Early Sunday NFL Slate
Buccaneers (-10.5) vs. Panthers
Sunday, Oct. 23 | 1 p.m. ET
The Bucs are reeling after an ugly loss to the Steelers last week. Luckily, they get the ultimate remedy of facing off against the garbage Panthers.
Give me the Bucs all day, every day, and twice on Sunday. The Panthers stink.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers Pick: Buccaneers -10 | -110 at WynnBET
Browns vs. Ravens (-6.5)
Sunday, Oct. 23 | 1 p.m. ET
After a good start to the season, the Browns are reeling. They have now lost three straight games, and in the last two have given up a combined 68 points.
The Ravens, meanwhile, sit at 3-3 but have held double digit leads in the second half of each of their losses. They are better than their record suggests, with the third-best DVOA in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders.
So, I am willing to lay the points with the Ravens in a week I think they get it together.
Browns vs. Ravens Pick: Ravens -6.5 | -105 at BetFred
Falcons vs. Bengals (-6)
Sunday, Oct. 23 | 1 p.m. ET
The Falcons have to come back down to earth at some point, right?! They are currently 3-3, but, more importantly, 6-0 against the spread. They are fresh off an impressive 14-point victory against the 49ers, only giving up 14 points all game.
The Bengals, meanwhile, finally showed some signs of life on offense last week against the Saints, putting up 30 points for the first time all season.
Even after last weeks defensive performance, the Falcons still grade out as the fourth-worst defense in the NFL, according to DVOA. So, I predict their streak against the spread ends here.
Falcons vs. Bengals Pick: Bengals -6 | -107 at PointsBet
Lions vs. Cowboys (-7)
Sunday, Oct. 23 | 1 p.m. ET
The huge storyline in this game is that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is expected to make his return from a thumb injury suffered in Week 1. The Cowboys fared better than anybody could have expected in his five games missed, going 4-1 and only losing last week to the 6-0 Eagles. But, make no mistake about it, getting Prescott back is a huge deal.
The last time we saw the Lions on the field they were shut out against the Patriots, and now have to face off against the Cowboys ferocious defense, who will be hungry after giving up 26 points last week.
I seem to be backing a lot of favorites, at least early, but I like the Cowboys in this one.
Lions vs. Cowboys Pick: Cowboys -7 | -107 at PointsBet
Giants vs. Jaguars (-3)
Sunday, Oct. 23 | 1 p.m. ET
This line feels like a trap. The Giants are 5-1, fresh off back-to-back victories against the Packers and the Ravens, while the Jaguars are 2-4 in the midst of an ugly three game losing streak.
The funny thing about the Giants is that they keep on winning despite not actually playing well. They are only 18th in DVOA, with the third-worst defense in all of football. Eventually their luck has to run out.
My general betting philosophy in regards to trap lines is to take the bait, so I’ll bite and lay the points with the Jaguars.
Giants vs. Jaguars Pick: Jaguars -3 | -110 at Caesars
Colts vs. Titans (-2.5)
Sunday, Oct. 23 | 1 p.m. ET
After horrible starts to the year, somehow both of these teams managed to crawl back, and currently have three wins and a record over .500.
Despite the two-game win streak, though, I just can’t buy the Colts. They have the third-worst DVOA in football, with the second-worst offense. They can’t keep winning like this, so I will once again ride with the favorite.
Colts vs. Titans Pick: Titans -2.5 | -110 at BetMGM
Packers (-5.5) vs. Commanders
Sunday, Oct. 23 | 1 p.m. ET
What a gross game this turned out to be. The Packers are reeling, having lost back-to-back games to the New York teams, while the Commanders sit at 2-4 but will be missing their starting QB in Carson Wentz.
Luckily for the Commanders, missing Wentz might end up being a net positive for the team, as he has been downright horrific and painful to watch.
Finally, I will take the points with an underdog here, in a game the Commanders keep close and could win outright.
Packers vs. Commanders Pick: Commanders +5.5 | -107 at PointsBet