Must Start

Seattle, Detroit and St. Louis

Tier 1

New England Patriots vs. Mia – This D is playing at a very high level.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oak – The Raiders lost 52-0 last time they played on the road.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Stl – It’s still Shaun Hill starting. Expect a few turnovers.

New York Giants vs. Was – With the Giants moving to young players they’re making plays. Facing lesser competition doesn’t hurt too.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Jax – Nothing makes Ravens owners happier than seeing Jacksonville on their roster Week 15.

Tier 2

Cleveland Browns vs. Cin – They dominated Dalton and Co. last time.

Denver Broncos vs. SD – The Chargers are struggling and will turn the ball over a few times.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dal – Expect multiple turnovers.

Bust

San Francisco 49ers vs. Sea – Expect the 49ers offense to put its D in tough situations and for Seattle to put up 30.

Fantasy Sleeper

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cle – Marvin Lewis will have a defense to stop Manziel.

No real surprises a week ago. All teams that were supposed to win did win. Now we move to Week 4 of the NFL Suicide Pool and here are our top three teams.

Top Pick

1. San Diego Chargers vs. Jax – The sight of QB Blake Broyles starting is a welcome one for the Chargers. They’re a bit banged up coming back from Buffalo but will have little trouble in this game. Look for Rivers and Co. to have their way with the Jacksonville D and for San Diego’s defense to force Broyles into multiple mistakes.

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2. Atlanta Falcons vs. Min – Things have really gone awry in Minnesota after their impressive week 1 win against the Rams. Their franchise runner is still out and now QB Matt Cassel is gone for the year. Look for the Falcons, coming off a 10 day rest, to head into Minnesota and roll the Vikings in their home park.

3. San Francisco 49ers vs. Phi – The Eagles are banged up on the OL and that will catch up to them. Playing against the 49ers expect them to pressure Foles heavily. Offensively, look for SF to take the ball out of Colin Kaepernick’s hands and put it into their RBs hands.

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.

Must Start

Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers

Tier 1

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Ten – Even without CB Brandon Flowers this is a good D and a good spot for them.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jax – The Eagles should feast on the Jags O.

Detroit Lions vs. NYG – The preseason showed that it could take some time for Eli Manning to get comfortable.

St. Louis Rams vs. Min – The Rams have a tremendously talented D which will get after Matt Cassel.

New England Patriots vs. Mia – Their D could end up being dominant. Will start out well in Mia.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cle – Got to love the Steelers against this Browns offense. The passing game is impotent without Josh Gordon.

New Orleans Saints vs. Atl – The Falcons troubles are still along the offensive line.

Tier 2

New York Jets vs. Oak – The interior of this D is stout.

San Diego Chargers vs. Arz – SD will force Palmer into a few turnovers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Car – It’s tough to trust the Panthers after revamping its entire receiving corps. Lovie Smith’s defensive style will be felt immediately.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cin – The Ravens at home are always tough.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Bal – DT Geno Atkins return will be well received.

Oakland Raiders vs. NYJ – It is Geno Smith after all that they’re facing.

Miami Dolphins vs. NE – They always play Tom Brady well at home.

Cleveland Browns vs. Pit – The Browns have a talented D but the offense’s inability to move the ball puts them in tier 2.

Sleeper

Tennessee Titans vs. KC – The Chiefs will be without WR Dwayne Bowe and have new faces along the offensive line.

Bust

Arizona Cardinals vs. SD – Arizona will face a Chargers offense with many options while being down a few key members of on D.

1. San Diego Chargers (+9.5) vs. Den – The Chargers are a very dangerous team and have historically had Peyton Mannnig’s number. Manning’s postseason record has also been nothing to write home about.

San Diego is getting healthy at the right time and now making plays on defense, which will keep this game close. They have a good chance to upset.

We expect the Broncos to still win but not by more than the point spread.

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2. San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) vs. Car – It’s been a great run for the Panthers, but things will come to an end on Sunday. The 49ers are finally healthy at the receiver position and that will be the difference. Expect a low scoring defensive battle which the 49ers ultimately pull out in the 4th quarter.

3. Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) vs. NO – Everyone is stating that this time won’t be the same (as the blowout in Week 13). They point to the Saints improved defense as the reason why. Don’t believe it. The Seahawks have the best defense in football and are getting a healthy WR Percy Harvin back to ignite the passing game.

That will help Wilson and complement the running game. Look for Seattle to win by double digits in a 24-14 or 27-14 outcome.

4. Indianapolis Colts (+7) vs. NE – The Patriots will win, but they’re severely depleted on defense and placed another starting LBer (Brandon Spikes) on IR this week. Belichick is a genius but quality bodies are still needed this time of year. Look for a close game throughout.

1. San Diego Chargers (+7) vs. Den – The Chargers have always been Peyton Manning’s kryptonite. For whatever reason, they typically have his number. And remember, Mike McCoy, the new Chargers HC, was a former Broncos assistant.

Expect the Broncos to win, but in a close contest.

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2. Green Bay Packers (-1) vs. Phi – Mike McCarthy will have this team prepared to go under QB Seneca Wallace’s guidance. Expect a heavy dosage of RB Eddie Lacy and then an aggressive style defense which will likely have LB Clay Matthews back.

3. Tennessee Titans (-13) vs. Jax – The loss of WR Justin Blackmon to suspension took away the only real big-play threat on offense this year. Regardless, it’s been a historically bad season which will continue on Sunday.

