Sunday 10/2/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[superbeets]

Premier League Su 2Oct 12:00

Man Utd

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Stoke

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MAN UTD	RECENT FORM
HLALALAWHWHW​ Most recent​	3 - 0 2 - 1 3 - 2 4 - 2	AWALHLALHLHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Stoke have kept one clean sheet in 16 Premier League games against United

EXPERT VERDICT: Manchester United romped back winning ways in the Premier League with a 4-1 demolition of champions Leicester and Stoke are unlikely to cause an Old Trafford upset. Jose Mourinho's men are still not perfect defensively so Stoke may be able to contribute to the goal tally, but United can claim maximum points.

RECOMMENDATION: Man Utd to win 3-1
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REFEREE: Robert Madley STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Su 2Oct 14:15

Leicester

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Southampton

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT LEICESTER	RECENT FORM
ALAWHWHD*ALHW​ Most recent​	1 - 0 2 - 0 3 - 2 1 - 2	ALHWHWHWAWAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Leicester lost just one home league game last season

EXPERT VERDICT: Leicester are unbeaten on their own patch this season, keeping two clean sheets in three outings, and they have lost only one of their last four league clashes against Southampton. The Saints are improving under Claude Puel but their Thursday night game in Israel could prove draining.

RECOMMENDATION: Leicester
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REFEREE: Martin Atkinson STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Su 2Oct 14:15

Tottenham

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Man City

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SS1		21/10	5/2	7/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT TOTTENHAM	RECENT FORM
AWHLHWHWAWAW​ Most recent​	4 - 1 0 - 1 1 - 5 3 - 1	AWHWHWAWAWAD​ Most recent​

EXPERT VERDICT: The Premier League’s outstanding unbeaten records are on the line when Manchester City visit White Hart Lane, but both records could remain intact. City have flown out of the traps with six successive league victories, but Spurs are only four points behind after moving into second place with a dominant 2-1 success at Middlesbrough.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
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REFEREE: Andre Marriner STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

German Bundesliga Su 2Oct 14:30

Wolfsburg

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Mainz

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WOLFSBURG	RECENT FORM
AWAWHDADHLAL​ Most recent​	1 - 1 3 - 0 3 - 0 0 - 2	HDHDAWAWHLAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Wolfsburg have won one of their last six home league fixtures

EXPERT VERDICT: Wolfsburg had a tough last week – losing at home to Borussia Dortmund (5-1) and away to Werder Bremen (2-1) but can stop the rot by securing a point at home to Mainz. Two wins from three away games have helped Mainz climb up the Bundesliga but they posted just one point from their last three trips to the Volkswagen Arena.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indianapolis at Jacksonville

When: 9:30 AM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Wembley Stadium, London

The Indianapolis Colts found their way into the win column last week and are focused on making it two in a row - leaving little time for tourism this week. The Colts vow to be all about business when they cross the Atlantic and take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday.

“I am excited about the opportunity, just like our players are, to go over there and play and all those kinds of things,” Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano told reporters. “I think the offseason is probably the time and place to get excited about taking a trip across the pond and doing some sightseeing. I don’t think this is the weekend to do it.” Colts quarterback Andrew Luck vows to be all business as well, though he's excited to return to Europe, where he traveled extensively for nine years as a child while his father was running NFL Europe. Jacksonville counterpart Blake Bortles doesn't have tight ties to Europe, but he should be excited to see Indianapolis' defense, against which he threw three touchdown passes in a 51-16 drubbing in Week 14 last season. Bortles and the Jaguars' offense have not been nearly as sharp during their 0-3 start and are tied for 26th in the league in scoring average at 18 points per game.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Colts -2.5. O/U: 48.5

ABOUT THE JAGUARS (0-3): Bortles has recorded five touchdown passes and six interceptions in the first three weeks and was held to 194 passing yards against Baltimore in Week 3's 19-17 home setback. Jacksonville is not doing a lot to help Bortles with the running game and ranks 31st in the NFL with an average of 55 yards on the ground as second-year back T.J. Yeldon (84 yards on 34 carries) has struggled to get going. Jacksonville was supposed to take a step forward in 2016, and the slow start has brought questions about coach Gus Bradley's job security, which he insists is not a concern.

ABOUT THE COLTS (1-2): Luck did not play in that 51-16 rout last season, sitting out with a lacerated kidney, but is 5-1 with 1,702 passing yards and 10 TDs in seven career games against Jacksonville. Luck is having some trouble finding healthy receivers, however, and T.Y. Hilton (knee) did not practice on Wednesday while Donte Moncrief (shoulder) could miss another month. The Colts steadily are getting healthier on the other side of the ball and surrendered 22 points in the Week 3 win after giving up a total of 73 in their first two contests.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Colts LB Trent Cole was placed on injured reserve with a back injury.

