Top Pick

1. Seattle Seahawks (-10) vs. SF – It’s over in San Francisco for Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll’s squad will put the final nail in the coffin. It’s fitting with their rivalry over the years. QB Colin Kaepernick is struggling horribly as is the entire offense. Expect the Seahawks to roll and easily top the point spread.

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2. Detroit Lions (-7) vs. Min – Teddy Bridgewater is improving, but still a rookie. The Lions D is legit. Matt Stafford may make a few mistakes but the Lions will win by double digits at home.

3. New York Giants (-6.5) vs. Was – If RGIII gets the call this could be a blowout. The Giants will still cover with Colt McCoy behind center.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+1) vs. Cle – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Denver Broncos (-4) vs. SD – Denver is getting a few key pieces back.

Tennessee Titans (+2.5) vs. NYJ – It’s Geno Smith and the Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) vs. Dal – The Eagles are slightly ahead of the Cowboys and Dallas’s D is wearing down.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+105) vs. Cle – Johnny Manziel brings a lot of hype but little experience. The Bengals D will have a few tricks that will force turnovers. Expect a close affair which the Bengals pull out in the end.

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.

1. Denver Broncos (-7) vs. SF – The 49ers will be down LB Patrick Willis which takes out all but one element (Ahmad Brooks) of their Pro Bowl Linebacking Corps. San Francisco will keep this competitive but won’t have enough firepower to keep it close late. Look for Peyton Manning and Co. to cover the point spread and win by at least 10.

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2. Baltimore Ravens (-7) vs. Atl – Baltimore is coming off a big romp in Tampa and will continue that trend against the NFC South at home. Atlanta’s diminished OL impacts everything they do on offense, and they’re going to struggle in Baltimore.

3. Miami Dolphins (+3) vs. Chi – See money line bet.

4. Detroit Lions (-2.5) vs. NO – The Lions will likely be without Megatron but they’ll have enough juice on offense to get the job done. Their D is playing tremendously and whereas in year’s past the Saints would have posed a significant threat, something is missing this year.

Rounding Things Out

Kansas City Chiefs (+4) vs. SD – San Diego’s defense has been hit by injuries and is being felt in the pass rush. The Chiefs are getting healthier and may steal a game on the road.

Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) vs. Oak – The Raiders are improving but still not enough to beat the Cards. The game will be close throughout, however.

New York Giants (+7) vs. Dal – New York is determined to show that last week’s flop was a fluke and Dallas could have a letdown after their impressive win in Seattle.

Money Line Bet

Miami Dolphins (+155) vs. Chi – Both teams are very up and down this year. While the Fins blew a very winnable game last week against the Packers, they are ascending as a whole. Expect a close game which the Dolphins pull out late.

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.

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.

1. New Orleans Saints (-10) vs. Min – An 0-2 team doesn’t usually warrant being a 10 point favorite. This is not your typical 0-2 team, and they’re back at home where they bury teams. The Vikings will get blown out in this one.

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2. San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) vs. Arz – The 49ers will get back to doing what they do best and that’s running the ball and not letting Colin Kaerpernick fling it around the field. Rather, they will run a methodical offense and the defense should be fine facing QB Drew Stanton, the likely starter.

3. Miami Dolphins (-3.5) vs KC – This would normally be viewed as a trap game, but we don’t see it here. The Chiefs are desperate to avoid an 0-3 start but the good fortune that propelled them to a 9-0 start a year ago is not there. Miami is tough at home and will prove so again on Sunday.

4. Washington Redskins (+7) vs. Phi – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Indianapolis Colts (-7) vs. Jax – They’re still the Jags.

Buffalo Bills (-2.5) vs. SD – Buffalo plays tough in their home park.

Denver Broncos (+5) vs. Sea – The Seahawks will win, but this will be much closer than the Super Bowl.

Money Line Bet

Washington Redskins (+240) vs. Phi – The Eagles are a lot more vulnerable than people realize. They were unimpressive against the Jags and then fortunate to beat the Colts on some shaky calls. The Redskins are rejuvenated playing under Kirk Cousins and will steal a close game late in the Linc.

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/2014/09/05/2014-nfl-picks-week-1/ https://profootball101.com/2014/09/05/2014-nfl-picks-week-1/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:56:27 +0000 admin https://profootball101.com/?p=12157

Top Pick

1. San Francisco 49ers (-4) vs. Dal – The 49ers are down a few All Pros on defense. That won’t matter in the end though. Offensively, they have a decide advantage over a Cowboys defense that is devoid of talent in the front 7.

MLB Sean Lee is out for the year and DE DeMarcus Ware is in Denver. Look for SF to win a high scoring affair by at least a TD.

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2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2) vs. Car – Lovie Smith will be a winner in his first game. The Panthers are incorporating a completely new receiving corps and that doesn’t happen easily come regular season. The Bucs will be better than people think.

3. Tennessee Titans (+3) vs. KC – See money line bet.

4. New Orleans Saints (-3) vs. Atl – The Falcons will keep pace for a while but the Saints will prove too much. Brees will have a field day with this D.

Rounding things out

Houston Texans (-3) vs. Was – This isn’t Ryan Fitzpatrick’s first rodeo and the Skins had a horrible pass D a year ago. Not much has improved since then.

San Diego Chargers (+3) vs. Arz – San Diego is better than people realize and the Cardinals have lost two key defenders from last year’s top 10 D.

Denver Broncos (-7.5) vs. Ind – Sunday Night will be a shootout but the Broncos will prove too much in the 4th quarter.

Money Line Bet

Tennessee Titans (+140) vs. KC – The Chiefs are down WR Dwayne Bowe this week and have a few new faces on the OL. They’re also without CB Brandon Flowers who is now in San Diego. Expect the Titans, who are now coached by Ken Whisenhunt, to make him a winner in his first game. The Chiefs do not have game film on how he’ll use the Titans which gives Tennessee an advantage.

1. Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) vs. SF – If the 49ers win, it will come as no surprise. They enter hot, having won eight in row (including two in the post season) and the defense is playing spectacular. But, it’s hard to overlook the last two games in Seattle between these teams. The Seahawks have won by a total of 55 points.

Now, Russell Wilson comes into this game playing his poorest ball of the year, but look for the run game, defense, Wilson’s timely passes and the 12th man to be the difference on Sunday. Seattle will cover the point spread and advance to the Super Bowl.

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2. Denver Broncos (-5) vs. NE – Everyone will remember the miraculous comeback by the Patriots on November 24th. Denver blew a 24-0 halftime lead to lose 34-31 in OT. That’s not going to happen again. The Patriots enter this game riding the legs of Legarrette Blount and the running game, but that will not be enough to keep pace with the Broncos offense.

The weather will be mild and look for Manning and Co. to win by a TD and advance to New Jersey. Tom Brady just doesn’t have the firepower left in the passing game with Rob Gronkowski out.

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.