We are hours away from the Browns taking the field in Cleveland to play the Jets in this week’s Thursday night NFL game. September is a time for mostly non conference games but nonetheless, we have some intriguing matchups this week. So without further delay, let’s get into the NFL Week 3 Pointspread predictions from our crack staff of handicappers and machine learning behavioral computer models. Here are the top plays for this week.
Cleveland – 3 over Jets – I can’t remember the last time the Browns were a favorite, so this part scares us a bit. On a positive note, someone named Greg Joseph is going to be the new kicker on the team. If they even had an average kicker they may be 2-0 right now. Browns get their first win of the season behind the strength of their defense, who will get to Darnold early and often with Myles Garrett and the dynamic Browns offense will do enough to get the win in the pound.
Falcons – 3 over Saints. The Saints are really struggling on both sides of the ball and have not really found themselves yet this season. A loss at home to Tampa and a “should have lost” to the Browns is all they have. Now they go to the team that hates them more than any other in the league and this is not the place to try and right themselves. Falcons get the win in a close game behind a deadly pass attack and a weak Saint defense.
Vikings – 17 over Buffalo – Wow. 17? Vegas (and now New Jersey) is begging you to take the points with Buffalo this week but don’t do it. They have a rookie QB and are now going up against arguably the best team in the NFC with Cousins at the wheel. We don’t see Buffalo scoring much and Stephon Diggs will likely be running up and down the field. You could actually make a good argument that there is value in only laying 17. Every Survivor player in the country will be on the Vikes but that won’t be the curse this week. Vikes get it done at home early and often. Final score, 42-10.
Houston – 6 over Giants – Sorry to keep picking chalk but man are the Giants bad and Houston desperately needs a breather from their tough opening schedule with road games at New England and Indy. They finally come home and get to show off their talent on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Giants look horrible and it’s not Eli’s fault, it’s the offensive line. They routinely cannot block even when they outnumber the rushers. These are not problems that can be solved in one week. Houston rolls for the easy cover.
Invites are out for the NFL Cash League this week. $20 entry – check the rules here.
Chargers + 7 over Rams – Finally an underdog we like that has value and could win the game outright. Rams have had a cake walk thus far this season but this intra city new rivalry will be a tight one up and down the field Sunday. Seven is way too much wood to chop for the Rams and the Chargers may actually steal this one on the last possession.
Dallas -1.5 over Seattle – Seattle is the worst good team in the NFL. Their one dimensional offense is finally catching up to them and Dallas has a balanced offense with Zeke and Dak spreading the ball around nicely. The new look defense also has the speed to track down Wilson when he undoubtedly will be tucking it away and trying to run. Take the Boys, they win by a TD.
Tampa (Pick em) over Steelers – The Steelers defense has still not recovered from the loss of Ryan Shazier as they have been giving up a whopping 30+ points per game. The Fitzpatrick party is just getting started and will eventually come crashing down, but not on Monday night against a Steelers team that has not gelled yet without Le’veon Bell and who really cannot stop anyone, especially a hot quarterback and speedy receivers on a home field Monday night.