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Lucky Lester
here with my Week 3 predictions for the NFL. All in all it was a pretty
good week last week and once again you can read
my review of how the week played out against my picks.
SUPER
PICKS
I'm taking
5 teams this week, they just look like good bets, and so I've got to take
them.
Texans (+7.5) @ Chiefs: Which heartbreaker should I choose? I guess
I'll give the Texans another chance to break my heart. And if they do,
it'll be the third time in as many weeks. I'll bet that the Chief's terrible
defensive unit will struggle again against one of the leagues top-notch
young running backs, Dominic Davis. Staying focused on trying to stop
the run, the Chiefs will give David Carr room to take advantage of their
secondary that has yet to stop someone this year. Priest Holmes is questionable,
and if he doesn't play then this bet gets a lot better. Holmes has been
all of the Chiefs offense this year, and if he doesn't play, Dick Vermeil
and his offensive coordinator will be searching far and wide for some
help, but they wont find it. With all this in mind, and the fact that
their 0-2 and giving up over 7 points, I've got to bet against the Chiefs
for the first time this year! Game Date: 09/26/04 13:00 ET
Eagles
(-4.5) @ Detroit: I've got to take the most impressive team this season
over the most surprising. The Eagles have looked unbeatable early this
year and will continue to look so in week three. The Lions, led by Joey
Harrington and rookie wide receiver Roy Williams, will put up a fight,
but not enough points to cover against a superior Eagles squad booming
with confidence after their big win against the Vikings on Monday Night.
Javon Kearse and the rest of the Eagles defense will get to Harrington
often and halt any movement the Lions have going. McNabb will take advantage
of double teams on Terrell Owens and get the ball to LJ Smith, Freddie
Mitchell, and Todd Pinkston. Running back Brian Westbrook will keep the
ball in Philly's possession for much of the game. The Eagles are a good
bet at only a 4.5 point favorite.
Game Date: 09/26/04 13:00 ET
Ravens @
Bengals (+3): I'll take the Bengals at home against the Ravens
showing how much things have changed since Marvin Lewis took over in Cincinnati.
The Bengals have looked good this year, and the Carson Palmer move looks
to be paying off. I hate to bet against Ray Lewis, and no one tell him
I am, but the Ravens offense is going to be looking for anyone to throw
the ball to. Todd Heap, by far the team's biggest receiving threat, is
out, as is Travis Taylor, their fastest receiver. Not to mention, when
those two guys were playing, Kyle Boller couldn't find a way to get the
ball to either of them. Cincinnati, knowing these things better then yours
truly, will stack the box with as many as nine defensive players, leaving
Jamal Lewis little room to run. I expect the Bengals to win outright.
The three points they're getting is just icing on the cake.
Game Date: 09/26/04 13:00 ET
Bears @ Vikings
(-9): The Vikings will come out with a vengeance after their disappointing
loss to the Eagles last Monday. Unfortunately for the Bears, they wont
be able to stop the downpour without Charles Tillman, Jerry Azumah, and
Mike Brown, who will all be out with injuries this Sunday. Culpepper and
Moss will dominate this game showing that they are the best QB/WR combo
in the NFL. 9 is a big number to give up against a feisty Bears team,
but without 3 of their 4 starting defensive backs, the Bears will find
it impossible to stop an already great Viking offensive attack. Game
Date: 09/26/04 13:00 ET
Jaguars (+6) @ Titans: I had to take this bet because the Jaguars
have looked so tough this year, and the Titans, well, they've looked mediocre.
The Colts secondary held Steve McNair touchdown-less through the air last
week, and they aren't that good. The Jaguars defense is stellar, keeping
their team in the game each of the last two weeks. The Jag's have allowed
only one touchdown in two games and they are as confident a defensive
unit as I've seen since the Ravens Super Bowl seasons. Look for Jacksonville
to at least cover and I wouldn't be surprised if they won in Tennessee.
Game Date: 09/26/04 13:00 ET
Lucky
Lester's Picks For Week Three
Steelers
(+1)
@ Dolphins: Look for low scoring in this one, possibly an under bet. In
the first two games combined the tough Dolphins defense has given up only
one touchdown. The Steelers D has also been average. The difference between
these two teams is offense. Pittsburgh has one and Miami doesn't! Miami
seriously can't expect a touchdown out of their offense, so we can't either.
Watch Duce Staley, Hines Ward and company to put just enough points on
the board to take the Dolphins down in Miami. Game Date: 09/26/04 13:00
ET
Browns
(+3) @ Giants: I will not be watching or paying an ounce of attention
to this ugly match up. Each team has a good win this season; The Browns
took it to the Ravens in a week one stunner, as The Giants pulled off
a big upset against the Redskins in week two. But neither team should
expect to collect another solid win this year. One of these teams will
be 2-1, and I'm guessing they'll be the worst 2-1 team in the NFL. If
I had to pick this one, I'd go with Cleveland. The Giants got as lucky
as Lucky Lester did last week when Washington turned it over 7 times.
