My best bets for Sunday's NFL action (Last week, 1-2. Overall, 5-7)
GIANTS (+5 1/2) over Vikings
We haven't been wrong about the Daniel Jones experiment yet in the Big Apple, so let's try and dig into this one more time. If we know anything about the Vikings so far, it's that the defensive unit is at least in some cohesion. The offense, however, appears to be off. With WRs Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen apparently both at odds with either the play calling or with QB Kirk Cousins, there doesn't appear to be a lot to like about this team's ability to score points. That said, the Vikings defense (5th best in PPG against and 6th best in YPG against) will give the intrepid NYG quarterback the biggest challenge of his short career. Giants will be without Barkley in the backfield, but Gallman more than reliable backup. Prefer to go with home team on uptick as opposed to road crew at each other's throats.
CHARGERS (-5 1/2) over Broncos
One of the storylines heading into this season was vaunted Broncos defense led by defensive-minded HC Vic Fangio. Now, with one major component (Bradley Chubb) of that defense out for the year, look for Von Miller to attract a lot more attention from the LAC offensive line. That should only help matters for a unit averaging more than 400 yards per game. QB Rivers welcomes back RB Gordon after his 9-week "holdout" and I imagine they'll complement each other nicely, combined with a healthy Ekeler providing balance to a top-ranked offensive unit. Broncos D finally got somewhat untracked last week, but lack of turnovers, sacks in first few weeks of the season and now down a man, they'll be stretched thin to slow down this bunch. Broncos productivity on the offense has been mediocre at best, averaging 17 PPG this season. They've lost all four games this season by a combined 23 points (less than 6 per game), but might not have faced as dangerous an offense until today.
Colts (+11) over CHIEFS
Yes, I get it. Mahomes is amazing. Yes, I get it. The Chiefs awesome, overpowering, dangerous, "best thing in the league since the invention of the sidearm on the run forward pass" is quite the thing to see... All of those things can be true, and it can also be true that this team has a band-aid attached to their defense. Giving up nearly 24 PPG this season and allowing nearly 150 yards on the ground (31st in the NFL) means that Colts RB can slow this game down, perhaps leaving the greatest offense in the history of organized football off the field for generous portions of time. QB Brissett has been more than adequate as the new starter behind an offensive line that's surrendered only six sacks all season. Favor this side even more if Colts WR duo of Funchess and/or Hilton prove ready to go.