Forecaster Frank's Picks: Week 3
Last Week 10-6 .625. Season 17-15 .531
Last week I hit a good stretch as I posted a 10-6 record overall, nailing the Bears-Bengals score along the way.
This week you could follow or fade me and win. Especially people in Illinois who will get special promos with the BarstoolSportsbook
Thursday Night
Hou +8.5 (o/u 43)
Panthers 24 Texans 16
It is hard to believe that the Panthers and Sam Darnold will be 3-0, but the Texans are unlikely to win with Davis Mills starting for Houston. Nonetheless, the Texans will get a pesky backdoor cover, like they did last week in Cleveland.
Sunday at 1
Buf -7.5 (o/u 45.5)
Bills 29 Washington 6
The Bills recovered from a home loss in Week 1 by crushing the Dolphins in Miami; returning home, they will crush Washington and Taylor Heinicke. The Football Team is one offside call away from being 0-3.
Chi +7 (o/u 45.5)
Browns 28 Bears 24
Justin Fields will be making his first NFL start. It will be a tough one going into Cleveland against a strong Browns team. The Browns are now contenders but have a habit of letting teams hang around in the game. This will be a close, exciting game.
Bal -8 (o/u 50)
Ravens 37 Lions 16
On Monday night, the Lions had a lead at the half against the Packers, then looked in the mirror and realized they were the Detroit Lions and played Lions football. Expect more Lions football as the Ravens off a big win against the Chiefs soar.
Ari -7 (o/u 52)
Cardinals 34 Jaguars 17
The Jaguars sent a tweet out urging patience; they will win eventually. The bad news is that the Cardinals are the team the Jaguars want to be, as Kyle Murray has become a star in year three. Maybe Trevor Lawrence could be there in year three, but he is not there in year one.
LAC +6.5 (o/u 55)
Chiefs 30 Chargers 27
Both teams are coming off gut-wrenching losses. When these teams play, the game is usually close. Justin Herbert and the Chargers may be a better road team, as the crowd in Los Angeles will not be in their favor at any time. In the end, Patrick Mahomes will make the big play as the Chiefs win on a late field goal.
NO +3 (o/u 42)
Saints 27 Patriots 17
The Saints had a sloppy game last week in Carolina as their coaching staff dealt with COVID. Expect a bounce-back week as they stun the Patriots in Foxboro. Mac Jones has played well, but the Patriots have not played well on either side of the line. Expect a big game from Alvin Kamara as the Saints score an upset.
NYG -2.5 (o/u 47.5)
Giants 27 Falcons 16
A pair of winless teams meet at the Meadowlands, where the Giants will retire #10 in honor of Eli Manning. This should be an easy win for the Giants, as the Falcons look like one of the worst teams in the NFL. If the Giants lose, things will be uneasy for all in the Giants' organization.
Pit -3 (o/u 44)
Steelers 23 Bengals 13
The Steelers are dealing with injuries as TJ Watt with a pulled groin, and Ben Roethlisberger with a pectoral injury are questionable. The Bengals did end their 11-game losing streak against the Steelers in December, but when these two meet, the Bengals always find a way to bungle the game away.
Ten -5.5 (o/u 48)
Titans 30 Colts 10
The Colts will be wondering what Wentz is wrong, as Carson Wentz is unlikely to play after hurting both ankles. The Colts, who have begun the season with three straight playoff teams, are in danger of being out of the playoff chase before October as they fall to 0-3.
Sunday Late Games
NYJ +11 (o/u 41)
Broncos 23 Jets 13
The Broncos are a horse of a different color with three easy games to start the season as they have played the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets, all of whom lost ten games in 2020. The Jets are 0-2 and will not win in the Mile High home opener. However, the spread seems to be a tad high.
LV -4 (o/u 44.5)
Raiders 23 Dolphins 6
Pain, Tua Tagovailoa is hurt, the Dolphins are coming off a 35-0 loss at home, and the Raiders are 2-0 with a strong defense. This looks like a game that will be ugly fast.
TB -1 (o/u 56)
Buccaneers 27 Rams 24
Tom Brady gets his first look at SoFi Stadium and likes what he sees as he plans to return in February. Look for a close, exciting game to come down to the fourth quarter. In other words, Brady Time.
Sea -1.5 (o/u 55.5)
Seahawks 31 Vikings 29
Two teams who lost games they should have won last week meet in the Twin Cities. The Vikings are 0-2, having lost games in overtime and on a missed field goal, and this time they lose on a missed two-point try.
Sunday Night
GB +3.5 (o/u 50)
Packers 27 49ers 24
The Packers beat the Lions with a big second half last week, while the 49ers come home after winning in Detroit and Philadelphia to start the season. A rematch of the 2019 NFC Championship sees Aaron Rodgers shining in primetime again.
Monday Night
Dal -4 (o/u 52)
Cowboys 30 Eagles 13
Dak Prescott appears healthy, and the Cowboys appear to be on the verge of a big season. Look for this to be a Dallas domination on Monday Night Football, as Jalen Hurts and the Eagles get blitzed.