Randall the Handle BEST BETS
Panthers (2-1) at Patriots (2-1)
LINE: NEW ENGLAND by 9
It’s rare to find the public disenchanted with the Patriots, but after losing their opener and needing some final second heroics from Tom Brady to upend the Texans last week, the market is currently not so bullish on the champs. That’s OK. We don’t need others for validation. In the game we just mentioned, the Pats were as much as a 14-point favourite. They never came close to covering, but the line was based on Houston’s ineffective offence coming in and the Texans defence not being a concern against Brady and his offence. A week later, the Patriots are giving fewer than double-digits to a team that has a weaker offence than the Texans and a far less-imposing defence. Cam Newton can’t hit water from a boat right now with his team ranking 29th in scoring (15 PPG) and 30th in passing (168 yds. per game). Heck, he threw for only 167 yards versus the Saints last week along with three interceptions. Newton is also missing TE Greg Olsen and might be without wideout Kelvin Benjamin. A long afternoon awaits this guest.
TAKING: PATRIOTS –9
Bills (2-1) at Falcons (3-0)
LINE: ATLANTA by 8
We’ve seen a number of instances this season when a team appears to be absolutely dreadful only to bounce back in its following game with an impressive win. The Bills were guilty of this after a clunker in Carolina two weeks ago only to return to Orchard Park and thoroughly whoop the high-flying Broncos. The question that arises for Buffalo and others is which team do you trust? We’re going to give the Bills the benefit of the doubt here. A new coaching staff has the defence playing very well, having allowed the fewest points in the NFL while Buffalo remains the only team that hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown this season. It won’t be easy maintaining that impressive stat against Matt Ryan and Co., but this is a lot of points to be handed to a top defence. Falcons could easily be 1-2 after very close calls with Chicago in the opener and a goal-line stop vs. the Lions last week.
TAKING: BILLS +8
Eagles (2-1) at Chargers (0-3)
LINE: LA CHARGERS by 1
Beware of the better-than-lousy 0-3 teams. We all know the Chargers find inventive ways to lose, but we still have enough faith to expect a win on this day. Winless, the Bolts are home for the third week in a row. Even they would like to win for their NHL-attendance-sized fans. This is a good matchup for them. Protecting Carson Wentz will be a tough task for the Birds as the Chargers’ pass defence is allowing just 176 yards per game, good for fifth overall. That will put pressure on a mediocre ground game, and with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram causing trouble in the interior, points may not be easy to come by for this visitor. There’s a fatigue factor for Eagles, who are flying west after a tough divisional matchup against the Giants in a game that required a 61-yard field goal as time ran out for a win. The Eagles are a poor travelling team, with just two covers in their previous nine road games.
Panthers (2-1) at Patriots (2-1)
LINE: NEW ENGLAND by 9
It’s rare to find the public disenchanted with the Patriots, but after losing their opener and needing some final second heroics from Tom Brady to upend the Texans last week, the market is currently not so bullish on the champs. That’s OK. We don’t need others for validation. In the game we just mentioned, the Pats were as much as a 14-point favourite. They never came close to covering, but the line was based on Houston’s ineffective offence coming in and the Texans defence not being a concern against Brady and his offence. A week later, the Patriots are giving fewer than double-digits to a team that has a weaker offence than the Texans and a far less-imposing defence. Cam Newton can’t hit water from a boat right now with his team ranking 29th in scoring (15 PPG) and 30th in passing (168 yds. per game). Heck, he threw for only 167 yards versus the Saints last week along with three interceptions. Newton is also missing TE Greg Olsen and might be without wideout Kelvin Benjamin. A long afternoon awaits this guest.
TAKING: PATRIOTS –9
Bills (2-1) at Falcons (3-0)
LINE: ATLANTA by 8
We’ve seen a number of instances this season when a team appears to be absolutely dreadful only to bounce back in its following game with an impressive win. The Bills were guilty of this after a clunker in Carolina two weeks ago only to return to Orchard Park and thoroughly whoop the high-flying Broncos. The question that arises for Buffalo and others is which team do you trust? We’re going to give the Bills the benefit of the doubt here. A new coaching staff has the defence playing very well, having allowed the fewest points in the NFL while Buffalo remains the only team that hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown this season. It won’t be easy maintaining that impressive stat against Matt Ryan and Co., but this is a lot of points to be handed to a top defence. Falcons could easily be 1-2 after very close calls with Chicago in the opener and a goal-line stop vs. the Lions last week.