Cleveland lost to Dallas by a mere 5 while being the unlucky ones. So,
I've got to take the Browns and the points in New York. Game Date:
09/26/04 13:00 ET
Saints
(+7) @ Rams: The Rams haven't shown me that they deserve 7 points
against any team in this league, especially the talent heavy Saints. Although
the Saints will be without their biggest weapon Deuce McAllister, that's
really a blessing in disguise. Aaron Brooks has always been more efficient
without someone to rely on, and I'll bet he finally steps up and throws
for over 300 yards against a sub par Rams defensive unit. The Rams, making
me feel better about this bet, got destroyed by Brooks' cousins team last
week and barely beat Dennis Greens young Cardinal team in week one. I'm
taking the Saints and a big 7 points.
Game Date: 09/26/04 13:00 ET
Cardinals
(+10) @ Falcons: The Falcons took it to the Rams last week, and the
Rams beat the Cardinals in week 1, but Lucky Lester knows that's no reason
to take a bet, so in this case, I'll take a feisty Arizona team against
the inconsistent Falcons. Mike Vick can be amazing, and then again he
can be average, just like his team. This week I'm guessing average. Plus,
the Falcons are giving away 10 whole points, and that's too many. The
Cardinals, although I don't expect them to win, will never quit under
new coach Dennis Green, so I expect them to cover in Atlanta. This will
be the first time I take the Cardinals all year. They've really impressed
me thus far. Game Date: 09/26/04 13:00 ET
Chargers
@ Broncos (-10): The Broncos lost a tough game against a hard-nosed
Jacksonville team. The relatively small O-Line of the Broncos was beaten
by a much larger Jacksonville D-Line. The Chargers wont have that ability.
The Broncos will put themselves back on the map with a big win in Denver
against an inferior Chargers team. The "Special" quarter backing
unit in San Diego was evident last week as Drew Brees imploded and Doug
Flutie came in the fourth quarter. Look for Brees to do poorly again against
a very good Denver defense, and Phillip Rivers to play in his first regular
season game. The Broncos will love feasting on the rookie, and will cause
turnovers in bundles. Game Date: 09/26/04 16:05 ET
Packers
(+6) @ Colts: It's hard for me to do this after the Packers lost to
the freaking Bears in Green Bay last week. Really hard! But I have a hunch,
so hear me out. Brett Favre has yet to play like his Hall Of Fame self
and will breakout of his slump and do so this week against a mediocre
Indianapolis secondary. The Colts might be without Edgerrin James, and
if he does play he'll be 80-90 percent. Mike McKenzie is back with the
team and in playing shape, so that should help the Pack. Ahman Green should
run all over the Colts defense that overachieved last week against the
Titans. Look for the Pack to make up the spread in Indianapolis and redeem
themselves from last week's dismal performance. Game Date: 09/26/04
16:15 ET
49ers @ Seahawks
(-10.5): Even with the 49ers playing well this year thus far, and
the Seahawks giving away nearly 11 points, teamed with the fact that they
looked average last week against the Bucs, I've got to take the Hawks
in Seattle. They were 8-0 last year at home, and have yet to explode as
an offensive unit this year. The 49ers have overachieved in the first
two weeks, and will show it in Seattle this Sunday. Ken Dorsey and Tim
Rattay, whomever starts, will be hit hard and often by a rough and tough
Seattle Defense that has allowed a measly 13 points in two games this
year. The secondary of Trufant, Bierra, Lucas, and Hamlin should intercept
either quarterback multiple times, and the offense led by Hasselbeck will
dominate a 49ers defense that has looked pretty good. The hawks have covered
both games this year, and I expect them to do it again. Game Date:
09/26/04 16:15 ET
Buccaneers
@ Raiders (-3): This is just a hunch, but I think Warren Sapp is
more likely to take this whole "playing your old team that gave up
on you" thing a little more personally than Tim Brown and Charlie
Garner. This said, Sapp should have his defensive unit ready and roaring
against a pitiful Buccaneer offense. The Bucs wont stand a chance running
against a superior defensive line and Brad Johnson hasn't shown he can
pass yet this year. The Raiders will step up, bringing themselves to 2-1.
Game Date: 09/26/04 20:35 ET
Cowboys @
Redskins (-1): This Monday Night match up is exciting, but almost
too close to call. The Skins played horribly last week in New York and
the cowboys really haven't played well yet this year. The Dallas defense
was shredded by the Minnesota passing attack in week one and their offense
was pretty much held at bay against an average Brown team in week two.
Another thing, Lucky Lester hates the Cowboys! I'm never one to bet against
someone just because I hate them, but in this case, the game being so
close and Washington playing in DC, I'll have to take the Redskins giving
up only 1 point at home. Clinton Portis will play like he did in week
one and not even Roy Williams will be able to stop him. Jerry Jones will
come down to the field and hopefully get in a fight with Bill Parcels.
I can dream…
Game Date:
09/27/04 21:05 ET
WAGERING
SMART MAKES WATCHING NFL GAMES MORE FUN
Good Luck
with your NFL Football Wagering!
Lucky Lester
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