2. Jacksonville TE Julius Thomas (elbow) sat out practice and is questionable.

3. Indianapolis CB Darius Butler (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday and is week-to-week.

PREDICTION: Jaguars 31, Colts 28

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Carolina at Atlanta

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia


The concerns are mounting for the Carolina Panthers, who need a road win Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons to avoid slipping into a two-game hole in the NFC South. The Falcons look to remain atop the division and continue the defending NFC champions’ disappointing start with a third straight victory.



Atlanta ended Carolina’s bid for a perfect season after 14 straight wins a year ago, winning 20-13 behind a huge game from Julio Jones. The receiver has been relatively quiet thus far in 2016, but it hasn’t held back the Falcons’ offense, which leads the NFL in scoring and total offense and is coming off a dominant performance in a 45-32 win at New Orleans on Monday night. “As a coach, that’s what pumps you up,” Atlanta coach Dan Quinn told reporters. “You play as a whole group, a whole unit. You’re pulling for one another. When you play team ball like that, that’s what fires me up.” Carolina’s offense was sluggish in a 22-10 loss to Minnesota last week, compiling just 306 yards and committing three turnovers to raise the team's total to seven over the last two games.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Panthers -3. O/U: 50



ABOUT THE PANTHERS (1-2): The turnovers are the clear concern for Carolina, as Cam Newton has thrown as many interceptions - five - as touchdown passes. The Panthers still are moving the ball on the ground, even with Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne filling in for Jonathan Stewart (hamstring), and facing a porous Atlanta secondary could help Newton and the passing game get going. The defense has been solid, ranking third in the league in total defense, but too often has been put in difficult situations due to turnovers.

ABOUT THE FALCONS (2-1): Atlanta’s offense is firing on all cylinders, as Ryan has passed for 970 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception while Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are a formidable backfield duo. Freeman had a career-high 207 yards from scrimmage last week (152 rushing, 55 receiving) and Coleman punched in three touchdowns. There is plenty of cause for concern on the other side of the ball, though, as the Falcons rank 30th in total defense and 28th in scoring defense and have been especially susceptible against the pass.



EXTRA POINTS

1. Ryan has passed for at least 300 yards in four straight games against Carolina.

2. Carolina DT Kawann Short has notched four sacks and two forced fumbles in his last two games against the Falcons and five sacks in his last four contests versus NFC South foes.

3. Atlanta TE Jacob Tamme has recorded at least four receptions in four of his last five games and leads the team with 14 grabs this season.



PREDICTION: Falcons 27, Panthers 24

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Oakland at Baltimore

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

The Baltimore Ravens look to remain among the unbeaten and continue their dominance in the all-time series when they host the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Baltimore is one of five teams to win their first three games of the season, getting off to a 3-0 start for the third time in franchise history (2006 and 2009) after edging Jacksonville 19-17 in Week 3.

The Ravens have had few problems with the Raiders, winning six of the eight overall meetings and four straight before dropping a 37-33 decision at Oakland last September. Baltimore will have another weapon to help contain Oakland quarterback Derek Carr as Pro Bowl linebacker Elvis Dumervil will make his season debut after missing the team's first three games due to a setback with his surgically repaired foot. Carr had a field day against the Ravens last year, throwing for a career-high 351 yards and three touchdowns. Oakland's high-powered offense is ranked second in the league as it is averaging 436 yards and 26.7 points per contest.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Ravens -3.5. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (2-1): Baltimore can expect Carr to be looking for Seth Roberts, who hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute of last year's meeting and has five scoring receptions in his last five road games. Oakland could be without Nate Allen for the matchup as the safety did not participate in Thursday's practice after being limited the previous day due to a quadriceps injury. Sebastian Janikowski became the NFL's king of the long field goal in last week's victory at Tennessee as he converted his 53rd career kick of at least 50 yards - a 52-yarder - to pass Jason Hanson for most in league history.

ABOUT THE RAVENS (3-0): Dumervil would have liked to have returned earlier but understands the team's decision to keep him out of the lineup. "I think as a competitor, you always want to go out and compete to help your team," he told the team's website. "But sometimes the doctors, the head coach, oversee things a lot better than you can as a player. Sometimes it's good to listen." Dumervil will be happy to be back on the field with fellow linebacker Terrell Suggs, as the duo combined for 29 sacks in 2014 but haven't played together since last year's season opener in which Suggs suffered a torn Achilles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Despite their perfect record, the Ravens have scored only four touchdowns thus far this season.

2. Oakland RB Latavius Murray has rushed for only 153 yards but has found the end zone in each of his first three games.

3. Baltimore K Justin Tucker was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for the third time in his career after going 9-for-9 on field-goal attempts over the first three contests.

