The NFL returns to London this week as the Ravens battle the Jags.
By John Sarianides
It’s week four in the NFL and I’m loving all of the road favorites on the schedule this week.
Baltimore -3.5 At Jacksonville (London) 39.5: I bought into the Jags being for real and I got burned. I am not making that mistake again. I am putting my money on the Ravens as a road favorite in London.
9/24 1:00 ET Cleveland -1.5 At Indianapolis 41: Don’t blink because this is the last time you might see the Browns being favored in a game. The status of quarterback DeShone Kizer is up in the air so based on that, I am putting my money on the home team. I think the Colts win an ugly game.
9/24 1:00 ET Pittsburgh -7.5 At Chicago 44: The Bears are a different team at home, particularly on defense. I think Vic Fangio’s bunch will give Big Ben and company fits but it won’t be enough. I like the Bears as a home dog. I think The Steelers will win but it will be by a field goal.
9/24 1:00 ET Miami -6 At NY Jets 43: I’m putting my money on the Dolphins. It’s the Jets. They are awful. Miami is a no brainer.
9/24 1:00 ET Denver -3 At Buffalo 39: I think Denver will have trouble with the Bills in this game but Trevor Siemien and company will pull it out in the fourth quarter. I don’t buy Tyrod Taylor and Buffalo’s offense. Denver’s defense will feast on them.
9/24 1:00 ET At New England -14 Houston 44: The Patriots are banged up but it won’t matter. Houston never plays well in Foxboro and this game will be no exception. I am putting money on the Pats as a prohibitive home favorite. I think they’ll win by three scores.
9/24 1:00 ET At Carolina -5.5 New Orleans 46.5: When ever these two teams meet, it seems to be a high scoring affair and this one should be no different. The Saints defense is the worst it has ever been in the Sean Payton era. That bodes well for Cam Newton and the Panthers as well as the bettors. They will all put their money on Newton and the Panthers in this one.
9/24 1:00 ET Tampa Bay -2.5 At Minnesota 39: The Bucs looked good in their season opener at home against the Bears. That was the Bears. The Vikings are a different animal (no pun intended) Minnesota plays better defense and they can run the football. I expect this game to be tight but I’m taking the Vikings as a home dog. I think they will find a way to get pressure on Jameis Winston and win a close one.
9/24 1:00 ET Atlanta -3 At Detroit 50.5: The over, under in this one says it all. This will be a shootout. The Falcons are a road favorite by 3 and that is a decent number to take if you are looking to put money on a road favorite. Both teams play good defense but both offenses have big play potential so expect this to be a back and forth affair.
9/24 1:00 ET At Philadelphia -6 NY Giants 42.5: The Giants are already facing a must win. That could be a tall order against an Eagles team boasts one of the best defenses in the NFL. Philly can get to the quarterback and they will find a way to get consistent pressure on Eli Manning and beat the Giants. I’m putting my money on the Eagles in this one.
9/24 4:05 ET At Tennessee -2.5 Seattle 41: Look, I know the Seahawks are struggling offensively but them being a home dog to the Titans is ridiculous. That is why I am putting my money on the Seahawks. They are too talented and proud to lose to an imporoved but still inexperienced Titans team.
9/24 4:25 ET Kansas City -3 At LA Chargers 47.5: The Chiefs are legit folks. I know people have their doubts about Andy Reid and his game management skills but this team has the look of a contender. They should beat a Chargers team that can’t seem to figure it out right now.
9/24 4:25 ET At Green Bay -7.5 Cincinnati 46.5: Aaron Rodgers has never beaten the Bengals in his career. Rodgers has beaten the other 31 teams at least once. Despite a depleted receiving corp, I think Rodgers and the Packers beat a Bengals team that is a train wreck right now. I like the Packers by two scores.
9/24 8:30 ET Oakland -3 At Washington: I like the Raiders as a road favorite in this one. The Raiders have looked like an NFL heavyweight thus far against the Titans and the Jets. I expect more of the same in this game. I think they’ll make big plays in the passing game and they’ll use their ground game to wear down a weak Redskins front seven.
9/25 8:30 ET Dallas -3 At Arizona 47: I’m taking the Cardinals a home dog in this one. Dak and the boys got exposed a little by the Broncos last week.