This week, we look at nothing but teams with pedigrees doing what they do best. The picks include two of the most heavily decorated teams of all time as underdogs, two defending division champs lighting up the scoreboard, the most heated rivalry in the league, and the defending Super Bowl champs winning. What could go wrong?
Note: Odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
5
Take New England Patriots on the moneyline (-105) vs. New Orleans Saints
This line has fluctuated between both teams being one-point favorites and the Patriots are currently home underdogs. How often have we seen that? Once in 20 years and now three games in row. The Saints haven’t scored more than 20 points this season, and the Patriots held the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins to 25 and 24 points in their first two home games. Bad things tend to happen to dome teams in New England, and the Saints are no exception.
4
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills: Take the Over of 48.5 points (-110)
After a frustrating Week 1, Buffalo has been hitting its stride. In the last three games, the Bills have scored 38, 37 and 48 points. The Jaguars have been consistently inconsistent, allowing Houston to pile up 37 points while holding the Chiefs to 17. While Jacksonville isn’t likely to get trucked like other recent Bills victims, the Jags will do their part for this number to hit the Over.
3
Take Green Bay Packers on the moneyline (-105) at Las Vegas Raiders
When the opening lines came out, the Packers were two-point favorites. Now they’re a one-point dog. A three-point swing in two days is significant. Maybe those setting odds in Vegas are on to something we don’t know. But I’ve seen as much of the Raiders as I want to and the Packers are a better team. The Monday night spotlight won’t help the Raiders. It will just let more people see their dysfunction.
2
Take Baltimore Ravens and lay 4 points (-110) at Pittsburgh Steelers
These games are low scoring – in the last five meetings, neither team has posted more than 20 points. Kenny Pickett isn’t an elite quarterback when 100 percent, much less when he’s banged up and immobile. That is a bad combination in a rivalry game that is unmatched in its time-honored violence. Four points is a lot to give away on the road in this rivalry, but the Ravens have more talent and it will show against a team they know intimately.
1
Take Kansas City Chiefs and lay 3.5 points (-110) at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings finally posted their first victory of the season after winning 13 games last year, but it came against the winless Carolina Panthers. After their home loss to Detroit in the season-opening game, the Chiefs have won three straight. They just haven’t gutted their opponents. The Chiefs have the talent to carve the Vikings defense. Minnesota’s only hope to cover this spread is for Andy Reid to call off the dogs.
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