NFL Week 3 Survivor Pool Pick and Best Bets
So I'll keep this short and sweet. Each week, I'll bring you the three best bets against the spread, as well as a pick for you Survivor pool players. I will, of course, not reuse any of my Survivor picks. All lines are courtesy of SportsBook.
2017 Record: 4-2
Used Survivor Picks: Steelers, Raiders.
**Home Teams are in caps.
DETROIT LIONS (+3) over Atlanta Falcons
The Lions aren’t getting any respect despite two wins to open the season against the Cardinals and Giants, two teams expected to contend for the postseason. QB Matthew Stafford has been lights out to start the year, throwing six touchdowns against a single pick, while the Falcons have had some shaky moments in their 2-0 start. Atlanta had to stave off a last-second drive led by Mike Glennon in their opener, and then nearly allowed an Aaron Rodgers comeback in Week 2 despite Green Bay missing both tackles, and WRs Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. This game is likely to be high-scoring, and the Lions are proving they can hold their own; don’t forget, this was a playoff team last year that was excellent in close games. Take the three points for the home team.
New York Giants (+6) over PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
This spread is an overreaction to the Giants looking like doo-doo on Monday night. Two things: first, Odell Beckham Jr. is going to get healthier and that will change this offense dramatically. Second, we’re underestimating the Lions! That team isn’t bad, and while the Giants’ certainly are struggling on offense, there’s nowhere to go but up. NFC East battles are often low-scoring slugfests, and that means take the team getting the points.
Also of note, the Eagles’ offensive success has been based on second-year QB Carson Wentz throwing the ball like crazy. Philadelphia is worse at running the rock than the Giants are, and Big Blue has one of the NFL’s top secondaries. It’s not a great matchup for the Eagles, and while they may win, it’s too many points. Jump on this before the line comes back to where it belongs.
Oakland Raiders (-3.5) over WASHINGTON REDSKINS
This calculus is simple; the Raiders will take one of the best offenses in football into Washington against a suspect defense. CB Josh Norman can’t cover Amari Cooper AND Michael Crabtree, so one of them is going to wreak havoc with Derek Carr. Washington may have won last week, but they gave up 332 total yards to the Rams, including 92 on the ground. Marshawn Lynch is salivating at the possibility of ramming it down their throats.
I will continue to believe in my narrative of the Redskins being in disarray, and I think facing Khalil Mack will not be beneficial to Kirk Cousins’ health. Love the Raiders here, and on Pregame.com I saw them at -3. Hunt for that line, and lock it up.
SURVIVOR PICK: Denver Broncos over BUFFALO BILLS