NFL
3 Picks.
1:00PM EST: Falcons -3 (5 Units).
The Dallas Cowboys just aren't a very good football team. They have 3 wins, squeaking out 2 over the Justin Fields led Steelers and New York Giants. They also blew out Deshaun Watson and the Nick Chubbless Browns in Week 1. Other than that, they've been boat raced by the Saints and Lions. They were also blown out by SF and Baltimore, but they scored a combined 33 points in the 4th quarter of those games to make it look nice. They're dead last in rushing yards per carry and per game. They're also 19th in sacks allowed per game. Their RB room is old, and their OL can't run block. Their defense hasn't been much better, allowing 149 combined points in their 4 losses and at least 28 in each. To make matters worse they're without star pass rusher Micah Parsons today and Both starting CBs are hurt. CB Trevon Diggs is a Game Time decision after not practicing all week, but he won't be 100% even if he does suit up.
Kirk Cousins and this Falcons offense is really hitting its stride, scoring 30+ in 3 of their last 4. They have an efficient ground game averaging 4.7 YPC. Dallas ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed per game and 26th in yards per carry. They're also 19th in opponent completion % and 20th in passing yards allowed per game. Playing at Home this Falcons offense shouldn't run into many issues. Especially with Parsons sitting on the sidelines.
1:00PM EST: Giants +4 (3 Units).
The Giants are 2-6 with very winnable games turned losses. They have a knack for hanging around, but the miscues tend to add up for them. They lost 18-21 to these Commanders in Washington earlier this season despite not letting up a touchdown. The Giants didn't have a kicker and failed all three of their 2-PT conversions. NY's final drive ended on downs in FG territory as well. They also lost to Dallas 20-15 after failing to score a touchdown despite consistent drives. The Commander’s defense isn't all that great and the Giants offense is healthy enough to move the ball and score some points.
The Giants defensive line is very good. They lead the league in Sack % at 13.31%. The next closest are the NY Jets at 10.84%. Commanders are 18th in sack % allowed and that's with the ever-elusive Jayden Daniel's at QB who the Giants brought down 5 times in Week 2. He's currently nursing a Rib injury and that led to his least efficient day as a passer in their 18-15 win over the Bears at Home last week. It also makes them a bit less likely to run him and that's been a big part of Washington's success early on.
Regardless of who it is and team records, it's hard to beat the same team twice, especially in division play. New York's won 3 of its last 4 against Washington and are 6-3-1 in their last 10. They're 7-3 ATS during that span and only 1 of those 3 losses were by more than 3 points.
1:00PM: Raiders +8 (3 Units).
The Bengals have just 3 wins on the season and covered this number in 2 of them. They beat the Giants by 10 after NY's kicker missed a FG and then a dropped pass led to a turnover on downs in FG range. They also beat Carolina by 10. The Raiders aren't a good team either, but they've shown up and competed the last couple weeks. They went into KC and played a tight game into the 4th quarter last week, losing by a touchdown. They also went on the road and lost by 5 to the Rams the week before that. They're back to Gardnew Minshew at QB which does make this offense a bit more explosive. Aiden O'Connell got hurt early against the Rams a couple weeks back. The Bengals have the 23rd ranked scoring defense and allow the 24th most yards per game. Even if the banged-up Bengals offense that can't run the ball blows the doors off, the Raiders will have an opportunity to back door this for us. Few too many points for a bad team to be laying and the average Joe's are hammering Cinci.