PREDICTION: Raiders 30, Ravens 24

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Detroit at Chicago

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions haven't had too many fond memories over the last few years, but they sure do enjoy facing the Chicago Bears. Stafford looks to guide Detroit to its series-best seventh consecutive victory over injury-ravaged Chicago on Sunday when the NFC North rivals meet at Soldier Field.

Stafford threw for 703 yards and seven touchdowns in last year's sweep of the Bears and has formed a post-Calvin Johnson connection this season with Marvin Jones, who has an NFL-best 408 yards receiving. Stafford went for 385 yards and three scores and Jones reeled in six receptions for a career-high 205 yards and two TDs in the Lions' 34-27 setback at division-rival Green Bay on Sunday. While Detroit has been set at quarterback since taking Stafford with the top overall pick of the 2009 draft, Chicago is expected to turn to Brian Hoyer for the second straight outing with Jay Cutler nursing a sprained right thumb. Hoyer completed 30 of 49 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears' 31-17 setback at Dallas on Sunday.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Lions -2.5. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE LIONS (1-2): Theo Riddick is running nowhere fast with just a 3.3 yards per carry this season, but his 16 receptions are second-best on the team. Tight end Eric Ebron is next with 14 catches and has reeled in a touchdown grab in the last meeting with the Bears and two of his last three overall games on the road. Golden Tate flourished without Johnson in the lineup last season, but that success has yet to carry over into 2016 as he is averaging just 7.2 yards per catch and has yet to find the end zone.

ABOUT THE BEARS (0-3): With Jeremy Langford (ankle) and Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) sidelined, rookie Jordan Howard will try to ignite Chicago's 30th-ranked rushing attack and could find room to roam versus a Detroit squad surrendering a league-high 5.1 yards per carry this season and 199 yards on the ground last week. Alshon Jeffery (knee, hamstring), who was limited in practice on Thursday, has scored a touchdown in three straight encounters versus the Lions and five of six. Tight end Zach Miller reeled in eight receptions for 78 yards against the Cowboys while recording his third career multi-touchdown performance and is facing a Detroit club that has yielded five touchdowns to tight ends this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Chicago has lost seven of its last eight games overall and 11 of 12 at home.

2. Lions S Glover Quin has recorded an interception in three of his last four encounters with the Bears.

3. Chicago LB Jerrell Freeman's 34 tackles are just one shy of NFL leader Craig Robertson of New Orleans.

PREDICTION: Lions 30, Bears 21

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Buffalo at New England

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Coming off what could have been a season-saving victory, Rex Ryan prepares to match wits with his biggest rival when he leads the Buffalo Bills into a matchup against Bill Belichick and the host New England Patriots on Sunday. Despite the absence of quarterback Tom Brady due to a four-game suspension, the unbeaten Patriots are in a familiar perch atop the AFC East.

It's unclear if Jimmy Garoppolo or rookie Jacoby Brissett -- both dealing with injuries -- will be under center for New England, which has not missed a beat and improved to 3-0 with a 27-0 demolition of Houston on Sept. 22. "The one thing I do know for sure is Tom Brady is not the quarterback and I feel good about that," said Ryan, who playfully called into a media conference Wednesday and asked Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman if he'd be playing quarterback. Buffalo rebounded from a pair of six-point losses with a dominating 33-18 victory over Arizona on Sunday, six days after Ryan fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman. New England has won 23 of the past 25 meetings between the longtime division rivals, including a season sweep a year ago.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -6. O/U: None

ABOUT THE BILLS (1-2): Although Ryan said a reason for firing Roman was his inability to get the team's top playmakers more involved, the absence of star wideout Sammy Watkins forced Buffalo to rely on a ground game that produced 208 yards rushing versus Arizona. LeSean McCoy nearly matched his total from the first two weeks combined by rushing for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he rushed for more than 80 yards in both matchups against New England last season. Watkins did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and is not expected to do so on Friday so McCoy could be in line for another heavy workload. Buffalo's defense came alive last week by registering five sacks and four interceptions.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (3-0): Both Garoppolo (shoulder) and Brissett were limited in Thursday's practice, and the prognosis of the offense was further muddled by the limited status of star tight end Rob Gronkowski (hamstring). Although he did not have a catch in his season debut against the Texans, Gronkowski told reporters on Wednesday that he was "feeling good and just progressing every day.” Running back LeGarrette Blount, who leads the NFL with 298 yards rushing and has scored four touchdowns, was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month on Thursday. New England's defense is ranked in the middle of the pack, but it is allowing an average of 90.3 yards rushing and 15.0 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Patriots have won 21 of their last 22 division home games.