TAKING: BILLS +8
Eagles (2-1) at Chargers (0-3)
LINE: LA CHARGERS by 1
Beware of the better-than-lousy 0-3 teams. We all know the Chargers find inventive ways to lose, but we still have enough faith to expect a win on this day. Winless, the Bolts are home for the third week in a row. Even they would like to win for their NHL-attendance-sized fans. This is a good matchup for them. Protecting Carson Wentz will be a tough task for the Birds as the Chargers’ pass defence is allowing just 176 yards per game, good for fifth overall. That will put pressure on a mediocre ground game, and with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram causing trouble in the interior, points may not be easy to come by for this visitor. There’s a fatigue factor for Eagles, who are flying west after a tough divisional matchup against the Giants in a game that required a 61-yard field goal as time ran out for a win. The Eagles are a poor travelling team, with just two covers in their previous nine road games.
Randall the Handle
THE REST
Saints (1-2) vs. Dolphins (1-1) at London, England
LINE: NEW ORLEANS by 3
Maybe this is some sort of disaster karma. Twelve years after Katrina nearly wiped out the city of New Orleans, the Dolphins find themselves in a terrible scheduling situation as a result of recent Hurricane Harvey. Miami was forced to reschedule its opening game and now find themselves on the road for the third week running. This excursion included a long flight to the west coast to face the Chargers, then a road game in New Jersey where the Fish were harpooned by the feeble Jets and now the Fins must swim across the pond to play in England. They’ll face a Saints squad that is feeling better about themselves after a dominant win in Carolina. Once unbeatable as hosts, the Saints have now covered 10 of their past 12 away from N’awlins.
TAKING: SAINTS -3
Rams (2-1) at Cowboys (2-1)
LINE: DALLAS by 6
We’re just as shocked as you are that the Rams are the highest-scoring team in the NFL, racking up an average of 35.7 points per game. But scoring 87 of those points against bottom-dwelling Colts and 49ers does raise some doubts. Now the Rams will have to venture to Dallas and prove the outburst under their new head coach is not a fluke. Los Angeles may have to do this without the services of two key receivers, as both Tavon Austin and Sammy Watkins are in concussion protocol. Without those guys, seemingly improved QB Jared Goff could be under the gun, especially when Cowboys’ NFL-leading sack man Demarcus Lawrence is chasing after him. Scheduling quirk here favours Rams with 10 days rest versus ’Boys on short week, but not enough to tip scale L.A.’s way.
TAKING: COWBOYS -6
Titans (2-1) at Texans (1-2)
LINE: TENNESSEE by 1½
AFC South shaping up as interesting battleground as a Houston win could see a three-way tie atop the division with a trio of ascending teams. Both of these teams drew the public’s attention last week as Titans manhandled the Seahawks while the Texans nearly pulled off a gargantuan upset in New England. Houston’s rookie QB Deshaun Watson was outstanding in just second career start, completing 22-of-33 for 301 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 41 yards. Titans off to impressive start, but still feel they are unworthy of being a road favourite at a stadium where they’ve dropped five of previous six and where they will face a team suddenly excited about the quarterback position after a long drought. Divisional road faves have been draining bankrolls this season and it could continue in this one.
TAKING: TEXANS +1½
Jacksonville (2-1) at N.Y. Jets (1-2)
LINE: JACKSONVILLE by 3
Don’t overthink this one. The Jets are still an awful football team despite win over comatose Dolphins last week. If anything, that victory by this New York team will at least have the Jaguars paying attention and that should spell trouble for the hosts. Jacksonville was dominant in its victory last week over Baltimore. It finds itself tied atop its division and games like this are must-haves if Jacksonville wants to get back on the football map. No reason to believe they fail here as Jags have been good on both sides of the ball, ranking fourth in scoring at 29 points a game while its defence is even better, allowing second-fewest yards per game and third-fewest points. Expect the Jets to come in for a landing after soaring a week ago.
TAKING: JAGUARS -3
Bengals (0-3) at Cleveland (0-3)
LINE: CINCINNATI by 3
At least Ohio has the Indians. One of the state’s two pro football teams will earn its first win here and we doubt it will be the Browns. While there was hope for Cleveland to improve this season, it appears to be the same old. Talent level might have upgraded slightly, but Brownies continually find ways to lose (currently on 1-22 run), even to lowly Colts last week. Cincinnati played a much better game last week, battling Green Bay before succumbing in overtime at Lambeau. The Bengals have feasted on their division rival, winning five straight with previous two on this field by an average of 23.5 points. Cleveland can’t run the ball and forcing rookie QB to have to throw is frightening. Browns are simply to be avoided at short prices such as this.
