Welcome to the first-ever edition of Al’s pick em’. During the year, I will be giving you my sports betting picks each week. Because it’s the Fall, today’s column will be covering mainly NFL Football so let’s keep the intro short and sweet and get right into the first match up on Thursday night. 

Chi-Town Special

Last Thursday night, The country had to endure watching the pitiful New York Jets lose to a third-string quarterback making his NFL debut. This week we have Tom Brady Vs. Nick Foles part two. We all know what happened when these two quarterbacks last met but the difference is both quarterbacks are now wearing different colors. I like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3.5 in this match up. Brady is coming off a five-touchdown comeback victory over the LA Chargers but I can see this game being a one-score game as the Bears have a top 10 ranked defense so far this season. 

In West Pennsylvania born and raised

Next, we have the battle of the two Pennsylvania teams as the Philadelphia Eagles head to Western PA to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. I like the Steelers -7 in this game. Big Ben and the Steelers are fresh off a bye week after their game with the Titans got postponed due to COVID-19, while Carson Wentz and the Eagles got there first win last Sunday night over the 49ers. I like the Steelers in this match up because the Steelers are 29-15 all-time coming off a bye week and the Steelers offense will take advantage of a depleted Eagles secondary. I’m taking the Steelers -7.5 over the Eagles. 

Mayfield of Dreams

The Browns have been the sneaky surprise in the first four weeks of the regular season. Cleveland is averaging 39.3 ppg in there last three games with an explosive run game. However, the Colts have won there last two contests playing shut down defense and holding the Chicago Bears to a total of 28 rushing yards in last weeks 19-11 victory. This game is a classic tale of high scoring offense vs hard-nosed defense the Browns defense isn’t anything special in each game they played this season the Browns defense has given up 20 or more points in each game. However, despite the lack of defense the Browns rank 10th in the NFL in defensive rushing DVOA, fourth in quarterback rushes, and lead the league with 10 turnovers. Take the Browns +2 they are a home team underdog with a lot of value. 

Minshew Mania not running wild this week

Jacksonville Jaguars at the Houston Texans this one is a no-brainer. After last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, The Texans immediately fired head coach Bill O’Brien and will be replaced by longtime assistant coach Romeo Crennel. Jacksonville is coming off their third straight loss to rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Jaguars rely on the passing game to move the ball as there rushing attack only ranked 22nd in the NFL. 

Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans look to avoid starting the season 0-5 as they are a heavy favorite at home against there AFC South foe. Watson is averaging 273 passing yards per game and will pick apart a Jacksonville defense who is stricken by injuries on defense. The Texans had one of the hardest schedules to start the 2020 regular season off losing to the Chiefs, Steelers, and Ravens in the first three weeks. A coaching change and the desperation of getting their first win makes the Texans a lock for week five I’m taking Houston -6 and take the total points under 54.  

Can Captian Kirk Keep up with Russ?

Lastly, we got the Minnesota Vikings taking on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night football. I’m going to take the Vikings +7, Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense have been firing on all cylinders as they are the third-ranked offense in the NFL through the first four weeks. But Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense can punch in the same weight class offensively. Despite starting off 1-3 the Vikings have put up 30 points or more on offense in three of there first four games this season. The Vikings passing game can expose a weak Seattle secondary that will not have all-pro safety Jamal Adams in the lineup for the second straight week due to a groin injury he suffered in Seattle’s win over the Cowboys in week 3. The Vikings can exploit a banged-up Seahawks secondary that has given up 20 passes of 20 or more on the year, especially with Adam Thielen and the emergence of rookie wide out Justin Jefferson the Vikings new wide receiver duo already has a combined 632 yards receiving. So I like Minnesota +7 and I like the total points at 57.5.