The Lions let me down yet again last week, but the Panthers came through an easily covered the spread against the Bucs to leave me with a 1-1 week 9. The Lions offense looked completely out of sorts with the loss of Golden Tate showcased in a big way with Matthew Stafford getting sacked 10 times. Tate had the ability to turn short quick throws into big plays and Theo Riddick just cannot fill that void in the offense. I may have to stay away from the Lions moving forward. My season record is now 8-14-1, but there is still time to turn things around.
I will be using SportsInteraction.com for all of the spreads and picks below. You can see our full SIA review here. I’m going with just 2 picks once again this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville +3- Indianapolis -3
The Jaguars were considered a contender to begin the season, but after 4 straight losses and with a struggling offense, the Jags are just 3-5 and need to turn things around fast if they hope to make the playoffs. Jacksonville is coming off a bye week and I think that week to gather themselves and figure out their offense should pay dividends this week in Indianapolis. It also helps that the Jags will be playing against a Colts team that is allowing 27 points against per game this season. I’m expecting the Jags offense to get things figured out this week.
The issue is that the Colts offense has been potent this year as well. They’re coming off two wins where they lit up the Bills and Raiders for 37 and 42 points respectively. But yes, that was over arguably the two worst teams in the league. The offense will have a much more difficult time with the Jags, but I do expect them to put some points on the board, so the Jags offense will have to match.
I like Jacksonville to win this game and get back on track in the playoff hunt. The Jags offense has the ability to play well. They’ve done so in the past and the Colts D will give them every opportunity to get out of their funk. Leonard Fournette is practicing this week, but he’s not certain to play. If he does that will be a huge lift for this offense. Even without Fournette though I expect the bye week to have done the Jags a lot of good and for them to get the W over a Colts team that only looks good because they beat up the two worst teams in the league over the past two weeks.
Play: Jaguars +3
Washington Redskins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington +2.5- Tampa Bay -2.5
I’m going to continue to fade the Bucs. This will be three weeks in a row where I fade Tampa, but I just don’t see them as a favorite over a decent Washington team. The Redskins are 5-3 on the season and are playing a Bucs team that was ranked last in the league to begin the season. Yes, the Bucs have been better than expected, but they are still just 3-5 and their wins came from some remarkable play from Fitzpatrick in the first two weeks of the season, and then Cleveland being Cleveland in week 7. Fitzpatrick is back to being a normal QB, albeit the better option to Jameis Winston, but I expect the Redskins defense to make life difficult for the Tampa offense and more than likely force a couple turnovers.
The Redskins are coming off a loss at home, but I still think this is a solid team. they are healthy and I expect Alex Smith to manage the game well enough for the Redskins to get the win in Tampa Bay.
Play: Redskins +2.5
I like both the Jaguars (2.30) and Redskins (2.35) to win their respective games, but you can just take the points if you prefer less risk.
Tagged With : NFL betting • NFL Picks
