MARLBORO, NY – The New York football experience took an unexpected turn last week when the Jets won a game before their city counterparts. This week, the Jets look to make it a two-game winning streak, the Giants try to avoid a four-game losing skid, and the Buffalo Bills build a successful season fresh off an upset of the Denver Broncos. As we all scratch our collective heads over these developments, here is the latest segment of Cheesy Bruin’s Free NFL Picks, which stand at 7-5 for the early season… with no losing weeks thus far!
FAVORITE When you are a fan of your favorite team for as long as I’ve been a Dallas Cowboys fan, you are reasonably adept at predicting the outcome of a good majority of their games. The Cowboys looked sluggish last Monday night in a game they ultimately won and covered the Vegas number. Today they will have to clean things up on the defensive side of the ball against a surprising Los Angeles Rams offense. In what could be the last game we see of Ezekiel Elliott before his well litigated pending suspension, the Cowboys will desperately want another victory to offset what could be future trouble without the running back. The Rams have the luxury of extra rest and preparation after playing last Thursday night coupled with Dallas’ short week. Despite the scheduling advantage, I think the Cowboys win by ten in a tight game decided late in the contest. The Pick? DALLAS -6 over Los Angeles Rams.
UNDERDOG I know what I said in the preseason about the Cleveland Browns being an upstart team this year. Well, it looks like I could be wrong with that prediction, as the Brownies have started the season 0-3 for the seventh time in the last twelve years. Same old Browns? I’m not jumping off the ship just yet, as the equally unimpressive and winless Cincinnati Bengals stroll into the Dawg Pound. The Bungles have performed way below par on offense as an argument can be made that the Browns have competed better in their three losses. This should be a field goal game. The Pick? CLEVELAND +3 over Cincinnati.
OVER I have had a fairly good read on the Denver Broncos this year and am looking to win a third game in which they’ve played. Cam James’ Mile High Gang boasts one of the NFL’s stout run defenses. Provided the Oakland Raiders have trouble running the ball as they should, this game can turn into an air show between QB’s Trevor Siemian and Derek Carr. This game flies way over the ‘total’. The Pick? Oakland/DENVER OVER 46.
UNDER What a surprise. Sam Bradford is out of today’s game against the visiting Detroit Lions and Case Keenum takes over again. One shouldn’t expect another thirty-something point outburst that the backup quarterback posted on the Tampa Bay defense. The Vikings defense will be the stars of this game as it holds Matthew Stafford & Co. in check throughout. The Lions won’t be able to get their ground game going and that leads to a trifecta of interceptions. The Pick? Detroit/MINNESOTA UNDER 42.5.
That’s it for me today. Come back tomorrow for a man a sub for DJ Eberle, who is selling his belongings, quitting his job and dumping his girlfriend to follow the Buffalo Bills. And please follow us on Twitter – @CheesyBruin & @MeetTheMatts, @Matt_McCarthy00, Instagram @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
