So 8 wins last week which still isnt good but at least its moving in the right direction. A lot of good games this week so it should be an enjoyable Sunday. Hopefully we’ll be back to a regular posting schedule next week, but at least we got the picks in.

Saints (-2.5) over DOLPHINS– A tough slate of games for Miami who has had to travel all over the place since their season began a week late. For as bad as the Saints defense is I don’t think Miami’s offense can take enough advantage to win this one. Saints 27 Dolphins 19

Titans (-1.5) over TEXANS- Interesting divisional game that can really propel the Titans for the entire year. Houston should have won last week but their coach had a large part in the loss. I wouldn’t trust him in a close game. Titans 20 Texans 17

BROWNS (+3.5) over Bengals– AJ Green should have a field day, but Im not sure what else there is to like about the Bengals at this point. I do think they will get their first win of the year but I cant pick them to do so by more than a field goal. Bengals 20 Browns 19

VIKINGS (-2.5) over Lions– I have a feeling the Vikings are going to be close to unbeatable at home this year while looking completely vulnerable on the road. Detroit was robbed last week but I don’t think there will be any question this week. Vikings 27 Lions 16

FALCONS (-8.5) over Bills– Similar to the Vikings above I think Atlanta is going to fit the same course when it comes to home and away. Im sure the Bills will hang around for a half before Atlanta pulls away late in the game. Falcons 30 Bills 17

Ravens (+2.5) over STEELERS- I have no idea what happened to the Ravens last week, but I’d think after getting wacked like that on the road they should be pretty focused coming home. My guess is if the Steelers win it will be a blowout, but if it’s a slugfest, as most of their games against the Ravens are, I’d lean towards the home team. Ravens 21 Steelers 15

Rams (+8.5) over COWBOYS– I don’t think I could justify Dallas covering this big of a line especially coming off a short week. Rams have been early teases before but I like the way they have looked so far and even if Dallas plays really well the Rams should be able to hang around. Cowboys 27 Rams 23

JETS (+3.5) over Jaguars– I think if the Jets NT plays most of the game they can stuff the Jaguars run game and force the ball into Bortles hand which should give them a chance to win. Jaguars pass rush could lead to Josh McCowns annual 8 week injury but if he can stay healthy I think the Jets can win.  Jets 20 Jaguars 17

PATRIOTS (-8.5) over Panthers– Defensively the Patriots aren’t much right now but I thought the same last week of the Saints against Carolina and Carolina did nothing. Panthers offense is horrific and looks lost.  Patriots 30 Panthers 13

CHARGERS (-0.5) over Eagles– This is a pick based on Philly having a big letdown after last weeks emotional win as I think the Eagles are a better team than the Chargers.  Chargers always find a way to lose games it seems, but maybe they won’t screw it up this time. Chargers 20 Eagles 14

49ers (+7.5) over CARDINALS– I just don’t like Arizona anymore especially as a big favorite. They should get some favorable matchups this week but they really miss their running back.  Would it be shocking if they lost this week?  Probably not and for that reason I would take the points. Cardinals 24 49ers 20

Giants (+3.5) over BUCCANEERS– This is the Giants season and if they don’t come out with some added intensity then it’s probably going to get ugly in NY. I could see this going both ways but Ill go with the team that should be more desperate to win. Giants 23 Bucs 20

Raiders (+2.5) over BRONCOS– Both teams are coming off bad games and Denver is home which is helpful, but Ive been on the Carr bandwagon for a long time and this is a game he needs to win.  Should be a great matchup. Raiders 27 Broncos 24

SEAHAWKS (-13.5) over Colts– Seattle has that look of a team ready to implode but this is the kind of game where they should roll over a team. If they play a 13-10 type game Id be worried. Seahawks 24 Colts 6

CHIEFS (-6.5) over Redskins– KC is playing really well right now and they always have a great home field. I never love Cousins and company away from home and think they just wont have enough to keep up at the end. Chiefs 27 Redskins 17

Week 3 is always a fun week as it really tells us a lot about this season and is pretty much the last week where 2016 play is taken into consideration. I was a little better last week with 7 wins, but that’s still pretty poor. Lets see if things can improve or not.