TAKING: BENGALS -3
Steelers (2-1) at Ravens (2-1)
LINE: PITTSBURGH by 3
Baltimore’s credibility was put to the test last week and the result was a colossal failure. Ravens opened the year with two wins, but that was against Cincinnati and Cleveland respectively, two teams that are a combined 0-6. When facing a moderately better team than the weak division mates, the Blackbirds were hammered 44-7 by the Jaguars. Sure, it’s only one game, and we all know how things can change from week to week, but there is no denying Baltimore’s void of offensive playmakers. It won’t bode well for them in this one. Steelers’ fierce front-seven figure to put unrelenting pressure on the league’s 32nd-ranked passing team. Steelers rarely lose back-to-back contests and they are smarting after loss in Chicago last week. Pittsburgh had also won five straight road games before setback in Chitown.
TAKING: STEELERS -3
Giants (0-3) at Buccaneers (1-1)
LINE: TAMPA BAY by 3
Tampa Bay returns home after weak showing in Minnesota last week and will do so without the services of two fine linebackers as both Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander are expected to sit this one out after injuries in Minny. Not sure if that’s enough to help a struggling Giants squad that has yet to win and has some very transparent issues. It’s not news that the G-Men can’t run the football, currently dead-last in the league with an average of just 48.7 rushing yards per game. That forces Eli Manning and his suspect protection to have to throw the ball. While he has good receivers, NFL defences are too shrewd at stopping one-dimensional teams. The Bucs have talent and we’ve seen flashes of it, but it’s inconsistent. On this day, we expect to see the bright side.
TAKING: BUCCANEERS -3
49ers (0-3) at Cardinals (1-2)
LINE: ARIZONA by 6½
We could flip-flop on this one all day as neither side is very appealing. The 49ers don’t travel well having lost nine of past 10 away games while the Cardinals are down on everyone’s list after covering just three of past 13 games. It does help San Fran’s cause that like the Rams, they will face a team playing on six days rest compared to the 10 days allotted to them by the league’s schedulers. Still, prefer Arizona as they will have some key guys returning from injuries which include left tackle D.J. Humphries, left guard Mike Iupati and swift receiver John Brown. The Cardinals have had trouble in the red zone without those guys in the lineup, but things should improve with their return. Cards have won four straight in this series.
TAKING: CARDINALS -6½
Raiders (2-1) at Broncos (2-1)
LINE: DENVER by 3
Definitely the most exciting matchup on a lackluster card this week with the AFC West appearing to be a three-horse race and two of the combatants squaring off here. While the game is a toss-up with Denver’s strong defence attempting to hold off Oakland’s formidable offence, we prefer to back the Raiders in the underdog role. Silver and Black are 9-2 versus spread when accepting any points offered including the one time this season when receiving 2½-points in Tennessee (Oakland winning outright). Raiders also own stellar road mark with 13 covers in past 16 away. QB Derek Carr has defeated this division rival in previous two times he’s faced the Broncos defence, including a 30-20 win in Oakland last season, proving that he can put up points on Denver’s top-rated stop unit.
TAKING: RAIDERS +3
Colts (1-2) at Seahawks (1-2)
LINE: SEATTLE by 13
Tough to give away 13 points with a team scoring just 16 points per game. Even tougher is endorsing the Colts at this venue. Seattle’s defence, although not what it used to be, is still very capable of holding inexperienced Jacoby Brissett to limited offence. Indy has a poor ground game with over-the-hill RB Frank Gore leading the team with just 48 yards rushing per game. That’s going to force Brissett to the air, where only T.Y. Hilton is any threat and Seattle is very capable of shutting down any one guy. Let’s not forget that Indianapolis’ backup QB has just one touchdown pass in his short career (119 pass attempts) and they aren’t easy to come by here. Seahawks not afraid of being double-digit faves after covering 9-of-13 when spotting 10 or more.
