Week 3 Football Plays (Bottom Line Mac Picks Winners)

[mac_the_handicapper]

YTD 10-6-2

Week 3 Sunday Morning/Afternoon Games

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans -5.0
I went on record early in the season as saying that the Titans would not win 8 games. Well 2 weeks into the season and they are already ¼ of the way there. That run ends this week. The Houston Texans are going to expose the weakest part of the Tennessee defense, and that is the secondary. I love Shaub in this spot to introduce Tennessee to Andre Johnson. In fact Andre Johnson owns Tennessee. In his last 3 games against them he has 25 receptions and 260 yards with 2 TD’s. I expect more of the same when these 2 teams face off. I also like Houston’s D to hold Tennessee’s offense in this one. They’ll stack the 8th man in the box, and force Kerry Collins to try and beat them in the air. Houston not only covers in this game, but they are going to win it outright.

Mac Picks: Houston +5.0

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins -3.0
Anybody who knows me as a person or a handicapper knows that I love the Washington Redskins. I legitimately feel this team is good enough to get to the Super Bowl and win it. In order for them to do that they need to win games like this at home. Washington is perfectly suited to stop a team like the Cardinals. It’s no secret that Arizona lives and dies by their passing game. Although Boldin/Fitzgerald are undoubtedly the premier receiving tandem in the league, Washington has the personnel in the secondary to put a stop to them. Also Taylor is going to abuse Kurt Warner in the pocket all game and that’s going to force Warner into a few mistakes. On the flip side of the ball, I love Washington to pound Clinton Portis all game. Portis has the potential to go for 150+ in this game, and I don’t see how he won’t provided he gets the carries. In short Washington wins this game in convincing fashion here.

Mac Picks: Washington -3.0

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts -5.0
Finally!!! Finally the Colts woke up and found some rhythm in the 4th quarter of the Minnesota game. The defense still looks impressive, and the offense (Peyton Manning) seems to have finally knocked the rust off. In a game with this magnitude I don’t see how the Colts lose this game. If the Colts show up, which I expect them to do here, they should run away with this game. Colts are a top tier team, and the Jaguars are devastated with injuries on their O-line. Garrard has no time to throw and is making mistakes because of it, and the backs look awfully average without the holes they are used to getting. I don’t see how this game is even close. Colts roll big here.

Mac Picks: Indianapolis -5.0

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens -2.5
This game is a must win for Cleveland. I said this team is going to win the division and make the playoffs this year. That won’t be the case if they go 0-3. Baltimore is not a good team, their offense is lead by a rookie and they pose no threat through the air. Defensively they are a very good team and that’s going to be the only reason they contend in any games this year. I like Cleveland to blitz Flacco like crazy and force the rookie into a few mistakes. They will also load the box and negate any running game from the Baltimore offense. On the flipside of the ball, I like Cleveland to move the ball just enough and score just enough points to get the win here.

Mac Picks: Cleveland +2.5

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants Total - 41.5
Both teams leave the Defense at home and let it fly here. This game has 35-21 written all over it.

Mac Picks: Over 41.5

New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos Total – 51.0
Both teams weaknesses on defense lie in their run defenses. Both teams are going to run the ball in this game, and with the clock always ticking I don’t see how they have enough time to get 51 here.

Mac Picks: Under 51.0

Week 3 Sunday Night Special

Dallas Cowboys -3.0 at Green Bay Packers
Am I missing something here? How the heck is this spread only 3 points for Dallas. Don’t even talk to me about Vegas knows what they are doing and they are swaying the public, because that is not the case here. Dallas is going to work Green Bay. Green Bay cannot match up with the best Offense in the league. On the flipside though Dallas has the corners to match up with Green Bay’s receivers. I really don’t see how this spread can only be 3. Maybe the people believe this Green Bay team is the real deal. I’m sorry but it’s going to take more then the Vikings and Lions to prove that to me. They now get arguably the best team in the league. Let’s see how good Green Bay really is in this game. Dallas rolls here big TIME!!!

Mac Picks: Dallas -3.0