Last week there was an error made and the picks for both the Green Bay at Minnesota game and the Houston at Tennessee game were omitted accidentally. Both Rory and Chris took Green Bay and Houston in their respective NFL matchups.
Degeneration R: Picking the NFL Lines Week 3
The lines as usual are from the Bovada sports book as of Tuesday 9/18/2018 and here are the standings:
Last Week:
Chris: 5 wins and 11 losses
Rory: 8 wins and 8 losses
Season:
Chris: 11 wins, 20 losses, and 1 push
Rory: 15 wins, 16 losses, and 1 push
Here are the Week 3 games in the NFL
NYJ @ CLE -3.5
Chris: This may not be the smartest strategy, but the Browns will win…maybe…probably not…but I’ll pick them anyway.
Rory: In a battle of defense vs defense I am taking the team that doesn’t look like a giant turd. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS. Plus they are getting points.
IND @ PHI -6
Chris: Simply put, the Eagles are a better team. Wentz is back and I think it’s his time to shine.
Rory: I am expecting some offensive output but the Eagles should be a little slow off the blocks. Think Indy keeps it close.
CIN @ CAR -3
Chris: The Bengals are the hottest team in football that no one is talking about, look out, they are for real.
Rory: One lesson I have learned from the new Tomb Raider game, big jungle kitties are mean. Especially more mean than a bird. Bengals win.
NO @ ATL -3
Chris: The Falcons are one of those teams that play way better in the comfort of their own home, I like them with home field advantage this week.
Rory: Atlanta is better at home but New Orleans also loves a dome. This should be fun but I am taking whomever is getting the points.
DEN @ BAL -4.5
Chris: Joe Flacco is out to prove he should remain the starter for the Ravens over rookie first-round pick Lamar Jackson, and I think he has a big game against the Broncos.
Rory: The Ravens could completely blow out the Broncos, but my faith for Flacco is limited as in non-existent. I simply don’t think the Ravens win by a touchdown.
NYG @ HOU -6
Chris: I will not pick the Giants until they win a game and show they are a capable team. Give me the Texans in this matchup.
Rory: Hey Raider fans, at least our team isn’t the Giants. Can’t wait for those Eli Pancakes. Houston wins significantly.
OAK @ MIA -3
Chris: Is there ever such a thing as a “must-win” week three game? If there is, it’s a must win for the Raiders. The Dolphins are 2-0 after playing two easy games. Keep in mind, the Raiders have held the lead in back-to-back games despite going 0-2. This is the week they get over the hump and beat Miami.
Rory: Simply put I think the Raiders win outright. I love what I saw from the offense in week two and the defense has been solid in both weeks. Raiders get off the schneid.
GB @ WAS +3
Chris: The Packers are favored, but I like the Redskins at home this week. If they can get pressure on Green Bay and cause pressure on the banged-up Aaron Rodgers, they should win this contest.
Rory: Green Bay loves it when you aren’t aggressive against their defense and Alex looked like he forgot how to go deep again. I think Rodgers pulls his Packers team to a decent win.
BUF @ MIN -17
Chris: I’ll keep this one simple, the Bills are bad. The Vikings are good. Easy pick, Minnesota win by 20 at home. Also, Josh Allen is making his first career start against one of the league’s best defensive units, recipe for disaster if you ask me.
Rory: 17 points!!! I repeat… 17 POINTS!!!! Gag me with a spoon, I am gonna do it. C’mon Bills.
TEN @ JAC -6.5
Chris: The Jags have a legit defense, while the Titans have one of the worst offenses in the NFL, and if Bortles continues to play good, look out! I got the Jags at home winning this one.
Rory: I have no idea how the Titans won last week. I don’t think that luck lasts. And as previously mentioned, don’t bet against big bad jungle kitties this week. Jags go big.
SF @ KC -7
Chris: Patrick Mahomes is off to the best start ever for a starting QB, and I don’t see the Niners defense being the first one to slow him down. Chiefs route the Niners at Arrowhead.
Rory: Kansas City can be a devastating place to place and end up being extremely disruptive. This will probably be a boat race of a game and the Chiefs defense is bad. Shanahan and his 49ers will do enough to keep it close-ish.
LAC @ LAR -7
Chris: Right now, I think the Rams are the best team in football. As one touchdown favorites over the Chargers, I think they cover the spread.
Rory: This is another time where I simply think the line is too much. Yes the Rams should win this game, but win by 7? Not sure i buy that. Rivers is always good for a few shockers every season. Chargers lose on a last second field goal for posterity.
CHI @ AZ +6
Chris: I think Sam Bradford realizes if he doesn’t get the ball moving on offense that his days as the starter will soon be over with rookie Josh Rosen patiently waiting to play. Cardinals come out and utilize David Johnson in the passing game to counter the Khalil Mack-Attack on the outside.
Rory: I don’t care how bad Trubisky’s Bears are when off the script, the Cardinals are just bad enough to make it irrelevant. Did I mention how bad that Cardinal offensive line is?
DAL @ SEA -1
Chris: Ezekiel Elliot will run wild in Seattle and the Cowboys take one on the road, despite the Seahawks as home favorites.
Rory: I am really hoping the Cowboys put a big Christmas present box in the endzone for Elliot’s multiple touchdowns.
NE @ DET +7
Chris: Tom Brady just got a new toy and while it may be Josh Gordon’s first week with his new team, I think he has a solid debut performance as the Patriots dismantle the Lions.
Rory: What the Jags did to the Patriots last week was fascinating and I think they come out guns blazing. Ultimately this should be an offensive shootout and the Lions will do enough to stay in the game.
PIT @ TB +1
Chris: Steelers vs Buccaneers? I’ll take Ryan Fitz-magic and the Bucs! This magical run goes on for at least one more week.
Rory: Fitzpatrick has stupid facial hair. That is as logical as trusting him to win three in a row. So I am going Steelers.
Games we disagree: NYJ @ Cle, Ind @ Phi, NO @ Atl, Den @ Bal, GB @ Was, Buf @ Min, SF @ KC, LAC @ LAR, Chi @ AZ, Det @ NE, Pit @ TB