity to go the other way with the Rams. Not only can Los Angeles cover, they can potentially win this contest. For a majority of the time, we have seen the Rams as a marginal pooch over the span of the 2017-2018 season. Now, they are offered at their best price so far. Tremendous upside on the Rams.

Over the past few years, Houston has dominated this matchup but I see a different outcome this week. Tennessee’s offense can still run the ball but their passing game has noticeably improved. Houston’s defense held a weak Cincinnati team but was overmatched vs. the Jaguars and Patriots. Watson has made some big plays but also his share of rookie mistakes. I expect him to make a few more miscues in this one and for the Titans offense to be the star of the show in this division tilt.

The Panthers offense has been dismal this season averaging a meagre 15 points per game. They’ve yet to surpass 300 yards in total offense in a game and their pass blocking has been atrocious without Kalil allowing 10 sacks in their last two games! You know that no matter who the Pats face Brady will be able to put points on the board and the Panthers defensive play last week wouldn’t suggest that will change anytime soon. I rarely lay more than 3 points, but I believe this game sets up perfectly to lay the big number. The Panthers managed a combined 22 points against the Saints and the Bills and the Patriots just hung 36 on a good Houston defense. The same number they scored in the week before against the Saints. New England extends the margin here and gets the point spread cover.

Chicago brings some solid momentum into this Thursday night’s game, but it has just one SU victory in the last seven games between these two bitter rivals. The Packers have not always looked like an elite NFL team this season. However they continue to find ways to win, especially when playing at home. The lean in this one is towards Green Bay covering the touchdown spread, but I am betting that the total on Thursday night stays UNDER the current 45.5-point line.

Both of these teams have been struggling to put points on the board and while I do expect Prescott to play on Monday night there is some concern with that bad ankle. It may take another week or two for each of these teams to get back on track, but when you take into consideration recent trends for both teams combined with current form it does sets the stage for another grinder that stays UNDER the current 47-point line.

Oakland’s fast start out of the gate along with its proven ability to cover on the road the past few seasons makes the Raiders a very attractive play on Sunday night. Adding some value to the betting odds for this inter-conference clash is the AFC West’s perfect 2-0 record both SU and ATS against the NFC East this season. I am banking on the Raiders extending this streak to three as my ‘best bet’ pick in this game.

The stock in the Bengals is through the floor at this point as their offense looks anemic and their defense looks out of sort. The Packers opened as a 7.5-home choice which suggests that this is a favorite-laden market. However, there are some variables that need to be taken into account. First, the Bengals enter off a longer period of rest. Cincinnati has had 10 days to prepare for this game whilst the Packers have had three less given the scheduling. Furthermore, the Green Bay defense looks auspicious in its own right. Atlanta has produced a blueprint to dissect the Packers defensive operations as they were able to replicate success as they had in the 2017 NFL Championship Game. Cincinnati is a team that likes to employ a similar tactic to Atlanta in that they like to put the ball in their best playmakers’ hands. For Cincy, A.J Green is argued to be possibly be the best receiver in the game on a short list with a few other names. Atlanta’s Julio Jones is another one of those candidates and he has gone off against this Packers secondary. Look for Cincinnati to take notes and come in under this number.

Kansas City has won the last 6 matchups between these 2 teams and is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 visits. The Chiefs, like Denver and Oakland, are undefeated and can’t lose winnable games like this one. LA generally stays in games, thanks to Rivers, but usually ends up on the losing end of them as well. They have a big chore in front of them as I don’t believe they have the personnel to keep Hill, Kelce and Hunt in check throughout the whole game. It’s a low number and look for KC to notch their seventh-straight win over their divisional rival.

Miami catches a break as they don’t have to travel in the cold to play the Jets. Cutler was decent last week and doesn’t need to do more to lead his team to a win this week. A heavy dose of Ajayi early should set the tone and Cutler can then pick apart the secondary with his many weapons. New York is one of the three worst teams in the league and should be no match for their division rival. The number is less than a converted TD and I expect the Dolphins to go to 2-0 with another big road win.

The Panthers scored 23 points in Week one against a 49ers’ defense that was blown up for 41 points in on Thursday at home against the Rams. Carolina followed that game up with 10 points against an average Bills defense last week. Cam will now be without one of his top receivers TE Olsen and it be logical to expect that the passing game will suffer. The good thing for the Panthers is that they are playing fantastic defense allowing three points and 176 total yards to the Bills and three points to the 49ers on 166 OTY. The Saints come into this game with offensive line issues. They haven’t run the ball well this season averaging 70.5 yards per game on 3.71 yards a carry and that isn’t likely to improve against the Panthers front seven that has allowed 60 yards per game this campaign. Without a strong running attack, the Saints just don’t put a lot of points on the board scoring a total of 86 points (17.2 PPG) over their last five games that they rushed for fewer than 100 yards.

