Ben Burns

The Cowboys have seen both of their games decided by three points or less. Off last week's thrilling comeback, they bring a lot of positive momentum into this week's game. Wilson is obviously playing at a very high level. However, the Dallas offense is also very capable and the Cowboys will do their best to chew up the clock and keep Wilson on the sidelines. That said, I don't think we should be surprised to see this one also come down to the wire. With Dallas 5-1 ATS the last six times it was an underdog in the +3.5 to +9.5 range, consider grabbing the points. 

I'm playing ARIZONA on the run-line (+1.5 runs) Both teams have obviously had disappointing seasons. I expect the Diamondbacks to want this one a little more than the Rockies though. The Rockies won big yesterday, which ensured that they would finish 4th in the divsion ahead of 5th place Arizona. Freeland has been solid, at times. However, he struggled with his slider and command last start. To his credit, he battled. However, he definitely didn't have his best stuff. Bumgarner, on the other hand, checks in off his best start of the season. He tossed five shutout innings at Houston, recording seven K's in the process. Bumgarner noted that he'd made a "mental adjustment." Motivated for his first victory as a Diamondback, he'll be happy to face Colorado for the first time this season. He's 16-8 with a 3.27 ERA for his career against the Rockies. Expect AT LEAST a "run-line cover" from Bumgarner and the Dbax. 

I'm playing NEW ORLEANS on the ML. NFL fans are fickle. At the beginning of last week's game, everyone was referring to Brees as one of the greatest of all-time and saying that he was still at the top of his game. By the end of the night, they were calling him old and past his prime. Yes, he's getting up in years but Brees, like Rodgers, is indeed among the best of all-time. I still believe that he's got plenty of great games ahead of him. A visit from Rodgers figures to be just what the doctor ordered to "get him going." The Packers got a huge game from Jones last week. I'd still prefer Kamara though. Its on the other side of the ball where I believe that the Saints really have the advantage though. Indeed, this Saints defense is loaded with talent, arguably more so than the Green Bay defense. Throw in the fact that the game is at New Orleans and that I believe Payton to be the superior coach and I say the Saints finish on top. 

I'm playing on Boston/Miami UNDER the total. These O/U lines keep climbing. I believe that this one, the highest of the series thus far, will prove to be too high. Lets not forget, these are still very stingy teams. Prior to this series, the Heat had allowed 104 or fewer points in four of their previous six games. This, despite playing Milwaukee in their previous series. Meanwhile, Boston had 104 or less in five of six, prior to this series, and 106 or less in seven of eight, prior to this series. The Celtics have still seen the UNDER go 9-6-1 in the playoffs; I expect those stats to improve Sunday, the defense/s finally taking center stage and stealing the show. 

I'm playing on Wolverhamton/West Ham UNDER the total. Goals should be few and far between in Sunday's game between Wolverhampton and West Ham. The Hammers will be hungry for their first win but they'll have to play great defense if they want a shot at hanging around. The Wolves haven't conceded a single goal in the last four meetings between these clubs; West Ham has only found the back of the net once in its first two league matches. The last two h2h meetings both finished at 2-0 and six of the last seven meetings have finished with two or less. This one will, too. 

I'm playing on GB/NO UNDER the total. Brees and Rodgers get all the headlines and the presence of the two future Hall-Of-Famers has helped lead to a very high O/U number, second highest on the Sunday board. However, I'm not anticpating the type of shootout envisioned by many. Brees is without his top receiving weapon in Thomas. It appears that Rodgers may also be without his top receiver; Adams is doubtful as of this writing. He wasn't able to practice this week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reporting that Adams ' chances to suit up against the Saints "doesn't look great." Either way, the Saints defense is very likely better than either of the previous two defenses GB has faced and that unit will be looking to show its better than we saw against the Raiders. Both teams figure to run the ball fairly frequently, possibly more than ever due to the absence of Thomas and hopefully Adams. Look for that to help chew up the clock, keeping the final combined score beneath the generously high total.  

I'm playing on PHILADELPHIA. Both teams are 0-2. Both will be hungry for a win. I expect the Eagles to be a little more desperate though and I believe that they bring more to the table. Obviously, Burrow and the Bengals want their first win. Expectations are pretty low in Cincinnati though. Nobody will be too upset if it takes a couple of years for Burrow and the new look team to start winning. Thats not the case for the Eagles though; this is a team which expects to win now. They're going to come in angry and I expect Burrow and co. to suffer the consequences. While they're highly motivated, the Eagles aren't pushing the panic button. Wentz had this to say: "We're not panicking. The sky is not falling. We have the potential with the pieces we have on this offense to be elite, to be great and we're excited to come out (next week) and start showing it.'' The Eagles are a resilient team, having dealt with a lot in recent seasons. Sanders noted: "...it's a long season and we're going to have opportunities. It takes resiliency and that's the type of team we have.'' Expect the resilient Eagles to bounce back, securing their first win and picking up the cover along the way. 

I'm backing ISRAEL ADESANYA on Sept. 19. This is a bigtime fight. Both these impressive fighters are undefeated. Both are talking a lot of trash. They genuinely don't like each other. Without a doubt, Costa is very powerful. That said, I feel that Adesanya's precision and counter-striking ability will prove to be the difference. Costa is going to try and come forward and bring the fight to the champ. I feel that will play into Adesanya's hands. Because Adesanya was a bit lackluster in his win over Romero, many were quick to forget just how dominant he'd been before that fight. That sentiment, in turn, has led to a very reasonable line. Expect Adesanya to silence the critics, reminding everyone just how special a fighter he really is.