2. Ryan's teams are 4-18 following a win since 2012.

3. Patriots WR Danny Amendola had nine receptions for 117 yards in the last meeting against Buffalo.

PREDICTION: Patriots 23, Bills 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tennessee at Houston

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas


After a few extra days to lick their wounds following a prime-time drubbing, the Houston Texans hope to protect their perch atop the AFC South standings when they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Houston has won seven of its last eight meetings with the Titans, including all four under coach Bill O’Brien.



Houston is coming off a 27-0 rout at the hands of New England in Week 3 and hopes to rebound to the strong defensive form it flashed while winnings its first two games. The Texans will be without star defensive end J.J. Watt, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after aggravating the back injury that required surgery over the summer. “To lose someone like that, of his caliber, it’s tough for them,” Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota told reporters. “You never want to see anybody go down. … For us, we’ve just got to continue to game plan, focus on what we can control and do our best to execute whatever is asked of us.” The Titans were unable to cap a late rally last week, coming up short of the end zone on their final drive in a 17-10 loss to Oakland.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Texans -4.5. O/U: 40.5



ABOUT THE TITANS (1-2): Tennessee’s offense has moved the ball well on the ground, but the passing game has left much to be desired. Mariota has as many interceptions – four – as touchdown passes and hasn’t provided enough balance to complement DeMarco Murray, who has accounted for three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving). An improved defense has kept the Titans in games, holding all three opponents under 250 passing yards, but the club has forced just two turnovers and had some trouble stopping the run.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (2-1): Quarterback Brock Osweiler isn’t putting up big numbers in his first season in Houston, throwing four interceptions and just three touchdown passes despite a dangerous receiving corps. The offense should be fine, though, if Osweiler can limit his mistakes, as Lamar Miller leads a strong rushing attack that has moved the ball well but has not yet found the end zone. Losing Watt will have an effect on the defense, but he hardly was in top form with just 1.5 of the team’s 10 sacks.



EXTRA POINTS

1. Houston has won five straight regular-season home games.

2. Titans TE Delanie Walker made 15 catches in two games against the Texans last season.

3. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins has recorded 24 receptions for 449 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games against Tennessee.



PREDICTION: Texans 23, Titans 16

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Seattle at N.Y. Jets

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey


While there are reports to the contrary, expect the Seattle Seahawks to have quarterback Russell Wilson in the lineup when they visit the desperate New York Jets on Sunday. Wilson, who already was battling an ankle injury, suffered a MCL sprain in last week's win over San Francisco but vows to be under center despite reports that said he'd miss up to three weeks with the latest injury.





"I was fortunate," Wilson said. "I don't think it was as severe as it looked, thank God. I think I'll be all right." In the midst of an imposing early schedule, the Jets look to rebound from an embarrassing setback at Kansas City last week when quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a career-high six interceptions and lost two fumbles. It doesn't look to get any easier for Gang Green's offense against the Seahawks, who rank first in the league in total defense and second in scoring defense, allowing just 12.3 points a game. If Wilson suffers another setback rookie Trevone Boykin, who threw a touchdown pass and an interception while going 7-for-9 in limited action last week, would get the call.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -2.5. O/U: 41.5.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (2-1): The Seahawks got a big boost last week with the re-emergence of tight end Jimmy Graham, who snared six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers and looks to be all the way back from his surgery on a torn patellar tendon. Christine Michael also had a breakout game with 106 yards rushing and two scores on 20 carries while filling in for injured starter Thomas Rawls (fibula), and top receiver Doug Baldwin grabbed eight passes for 164 yards and a score. Seattle signed veteran running back C.J. Spiller during the week to take some of the burden off Michael but how much he plays and how effective he'll be is a question against New York's stout defensive line.

ABOUT THE JETS (1-2): Fitzpatrick's top targets are both battling injuries as Eric Decker, who leads the team with 194 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns, is expected to seek an MRI exam on his shoulder and Brandon Marshall has been slowed with a knee sprain. The Jets added Austin Sefarian-Jenkins during the week after the tight end was released by Tampa Bay following his DUI -- the latest in a litany of off-the-field incidents. The Jets rank third in the league defending but have been much softer against the pass. Defensive back Darrelle Revis suffered an ankle injury during the week but is expected to play.


EXTRA POINTS

1. Jets RB Matt Forte ranks sixth in the NFL with 261 yards rushing and has three touchdowns.

2. While the Seahawks' defense has to be champing at the bit to square off against Fitzpatrick, it has forced just one turnover on the season.

3. After the Jets had won five straight in the series, the Seahawks have won the last two including a 28-17 victory in their last meeting in 2012.

PREDICTION: Jets 24, Seahawks 17

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Buffalo at New England

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Coming off what could have been a season-saving victory, Rex Ryan prepares to match wits with his biggest rival when he leads the Buffalo Bills into a matchup against Bill Belichick and the host New England Patriots on Sunday. Despite the absence of quarterback Tom Brady due to a four-game suspension, the unbeaten Patriots are in a familiar perch atop the AFC East.

