Top pick

1. Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) vs. Car – The Panthers should win and enter the game in pretty good shape health-wise. The Cardinals are forced to play QB Ryan Lindley which is a depressing thought. However, Arizona’s D will be ready to play and will force Cam Newton into mistakes. Expect a close game which Arizona may pull out in the end. Either way, Carolina won’t be covering the point spread.

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2. Detroit Lions (+7) vs. Dal – The Cowboys come in strong, finishing 8-0 on the road. They haven’t fared as well at home. The Lions D will challenge Romo and this running game all afternoon. Matt Stafford is good for a few mistakes but this will be close throughout and could go either way. If Stafford shows some maturity then the Lions may steal one on the road.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs. Bal – The loss of RB Le’veon Bell is big, but Pittsburgh still has enough firepower to beat the Ravens at home. Baltimore does not enter this game playing their best ball and will go out in round 1.

4. Indianapolis Colts (-3) vs. Cin – The Bengals will likely be without WR AJ Green who has a concussion. That is a huge loss. They’ll pound the rock with RB Jeremy Hill but will face another aggressive defensive plan like they faced earlier when shutout 27-0 to the Colts. Expect QB Andrew Luck and Co. to get the job done again.

Must Start

San Francisco,  Denver and Green Bay

Tier 1

Houston Texans vs. Jax – JJ Watt and Co. will force 3+ turnovers.

Detroit Lions vs. TB – Josh McCown is a turnover waiting to happen.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pit – The Steelers are a very different road team. The Bengals are getting healthy defensively.

Minnesota Vikings vs. NYJ – Minnesota welcomes the sight of QB Geno Smith.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Cle – The Colts D is a better play if QB Manziel starts.

Tier 2

Seattle Seahawks vs. Phi – The Seahawks will limit Sanchez’s effectiveness and force multiple TDs.

New England Patriots vs. SD – New England’s D will clamp down on Rivers and Co. Very tough to pass on this unit.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Sea – The attacking Eagles D will keep the Seahawks to under 17 points.

Bust

Buffalo Bills vs. Den – It’s tough on any defense to perform well in Denver.

Fantasy Sleeper

New Orleans Saints vs. Car – The Saints D put the clamps on Newton and Co. in Carolina and the Panthers come into this in no better shape.

Top Pick

1. Detroit Lions (-3.5) vs. Atl – The only thing keeping the point spread so low is the game being in London. Odds makers must assume the neutral location could have an adverse affect on the Lions. We don’t see it. The Falcons are a mess – especially along the OL, and will be beaten thoroughly in the trenches. Look for an easy win and dominating defensive effort.

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2. Cincinnati Bengals (+1) vs. Bal – Not a lot has gone right for the Bengals recently and they’re coming off a 27-0 whipping at the hands of the Colts. AJ Green should return this week which means the passing game will return. That will also open up things in the run game. The Ravens are playing well but look for Cincinnati to bounce back at home.

3. Seattle Seahawks (-4.5) vs. Car – There has been a lot of turmoil since the Percy Harvin trade. Seattle is coming off two losses but will get back to their winning ways against defensively challenged Panthers team.

4. Green Bay Packers (+1.5) vs. NO – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

New York Jets (-2.5) vs. Buf – The addition of Percy Harvin will open things up for the offense. NY typically plays well against the Bills in their home park too.

New England Patriots (-7) vs. Chi – The Bears have been exposed the past few weeks defensively and that will happen again in Foxboro.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) vs. Min – Teddy Bridgewater is struggling. The Bucs are coming off a bye and getting healthier. Look for an win by a TD.

Money Line Bet

Green Bay Packers (+105) vs. NO – Something is off for this Saints team. They’re not playing very well defensively and they’re not putting up monster numbers offensively as in previous years. Green Bay enters on a hot streak and Aaron Rodgers is playing as well as anyone in the league. Look for the Packers to come into New Orleans and steal the victory on Sunday Night.

Seattle and Detroit

Tier 1

Dallas Cowboys vs. Was – The Boys love seeing Colt McCoy now behind C.

