THE SPORTS DOCTOR’S WEEK 5 NFL PICKS FOR THE 4 SEASONS
Last week I went 11-5 (43-20) and 10-6 (33-30) vs. the spread.
New England Patriots (2-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Line: Patriots by 5.5
The Patriots haven’t looked good on defense all season, but Tampa Bay barely squeaked by the Giants at home last week. I think this will be a close one, but one Tom Brady can win. Take the Patriots to win but not cover.
Los Angeles Chargers (0-4) at New York Giants (0-4)
Line: Giants by 3.5
Someone’s gotta win right? Go with the team at home that didn’t have to fly across the country. Take the Giants to win and cover.
Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
Line: Bengals by 3
Buffalo pulled off a big upset at Atlanta last week, but are playing consecutive road games. Andy Dalton finally pulled it together last week against Cleveland, and I think that momentum carries. Take the Bengals to win and cover.
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| The Sports Doctor |
New York Jets (2-2) at Cleveland Browns (0-4)
Line : Jets by 1
New York has two consecutive games under their belt and face a team that’s a complete mess. Take the Jets to win and cover, but not if you’re in a “Survivor” pool.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
Line: Steelers by 8.5
Pittsburgh got Le’Veon Bell going against in Baltimore and that will be trouble for a team playing their second consecutive road game and playing in Pittsburgh. Take the Steelers to win and cover.
Tennessee Titans (2-2) at Miami Dolphins (1-2)
Line:
Miami finally gets their home opener and will face a Titans team that will probably have to start Matt Cassel at QB as Marcus Mariota nurses a hamstring injury. Jay Cutler has been awful, but should beat the Titans struggling defense. Take the Dolphins.
San Francisco 49ers (0-4) at Indianapolis Colts (1-3)
Line: Colts by 1.5
San Fran looked a bit better last week, and stay on the road and face a struggling Colts team. The 49ers aren’t a “0-16” team, and I think they get their first win in Indy. Take the 49ers in an upset.
Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
Line: Eagles by 6.5
Philadelphia’s pass rush will pressure Carson Palmer into making mistakes leading them to a big home win. Take the Eagles to win and cover.
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Detroit Lions (3-1)
Line: Lions by 2.5
Carolina upset the Patriots last week on the road and stay on the road for this one. The Lions defense came up big last week in Minnesota, and should handle Cam Newton. Take the Lions to win and cover.
Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
Line: Rams by 1
The Rams host a slow starting Seattle team that has struggled on defense. Look for Seattle to regroup, and put up big points like last week. Take the Seahawks in an upset.
Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Oakland Raiders (3-1)
Line: Raiders by 2.5
Baltimore faces EJ Manual who gets the start over an injured Derek Carr, and that might be enough spark for a team that returns home after two road losses. Take the Raiders to win and cover.
Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
Line: Cowboys by 2
The Cowboys have issues on defense that were exposed against the Rams last week, the kind of issues that Aaron Rodgers can take advantage of. Take the Packers in an upset.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) at Houston Texans (2-2)
Line: Chiefs by 1.5
The only undefeated team travel to face a team that put up 57 points last week. Momentum is on Houston’s side. Take the Texans in an upset.
Minnesota Vikings (2-2) at Chicago Bears (1-3)
Line:
The Bears will give rookie Mitch Trubisky the ball for his first start against a Vikings team that will be without Dalvin Cook who was emerging as a real threat. Minnesota’s defense will for the Bears into making mistakes giving them a Monday night win. Take the Vikings.