It's unclear if Jimmy Garoppolo or rookie Jacoby Brissett -- both dealing with injuries -- will be under center for New England, which has not missed a beat and improved to 3-0 with a 27-0 demolition of Houston on Sept. 22. "The one thing I do know for sure is Tom Brady is not the quarterback and I feel good about that," said Ryan, who playfully called into a media conference Wednesday and asked Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman if he'd be playing quarterback. Buffalo rebounded from a pair of six-point losses with a dominating 33-18 victory over Arizona on Sunday, six days after Ryan fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman. New England has won 23 of the past 25 meetings between the longtime division rivals, including a season sweep a year ago.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -6. O/U: None

ABOUT THE BILLS (1-2): Although Ryan said a reason for firing Roman was his inability to get the team's top playmakers more involved, the absence of star wideout Sammy Watkins forced Buffalo to rely on a ground game that produced 208 yards rushing versus Arizona. LeSean McCoy nearly matched his total from the first two weeks combined by rushing for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he rushed for more than 80 yards in both matchups against New England last season. Watkins did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and is not expected to do so on Friday so McCoy could be in line for another heavy workload. Buffalo's defense came alive last week by registering five sacks and four interceptions.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (3-0): Both Garoppolo (shoulder) and Brissett were limited in Thursday's practice, and the prognosis of the offense was further muddled by the limited status of star tight end Rob Gronkowski (hamstring). Although he did not have a catch in his season debut against the Texans, Gronkowski told reporters on Wednesday that he was "feeling good and just progressing every day.” Running back LeGarrette Blount, who leads the NFL with 298 yards rushing and has scored four touchdowns, was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month on Thursday. New England's defense is ranked in the middle of the pack, but it is allowing an average of 90.3 yards rushing and 15.0 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Patriots have won 21 of their last 22 division home games.

2. Ryan's teams are 4-18 following a win since 2012.

3. Patriots WR Danny Amendola had nine receptions for 117 yards in the last meeting against Buffalo.

PREDICTION: Patriots 23, Bills 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cleveland at Washington

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland


While it was certainly way too early to write the eulogy, the Washington Redskins perhaps saved their season with a win at the New York Giants last week. The Redskins return home on Sunday looking to get to .500 on the season with another victory over the winless Cleveland Browns.




Washington rallied from a 12-point deficit and then picked off Eli Manning in the final minutes to preserve a crucial 29-27 win last week. The Redskins, who are 0-2 at home, finally got a solid performance from quarterback Kirk Cousins, who quieted the growing throng of critics with 296 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns, easily his best game of the young season. Cleveland suffered through another frustrating setback at Miami last week. A week after blowing a 20-0 lead in a loss to Baltimore, the Browns dropped a 30-24 verdict in overtime after newly signed kicker Cody Parkey missed three field goals, including the potential game-winner from 46 yards out as time expired in regulation.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Redskins -7.5. O/U: 46.5.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-3): While exciting and versatile wide receiver Terrelle Pryor said that the Browns were going "to win out" the rest of the season, the problems remain for Cleveland, which will start rookie Cody Kessler for the second straight game with Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown both sidelined. Kessler, out of USC, finished 21-for-33 for 244 yards with no interceptions in an encouraging debut, but Cleveland may be without running back Isaiah Crowell, who ranks second in the NFL is rushing with 274 yards and a robust 6.1 yards per carry. Crowell suffered a knee injury and is questionable for Sunday's contest as Cleveland looks to win for the just the second time in its last 14 outings and first on the road since beating Baltimore in overtime on Oct. 11, 2015.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (1-2): Attempting to defend its NFC East title, Washington started the year 0-2 with losses to Pittsburgh and Dallas before notching its unlikely comeback against the Giants. They may be short-handed it their quest to make it two straight as wide receivers DeSean Jackson (ankle, knee) and Josh Doctson (achilles) are both listed as questionable for Sunday's game and they lost two starting offensive linemen against New York. The Redskins also lost safety DeAngelo Hall for the season with a torn ACL but witnessed the emergence of speedy receiver Jamison Crowder, who is tied for the team-lead with 16 catches and is tops with two scores.


EXTRA POINTS

1. The Redskins have scored just three TDs in 14 trips to the red zone on the season.

2. Cleveland DB Joe Haden was limited at practice and is questionable to play on Sunday.

3. Washington has won two straight and six of the last eight meetings in the series.


PREDICTION: Redskins 30, Browns 17

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Los Angeles at Arizona

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals were touted as one of the preseason favorites to reach the Super Bowl, but they are off to a slow start and look to rebound from a humbling defeat when they host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in an NFC West matchup. The Cardinals dropped to 1-2 when they were bludgeoned 33-18 at previously winless Buffalo last weekend.

