Green Bay Packers (-3) at Cleveland Browns
Green Bay has been a good bet of late with Brett Hundley gradually adjusting to the rigors of being a starting quarterback, as they’ve covered in three of their last four contests. Hundley should give another good account of himself against the winless Browns this week in what may be his last start under center in 2017.
Cleveland’s defense offers opponents little resistance (28th in points allowed) and is particularly susceptible to the aerial attack (17th in passing yards allowed). That should mean plenty of production from streaking wideout Davante Adams, who’s averaged almost six receptions and 79 YPG in his last five games. And the Browns’ home field has hardly provided an advantage of late, as they’re just 4-15-1 ATS in their last 20 games in the “Dawg Pound.”
The Packers’ stoppers are nothing to write home about but draw an easy matchup in Cleveland’s league-worst scoring offense. Laying a field goal with Green Bay is an easy decision this Sunday.
The pick: Packers -3
San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans (-3)
The Jimmy Garropolo era got off to a promising start in Chicago (a tough place to play this year despite the Bears’ 3-9 record) last week as the 49ers picked up their second win of the season. It was a total team effort for San Francisco, as Carlos Hyde and company rushed for over 100 yards while their defense held Chicago to just 147 yards of offense. A similar result appears to be in the cards in Houston this Sunday.
The Texans have failed to register more than 16 points in four of their last five games and have amassed a ghastly minus-7 turnover differential in that span. Houston’s defense has allowed teams to run roughshod over them of late, surrendering over 300 rushing yards in their last two games. Expect the 49ers to control this game from start to finish and prevail as underdogs.
The pick: 49ers +3
Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3)
The Seahawks face a daunting task traveling to Jacksonville after pulling off an upset in a physical game with the Eagles at home last week.
The Jaguars’ tenacious pass rush (the NFL’s best with 45 sacks) should give Russell Wilson fits when he drops back to pass. Jacksonville also boasts the number-one defense by passing yards, yards per play and points allowed, which presents a matchup nightmare for Seattle.
By contrast, Jacksonville’s offense should have their way with the Seahawks’ depleted defense. Leonard Fournette and the Jaguar rushing attack are tops in the league and have greatly contributed toward Jacksonville’s being third in the league in time of possession. Look for the Jaguars to make a statement and run their record to 9-4.
The pick: Jaguars -3
Best of the rest (picks in bold)
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals (-6)
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Carolina Panthers
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-4)
Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) at New York Giants
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills [OFF]
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers [OFF]
Tennessee Titans (-3) at Arizona Cardinals
New York Jets (-1) at Denver Broncos
Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Chargers (-6)
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams (-2.5)
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5)
New England Patriots (-11) at Miami Dolphins
