(Full Card At End)
Vikings vs Steelers (in Ireland)
Aaron Rodgers and the 2-1 Steelers meet the 2-1 Vikings at Croke Park in Ireland. Rodgers has had an up and down start to the year passing for 586 yards, 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions through his first 3 starts. Minnesota meanwhile, enters the contest with Carson Wentz as the signal caller after a beatdown of the Benglas 48-10 last week in his team debut. The Steelers had a more difficult time with New England but ultimately came out on top thanks to defensive takeaways in a 21-14 road victory last week. Jordan Addison will make his season debut for the Vikings after completing a 3 game suspension for a DUI arrest in 2024. The Vikings look like a better offense with Wentz at the helm and RB Jordan Mason has filled in for the injured Aaron Jones seamlessly. The Steelers defense has looked more than a little vulnerable at times this season surrendering the majority of yards in each contest while relying on takeaways. The Vikings are a complete football team and Wentz’ 129.8 passer rating last week was just what this team needed to compliment their style of play. I also like the total to go over 40.5 points as the Vikings will score with ease and the Steelers have proven they have the ability to manufacture points.
Best Bet: Vikings -2.5 (-110), Over 40.5 (-110)
Panthers @ Patriots
The Panthers are coming off their first win of the season a 30-0 shutout of their division rival the Atlanta Falcons. They will have to travel to Gillete Stadium as they face Drake Maye and the Patriots. Mike Vrabel’s team lost a winnable game to the Steelers 21-14 where they couldn’t stop turning the ball over in the redzone. Maye has been good so far this year averaging 261.7 yards per game and Sunday’s game is a chance to play against his hometown team as he went to high school in the Charlotte area. Tight end Hunter Henry has been a major target for Maye catching 2 touchdown passes last week in the loss. The Patriots run defense has been stifling so far this year holding each of its first 3 opponents to less than 65 yards rushing. Their defense will receive another boost if CB Christian Gonzalez makes his debut after missing the first 3 games with a hamstring injury. As long as the Patriots don’t turn the ball over 5 times like they did last week against the Steelers, I like Maye and the Patriots to cover the 5.5 point spread.
Best Bet: Patriots -5.5 (-110)
Commanders @ Falcons
The Falcons had a game to forget last time out, failing to score a single point against their division rival Carolina Panthers. The Commanders didn’t skip a beat on offense even with the absence of QB Jayden Daniels. Former Falcons QB Marcus Mariota commanded the offense in Washington’s 41-24 win over the Raiders last week. Falcons QB Michael Penix completed only 18 of 36 passes for 172 yards with his first 2 interceptions of the season in the loss a week ago. The Falcon’s top CB AJ Terrell missed their last game with a hamstring injury and is yet to practice this week. With Terrell out the Falcons defense doesn’t have the same lock down ability and Penix isn’t capable of carrying the offense when the defense focuses on shutting down Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. I’ll take the team with the most momentum entering this contest, the Commanders, to travel to Mercedes Benz Stadium and win outright over the Falcons.
Best Bet: Commanders ML (+110)
Chargers @ Giants
Head coach Brian Daboll announced that rookie QB Jaxson Dart will get the start this week ahead of veteran Russell Wilson after the Giants began the season 0-3. The Giants were miserable on offense last week in a 22-9 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and are looking for a spark. Unfortunately for Dart and the Giants the Chargers have been one of the NFL’s best teams so far this year winning each of their 3 games. The Chargers’ defense has been keeping opponents in check allowing just 16.7 points per game a mark good enough for 4th best in the NFL. QB Justin Herbert has been complimenting the defense beautifully and will face a Giants defense that is allowing 405 yards per game. Giants WR Malik Nabers was limited to just 2 catches for 13 yards last week and will expect Dart to get him the ball often in this contest. The Chargers are the better football team on both sides of the ball and even with a new QB the Giants have far too many issues. I also like Omarion Hampton to get over 66.5 rushing yards with Najee Harris injured and facing a rush defense for the Giants that is a mess.
