He picks against the spread for every game

On By Yukito

While the Jets head into Monday’s game at MetLife Stadium with a new coach, the Giants could be in the early stages of a resurgence under their current coach.

It’s not just that Brian Daboll’s team lost 29-20 in Seattle last Sunday, trailing by seven points, but how they did it – and with whom.

The Giants entered the game with a 1-3 record and scored six, 18, 21 and 15 points in the first four games. Rookie Malik Nabers, who led the team in receiving yards in every game, sat out with a concussion. And quarterback Devin Singletary, the leading rusher in the first quarter of the season, left the game with a groin injury.

Then the match started and things got worse. Daniel Jones lost 15 yards back to the 5 on the Giants’ first offensive snap. They had the ball all the way down the field, but on the 16th play Eric Gray found the goal line (or maybe crossed it?) and Rayshawn Jenkins returned the ball 101 yards for a touchdown.

But that didn’t mean it was a knockout punch. Not at all. Daboll not only handled his talent, but also unlocked a new weapon in rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. The 5-foot-7, 210-pound Purdue commit rushed and tore through Seattle’s defense for 129 yards on 18 carries.

This opened up a path for Jones on the field. Without relying on Nabers, Jones had eight catches for 122 yards on Darius Slayton, along with six catches on Wan’Dale Robinson and five catches on rookie Theo Johnson.

They contributed from all over the place, capped by a block by Isaiah Simmons on a potentially game-tying field goal that Bryce Ford-Wheaton returned 60 yards for a touchdown. The defense stepped up with seven sacks from Geno Smith. The Giants led 37-22 to 22-38 during possession and were assessed just two penalties.

So now Cincinnati comes into Sunday’s spotlight game with a record of 1-4. Joe Burrow is getting back into sync with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and the Bengals are averaging 32.5 points per game over the last four games. Unfortunately, they are scoring 32.25 points per game in these games, and their only win of the season came against last-place Carolina.

Nabers’ expected return would give Daboll the means to take his offense to the next level. And the underdog Giants should be able to beat a familiar but flawed opponent.

Pick: Giants +3.5.

Chicago Bears (-2.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars (in London)

The Jaguars’ biggest potential advantage may be that they play in England every season and are more accustomed to the traveling routine. Bears QB Caleb Williams, however, is a rookie and everything is new to him anyway. Chicago is allowing just 17 points per game, which makes that number seem a bit light.

Washington Commanders (+6.5) over BALTIMORE RAVENS

Despite a four-game winning streak in which they are averaging 33.75 points per game, the Commanders still nearly score a touchdown in Baltimore. The Ravens gave up 38 points to the Bengals and scored at least 20 points in all but one game. They beat the Bills at home two weeks ago, but Jayden Daniels doesn’t give me any reason to go against him.

Jayden Daniels rushes during the Commanders’ hard-fought Week 5 win over the Browns. Getty Images

GREEN BAY PACKERS (-5) over Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have done quite well so far, going 2-0 ATS with a cover on the Bills and winning last week at the 49ers. I can only hope that the first semi-chill of the season in Lambeau (a real wind chill of 49 degrees and some rain) will work in the Packers’ favor, and that Jordan Love will start to increase his effectiveness in his third game after a knee injury.

Houston Texans (-7) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Texans will be missing WR Nico Collins (hamstring), who already has 567 yards and three touchdown receptions. This would give Stefon Diggs a chance to get more involved against a famous former AFC East foe. Drake Maye starts for the Patriots for the first time. He could go beyond the three, 13 and 10 points they’ve scored over the last three weeks, but by how many?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

I would prefer the Bucs to be the underdogs they were before Derek Carr got hurt on Monday night. A big rest advantage for Baker Mayfield’s team, which played last Thursday. And a healthy Vita Vea should make life difficult for Saints starting QB Spencer Rattler.

AJ Brown of the Eagles REUTERS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-8.5) over Cleveland Browns

A bigger number than I’d like to give, but not unreasonable considering the Eagles had a bye and expected WRs AJ Brown and Devonta Smith to return to combat the injury-plagued Browns. The Eagles’ defense should reach for Deshaun Watson.

Colts (+2.5) over TITANS

Colts QB Anthony Richardson is expected to return from an oblique injury and Will Levis returned to Titans practice after a shoulder issue, so a potential linebacker battle will likely be avoided. The line moved 3.5 points from Colts -1. The new issue makes me want to support the Colts even more.

DENVER BRONCOS (+3) over Los Angeles Chargers

I’m happy to get points at home with the Broncos against a Chargers offense that has scored just 10 points in each of the last two weeks. Justin Herbert hasn’t thrown for more than 179 yards in a single game, and Vance Joseph-Patrick Surtain II’s defense won’t make it easy for him.

Justin Fields appears to be on his way out during the Steelers’ Week 5 loss to the Cowboys. AP

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) over LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

The Raiders gave up 36 points to the Panthers and 34 to the Broncos in losses that secured a victory over the depleted Browns. While I don’t expect Justin Fields to reach that level, the Steelers are healthy and will be a bit upset after consecutive losses.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (+6) over Atlanta Falcons

Even though the Andy Dalton Express has gone off track and his pass total has dropped from 319 to 220 to 136, I would still like to be by his side against a multi-match Falcons team that will take them to the final.

Detroit Lions (-3) over DALLAS COWBOYS

The Lions are back on the scene after a controversial 20-19 loss last December, which was decided by an inadmissible 2-point conversion. Although the Cowboys emerged from Pittsburgh with a victory, Jared Goff’s offense is better equipped to take advantage of the absences of DeMarcus Lawrence and possibly Micah Parsons than the Steelers.

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Monday

Buffalo Bills (-2.5) vs. NEW YORK JETS

A struggling team can gain support by changing coaches during the season. Last November, the Raiders, led by Antonio Pierce, defeated the Giants 30-6. In 2022, Jeff Saturday got off the couch and led the Colts to a victory over the Raiders. Could this happen with Robert Salih’s successor, Jeff Ulbrich? Sure, and if that happens, the Jets will be in first place in the AFC East and back on track.

The only problem is that the Bills are on the other side and will be coming in in a bad mood after consecutive losses. We’ll see how big of a problem Saleh actually was.

Best bets: Giants, Bears, Broncos
Castle of the week: Giants (locks 2-3 in 2024)
Last week: Overall 6-8, 1-2 best bets
Thursday: 49ers (W)