Long story short, here are my NFL Week 3 picks:
Panthers 24, Texans 10: Davis Mills was a Stanford commit when he visited a 2016 win over USC, in which Christian McCaffrey had 260 all-purpose yards. Tonight, Mills makes his first NFL start, and he’ll watch McCaffrey win, again. Line: Panthers -8
49ers 31, Packers 23: Since 2012, the 49ers’ home openers have gone win-win-loss-win-win-loss-win-win-loss. So, they’re due for a win (and another in 2022). Stay away from the 2023 disaster. Line: 49ers -3 1/2
Buffalo 23, Washington 16: The Bills lost their home opener two weeks ago, perhaps as karma for an offseason power play to get a new stadium. Now they hold serve against WFT. Line: Washington +7 1/2
Browns 28, Bears 24: Justin Fields’ first career start for the Bears comes two hours up Interstate 71 from Ohio State’s horseshoe. Line: Bears +7
Ravens 33, Lions 28: It’s been 13 years since the Lions went winless – a fitting anniversary season to replicate that unlucky number, I suppose. Line: Lions +8
Jaguars 27, Cardinals 26: Urban Meyer already thinks “every week it’s like playing Alabama in the NFL.” Did you know: Kyler Murray’s final college game was a loss to Alabama? Line: Jaguars +7
Chiefs 33, Chargers 27: Time to pour water on any flameout by the Chiefs, who haven’t lost two straight since October 2019. Line: Chargers +6 1/2
Patriots 31, Saints 26: Speaking of flames, New Orleans’ Superdome roof – the roof, the roof – was on fire this week. (All should be OK for the Saints’ next home game is Oct. 3.) Line: Patriots -3
Falcons 26, Giants 24: This weekend’s only game pitting winless teams. Who gets a win first? Alphabetically, “F” (Falcons) comes before “G” (Giants). Line: Falcons +3
Steelers 23, Bengals 16: The Bengals won the last meeting last season, so they’re not due to repeat that for another decade. Line: Steelers -3
Titans 20, Colts 17: Derrick Henry had a career-high 35 carries in an overtime win at Seattle. There’s no stopping that train now. Line: Colts +5 1/2
Broncos 31, Jets 20: Peyton Manning will go from Hall of Fame inductee to ESPN “Monday Night Football” revolutionary to Denver Broncos owner in the span of a year, won’t he? Line: Broncos -10 1/2
Raiders 26, Dolphins 21: Fish out of water in the desert. The Raiders go to 3-0, for the first time since they last went to the Super Bowl. Line: Raiders -4
Buccaneers 34, Rams 27: The Buccaneers get their first look at SoFi Stadium, where they might defend their Super Bowl title in five months. Line: Bucs -1
Vikings 29, Seahawks 26: Minnesota triumphantly opens a three-game homestand after narrow, back-to-back road losses. Line: Vikings +1 1/2
Cowboys 26, Eagles 16: No team that’s lost to the 49ers this season has rebounded with a win the next game. Hangover effect. Line: Cowboys -4
Last week: 9-7 straight up, 7-9 against the spread
Season: 17-15 straight up, 15-17 against the spread
