Well, professional gamblers aim to be about 55 percent correct, according to Fox Sports radio host R.J. Bell. Through three weeks, I’m at 33 percent. I’m hoping I can bounce back off my oh-for with a solid week. Here we go.
Buffalo Bills (+3) at Cleveland Browns, Sunday 1 p.m.
Buffalo is looking for a signature win to justify their record as they head into the Dawg Pound to face the struggling Browns. Cleveland is laying just a field goal in this game, which shows that Vegas isn’t believing in the Browns to bounce back. I don’t either.
The Bills have a stout defense, and Josh Allen is built for grueling, pound it out games. This game will be won on the line of scrimmage. The Browns offensive line is in for a long day. I think the Bills win outright, but regardless, bet them to cover.
Score Prediction: Bills 24, Browns 23
Arizona Cardinals (+5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday 1 p.m.
The Cardinals are coming off a tough home loss on Thursday Night Football, and I think they will cover against a Bucs team that is back in Raymond James Stadium for the first time in six weeks.
The road-weary Bucs are coming off a demoralizing defeat to the Seahawks, and their pass defense remains one of the worst in the league. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have only lost to above-.500 teams (Saints, Ravens, Seahawks, Panthers). Arizona also has the fewest giveaways in the NFL. Expect the Cardinals to cover, and I’m going to bet they win outright.
Score Prediction: Arizona 28, Tampa Bay 24
Baltimore Ravens (-10.5) at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 1 p.m.
Fresh off a big prime time win at home against New England, the Ravens head to winless Cincinnati, where they should cover easily.
Lamar Jackson missed a practice this week due to an illness, but he is back and should be ready to roll. Even without him, giving the ball to Mark Ingram II and Gus Edwards is a good game plan against a Bengals defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in any category.
Score Prediction: Baltimore 31, Cincinnati 17
Los Angeles Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers (+4), Sunday 4:25 p.m.
The Rams are coming off a bye and look to be returning to form. I think they win, but four-point favorites in Heinz field is still a big ask. Mason Rudolph has quietly guided the Steelers back to .500, and they showed that Heinz Field magic still plays in their win over Indy.
The Rams still are missing Todd Gurley, and with Minkah Fitzpatrick solidifying the Steelers back end, look for Jared Goff to commit multiple turnovers. The Steelers are 3-2 at home this year, and those two losses were by a combined five points.
Score Prediction: Los Angeles (N) 27, Pittsburgh 24
Seattle Seahawks (+6.5) at San Francisco 49ers, Monday 8 p.m.
Why the Niners are getting almost seven points against their division rivals mystifies me. The Niners and Seahawks always play each other closely, and Seattle comes into this game with perhaps the MVP favorite. Russell Wilson can firmly grab that distinction with a signature win in Santa Clara Monday night.
Arizona made San Francisco look beatable last Thursday. If Seattle can put the ball in Jimmy Garoppolo’s hands and dare him to make plays, they can test the one real question mark on this 49er team.
Score Prediction: Seattle 31, San Francisco 33
*odds provided by Westgate Superbook