Quarterback Carson Palmer threw four interceptions and was sacked five times while registering a woeful 36.0 passer rating in the loss to the Bills. “Disappointed in the way we played, disappointed in myself and the way I played,” Palmer said. “But there’s a lot of football left, there’s 13 games left." Los Angeles rebounded from a wretched performance in a 28-0 loss at San Francisco in Week 1 by surprising division rival Seattle before outscoring Tampa Bay 37-32 on the road. The Rams have lost four of the last five matchups against the Cardinals, but they squeezed out a 24-22 victory at Arizona in October 2015.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cardinals -8. O/U: 43

ABOUT THE RAMS (2-1): After ranking last in total offense in 2015 and managing only three field goals through the first two games, Los Angeles snapped out of its doldrums in Tampa Bay. Running back Todd Gurley got in the end zone twice on a pair of 1-yard touchdowns, but he averaging only 2.9 yards per carry as defenses continue to stack the box and dare quarterback Case Keenum to beat them. Keenum threw for his first two scoring passes of the season and 190 yards against the Buccaneers, but he lacks a go-to wide receiver and is completing 53.8 percent of his passes with 559 yards overall through three games. The Rams have a devastating force in defensive tackle Aaron Donald while defensive end Robert Quinn is returning to form after playing in only eight games last season.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (1-2): Although Palmer established career highs in touchdown passes (35), yards (4,671) and quarterback rating (104.6) last season, he has been picked off 12 times in his last seven games (playoffs included) since injuring a finger on his throwing hand in Week 15 last season. Running back David Johnson was one of the few constants on offense last week with 83 yards rushing and a pair of touchdown runs while speedster John Brown finally emerged with six receptions for 70 yards after catching one ball in each of the first two games. As they prepare to face a run-heavy Los Angeles offense, the Cardinals need to tighten up a rush defense that was gouged for 208 yards by LeSean McCoy and Buffalo and ranked 28th in the league at 133.0 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson has an interception in three of the last four matchups versus the Rams.

2. Gurley rushed for 146 yards at Arizona last season in his first career start but was limited to 41 yards in the rematch.

3. Palmer threw for 356 yards and two TDs in a 27-3 romp over the Rams in December.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 27, Rams 13

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Los Angeles at Arizona

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals were touted as one of the preseason favorites to reach the Super Bowl, but they are off to a slow start and look to rebound from a humbling defeat when they host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in an NFC West matchup. The Cardinals dropped to 1-2 when they were bludgeoned 33-18 at previously winless Buffalo last weekend.

Quarterback Carson Palmer threw four interceptions and was sacked five times while registering a woeful 36.0 passer rating in the loss to the Bills. “Disappointed in the way we played, disappointed in myself and the way I played,” Palmer said. “But there’s a lot of football left, there’s 13 games left." Los Angeles rebounded from a wretched performance in a 28-0 loss at San Francisco in Week 1 by surprising division rival Seattle before outscoring Tampa Bay 37-32 on the road. The Rams have lost four of the last five matchups against the Cardinals, but they squeezed out a 24-22 victory at Arizona in October 2015.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cardinals -8. O/U: 43

ABOUT THE RAMS (2-1): After ranking last in total offense in 2015 and managing only three field goals through the first two games, Los Angeles snapped out of its doldrums in Tampa Bay. Running back Todd Gurley got in the end zone twice on a pair of 1-yard touchdowns, but he averaging only 2.9 yards per carry as defenses continue to stack the box and dare quarterback Case Keenum to beat them. Keenum threw for his first two scoring passes of the season and 190 yards against the Buccaneers, but he lacks a go-to wide receiver and is completing 53.8 percent of his passes with 559 yards overall through three games. The Rams have a devastating force in defensive tackle Aaron Donald while defensive end Robert Quinn is returning to form after playing in only eight games last season.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (1-2): Although Palmer established career highs in touchdown passes (35), yards (4,671) and quarterback rating (104.6) last season, he has been picked off 12 times in his last seven games (playoffs included) since injuring a finger on his throwing hand in Week 15 last season. Running back David Johnson was one of the few constants on offense last week with 83 yards rushing and a pair of touchdown runs while speedster John Brown finally emerged with six receptions for 70 yards after catching one ball in each of the first two games. As they prepare to face a run-heavy Los Angeles offense, the Cardinals need to tighten up a rush defense that was gouged for 208 yards by LeSean McCoy and Buffalo and ranked 28th in the league at 133.0 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson has an interception in three of the last four matchups versus the Rams.

2. Gurley rushed for 146 yards at Arizona last season in his first career start but was limited to 41 yards in the rematch.