New England Patriots vs. Chi – Chicago is a mess right now.

Denver Broncos vs. SD – Expect the Broncos front to get after Rivers and Co.

Miami Dolphins vs. Jax – This unit will make Bortles struggle tremendously.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Pit – The Colts are a No. 1 D/ST after their recent stretch. Keep playing the hot hand.

Tier 2

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cin – This looks even better if AJ Green is out.

Houston Texans vs. Ten – If Whitehurst plays, they could be a No. 1.

Bust

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Bal – This unit is struggling mightily over the past three games.

Fantasy Sleeper

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Min – A bye week can do a lot of good for a team learning a new D. Facing Teddy Bridgewater helps too.

Top pick

1. New England Patriots vs. NYJ – The NFL scheduling gods didn’t do the Jets any favors with their hellacious schedule to start the season. 1-5 will become 1-6 when they head to Foxboro tonight. The defense is trying to give NYJ a chance to win but the offense is non-existent.

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2. Cleveland Browns vs. Jax – The Jaguars made it interesting against the Titans but ultimately lost. The Browns are playing good football and will roll again here.

3. Buffalo Bills vs. Min – The Vikings are lacking in talent and bringing along a rookie QB. The Bills feature a strong defense whereas the offense does just enough to win a few games. This is one of them.

Top Pick

1. Detroit Lions (+2) vs. Min – It’s difficult to understand why the Vikings are favorites other than star WR Calvin Johnson is not likely to play. Even so, the Lions are a better team. They possess a better D and still have enough weapons on offense to beat their rival.

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2. Denver Broncos (-9.5) vs. NYJ – The Jets won’t be nearly as anemic as they were last week, but they will get beaten thoroughly by Peyton Manning and Co. The Jets lack of DBs minimizes the defensive scheme and Manning will easily pick them apart. Defensively, the Broncos don’t have much to contend with.

3. New York Giants (+2.5) vs. Phi – See money line bet.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5) vs. Car – Even with AJ Green’s absence the Bengals will take it to the Panthers at home. Carolina’s D is a shell of what it was last year and there are large problems offensively as Cam Newton gets used to playing with new receivers.

Rounding Things Out

Miami Dolphins (+3) vs. GB – Expect Joe Philbin to put a successful game plan together to limit QB Aaron Rodgers, his old pupil.

Seattle Seahawks (-8) vs. Dal – The Cowboys successful stretch comes to an end here. Seattle will win by 10.

San Francisco 49ers (-3) vs. Stl – The Rams are not a good team and certainly not good enough to beat the 49ers at home. Jim Harbaugh has had the Rams number in St. Louis since he became coach and that will continue here.

Money Line Bet

New York Giants (+130) vs Phi – The Giants enter on a three game winning streak and playing their best ball. While they’ll be without RB Rashad Jennings this week, they are still the more complete team of the two. If the Eagles don’t score on special teams or D (something they have been great at doing), then look for NY to cover the point spread and beat their rivals.

Top Pick

1. Denver Broncos (-7.5) vs. Arz – Both teams are coming off a bye but it looks like the Cardinals will have to go with QB Drew Stanton again. That’ll be tough facing an improved Broncos D. Look for Peyton and Co. to fire on all cylinders and cover the point spread.

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2. Pittsburgh Steelers (-6) vs. Jax – The Jaguars will face an embarrassed team on Sunday. Look for Pittsburgh to add to the Jags’ woes and throttle them by double digits.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+11) vs NO – The Saints will likely win, but something is missing from this year’s team. They’re not nearly as good on defense, and the offense isn’t scoring at will like it has in the past. The Bucs will keep this one close.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (+5.5) vs. SF – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

New York Giants (-4) vs. Atl – The Falcons are banged up along the OL and have a poor defense. The Giants are much improved in recent weeks and will win this by a TD.

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) vs. Ind – The Colts D is the biggest worry for this team. The Ravens are a slightly more well rounded team and will cover the point spread. They may win.

