NFL Week 3 Picks: Fabulous 5
Welcome back to the Fabulous 5 for the Week 3 NFL picks against the Las Vegas spread! Another winning week in the books, picking 3 of the 5 correct once again. I'm feeling pretty good about this week's picks but before we get into it, here are last week's results:
Buffalo Bills +7.5 - WIN
Miami Dolphins +4.5 - WIN
Denver Broncos +2 - WIN
Green Bay Packers +3 - LOSS
New York Giants -3 - LOSS
Week 1: 3-2
Week 2: 3-2
***Year-to-date record: 6-4, 60%***
CHICAGO BEARS (+7.5)
After almost upsetting the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, the Bears flew down to Tampa Bay and put up a complete stinker. Three turnovers from QB Mike Glennon and a bone-headed play by rookie RB Tarik Cohen in the first half put this team in a deep hole early. With zero turnovers in the second half, Chicago played much more competitively and outscored the Bucs 7-3. If the Bears can limit their turnovers, they should be able to hang around with this Steelers team that seems to have issues playing on the road. In the last 3 years, the Steelers are a flat 10-8 in road games against the spread, and 0-2 as a road favorite of 3.5 to 7.5 points. On the flip side, the Chicago Bears are a COOL 5-1 as a home underdog of 3.5 to 7.5 points in the last 3 years. Take DAAAAAAA Bears!
DETROIT LIONS (+3)
Aaaaaand we're back! For the third straight week, the Detroit Lions find themselves on my card again. Look, Matt Stafford and the Lions look like they figured it out and our ready to be serious contenders in the NFC this season. The offense is clicking on all cylinders and although the defense has faced the less-talented Cardinals and Giants, their confidence levels are peaking. And what a perfect time to be feeling unstoppable. The high-flying Atlanta Falcons come into town after stomping out the Green Bay Packers once again. Atlanta is another one of those teams that seems to have problems away from home and as a favorite in general. Expect this game to be high scoring as the total is set at 51 points. In the last 3 years, the Lions are a roaring 6-1 against the spread in all games where the total is greater than or equal to 49.5. The world jumped back on the Atlanta hype train last week, don't be a sucker. Motor City here we come!
TENNESSEE TITANS (-2.5)
The Tennessee Titans welcome in Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks who have been struggling mightily on offense. The Sea-chickens have one of the worst offensive lines in football and were only able to put up 9 points against a questionable Packers defense, and 12 points against the rebuilding 49ers. Seattle has never been as dominant away from home and is also notoriously known for starting each season slowly. Although I don't think the Titans have a great home-field advantage, I like their chances to stick around in a close game. In Week 1, I laid -2.5 on this team at home against the Raiders, let's try this again.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (+3)
The big, bad Kansas City Chiefs travel to LA to take on the unlucky Chargers. The Chiefs are definitely one of the better teams in the NFL, but I think it's time to pump the breaks on Kansas City. After smoking the New England Patriots in Week 1, the Chiefs were in a very close game against the Eagles late into the 4th quarter. The Chargers are playing a lot better than their 0-2 record suggest, but now find themselves in a must-win situation if they don't want their season to end prematurely. I really wish I could get the Chargers here at +3.5 since they always seem to find themselves in close games but I'll take what I can get. Don't be surprised if they win outright and get their first win on the season.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (+3)
Cowboy Nation comes strutting into Phoenix after getting beat up pretty bad on the road in Denver last week. All everyone wants to do is talk about how great this Cowboys' offense is, but what about their defense? Dallas lost 4 starters on defense during the offseason and it started to show last week. The Cardinals are not a good football team right now. QB Carson Palmer looks like his career is finished and although Arizona's offense is banged up, I think they'll compete just fine against Dallas' weak defense. The Cardinals will be extra motivated because of Monday Night Football, and I expect the University of Phoenix Stadium to be electric. Look for the Cowboys to struggle once again as they come in as a road favorite. This one seems too easy for the Cowboy lovers, take the desert birds!
Summary:
Bears +7.5
Lions +3
Titans -2.5
Chargers +3
Cardinals -3