TAKING: SEAHAWKS -13
Redskins (1-1) at Chiefs (3-0)
LINE: KANSAS CITY by 7
Difficult to fade the Chiefs right now as they are doing everything right while being a money machine for their backers. Kansas City has failed to cover just twice in past 15 regular-season games. Now they take on a visitor that is being asked to compete against the Raiders and this host in back-to-back weeks. While the Redskins can be commended for their stellar play thus far, this will be toughest defensive team they will have faced with K.C. having allowed just two of previous eight opponents to exceed 20 points. Offensively, no one is in more of a groove than Kansas City QB Alex Smith. Smith owns a league-leading 132.7 passer rating while tied for second with seven TD throw and zero interceptions.
TAKING: CHIEFS -7
THE REST
Saints (1-2) vs. Dolphins (1-1) at London, England
LINE: NEW ORLEANS by 3
Maybe this is some sort of disaster karma. Twelve years after Katrina nearly wiped out the city of New Orleans, the Dolphins find themselves in a terrible scheduling situation as a result of recent Hurricane Harvey. Miami was forced to reschedule its opening game and now find themselves on the road for the third week running. This excursion included a long flight to the west coast to face the Chargers, then a road game in New Jersey where the Fish were harpooned by the feeble Jets and now the Fins must swim across the pond to play in England. They’ll face a Saints squad that is feeling better about themselves after a dominant win in Carolina. Once unbeatable as hosts, the Saints have now covered 10 of their past 12 away from N’awlins.
TAKING: SAINTS -3
Rams (2-1) at Cowboys (2-1)
LINE: DALLAS by 6
We’re just as shocked as you are that the Rams are the highest-scoring team in the NFL, racking up an average of 35.7 points per game. But scoring 87 of those points against bottom-dwelling Colts and 49ers does raise some doubts. Now the Rams will have to venture to Dallas and prove the outburst under their new head coach is not a fluke. Los Angeles may have to do this without the services of two key receivers, as both Tavon Austin and Sammy Watkins are in concussion protocol. Without those guys, seemingly improved QB Jared Goff could be under the gun, especially when Cowboys’ NFL-leading sack man Demarcus Lawrence is chasing after him. Scheduling quirk here favours Rams with 10 days rest versus ’Boys on short week, but not enough to tip scale L.A.’s way.
TAKING: COWBOYS -6
Titans (2-1) at Texans (1-2)
LINE: TENNESSEE by 1½
AFC South shaping up as interesting battleground as a Houston win could see a three-way tie atop the division with a trio of ascending teams. Both of these teams drew the public’s attention last week as Titans manhandled the Seahawks while the Texans nearly pulled off a gargantuan upset in New England. Houston’s rookie QB Deshaun Watson was outstanding in just second career start, completing 22-of-33 for 301 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 41 yards. Titans off to impressive start, but still feel they are unworthy of being a road favourite at a stadium where they’ve dropped five of previous six and where they will face a team suddenly excited about the quarterback position after a long drought. Divisional road faves have been draining bankrolls this season and it could continue in this one.
TAKING: TEXANS +1½
Jacksonville (2-1) at N.Y. Jets (1-2)
LINE: JACKSONVILLE by 3
Don’t overthink this one. The Jets are still an awful football team despite win over comatose Dolphins last week. If anything, that victory by this New York team will at least have the Jaguars paying attention and that should spell trouble for the hosts. Jacksonville was dominant in its victory last week over Baltimore. It finds itself tied atop its division and games like this are must-haves if Jacksonville wants to get back on the football map. No reason to believe they fail here as Jags have been good on both sides of the ball, ranking fourth in scoring at 29 points a game while its defence is even better, allowing second-fewest yards per game and third-fewest points. Expect the Jets to come in for a landing after soaring a week ago.
TAKING: JAGUARS -3
Bengals (0-3) at Cleveland (0-3)
LINE: CINCINNATI by 3
At least Ohio has the Indians. One of the state’s two pro football teams will earn its first win here and we doubt it will be the Browns. While there was hope for Cleveland to improve this season, it appears to be the same old. Talent level might have upgraded slightly, but Brownies continually find ways to lose (currently on 1-22 run), even to lowly Colts last week. Cincinnati played a much better game last week, battling Green Bay before succumbing in overtime at Lambeau. The Bengals have feasted on their division rival, winning five straight with previous two on this field by an average of 23.5 points. Cleveland can’t run the ball and forcing rookie QB to have to throw is frightening. Browns are simply to be avoided at short prices such as this.
