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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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