Pic’s Picks Week 5

(8-11-1 against the spread in 2022)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-3) over Detroit Lions

Bailey Zappe was thrown into the fire last Sunday at Lambeau, and he almost pulled off the upset. Bill Belichick will put the rookie in a good position against a Lions defense that’s the worst in the NFL, allowing 35 points per game. Both the Patriots and Lions are 1-3 and have each lost two straight. Jared Goff is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes with 11. But including Super Bowl LIII, Goff is 1-2 against New England, averaging 176 pass yards per game with two touchdowns and four interceptions, and has been sacked nine times. Patriots win and cover in Foxboro.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (-3.5) over New York Jets

The 2-2 Jets won in Pittsburgh last week, in Zach Wilson’s first game of the season. Now they host the 3-1 Dolphins without Tua Tagovailoa. Fear not, Miami. Teddy Bridgewater is good for this. Bridgewater replaced the injured Tagovailoa last Thursday in Cincinnati and finished 14-of-23 with 193 pass yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Miami lost, but Bridgewater was impressive. The Dolphins — with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — are rightly still the favorite here on the road. I’m taking them to win by a touchdown.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (-5.5) over Dallas Cowboys

I’ve remained high on Dallas since Dak Prescott fractured his thumb, but the Cowboys’ three-game win streak will come to an end on Sunday in LA. The 2-2 Rams are coming off a loss in San Francisco on Monday night. The defending champs are more talented than they’ve looked so far. They’re certainly more talented than the last two teams the 3-1 Cowboys have defeated: the Giants and Commanders. Cooper Rush had a nice little run. But the Rams win and cover at home.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (-3.5) over Cincinnati Bengals

The 2-2 Ravens had another second-half collapse last week. On the bright side, their 10 takeaways are tied for the league lead. The 2-2 Bengals have won two straight. They’re coming off a Thursday night win over Miami. Cincinnati is vulnerable though, and Baltimore will be rocking on Sunday night. I fully expect MVP-candidate Lamar Jackson to show out in prime time. The Ravens cover for their first home win of the season.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-7) over Las Vegas Raiders

Patrick Mahomes is 7-1 in his career against the Raiders, with 22 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. He put up 40 points in each of the Chiefs’ wins over Vegas last season. The 1-3 Raiders are feeling good after picking up their first win last Sunday. But it’d be a gutsy move to bet against Mahomes on Monday night in Kansas City. Mahomes is 6-1 with 17 touchdown passes on Monday Night Football. He clearly owns this matchup. Chiefs win by 10.

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/UbBMah0