The third week of the NFL lived up to the hype. If the Monday night game did not make you want to stand up and cheer out loud for the New Orleans Saints, you need to check your pulse.
Imagine a Super Bowl with a home team. The Falcons were not taking the field against 11 men; they were playing against a force of energy that could not be stopped. Unfortunately, that force did not allow the Falcons to score many points, and did not allow us to pick up a win, since we had the over for the game.
The other pick was on the underdog Jets who handed the Buffalo Bills a tough home loss, so we split the picks for the week, bringing the season record to 4-2.
The most interesting thing to note in week 3 was that there were 8 home favorites and they won only three games, covered in one, and had one push. In all, only three favorites covered the spread for the entire week, unlike week 2 when 10 favorites covered. Nobody said picking the NFL was easy, but everyone can agree it is what makes it fun.
The St. Louis Rams return home after two road games to host the 0-3 Detroit Lions. This game again is a match-up of two teams with new head coaches, both looking for an identity, and also has the added allure of former Rams head coach Mike Martz returning as the Lions offensive coordinator. The line on this game opened favoring the Rams by 6 1/2 with a total of 43 1/2.
While the Rams have only outscored their opponents by 3 points this year, they have won twice; the Lions have been outscored at a rate of 2 to 1. It looks like the early move on this line will drive the spread lower, possibly down to 5. Look early and often and get down at the right time, taking the Rams and giving up the points.
The marquee match-up this weekend will feature the suddenly down trodden Tom Brady and the New England Patriots visiting golden boy Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals. The early line for this game gives the edge to the Bengals by 6 points and the total is 45.
I believe the Patriots will have to establish a running game to hang with the Bengals offense; they can not afford to try to get into a shootout with this team. The pick here is to go under the 45 points. If the Bengals get an early lead at home they will also use their tough running game to their advantage.
Jason Kolenut is the Casino Fandango Race and Sports Book supervisor.