TAKING: BENGALS -3
Steelers (2-1) at Ravens (2-1)
LINE: PITTSBURGH by 3
Baltimore’s credibility was put to the test last week and the result was a colossal failure. Ravens opened the year with two wins, but that was against Cincinnati and Cleveland respectively, two teams that are a combined 0-6. When facing a moderately better team than the weak division mates, the Blackbirds were hammered 44-7 by the Jaguars. Sure, it’s only one game, and we all know how things can change from week to week, but there is no denying Baltimore’s void of offensive playmakers. It won’t bode well for them in this one. Steelers’ fierce front-seven figure to put unrelenting pressure on the league’s 32nd-ranked passing team. Steelers rarely lose back-to-back contests and they are smarting after loss in Chicago last week. Pittsburgh had also won five straight road games before setback in Chitown.
TAKING: STEELERS -3
Giants (0-3) at Buccaneers (1-1)
LINE: TAMPA BAY by 3
Tampa Bay returns home after weak showing in Minnesota last week and will do so without the services of two fine linebackers as both Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander are expected to sit this one out after injuries in Minny. Not sure if that’s enough to help a struggling Giants squad that has yet to win and has some very transparent issues. It’s not news that the G-Men can’t run the football, currently dead-last in the league with an average of just 48.7 rushing yards per game. That forces Eli Manning and his suspect protection to have to throw the ball. While he has good receivers, NFL defences are too shrewd at stopping one-dimensional teams. The Bucs have talent and we’ve seen flashes of it, but it’s inconsistent. On this day, we expect to see the bright side.
TAKING: BUCCANEERS -3
49ers (0-3) at Cardinals (1-2)
LINE: ARIZONA by 6½
We could flip-flop on this one all day as neither side is very appealing. The 49ers don’t travel well having lost nine of past 10 away games while the Cardinals are down on everyone’s list after covering just three of past 13 games. It does help San Fran’s cause that like the Rams, they will face a team playing on six days rest compared to the 10 days allotted to them by the league’s schedulers. Still, prefer Arizona as they will have some key guys returning from injuries which include left tackle D.J. Humphries, left guard Mike Iupati and swift receiver John Brown. The Cardinals have had trouble in the red zone without those guys in the lineup, but things should improve with their return. Cards have won four straight in this series.
TAKING: CARDINALS -6½
Raiders (2-1) at Broncos (2-1)
LINE: DENVER by 3
Definitely the most exciting matchup on a lackluster card this week with the AFC West appearing to be a three-horse race and two of the combatants squaring off here. While the game is a toss-up with Denver’s strong defence attempting to hold off Oakland’s formidable offence, we prefer to back the Raiders in the underdog role. Silver and Black are 9-2 versus spread when accepting any points offered including the one time this season when receiving 2½-points in Tennessee (Oakland winning outright). Raiders also own stellar road mark with 13 covers in past 16 away. QB Derek Carr has defeated this division rival in previous two times he’s faced the Broncos defence, including a 30-20 win in Oakland last season, proving that he can put up points on Denver’s top-rated stop unit.
TAKING: RAIDERS +3
Colts (1-2) at Seahawks (1-2)
LINE: SEATTLE by 13
Tough to give away 13 points with a team scoring just 16 points per game. Even tougher is endorsing the Colts at this venue. Seattle’s defence, although not what it used to be, is still very capable of holding inexperienced Jacoby Brissett to limited offence. Indy has a poor ground game with over-the-hill RB Frank Gore leading the team with just 48 yards rushing per game. That’s going to force Brissett to the air, where only T.Y. Hilton is any threat and Seattle is very capable of shutting down any one guy. Let’s not forget that Indianapolis’ backup QB has just one touchdown pass in his short career (119 pass attempts) and they aren’t easy to come by here. Seahawks not afraid of being double-digit faves after covering 9-of-13 when spotting 10 or more.
TAKING: SEAHAWKS -13
Redskins (1-1) at Chiefs (3-0)
LINE: KANSAS CITY by 7
Difficult to fade the Chiefs right now as they are doing everything right while being a money machine for their backers. Kansas City has failed to cover just twice in past 15 regular-season games. Now they take on a visitor that is being asked to compete against the Raiders and this host in back-to-back weeks. While the Redskins can be commended for their stellar play thus far, this will be toughest defensive team they will have faced with K.C. having allowed just two of previous eight opponents to exceed 20 points. Offensively, no one is in more of a groove than Kansas City QB Alex Smith. Smith owns a league-leading 132.7 passer rating while tied for second with seven TD throw and zero interceptions.
TAKING: CHIEFS -7
