The Denver Broncos remained undefeated as they outlasted the Dallas Cowboys in a shootout, 51-48. They welcome the cupcakes of the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars, where they have been installed as a 27.5 favorite. Only the Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints remain undefeated.
The marque game of the day takes place in Foxboro, MA. The undefeated Saints come into Massachusetts to face the 4-1 New England Patriots. The Patriots suffered their first setback last week to the Bengals. Historically the Patriots have fared well off a loss under coach Bill Belichick.
Sunday 1 PM
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Baltimore Ravens
Matchup:The Pack got back on the winning track last week with a win against the Lions. The Ravens (3-2) are off a win against the Dolphins and find themselves in an underdog role at home. The Packers will be without defensive leader Clay Matthews. The home team in Packers game has covered 11 of the last 12 games.
Steve’s Pick: Ravens 31 – Packers 27
Dan’s Pick: Packers 34 – Ravens 28
Matt’s Pick: Ravens 24 – Packers 20
Cincinnati Bengals (-7) at Buffalo Bills
Matchup:The Bengals come into this contest as big road favorite after handing the Patriots their first loss last week. The Bills played ten days ago where starting QB EJ Manuel was lost for a few weeks with a sprained knee ligament. His replacement is unknown Thad Lewis who played his college ball at Duke. Thad was on the practice squad a week ago, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure.
Steve’s Pick: Bengals 31 – Bills 17
Dan’s Pick: Bengals 28 – Bills 20
Matt’s Pick: Bengals 24 – Bills 21
Detroit Lions (-3) at Cleveland Browns
Matchup:The Lions just aren’t as good when WR Calvin Johnson is out of the lineup. He was a game time scratch last week in Green Bay as the Packers won easily. The status of Johnson will not be determined until Sunday before the game. The Cleveland Browns have actually won three games in a row. Unfortunately, QB Brian Hoyer, who has led this resurgence, tore his ACL and will not return this year. The Lions have been money burners as a road favorite, going 3-15 ATS in that role.
Steve’s Pick: Browns 24 – Lions 20
Dan’s Pick: Lions 27 – Browns 17
Matt’s Pick: Lions 17 – Browns 10
St. Louis Rams at Houston Texans (-7.5)
Matchup:There were high hopes for both the Rams and Texans this season. Those hopes have been paralyzed through five games. Both teams sit at 2-3 in the early going. QB Matt Shaub has had a nightmare start to the season. He seems to throw a TD to opposing team each game. The drama of Shaub includes deleting his Twitter account last week and the police paying a visit to his house this week as a fan was harassing him. He’s one interception away from the bench.
Steve’s Pick: Texans 31 – Rams 13
Dan’s Pick: Texans 34 – Rams 24
Matt’s Pick: Texans 31 – Rams 17
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-9)
Matchup:The 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs, almost sounds made up. Coach Andy Reid has done a tremendous job with this group that went 2-14 last year. QB Alex Smith, who has his critics, just seems to win NFL games going 25-5-1 as a starter his last 31. The Raiders have shown some life this year, and are off a nice effort and win against the Chargers. QB Terrelle Pryor has definitely been a spark to the black and silver. The Raiders are 2-3 and have a bye next week.
Steve’s Pick: Raiders 23 – Chiefs 17
Dan’s Pick: Chiefs 31 – Raiders 17
Matt’s Pick: Chiefs 26 – Raiders 20
Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)
Matchup:The big news from Minnesota is the tragic death of Adrian Peterson’s 2-year-old son after being assaulted. Adrian traveled to South Dakota this week where the boy lived with her Mother. Peterson is expected to play Sunday.
Steve’s Pick: Panthers 27 – Vikings 23
Dan’s Pick: Vikings 24 – Panthers 21
Matt’s Pick: Panthers 19 – Vikings 17
Pittsburgh Steelers at NY Jets (-2.5)
Matchup:These two teams are going in different directions. The Pittsburgh Steelers are still looking for their first win as we approach mid-October. They’ve been hit with many key injuries, and have looked old. The Jets are surprisingly 3-2 to start the season, and are off a big upset win Monday night at Atlanta.
