Week three is in the books and my record survived one of the craziest weekends in the NFL in years. Underdogs went 12-2 against the spread, several of which won outright. As for myself, I finished at 3-3 for a third straight week. The Chargers and Raiders sunk my Silver predictions. While New Orleans covered with a Patriots outright win but loss against the spread put me at 1-1 with my Gold picks. Rounding out with my Platinum predictions I finished 2-0 with both Atlanta and Tennessee covering in their games. Entering week four my record is now at 9-9. I’m hoping something gives this weekend and the scales begin to tip my direction. Lets take a look at where my money is this weekend.

SILVER PREDICTIONS

CAROLINA PANTHERS VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-9)

 

Two years ago this would have been a fantastic matchup, but one of these teams has turned into a dumpster fire and I’m sure you can all assume which team that is. It has been a slippery slope for Ron Rivera and the Panthers. They might have a record above .500, but I don’t expect it stays that way for much longer. Their two wins came at the hands of Buffalo and San Francisco, two below average teams, and we all know New England is well above average. They have the GOAT leading their offense. I don’t see any alternate universe where Carolina wins this game or even covers this spread. Tom Brady proved last weekend that his last second magic is alive and well, while Cam Newton is still clearly dealing with an injury as he can’t hit the broadside of a barn this season. He is 23rd in the league with a 61.4% completion percentage and 28th in the league with only 488 passing yards through three games. To add more salt to the wound, his best receiver in Kelvin Benjamin injured his leg last week. Don’t expect anything less than a blow-out win by the champs this weekend.

FINAL SCORE – PANTHERS 20 – PATRIOTS 34

 

TENNESSEE TITANS VS HOUSTON TEXANS (+2.5)

 

I’ve been riding the Tennessee bandwagon all season long, but I’ll have my money on Houston this weekend. DeSean Watson had a coming out party in New England last weekend and nearly led the Texans to massive upset. After watching that game, I firmly believe that Houston finally has a franchise quarterback on their hands. This will be his first actual home start and I’m looking for Houston to pick up right where they left off last week. Tennessee defensively is allowing the 7th most yards per game at 367 and sit 25th allowing 5.2 yards per play. They have holes in the secondary and Watson has shown the poise to exploit those. On the opposite side of the football Jadevon Clowney and J.J Watt should terrorize the Titans offensive line for most of the afternoon. I’m expecting a close outcome in this game but for Houston to just barely edge Tennessee as the clock hits double zeros.

FINAL SCORE – TITANS 17 – HOUSTON 20

GOLD PREDICTIONS

 

 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-3) VS BALTIMORE RAVENS

 

Both of these teams looked disgraceful last week, but Pittsburgh should have the bounce back game. Joe Flacco was actually pulled last weekend against Jacksonville after going 8/18 for 28 yards and 2 interceptions. It was a horrendous performance and I’m not expecting much better from him this weekend. Most teams have a bye week following a game from across from the pond, but Baltimore and Jacksonville are the official guinea pigs to not have such courtesy. I’m expecting we see a little jet lag and fatigue from Baltimore in this game. Their defense and turnover margin has carried them to a 2-1 record this year. If Ben Roethlisburgher and the Pittsburgh offense can take care of the ball then they have an excellent shot at knocking off Baltimore. The Steelers seriously under performed last weekend and I’m expecting they get their mojo back this weekend.

FINAL SCORE – STEELERS 24 – RAVENS 19

 

 

 

NEW YORK GAINTS (+3) VS TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

 

The Giants have been a steaming pile of poo this season. Their offense looks in shambles and defense has not been forcing the turnovers to keep them in games that they would have been in last year. After a 0-3 start their chances of making the post-season are beginning to crumble, and thats why I love them this weekend. To start 0-4 would be season ending and the way they played Philadelphia down the stretch last weekend showed me this team still has a chance. More Odell!..as Will Ferrell would say…or is it more cowbell? Either way Eli Manning has to start making some throws and after the defensive performance Tampa Bay put up last week in Minnesota, this could be the game. Its do or die for the Giants and I’m expecting they finally show up this weekend. You simply can’t trust a man that steals crab legs….Jameis Winston..

FINAL SCORE – GIANTS 26 – BUCCANEERS 20

 

 

PLATINUM PREDICTIONS

 

BUFFALO BILLS VS ATLANTA FALCONS (-7.5)

 

Buffalo has been surprisingly good this season. They had arguably the most shocking win of week three knocking off the Denver Broncos. It was an impressive performance but traveling into a brand new Falcons stadium will be a whole new test. Atlanta has been a lock when playing at home the last two seasons, they have scored 34 or more points in each of their last 5 home games and are 5-0. That includes victories against the Seahawks, Saints and Packers twice, three teams that are much better than Buffalo. Coat that in the fact this is only the second game played inside their new billion dollar stadium, you’ve got a recipe for a blowout in favour of the home dogs. Julio Jones has under performed this year and yet the Falcons are still one of two 3-0 teams on the year. It was only two weeks ago where they laced up and defeated the Packers by 11-points. I’ll take the elite offense in this game and an under estimated defense to hold up when the score begins to RISE UP.

FINAL SCORE – BILLS 20 – FALCONS 37

 

LOS ANGELES RAMS VS DALLAS COWBOYS (-6)

 

Los Angeles have had time to rest and prepare after their Thursday night shootout against San Francisco, but I don’t think that matters. Dallas is clearly the better football team and return home for only the second time this year. Ezekiel Elliot seemed to finally find his footing against Arizona last week and I think this weekend he blows the doors off. Los Angeles is 29th in the league giving up an average of 139 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per attempt. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Elliot to run for over 150 yards this weekend and tally at least two touchdowns. If Dallas can control the line of scrimmage on offense then Jerrod Goff won’t have a chance to establish the Rams offense and the Cowboys will run away with this game. I’m looking for Dallas to have their first convincing win of the season this weekend and run away with this game before half-time.

FINAL SCORE – RAMS 19 – COWBOYS 33