Cincinnati Bengals (EVEN) vs. NE – Bill Belichick is masterful at putting bad losses behind him but he’s not a magician who can wave a magic wand and cure his team’s OL woes. They’re real and the entire offense will continue to suffer as a result. It’ll keep the D on the field longer than it wants to be as well. Look for the Bengals, who are the more complete team, to win in New England.

Money Line Bet

Kansas City Chiefs (+205) vs. SF – There is something not right about these 49ers on offense and rumors persist of locker room discontent. While the latter is just a rumor, the poor play on offense is not. The Chiefs match up well and look for Alex Smith and Co. to get the better of his old team on Sunday.

Must Start

Seahawks, Bengals, Lions and Chargers

Tier 1

Denver Broncos vs. Arz – Look for Denver to force multiple turnovers at home.

Detroit Lions vs. Buf – The Lions will get after Orton in his 1st game starting.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Stl – The Rams still don’t have a QB.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Hou – They are an appealing option against Fitzpatrick.

Green Bay Packers vs. Min – Peppers and Co. will put up 10 FFL points.

Tier 2

New York Giants vs. Atl – Look for the Giants to get after Ryan on Sunday.

St Louis Rams vs. Phi – The Rams strong DL can overpower the Eagles ailing offensive line. That will force the Eagles into a few mistakes.

Bust

New England Patriots vs. Cin – The Bengals are built to give the Patriots problems.

Fantasy Sleeper

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jax – The risk of garbage time points is real, but the Steelers should dominate this offense.

Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers

Tier 1

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Ten – The Bengals are stout at home.

Houston Texans vs. NYG – New York’s options on offense are about nil. JJ Watt should have a field day.

Miami Dolphins vs. KC – They are a different team at home.

St. Louis Rams vs. Dal – Expect the D to dial up pressure against Romo and Co.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arz – They look even better if Carson Palmer can’t go.

Tier 2

Cleveland Browns vs. Bal – They’ve had success at home vs. the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cle – Will enter on 10 days rest and coming off a solid performance.

Buffalo Bills vs. SD – The Bills D is tough at home.

Bust

Arizona Cardinals vs. SF – The 49ers will get back to their style of play this week. They’ll overpower Arizona’s injury riddled D.

Fantasy Sleeper

San Diego Chargers vs. Buf – This D can be sneaky good and force QB EJ Manuel into errors.

]]> https://profootball101.com/2014/09/17/2014-fantasy-football-dst-rankings-week-3/feed/ 0 https://profootball101.com/2014/09/12/2014-nfl-picks-week-2/ https://profootball101.com/2014/09/12/2014-nfl-picks-week-2/#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2014 21:54:54 +0000 admin https://profootball101.com/?p=12243

Top Pick

1. Tennessee Titans (-3.5) vs. Dal – The Cowboys D makes them a liability in any contest. They’ll put up points in this one but it will not be enough. Look for Tennessee to score early and often and pull away with the 10 point victory late.

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2. New England Patriots (-3) vs. Min – The Vikings played great in Week 1, but don’t expect a repeat performance in their home opener. The Patriots were embarrassed in the 2nd half against Miami and will not fall to 0-2. Look for a convincing win which easily covers the point spread.

3. Green Bay Packers (-9) vs. NY Jets – The Jets undermanned secondary will lead to their undoing (amongst other things) this week. The Packers D will force Geno Smith into turnovers and look for Green Bay to win going away.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (+6) vs. Was – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Denver Broncos (-12) vs. KC – The Broncos will bury the reeling Chiefs at home.

San Diego Chargers (+6) vs. Sea – Expect San Diego to keep things close before falling short.

Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) vs. Atl – The Bengals are the more complete team and their defense will limit the Falcons offensive firepower.

Money Line Bet

Jacksonville Jaguars (+210) vs. Was – The Skins are in disarray and really trying to find themselves offensively. They did not have a good showing in Houston. Jacksonville is a better team than a year ago and sneaky. Look for them to steal a win in the Skins home opener which adds to the current questions surrounding RGIII.