Steve’s Pick: Steelers 20 – Jets 17
Dan’s Pick: Steelers 9 – Jets 6
Matt’s Pick: Steelers 17 – Jets 13
Philadelphia Eagles (-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matchup:The Eagles, at 2-3, are tied with Dallas atop the NFC East. Eagle QB Michael Vick is reportedly out Sunday against the Bucs that he sustained in the Giants game. Nick Foles will get the start in Florida. Foles was sharp in the 2nd half last week against New York. This is the Eagles third consecutive road game. The Bucs are searching for their first win of the season.
Steve’s Pick: Bucs 17 – Eagles 14
Dan’s Pick: Eagles 27 – Bucs 21
Matt’s Pick: Eagles 21 – Bucs 17
Sunday 4:05 PM
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos (-27.5)
Matchup:The point spread is not a misprint. The Denver Broncos are four touchdown favorites against the hapless Jaguars. Against any other opponent this would be a tough spot for Denver off the emotional win at Dallas, and with Peyton’s return to Indianapolis next week. However, the Jaguars are very bad.
Steve’s Pick: Broncos 34 – Jaguars 20
Dan’s Pick: Broncos 37 – Jaguars 14
Matt’s Pick: Broncos 45 – Jaguars 10
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks (13.5)
Matchup:The Seahawks suffered their first loss last week in Indianapolis. They return to Seattle where they’ve nearly been unbeatable the last few years to face the Tennessee Titans. Titans QB Jake Locker, the former Washington Huskie, is out with an injury.
Steve’s Pick: Seahawks 33 – Titans 23
Dan’s Pick: Seahawks 27 – Titans 13
Matt’s Pick: Seahawks 28 – Titans 10
Sunday 4:25 PM
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots (-3)
Matchup:This is the game of the day on paper. The undefeated Saints are in an underdog role against a Patriot team off their first loss. Always fun to watch two top flight quarterbacks go at it as you’ll see with Brees and Brady. The New England Patriots are 32-3 at home during the regular season over their last 35.
Steve’s Pick: Patriots 34 – Saints 30
Dan’s Pick: Saints 40 – Patriots 34
Matt’s Pick: Saints 24 – Patriots 21
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-11)
Matchup:Quietly the Arizona Cardinals have the same record as the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals have been led by QB Carson Palmer and have won two straight. The 49ers have also won two straight, but have been seen as a disappointment at 3-2 in the eyes of most. The Cardinals getting no respect from Vegas in this one.
Steve’s Pick: 49ers 31 – Cardinals 23
Dan’s Pick: 49ers 28 – Cardinals 10
Matt’s Pick: 49ers 17 – Cardinals 10
Sunday 8:30 PM
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (-5.5)
Matchup:Will the Cowboys have anything left in the tank after that epic battle last week against the Broncos? The Redskins are rested, and Shanahan had an extra week to game plan for Dallas.
Steve’s Pick: Redskins 31 – Cowboys 27
Dan’s Pick: Cowboys 33 – Redskins 20
Matt’s Pick: Cowboys 26 – Redskins 13
Monday 8:40 PM
Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) at San Diego Chargers
Matchup:The 4-1 Indianapolis Colts travel to San Diego to take on the 2-3 Chargers. The Colts are in huge sandwich spot. They had a big win last week against the Seahawks and have the Denver Broncos on deck. The Chargers have been up and down as Philip Rivers goes for his third consecutive 400+ yard passing game.
Steve’s Pick: Chargers 31 – Colts 24
Dan’s Pick: Colts 34 – Chargers 31
Matt’s Pick: Colts 31 – Chargers 28
ATS Season Results
Dan 32-37-3
Matt 25-29-3
Steve 26-43-3
Images via NFL.com