Ravens (-4.5) over JAGUARS– You probably couldn’t ask for a better opening schedule than the one the Ravens got. I still have questions about how good their defense really is, but don’t expect any of those to be answered this week. Ravens 23 Jaguars 10

LIONS (+3.5) over Falcons– We’ll get a better feel for Detroit, who has opened against what looks like two really bad teams, this week. Atlanta is coming off such a high that I think the game will be close.  Im not in love with them outright but I’m going to go there anyway. Lions 27 Falcons 24

COLTS (+1.5) over Browns– Indy is absolutely terrible, but this is asking a lot of a Browns team that has won 1 road game in the last two years. This game will probably tell us if the Colts are getting the number 1 pick or not, but at home they can backdoor their way into a win. Colts 14 Browns 13

EAGLES (-4.5) over Giants– Eagles pass rush is going to destroy the Giants offensive line. Giants never do good in Philly and this line should be bigger except the Giants are still getting too much respect from last season. That will change after this week. Eagles 29 Giants 17

VIKINGS (-2.5) over Buccaneers– This is one of those games where the Vikings defense and special teams is going to have to win for them. I do think that this is a good team to have this week and the Bucs could very well take the Vikes easy. Later in the season I’d probably pick this differently. Vikings 19 Buccaneers 14

BEARS (+7.5) over Steelers– I think the Bears will be game for this one and Pittsburgh tends to play road games much closer.  Of course Glennon can turn this into a blowout in a blink of an eye which will bring the boo birds out, but Ill assume he wont be that bad. Steelers 21 Bears 17

JETS (+6.5) over Dolphins– The Jets stink and they were throttled by Miami last year late in the season, but I do think the Jets will give it some effort this week at home and keep it close enough to where we can complain about some coaching decisions.  Dolphins 24 Jets 19

Saints (+5.5) over PANTHERS– Carolina has also had a very favorable opening to the season and this is a great test for them. Can the Panthers offense explode against the worst defense in the NFL?  If they can’t it could be a long day for them. Saints can win outright. Saints 23 Panthers 20

Broncos (-2.5) over BILLS– The line is screaming to take the Broncos which is generally a bad sign, but I cant see how Buffalo will score on them. The Bills offense is so one dimensional and the Broncos defense should be more than enough to stop that one dimension. Broncos 23 Bills 13

Texans (+13.5) over PATRIOTS– The Patriots were red hot last week against a non-existent defense but Houston should provide a much bigger test. Can the Texans score enough to keep it within 14?  That’s a tough one, but Ill take a shot on some garbage points to pull within the margin. Patriots 27 Texans 15

TITANS (-2.5) over Seahawks– This would be a really big win for the Titans if they can pull this off. Seattle’s offense looks terrible early, but I think that’s pretty common for them and they will begin to rebound soon enough. Titans 20 Seahawks 16

PACKERS (-9.5) over Bengals– Sure the Bengals have had a long time to prepare for this, but they should be catching a Packers team out to show something after last week. Packers 34 Bengals 13

Chiefs (-3.5) over CHARGERS– Chiefs usually play well against the Chargers and the Chiefs are really humming offensively right now. Chargers have continued to find ways to lose but this week they probably wont have the chance to blow it. Chiefs 27 Chargers 13

Raiders (-3.5) over REDSKINS– Raiders are just a class above Washington and have too much firepower, though this won’t be a laugher like the Jets game was. Washington’s offense should continue to improve, but it’s a tall order to match up against this Oakland team. Raiders 30 Redskins 24

CARDINALS (+3.5) over Cowboys– This game should tell us a lot about both teams. Week 1 may have been more about the Giants than Dallas while Arizona had a bad draw with the two early road games. Im going with the idea that Arizona will be a team that fires at home and is terrible on the road, kind of like a lesser version of the Saints of a few years ago. Cardinals 29 Cowboys 20

Not too good last week with I believe 5 wins on my OTC picks (I had 6 in my pool with the Thursday game, which I won, so Im assuming I only had 5 on Sunday and Monday).  Maybe this week will work out a little better to help me get back to 0.500. Continue reading 2017 NFL Picks: Week 2 »

Based on some feedback Ill try to keep up with positing weekly picks for the game this season using the lines from an office pool I’m playing. These lines are set early in the week so if you see a big discrepancy between then and now that’s the reason why.  Ill update the records throughout the year. Continue reading 2017 NFL Picks: Week 1 »

I hope everyone had a good holiday season as we move onto the last week of the season. This is generally one of the worst weeks of the years as teams often go through the motions, name players are IRed often with minimal injuries, and coaches are spending more time cleaning out their office in preparation for being fired. Of course if your team is prepping for or playing for the playoffs this is a big week, but the playoff drama seems more limited this year. Thanks for following along this season. Continue reading 2015 NFL Predictions: Week 17 »

Happy Holidays to all the OTC readers. I did slightly better last week going 8-7-1 ATS and 10-6 SU, but its still going to be a big challenge to finish 0.500 this season..  The yearly record now stands at 140-84 and 106-112-1.  All games are now online…

RAIDERS (-5.5) over Chargers– The Chargers have seemingly found out how to play defense over the last three games, but the Raiders bring a number of offensive weapons to the table. I really love the potential of this Raiders team and while I would be a little worried about the short turnaround for Oakland I expect them to take this chance to show what might be a wider audience the potential they have to be dangerous next year. Raiders 30 Chargers 17 Continue reading 2015 NFL Predictions: Week 16 »