Ramblin’ Fan’s NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 3

Both me and the Rams bounced back in Week 2 after a poor first showing to start the season. The Rams are looking to go into their bye week with a winning record before starting a long and tough stretch that is the middle of their season. The Cowboys come to the Edward Jones Dome with these teams having a convincing history of blowouts. In the past four meetings, the winning team has won by at least 20 points every time.

What is the spread? In the gambling world, a “spread’ is a term used to handicap games by allowing a team to lose or win by a certain number of points while still winning for a bettor. If the Rams are +3 against the Seahawks, that means that the Rams could win outright or they could lose by two points and still be a victory for a bettor. In the same situation as above, the spread could also read as the Seahawks -3 which again would mean they have to win by three or more points to cover the spread.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-6)

The Buccaneers continue to be a mediocre team. The offense has been okay, with Josh McCown completing 67.9 percent of his passes despite having more interceptions than TDs this season. The highlight has been Bobby Rainey who has averaged 6.0 yards per carry this season replacing Doug Martin. The Bucs opponents this week are one of the most confusing teams. Matt Ryan goes from a three TD, no INT performance to tossing two picks while the team gets beaten up by the Bengals. The Bucs have been good at containing WR’s this season, but they have yet to face an aerial attack like the Falcons. Expect ‘Matty Ice’ to pick the team apart. Falcons win 28-24 (Buccaneers cover)

San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills (-2.5)

I don’t think anyone expected Phillip Rivers to dissect the ‘Legion of Boom’ like he did in week two, but if he keeps up his performances than he is a true MVP threat. Defensively, the Chargers have forced five fumbles and have deflected five passes through the first two games. The Bills on the other hand, can thank their special teams for tallying 32 of the teams 52 points this season. The Bills luck should run out this week because a team can only win in one facet of the game for so long. Chargers win 35-21 (Chargers cover)

Dallas Cowboys at St. Louis Rams (+1.5)

If the Rams want to go into the bye week with a winning record their linebackers need to step up. The Rams rank 30th in rushing defense while ranking fourth in passing, mostly because teams don’t need to throw against them. The defensive line has been good at creating pressure and the DB’s have been strong both against receivers and helping in run defense, but the LB’s have been poor. It seemed like every play the LB’s were out of place and looking confused. An adjustment there will be critical if the Rams want to win because beating the Cowboys means stopping DeMarco Murray. It will be impossible for the Rams to win this week if the defensive adjustments aren’t made, but I believe that Jeff Fischer and Gregg Williams can get the team straight. Rams win 16-14 (Rams cover spread)

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5)

The Washington Redskins are a better looking team with Kirk Cousins at the helm. It’s that simple. Cousins came into last week’s game and tossed 250 yards and two TD’s to help thrash the Jaguars. However, Cousins will have an uphill battle against the Eagles in Philly. The Eagles right now seem like a team of destiny. The offense is clicking better than any other in the league and it seems that no matter what hole they find themselves in they climb out. I think this game will be a shootout and as much as I like Cousins, he will not be able to keep up with the Eagles offense. Eagles win 42-35 (Eagles cover spread)

Houston Texans at New York Giants (+2.5)

The Houston Texans appear to be the real deal. The offense has been anchored by Ryan Fitzpatrick who has not turned the ball over this season and Arian Foster returning to stud levels. The defense has also produced six turnovers. The Giants are trending in the opposite direction. Eli Manning already has four interceptions and the defense has yet to produce a single turnover. The Giants are just too bad in too many aspects for them to compete against a surprisingly strong Texans team. Texans win 16-14 (Giants cover)

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (-10.5)

Codarrelle Patterson is proving to be the most dynamic threat in the NFL, leading the Vikings on both rushing and receiving yards. The rest of the offense has looked mediocre with running backs averaging less than 3.5 yards per carry and Matt Cassel being just good enough to keep his job. The Saints have had some bad breaks already this season. A team that could easily be undefeated is 0-2, losing both games by a combined six points. It would be a big jump to expect a mediocre Vikings team to top a powerful Saints that are already playing behind the 8-ball. Saints win 27-21 (Vikings cover)

Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5)

The Titans went down quick against the Cowboys and had to all but abandon the running game by the second half. The Titans ended week two averaging 6.3 yards per attempt on the ground. The reason the team faltered was because the defense was torched by DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant. The Bengals can thank their 2-0 start largely on their defense. Though the offense has been above average, the Cats D has held opposing QB’s to a 59.9 QBR playing big in critical times. This game could be a shocker, but it will depend on the Titan getting off to a quick start. If Tennessee can score quickly and establish a run game they can win, but if they need to constantly pass again they will get eaten alive. Bengals win 28-20 (Bengals cover)