Best Bet: Chargers -6 (-110)
Player Props: Omarion Hampton Over 66.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
Eagles @ Buccaneers
The Eagles had a walk-off blocked field goal returned for a touchdown to win last week against the Rams 33-26. The Bucs had a late field goal of their own blocked and returned for a toucdown, but managed to pull out a 29-27 victory. The Buccaneers have dominated the series recently winning 4 out 5 against Jalen Hurts since 2021. Hurts is 53-16 against the rest of the NFL, but has struggled with the Bucs in particular managing just 5 passing TD’s to 5 interceptions. Baker Mayfield has led his team on game winning in all 3 games so far this year and has had a passer rating above 95 in 3 straight games. Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka has been a good outlet racking up 14 catches for 181 yards and 3 touchdowns through his first 3 games. Home field advantage will play a major factor in this contest as the forecast is projecting the temperature to be at 90 degrees with high humidity. I’ll take the Bucs to cover the spread as home underdogs against a team they could face in the playoffs at the end of the year.
Best Bet: Bucs +3.5 (-120)
Jaguars @ 49ers
The 49ers will welcome back QB Brock Purdy after backup Mac Jones and the defense led them to a 16-15 win over the Cardinals last week. The Jaguars are coming off their first home win over Houston since 2017 and have lost 5 in a row against the 49ers. Jacksonville’s defense has been stingy so far this year ranking 5th in the league in scoring defense limiting their opponents to 17 points per game. The 49ers lost Joey Bosa to a season ending knee injury, but their defense is full of talent including first round draft pick Mykel Williams and ranks 4th in the league as a unit in yards allowed. Jags WR Brian Thomas Jr has had a rocky start to his sophomore campaign dropping 6 passes through 3 games including 3 last week. I think this will be a defensive slugfest with the 49ers able to control the game through McCaffrey and their rushing attack. I’m also going to place a rare under on McCaffrey’s reception total as Jacksonville has been strong against opposing RB’s in coverage and the game script favoring a ground attack.
Best Bet: 49ers -3.5 (+100)
Plater Prop: McCaffrey Under 5.5 Receptions (+105)
Bears @ Raiders
Caleb Williams and the Bears look to build on Williams’ 4 touchdown performance in their 31-14 win against the Cowboys last weekend. While the Cowboys have one of the NFL’s worst passing defenses, they made Russell Wilson look like prime Drew Brees, the Raiders don’t exactly have a strong defense either. Last week they surrendered 400 yards to Marcus Mariota and the Commanders in a 41-24 loss. Raiders QB Geno Smith has been moving the ball well tallying 831 yards through 3 games good enough for 2nd in the NFL. Franchis TE Brock Bowers was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and will be active after recovering from a knee injury. I think both teams have strong passing attacks combined with weak secondaries so I’ll go with the over in this matchup.
Best Bet: Over 48 (-110)
Packers @ Cowboys
Micah Parsons makes his return to Dallas after his trade to the Green Bay Packers generated headlines to begin the season. The Packers defense has been spectacular with Parsons leading the way, although they were the victims of a shock 13-10 loss to the Browns last week. The Cowboys have been disappointing on defense this year ranking last in pass defense and are allowing 19.6 points in just the first half alone through 3 games. The Cowboys have been hit for an NFL-high 13 plays of 25 yards or more showing a susceptibility for conceding big plays. Star WR CeeDee Lamb will miss this game after he left in the 1st quarter last week with a sprained ankle. The Packers own the Cowboys in the recent head-to-head matchups currently on a 5 game winning streak against the Dallas team. I like Parsons to cause havoc for Dak and the Cowboys offense in a revenge game as the Packers cover the spread in Dallas.
Best Bet: Packers -7 (+100)
Full Card
Best Bets:
- Vikings -2.5 (-110)
- MINvsPIT Over 40.5 (-110)
- Patriots -5.5 (-110)
- Commanders ML (+110)
- Chargers -6 (-110)
- Buccaneers +3.5 (-120)
- 49ers -3.5 (-110)
- CHIvsLV Over 48 (-110)
- Packers -7 (+100)
Player Props:
- McCaffrey Under 5.5 Receptions (+105)
- Omarion Hampton Over 66.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
The Bookie of Eli 
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