Football Picks Against the Spread

Last week we added some coin to our position with the Giants over the Chiefs as our “game of the week,” but lost a little on the Bengals who beat the Browns, but didn’t cover the number.  After looking at the spreads this week, they are pretty tough, but let’s try to sort these out.

This could be the toughest week so far this year.  I usually like to exploit weak teams like the Browns, Raiders, Chiefs, so that’s where my eye will be this week.  Let’s take a look at the NFL week 5 spreads.  You have to be very cautious betting against home underdogs.  It worked last week with the Chiefs, but the Browns, Broncos, and Dolphins all covered as home dogs and 2 won outright.

I also wanted to point out that there is a NEW POLL, so go ahead and vote!

MINNESOTA VIKINGS -10 @ ST. LOUIS RAMS

How could you not like the Vikings here?  They are 4-0 with the NFL’s greatest running back, being led down the field by Brett Favre, and have a tremendous defense with sack-master Jared Allen to boot. The Rams are pathetic and are averaging 6.0 points-per-game (PPG) — a league worst.  Odds are the Rams don’t even score.  They have been shut out twice this year by the Packers and Seahawks and the Vikings D is better than both squads.

The Vikings will likely pile on the points.  I expect a blowout. 35-0. 38-0.  This pick should be easy money.  The spread is so low it has be thinking whether it’s a “trap game.”   A trap game against the Rams?  No way.  I thought the Vikings/Browns game was a trap game and I cashed in on the Vikings …

THE PASS RUSH readers, please visit our sister site, THE ONETIMER for free daily NHL picks.  Our own Brandon Phillips, who has been on a tear with his college football picks will be providing daily NHL picks.

You’ll also be able to browse through hockey’s greatest and most recent fights, bone-crushing NHL hits, and highlights of the season’s greatest games.

All this and more at THEONETIMER.COM.  There is also a banner below the search bar on the right navigation for easy access to the site from THE PASS RUSH.

Good luck on the NHL!…

NFL WEEK 5 START ‘EM:

1.) Marshawn Lynch — You didn’t want to start Marshawn Lynch last week at Miami, but at home against the Browns, the Bills gameplan should be a LOT of Marshawn Lynch.  Expect this game to be Marshawn’s “welcome back” in the NFL.  I’m anticipating over 100 combined yards from Lynch.

2.) LeSean McCoy/Brian Westbrook — I would start both players.  Westbrook should be back with the Eagles, but since he’s coming off the injury, I’m sure the Eagles will split the load 50/50 between both backs.  With a favorable matchup against the Bucs, the Eagles gameplan should consist of running the ball a lot and there is enough room for both backs to put up quality numbers.

3.) Tim Hightower — Against a poor Texans defense, Hightower should be able to get involved in the gameplan.  Although he may not rack up rushing yards, he’ll provide enough receiving yards and should reach the century mark in combined yards.

4.) Rashard Mendenhall — With Willie Parker out against the Chargers, Mendhenhall came in and had his break out party.  191 combined yards!  165 rushing yards on just 25 attempts (5.7 YPC) and 26 receiving yards.  He also ran for 2 TDs.  Against the Lions, they’ll be in for another healthy dose of Mendenhall.

5.) Clinton Portis — Looks like Portis’s days as an elite RB may be over.  He had a chance to prove to fantasy owners that he is a valuable RB against a poor Bucs defense.  Although he posted 98 yards on 25 carries (3.9 YPA), he is averaging only 70 yards a game and hasn’t seen the endzone yet.  Against a weak Carolina defense, who rank 32nd against the run, he’ll have 1 …

Solid win last night with Troy as the cover was never in question. I am releasing several games early this week. I will be breaking down these games as the week goes on, but I want to release them so you can shop around and get the best line.

Overall Loss -0.4 units

1. Houston at Mississippi State (+2) or (-1) for 1 unit: I bet this game yesterday at +2, however the line currently is at -1. There is no way Houston deserves to be favored on the road against an SEC opponent.

2. UCONN (+7.5) at Pittsburgh for 1 unit

3. Iowa State (+19.5) at Kansas for 1 unit

4. Bowling Green at Kent (+3.5) for 1 unit

5. Stanford at Oregon State (+1) for 2 units

6. Oregon at UCLA (+3.5) for 1 unit

7. Kentucky (+9) vs South Carolina for 1 unit

8. Wisconsin at Ohio State (-16) for 1 unit: first road test for Wisconsin.

9. Arizona State (-21) at Washington State for 1 unit: ASU was disappointing last week, they come much more focused this weekend.

I know that is a lot of games, but really like the card this week.

Good Luck. I welcome any questions or comments.

10/7 NHL Game:

Phoenix (+175) at Pittsburgh…

This game lines up very nicely for Troy. There are several key advantages that make Troy a great play tonight. First, my power rankings have Troy as an 11-point chalk, therefore I see some value with this line being at 7. Secondly, Middle Tennessee State is playing their third consecutive road game, which always seems difficult for college teams especially. I also believe that MTST may be playing their most difficult opponent of the three here tonight when they face Troy as Maryland and North Texas are pretty weak. Troy has dominated this series recently going 2-0 ATS and SU over the past 2 years. Look for Troy to open this game up early and win going away by 17 points.

The Play Troy (-7) for 2 units (W)

Good Luck!

If your interested, below are three NHL games I like tonight:

1.  Dallas (+125) at Edmonton  Play 1 unit on Dallas (W)

2.  Montreal (+155) at Calgary Play 1 unit on Montreal (W)

3.  Ottawa (+105) at Toronto Play 1 unit on Ottawa (W)…

Overall Loss -2.4 units.

Early release on this play as I think this line moves much higher before kickoff on Thursday. Nebraska has clearly played a much more difficult schedule and I think their defense really puts pressure on the Missouri offense. I think NB is a much more balanced team and their pass rush is very solid. Look for this game to be close, but NB wins pulling away in the 4th quarter.

The Play Nebraska -3 for 1 unit (W)…

Brandon Marhsall is back!  Back-to-back TDs has fantasy owners smiling who took a chance on the receiver and picked up a top 10 WR talent in a late round.  Check out the catch and the yards picked up afterwards by Brandon Marshall on the Broncos last drive to win the game.

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