4. Baltimore Ravens (+1.5) vs. Cin – See Money Line Bet.

Rounding things out

Detroit Lions (EVEN) vs. Chi – This is an evenly matched game and QB Jay Cutler will be back for the Bears. However, Chicago’s D is in much worse shape and that will be the difference in this high scoring affair.

Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) vs. Hou – The Texans are in disarray and now dealing with the absence of HC Gary Kubiak. Arizona is a tough place to travel to and the Cards are coming off their bye week.

New Orleans Saints (-7) vs. Dal – The Saints are a different team at home and the Cowboys enter this really banged up on the defensive side of the ball.

Money Line Bet

Baltimore Ravens (EVEN) vs. Cin – The Ravens are desperate. If they lose, it’s likely lights out on their playoff hopes this year. The Bengals also enter after losing star DT Geno Atkins a week ago to an ACL injury, which will likely impact the team’s psyche. Look for a close affair which the Ravens pull out by a FG.

1. Seattle Seahawks vs. Arz – The Cardinals line is horrible and Carson Palmer is turning the ball over multiple times per game.

2. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Hou – The Texans have hit rock bottom on offense.

3. San Francisco 49ers vs. Ten – The 49ers D has stepped up its game over the past three weeks.

4. Arizona Cardinals vs. Sea – The Cardinals D is tenacious and the Seahawks injuries along the offensive line are exposing Wilson.

Not Far Behind

Carolina Panthers vs. Stl. – Expect the Panthers front 7 to get after Bradford and Co.

New England Patriots vs. NYJ – Look for Belichick to force Geno Smith into multiple turnovers this go around.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pit – The Ravens D is not the problem and the Steelers offense is mistake prone.

Rounding Things Out

Atlanta Falcons vs. TB – The Falcons will have some healthy bodies back when rookie QB Mike Glennon comes to town.

San Diego Chargers vs. Jax – Expect the Chargers to keep the Jags to under 14 and force a few turnovers.

Green Bay Packers vs. Cle – They’re banged up defensively but playing well. Facing Weeden comes at a good time.

Tennessee Titans vs. SF – The Titans aggressive D will force Kaepernick into a few turnovers.

Miami Dolphins vs. Buf – The Bills may be down to their 3^rd string QB.

Potential Bust – Beware

Houston Texans vs. KC – They entered the season with high hopes but are in a tail spin.

1. Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) vs. NE – The Falcons are a different team at home and catch the Patriots at a good time. TE Rob Gronkowski is unlikely to play as is WR Danny Amendola, limiting Brady’s weapons in what could be a game where they need the offense.

Atlanta will cover the point spread and knock off the Pats at home.

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2. Cincinnati Bengals (-4.5) vs. Cle – The Bengals are still coming together as a team, but their talent will win out on Sunday. Divisional games are typically close but look for QB Andy Dalton and Co. to win by a TD on the road.

3. Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) vs.  TB – The Bucs are going with rookie QB Mike Glennon, which limits what they can do offensively. Arizona’s 1-2 and reeling after suffering through a string of injuries last week, but will upset the 0-3 Bucs this week.

4.  San Diego Chargers (+2.5) vs. Dal – See money line bet.

Rounding things out

Baltimore Ravens (-3) vs. Buf – The Ravens are still struggling offensively, but its defense has come together.

Detroit Lions (-2.5) vs. Chi – The Lions are a better team offensively and defensively this year. They have more play makers. This game will be tight, but look for Detroit to knock off the Bears and tie them atop the NFC North.

New York Jets (+4) vs. Ten – The Jets D is better than more realize and Geno Smith isn’t as much of a liability as many thought he would be at this point.

Money Line Bet

San Diego Chargers (+110) vs. Dal – The Cowboys are an enigma; aside from whoopin’ the lowly Rams, they’ve been largely inconsistent. The Chargers are 1-2, but very likely could be 3-0 if not for two last minute losses. Neither team is particularly good but look for the Bolts to pull out the slight upset at home.

1. Denver Broncos vs. Cle – The Browns will find the going tough playing at Mile High.

2. Green Bay Packers vs. Ten – Green Bay will shut down Locker and Co.

3. Chicago Bears vs. Arz – Should have a field day against this offense.

4. Houston Texans vs. Min – Their strength is stopping the run.

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San Francisco 49ers vs. Sea – Don’t expect the Seahawks to duplicate their past two weeks… or even come close.

Seattle Seahawks vs. SF – Seattle is very good at home.

San Diego Chargers vs. NYJ – Greg McElroy? Um, yes.

The Rest

New York Jets vs. SD – The Jets D hasn’t been the problem.

New England Patriots vs. Jax – Excellent fantasy football value from the Pats vs. Chad Henne.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chi – The Bears offense is trending down.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Det – Expect the Falcons D to step up as they wrap up the top seed.

Carolina Panthers vs. Oak – The Panthers are an excellent fantasy sleeper vs. a struggling Raiders offense.

Top Pick

1. Houston Texans vs. Buf -Both teams are coming off a bye week, but only one team will roll: the Texans. Look for a dominant effort on both sides of the ball and a double digit win on Sunday.

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2. Seattle Seahawks vs. Min - The Seahawks are on a two game losing streak but will find their winning ways when they face the Vikings at home. It’s one of the toughest places to play which the Vikings will find out in Week 9.

3. San Diego Chargers vs. KC – This would be a risky suicide pool pick, but the Chiefs are a horrible team right now. Regardless of how bad it’s gotten in San Diego the past few weeks, this is a game they will win. If they don’t, it could be a tailspin the rest of the season. Only use them if you have already used the big favorites.