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (+2)

An over-the-hill Steelers defense was abused by the Ravens in week two. Joe Flacco completed 21 of 29 while throwing two TD’s. Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Browns might actually be good with Brian Hoyer at QB. Hoyer has not been blowing up the stats, but he isn’t losing games and letting the strong Browns D do their job. I truly believe the Browns are for real, but a tough divisional game should put that to the test. Browns win 31-24 (Browns cover)

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (-2.5)

The Packers can thank Jordy Nelson for last week’s win. His 209 receiving yards, including an 80-yard TD in the fourth secured the Cheeseheads a victory in Week 2. So there is a good chance it could be a feast against the sub-par Lions secondary. And I can expect the Lions to do much of the same. This should be a high scoring game folks. Lions win 45-38 (Lions cover)

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (+7)

It is no doubt in my mind that the Colts are the best 0-2 team in the NFL. The team ranks in the top third in most offensive categories, but have been unable to stop anyone defensively. As much as Andrew Luck gets the attention on this team, the defense needs to start playing at least respectable football. The Jaguars took a big step back in week two getting demolished by the Redskins. The young receivers have been solid, yet predictably streaky but the rushing game has been abysmal. Tony Gerhart is averaging 2.0 yards per run. This should be an easy win for the Colts, but I think they need to prove that they deserve some recognition. Look for an Indy beatdown. Colts win 35-14 (Colts cover spread)

Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots (-14.5)

As bad as the Oakland Raiders have been, their 0-2 start is something they’ve only done once in the previous five seasons. Derek Carr has been the usual from a rookie signal-caller, but he is also leading the team in rushing. Outside of James Jones, no offensive player has proven to be even remotely good so far this season in the Black Hole. When you look at the Patriots statistically they are far from their usual. Tom Brady has a pedestrian completion percentage and only two TD’s. They defense has been aggressive though, notching seven sacks through two weeks. All things told, you can’t expect a rookie QB to stroll into Gillette Stadium and throw the ball against arguably the best CB in the game and have it end well. Patriots win 28-14 (Raiders cover)

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (+2.5)

The 49ers looked like a lock to be coming into Week 3 undefeated, but a fourth quarter collapse to the Bears opens their season 1-1. Colin Kaepernick has as many TDs as interceptions and has been sacked five times so far. The defense has been far from stellar closing out games too as the 49ers have allowed 28 points in the fourth quarter so far. Fourth quarter scoring has been the Cardinals specialty outscoring opponents 27-0 so far. The Cardinals are no joke and the 49ers are not going to have a cake walk in the desert. Cardinals win 28-21 (Cardinals cover)

Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks (-5)

This is only the sixth time in NFL history that there has been a Super Bowl rematch in the following season. The Broncos are looking much like last season with Peyton Manning and the offense leading the charge and just outscoring opponents. After a Week 1 destruction Green Bay, the Seahawks looked undefeatable but hit a snag with Phillip Rivers. But this game is in Seattle, which is easily the best home field advantage in football, and in all five of the past Super Bowl rematches the team that hoisted the Lombardi trophy has covered. Seahawks win 28-21 (Seahawks cover)

Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins (-4)

As many expected, the Chiefs have taken a considerable dropoff after last season. It can be pinned on the lack of Jamaal Charles as Alex Smith has been forced to keep the Chiefs in games and we all know that is a scary proposition. The Dolphins are in a similar situation. When Knowshon Moreno was healthy in Week one the team was riding high, but once Ryan Tannehill had to carry the team they fell apart. This game could realistically go to whoever scores first and I expect that to be the Dolphins. Dolphins win 21-14 (Dolphins cover)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (-3.5)

The Steelers seem like a team desperately holding on. They have one of the best young backs and receivers in Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, but the hard-headed ‘Steelers’ football philosophy is holding them back. The Panthers have shown flashes of being great and could become a darkhorse contender. Panthers win 28-16 (Panthers cover)

Chicago Bears at New York Jets (-3)

It was almost a colossal disaster to start the season for the Bears. Thanks to a 49ers collapse, the Bears are .500. TO no surprise the Bears passing game has been top notch through two weeks. The Jets have been playing Jets football aka good defense with an average at best offense. I cannot see the Jets keeping this one close because the Bears need a statement. Bears win 27-14 (Bears cover)

RECORD TO DATE: 17-5 STRAIGHT-UP, 14-18 AGAINST THE SPREAD