3. Palmer threw for 356 yards and two TDs in a 27-3 romp over the Rams in December.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 27, Rams 13

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: New Orleans at San Diego

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Drew Brees returns to San Diego for the first time since leaving as a free agent in 2006 as he attempts to lead the New Orleans Saints to their first victory of the season Sunday against the Chargers. The 37-year-old quarterback spent the first five years of his career with San Diego after being selected in the second round of the 2001 draft before signing with the Saints, whom he led to a Super Bowl title after the 2009 campaign.

Brees has been unable to lead the team to a victory this season, however, as New Orleans has dropped a pair of high-scoring affairs at home and suffered a three-point loss to the New York Giants in its first road contest of the year. San Diego is coming off a 26-22 loss at Indianapolis in which it allowed a 63-yard touchdown pass by Andrew Luck with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Chargers will be without Manti Te'o as the linebacker tore his Achilles in the defeat and was placed on injured reserve. San Diego hopes to get its ground game going again, as the club gained only 37 yards on 17 carries against the Colts after running for over 150 in each of its first two contests.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Chargers -4. O/U: 53.5

ABOUT THE SAINTS (0-3): Age certainly is not slowing Brees down, as the veteran enters Week 4 leading the NFL in completions (93), passing yards (1,062) and touchdown tosses (eight). He has enjoyed facing AFC teams of late, throwing for at least 400 yard and three touchdowns in the last two encounters. The Saints were without four starters on defense last week but could get back linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (quadriceps) and safety Kenny Vacaro (ankle) for the meeting with San Diego.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (1-2): Melvin Gordon, who enters Week 4 tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with four, accounted for all but two of San Diego's feeble rushing-yards total last week and hopes for better results against the Saints but knows he can't get hung up on numbers. "It's the NFL. I don't expect to go out there and run for 200, this or that," he told the team's website. "You can't have a set number in your head, because if you do, you'll be disappointed if you don't reach it. So my goal is to go out there with the unit and see what happens." Philip Rivers, who replaced Brees as the Chargers' quarterback, has recorded 695 passing yards and a 100.4 rating in two career starts against New Orleans.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chargers lead the all-time series 7-4 but have lost three of the last four meetings.

2. San Diego WR Travis Benjamin is looking to become the first Charger since Bobby Duckworth in 1984 to have a reception of 43 yards or more in three consecutive games.

3. New Orleans is one of four teams yet to register a victory this season.

PREDICTION: Saints 33, Chargers 27

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Denver at Tampa Bay

When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

The first quarterback selected in the 2015 draft will square off against the last on Sunday as Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian and the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. Winston, who was the top overall pick following his Heisman Trophy-winning season at Florida State, passed for a career-high 405 yards with three touchdowns in a 37-32 setback to Los Angeles last Sunday.

The 6-foot-5, 231-pound Mike Evans, who will be guarded by Aqib Talib in the former Buccaneer's return to Raymond James Stadium, reeled in a career-high 10 passes for 132 yards against the Rams. The third-year wideout has an NFC-best 21 receptions, with a league-high 17 going for first downs. Siemian acquitted himself well in his first road start, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 312 yards and four touchdowns in Sunday's 29-17 victory at Cincinnati. The Florida native is beginning to develop chemistry with Emmanuel Sanders, who collected nine catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns versus the Bengals.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -3. O/U: 44.5

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (3-0): Von Miller leads the league with five sacks this season and had a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown in the teams' last meeting -- Denver's 31-23 win on Dec. 2, 2012. With the Super Bowl MVP facing double- and sometimes triple-teams, fellow linebacker Shane Ray has taken advantage of 1-on-1 matchups and got to know Andy Dalton really well on Sunday following his three-sack performance. "Eventually, we got them in a position where we could start rushing and we were able to capitalize on it," Ray said of the Broncos recording six of their league second-best 12 sacks this season in the fourth quarter.

ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (1-2): Charles Sims had 124 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown versus Los Angeles and should receive another sizable workload with Doug Martin (hamstring) expected to miss his second straight game on Sunday. Cameron Brate also made the most of additional playing time on Sunday by reeling in a pair of touchdown passes after fellow tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins sat out following an arrest for DUI before being claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on Monday. Slot receiver Adam Humphries had a career-high nine receptions and 100 yards last week and will look to separate from Denver cornerback Chris Harris Jr. on Sunday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tampa Bay LB Kwon Alexander has a team-leading 31 tackles in three contests after recording 93 during his rookie season.

2. Denver RB C.J. Anderson has seven touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving) in his last eight games, including playoffs.

3. The Buccaneers own a minus-6 turnover ratio, which is better than only the Jets (minus-8).

PREDICTION: Broncos 23, Buccaneers 16

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dallas at San Francisco

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

With plenty of fanfare ratcheting up expectations, prize rookie Ezekiel Elliott needed a few weeks to get acclimated to the fast pace of the NFL before erupting for a breakout performance in his last outing. The fourth overall pick of the 2016 draft, Elliott will look to run the Dallas Cowboys to their third straight victory on Sunday when they visit the San Francisco 49ers.