The Broncos are in a dogfight in their division with the Chiefs and Raiders also 2-0. They can’t afford a slip up and I don’t expect them to falter this Sunday. Buffalo’s offense is basically McCoy and everybody else and I expect Denver to neutralize him early and force Taylor into several unfavorable down and distance situations. Siemian has some o-line issues to deal with but he has several playmakers that he can get the ball to quickly and let them make plays. This game may be closer than people think but I think the Broncos will establish themselves early and move to 3-0 for the fourth time in the last 5 years.

Neither team’s offense puts a scare in opponents’ defenses, but I think we’ll see some improvement offensively this week for both clubs. The Browns’ rookie QB DeShone Kizer had a rough game against the Ravens in Week 2, but early play indicates that Baltimore’s defense is elite. Kizer did look OK against the Steelers in Week 1 in his first pro start and he got stronger in the late stages. I think he can rebound here against a Colts team that allowed the Rams 46 points in their opener. Jacoby Brissett was acquired late by Indianapolis and learning the playbook of a new offensive co-ordinator will take time, but he didn’t look horrible last week against a good secondary and can easily make big strides this week. I was hoping to see a 39 or lower in this spot, but I’ll bite on the 40.5.

The stock on the Ravens is quite high after they put the wood to both the Bengals and Browns. In spite of their achievements in the early stages of the regular season, the Ravens were just a marginal favorite here against a team that can embarrassed the weak before. This narrative should raise a few eyebrows and queries. The Jaguars have a home field advantage here and it has been the subject of discussion for the NFL front office as some believe the UK can have its first NFL team in London in a short span of time. The prime candidate to relocate: the Jaguars. In 2016, Jacksonville defeated Indianapolis in the International Series and their win was to the delight of many in attendance. Most of those supporting the Jags, were local Londoners. There is no doubt that the Baltimore defense is stingy and looking more and more like the units of yesteryear. However, given environmental factors and perhaps even quality of opposition this contest is a step up in competition. Jacksonville may win this one outright.

The Rams have had their troubles against San Francisco in recent years, but I would still give Los Angeles a significant edge in Thursday night’s matchup given the 49ers’ issues on offense. That being said, my ‘best bet’ pick for this game is the UNDER on 5Dimes’ current 40-point total line. That is a very generous number in light of the matchup on the field.

The early season hype goes both ways based on each team’s performance in Week 1. While Detroit did look good at home last week, it still has to play this game on the road. New York should be able to push the reboot switch as a much better team than the one we saw in Dallas. I am going against the betting consensus, but I like the Giants’ chances to right the ship with a SU win that covers the current 3.5-point spread.

Green Bay knows that to be the best team in the NFC it has to beat the best teams in the conference. Last week’s win against Seattle builds some huge momentum for this game fueled by the motivation factor of those two road losses to Atlanta last season. I still think that the Falcons are going to be mired in a Super Bowl hangover this season; however for the sole purpose of making money on this matchup I am going with the OVER 53.5 points on the total line as my “best bet” pick.

This is the first game the Chargers will play in Los Angeles since 1960. They will be playing in the 30,000-seat StubHub Center and need a fast start to get the home fans excited about another new team in the LA area. The Dolphins and their families went to LA last week so they won’t be feeling any effects from a cross-country trip. However, it’s only natural that many of them will have their minds on their homes and what they may be returning to. I like the Chargers to start fast in this contest and to hold on for their first win of the 2017 campaign.

The selling points of these two teams are far contrasting. The Raiders qualified for the playoffs in 2016 and are positioned to once again return to the post-season with perhaps a better team than they had last season. For New York, the Jets are projected by some to go winless this season. Situationally, this contest sets up for takers to pay a premium if they wish to have a piece of the Oakland pie. Contrarily, to entice action on Gang Green the Jets will likely be accompanied by a friendly price tag. From a value perspective, we will step in accordingly and take an enhanced allotment of points. The Jets could have fostered a cover at Buffalo last week had their own miscues not given the Bills to opportunity to grab easy points. Oakland is certainly a step up in quality in terms of competition but nevertheless the fact that this contest is also on the West Coast further drives the price. At a neutral site, this meeting would have opened as a touchdown-plus choice in some markets. Given the fact both teams are lined on opposite ends of the spectrum some would actually expect the price to be higher. This market is designed to entice action on the favorite which puts us in a great position to come in on a fade with a potential live dog.