2 and 0 in the college plays last night with Troy and Clemson both making it easy for us. So here are a few that stand out to me today on the NFL side of things.
CAROLINA +9 at NEW ENGLAND: Newton gets a matchup that's favorable for this Panthers team to put points on the board. They've looked stagnant in recent weeks, but this Patriots defense is horrendous at times. McCaffrey showed his cards last week with a 9 reception performance. I expect 6+ grabs from him today plus more room to run between the tackles on the carries he'll receive. Look for Newton to spread it around a bit more today including potentially getting speedster Demere Byrd involved. Despite a solid Pass Defense, Brady will get his although I see them having to utilize more backfield dumpoffs as well due to the stellar LB play of Carolina. Not sure Carolina can pull the upset, but with Brady and crew more than likely putting 28-30 on the board, I see Newton having a solid game of multiple passing TDs and one on the ground as well. New England escaped a tough one last week and I see a similar, slightly lower scoring one today against a desperate Carolina team.
Patriots in another nailbiter
LOS ANGELES RAMS and DALLAS UNDER 48.5: I don't see it being beneficial for either team to get pass happy in this one. With Goff, the Rams still aren't 100% sure of what they have under center. They know that Gurley is capable of 25+ carries if needed. Short and intermediate routes utilizing Watkins, Woods and Kupp will be the norm on the passing end. For the Cowboys, why wouldn't you give it to Elliott 20 times today. This one could potentially showcase two backs with 100+ yards in Gurley and Elliott and that means a lot of time ticking off the clock. If LA can gt ahead, they'll pound Gurley through the tackles and absorb as much clock as possible to try to hurry out of town. Don't be surprised in a 10-7 halftime score in this one.
23-17 either way.
HOUSTON +2.5 vs TENNESSEE: Deshaun Watson. Plain and simple. He's been compared to Mariota early on and in this one, he may look better than Titans signal caller. Watson is elusive, and the Tennessee Defense is susceptible to scrambling QBs. Watson will take off more than Russell Wilson and Blake Bortles have against this Titans D in recent weeks and that spells disaster for the Tennessee D. Look for Watson to go over 260 through the air and 50+ on the ground. D'onta Foreman has been a hidden gem so far this season and it's only a matter of time before he becomes the workhorse to pair with Watson and an improving and almost fully healthy receiving corp, with the return of deep threat Fuller. Despite the return of Fuller, don't be surprised in the sudden emergence of slot speedster Bruce Ellington. Tennessee will definitely move the ball in both the air and ground games, but with Clowney and Watt chasing after Mariota, I see the first pick of the season in the cards for the Houston D. With this tilt against the Titans before next week's tough home matchup against the Chiefs, the Texans need this one bad. After that, a more experienced Watson will get the Browns, Seahawks, Colts, Rams, Cardinals and Ravens over the next six weeks. Between this week and next, these may be the last chances to get this potentially hot team as a dog for a while. I'm throwing a little extra on this one.
Texans outright.
CINCINATTI -3 at CLEVELAND: It's fairly simple. It's the Cleveland Browns. This Cincinatti Secondary is in good form and with rookie Kizer under center in Cleveland, I expect a turnover fiasco. Dalton doesn't have to beat the Browns, they'll beat themselves. He just has to utilize AJ Green and other playmakers like rookie Mixon to control the game and let the Cincy D keep the youngster rattled. Without a true receiving threat other than Duke Johnson out of the backfield, this Bengals D can press the line and force the rookie to fit it in tight windows. Look for Pacman to have a big day today both in coverage and in the return game.
Bengals by 7+.
CAROLINA +9 at NEW ENGLAND: Newton gets a matchup that's favorable for this Panthers team to put points on the board. They've looked stagnant in recent weeks, but this Patriots defense is horrendous at times. McCaffrey showed his cards last week with a 9 reception performance. I expect 6+ grabs from him today plus more room to run between the tackles on the carries he'll receive. Look for Newton to spread it around a bit more today including potentially getting speedster Demere Byrd involved. Despite a solid Pass Defense, Brady will get his although I see them having to utilize more backfield dumpoffs as well due to the stellar LB play of Carolina. Not sure Carolina can pull the upset, but with Brady and crew more than likely putting 28-30 on the board, I see Newton having a solid game of multiple passing TDs and one on the ground as well. New England escaped a tough one last week and I see a similar, slightly lower scoring one today against a desperate Carolina team.
Patriots in another nailbiter
LOS ANGELES RAMS and DALLAS UNDER 48.5: I don't see it being beneficial for either team to get pass happy in this one. With Goff, the Rams still aren't 100% sure of what they have under center. They know that Gurley is capable of 25+ carries if needed. Short and intermediate routes utilizing Watkins, Woods and Kupp will be the norm on the passing end. For the Cowboys, why wouldn't you give it to Elliott 20 times today. This one could potentially showcase two backs with 100+ yards in Gurley and Elliott and that means a lot of time ticking off the clock. If LA can gt ahead, they'll pound Gurley through the tackles and absorb as much clock as possible to try to hurry out of town. Don't be surprised in a 10-7 halftime score in this one.
23-17 either way.
HOUSTON +2.5 vs TENNESSEE: Deshaun Watson. Plain and simple. He's been compared to Mariota early on and in this one, he may look better than Titans signal caller. Watson is elusive, and the Tennessee Defense is susceptible to scrambling QBs. Watson will take off more than Russell Wilson and Blake Bortles have against this Titans D in recent weeks and that spells disaster for the Tennessee D. Look for Watson to go over 260 through the air and 50+ on the ground. D'onta Foreman has been a hidden gem so far this season and it's only a matter of time before he becomes the workhorse to pair with Watson and an improving and almost fully healthy receiving corp, with the return of deep threat Fuller. Despite the return of Fuller, don't be surprised in the sudden emergence of slot speedster Bruce Ellington. Tennessee will definitely move the ball in both the air and ground games, but with Clowney and Watt chasing after Mariota, I see the first pick of the season in the cards for the Houston D. With this tilt against the Titans before next week's tough home matchup against the Chiefs, the Texans need this one bad. After that, a more experienced Watson will get the Browns, Seahawks, Colts, Rams, Cardinals and Ravens over the next six weeks. Between this week and next, these may be the last chances to get this potentially hot team as a dog for a while. I'm throwing a little extra on this one.
Texans outright.
CINCINATTI -3 at CLEVELAND: It's fairly simple. It's the Cleveland Browns. This Cincinatti Secondary is in good form and with rookie Kizer under center in Cleveland, I expect a turnover fiasco. Dalton doesn't have to beat the Browns, they'll beat themselves. He just has to utilize AJ Green and other playmakers like rookie Mixon to control the game and let the Cincy D keep the youngster rattled. Without a true receiving threat other than Duke Johnson out of the backfield, this Bengals D can press the line and force the rookie to fit it in tight windows. Look for Pacman to have a big day today both in coverage and in the return game.
Bengals by 7+.