Elliott, tied for second in the NFL with 274 yards, rolled up 140 in Dallas' 31-17 victory over Chicago last Sunday and looks to exploit similar gaping holes in the 49ers' 23rd-ranked rush defense (122.7 yards per game). The former Ohio State star was kept out of the end zone versus the Bears for the first time this season, but fellow rookie Dak Prescott added his second rushing touchdown and threw his first to Dez Bryant (leg) -- who is uncertain to play on Sunday. San Francisco has seen its defense gouged for 83 points over its last two games following a suffocating 28-0 victory over Los Angeles in the season opener. Carlos Hyde rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 37-18 setback to Seattle on Sunday and has an NFL high-tying four scores this season.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cowboys -2.5. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (2-1): While popular nighttime soap-opera "Dallas" took its audience on twists and turns in the 1970s and '80s, Bryant inadvertently did the same this week after fearing the worst and failing to show for an MRI exam on Monday. With questions mounting from the media and rabid fan base, Bryant succumbed to taking the exam two days later and discovered that he is nursing a hairline fracture in his right leg near the knee. Slot receiver Cole Beasley (team-leading 20 catches, 213 yards) and tight end Jason Witten will be tasked with opening up the defense to prevent San Francisco from stacking the box against Elliott.

ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-2): Blaine Gabbert, who has completed only 55.2 percent of his passes this season, was just 14-of-25 for 119 yards and an interception versus the Seahawks. Slot receiver Jeremy Kerley leads the team with 12 receptions, although he has reeled in just five for 53 yards total over his last two games on a San Francisco club struggling to find any form of consistent offense (NFL fourth-worst 292.0 yards per game). Vance McDonald (hip) leads the team with two receiving touchdowns and is hopeful to play after practicing on a limited basis on Thursday while fellow tight end Garrett Celek is dealing with a balky back.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Dallas has lost its last six decisions without QB Tony Romo and Bryant in the lineup.

2. San Francisco LB NaVorro Bowman (team-leading 27 tackles) had 11 in the teams' last encounter on Sept. 18, 2011.

3. Cowboys DE Randy Gregory will serve a 10-game suspension for multiple violations of the substance abuse policy, the NFL confirmed on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 23, 49ers 16

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kansas City at Pittsburgh

When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, October 2, 2016
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Coming off one of their worst losses in recent memory, the Pittsburgh Steelers hope the return of running back Le'Veon Bell will be enough to get back on track when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Pittsburgh looked every bit the Super Bowl contender it was expected to be in a pair of impressive wins to open the season before getting steamrolled by rookie Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles 34-3.

"We lost just about every aspect of that one. It was a poor performance by us, and I mean all of us," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after his team absorbed its worst defeat since a 31-point drubbing in 1989. "It starts with me. They outcoached us. They outplayed us. They were better fundamentally." Bell, suspended for the first three games for violating the league's policy on substance abuse, is expected to see a heavy workload despite the success of backup DeAngelo Williams through the first two games. Kansas City is coming off its best performance of the young season, forcing eight turnovers and intercepting six passes in a 24-3 rout of the New York Jets. The Chiefs halted a three-game losing streak in the series with a 23-13 home win over Pittsburgh in October 2015.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Steelers -5. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (2-1): Cornerback Marcus Peters leads the league in interceptions with four after picking off two passes for the second straight week, but his status is in question after he missed practice Wednesday and Thursday while dealing with the flu. Fellow starting cornerback Phillip Gaines also sat out practice Thursday due to a sore knee while running back Jamaal Charles, who has yet to see the field while recovering from a torn ACL in his knee sustained last season, was listed as a limited participant. Spencer Ware has filled in capably as the lead back, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, while quarterback Alex Smith is completing 66.9 percent of his passes. Kansas City's defense is permitting an average of 16.3 points.

ABOUT THE STEELERS (2-1): With Williams rushing for 237 yards over the first two games, there was the notion that Bell would be worked into a rotation in the backfield, but Tomlin doused that idea. "We'll see how sharp he is physically once we get him out on the practice field and kind of go from there but rest assured, you're going to see Le'Veon Bell and probably a lot of him on Sunday," Tomlin said. Ben Roethlisberger threw a season-high six touchdown passes through the first two weeks but was held without one in last week's loss, although he did connect with Antonio Brown on 12 catches for 140 yards. Pittsburgh has registered one sack, its lowest total through three games since it became an official stat in 1982.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Smith is 12-1 in his last 13 starts.

2. Roethlisberger has at least three touchdown passes in his last four home games.

3. Peters is bidding to become the third player since 1970 to record multiple picks in three straight games.

PREDICTION: Steelers 26, Chiefs 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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