THE SPORTS DOCTOR’S WEEK 6 NFL PICKS
Last week I was an unimpressive 8-7 (37-41) and 6-9 (35-43) against the spread.
Sunday Early
Arizona Cardinals (1-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1)
Line: Vikings by 10
If the Vikings can defeat the defending champs in Philly, surely, they can beat these sad sacks in their own barn? Memories of the Bills still linger so I can’t bet on Vikes covering the spread.
Dr. Football: Take the Vikings to win but not cover.
Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-2-1)
Line: Chargers by 1
L.A.’s losses this season have come against the Chiefs and Rams, so they should have little trouble even in the Dawg Pound.
Dr. Football: Take the Chargers to win and cover.
Chicago Bears (3-1) at Miami Dolphins (3-2)
Line: Bears by 3
Chicago’s schedule gets a lot tougher after their bye week, so I believe that they will only have the Miami nightlife on their mind. Also, Miami has been playing good football thus far.
Dr. Football: Take the Dolphins in an upset.
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Washington Redskins (2-2)
Line: Redskins by 1
Carolina has the Saints firmly in their sites and will look to “one-up” them by laying a beating on the fading Redskins.
Dr. Football: Take the Panthers in an upset.
Indianapolis Colts (1-4) at New York Jets (2-3)
Line: Jets by 2.5
I haven’t written off the Colts just yet, and I sure don’t trust the Jets even at home. Andrew Luck will start to find a real groove on the road.
Dr. Football: Take the Colts in an upset.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-1)
Line: Bengals by 2.5
Pittsburgh has won the last six in a row in this series and nine out of the past 10 and haven’tlost in Cincinnati since September 2013. Go with Big Ben.
Dr. Football: Take the Steelers in an upset.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-4)
Line: Falcons by 3.5
QB issues have erupted with the Bucs so this makes them easy prey for the “better than their record shows” Falcons. This will be a Tampa Bay wake up call.
Dr. Football: Take the Falcons to win and cover.
Seattle Seahawks (2-3) vs. Oakland Raiders (1-4) in London.
Line: Seahawks by 3
Seattle is regrouping and seem to be on the rise while Oakland is a work in progress. No real home field advantage in this one.
Dr. Football: Take the Seahawks to win and cover.
Buffalo Bills (2-3) at Houston Texans (2-3)
Line: Texans by 10
Houston’s pass rush will have Josh Allen running towards Mexico by half time.
Dr. Football: Take the Texans to win and cover.
Sunday Late
Los Angeles Rams (5-0) at Denver Broncos (2-3)
Line: Rams by 7
Is it just me but are the Broncos less likeable without Peyton Manning under center? L.A. will continue to dominate even in the smog-less thin air in a “closer than it should be” game.
Dr. Football: Take the Rams to win but not cover.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Line: Jaguars by 3
Jacksonville is a much different team without Leonard Fournette, and the Cowboys are much better at home. I think Dallas pulls it off.
Dr. Football: Take the Cowboys in an upset.
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Tennessee Titans (3-2)
Line: Ravens by 3
Tennessee is quietly getting it done with a solid defense, while the Ravens don’t seem to play as well on the road as all of Joe Flacco’s interceptions this season are away from home. Another upset.
Dr. Football: Take the Titans in an upset.
Sunday Night
Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) at New England Patriots (3-2)
Line: Patriots by 3.5
The NBC liaison with the NFL schedule maker must be the highest paid employee in that building; what a Sunday night match up. While the Chiefs surprised New England at home last year, the Patriots are just warming up with their third consecutive home game.
Dr. Football: Take the Patriots to win and cover.
Monday Night
San Francisco 49ers (1-4) at Green Bay Packers (2-2-1)
Line: Packers by 9.5
Packers always seem to explode after they have been embarrassed. The 49ers won’t know what hit them.
Dr. Football: Take the Packers to win and cover.
