Ross Benjamin

Packers @ 49ers 8:20 PM ET

Game# 495-496

Play On: San Francisco -3.0 (5*)

I am sure the Packers will be a public play since they were able to view them walloping Detroit 35-17 on the Monday night televised game. However, we must keep in mind, that’s a pitiful Detroit team which has allowed an average of 38 points per game thus far. With that said, despite the Packers putting up 35 points last week they only were able to amass 323 yards of total offense. We mustn’t forget, this is also a Packers team that lost their season opener 38-3 to New Orleans and only was able to muster 322 yards of total offense.

San Francisco is coming of road wins over Detroit and Philadelphia in their first 2 games. The 49ers will also be out to revenge a 34-17 home loss to Green Bay last season in a game they entered ravaged by injuries. I look for the 49ers be mentally and physically sharp in their home opener against what I deem to be an overrated team. Bet the 49ers minus the points.

Seattle @ Minnesota 4:25 PM ET

Game# 493-494

Play On: Minnesota +2.0 (5*)

Talk about a tough luck team, Minnesota has opened the season with a pair of road losses that came by a combined 4 points. Even worse the fact they lost both games via opponent’s winning field goals in the last play of each of those contests. Now they’ll be facing a Seattle team that blew a 14-point 2nd half lead in their home opener last week in a 33-30 loss to Tennessee. Okay so here’s the caveat if you were contemplating Seattle. Since Mike Zimmer took over as head coach in Minnesota in 2014, the Vikings have gone 27-9 (.750) straight up in their last 36 non-division home games and that includes 26-11 (70.3%) ATS. Furthermore, under Zimmer, Minnesota has gone 7-1 SU and 8-0 ATS following 2 straight losses when facing a non-division opponent and their previous contest was versus a non-division opponent. Bet Minnesota plus the small number.

Saints @ Patriots 1:00 ET

Game# 477-478

Play On: New Orleans +3.0 (5*)

The Patriots are coming off a 25-6 road win over an atrocious Jets team. They were beneficiaries of 4 interceptions thrown by rookie quarterback Zack Wilson which came on his first 10 attempts of the day. The New Orleans defense has been great against the run thus far while allowing only 66 rushing yards per contest and a mere 2.6 yards per attempt. The Patriots rookie quarterback Matt Jones is going to have to make some big plays in the passing game because the New Orleans defense is likely to stymie any attempt at running the ball effectively on a consistent basis. I love our chances if that scenario plays out like I believe it will.

New Orleans is coming off an embarrassing 26-7 loss at Carolina last week. However, that was a very unsettling situation for the Saints who were without 8 assistant coaches due to COVID protocols. I look for them to resemble the team we saw in their opening week 38-3 thrashing of the Green Bay Packers. Besides, it’s never a bad idea to bet on the New Orleans Saints following a loss since Sean Payton became their head coach. Since 2008, and all with their current head coach, New Orleans is 47-25 SU&ATS (65.2%) following a loss. Furthermore, if those contests were played before Game 11 of the season, and the Saints allowed 25 points or more in those previous losses, they improved to 15-2 ATS (88.2%) and 13-4 during that identical timeframe. Bet the Saints plus the small number.

Dolphins @ Raiders 4:05 PM ET

Game# 487-488

Play On: Dolphins +4.0 (10*)

Derek Carr is off to an extremely hot start to the season. Nevertheless, he’ll be facing what is arguable the best cornerback tandem in the NFL which is Miami’s Byron Jones and Xavien Howard. The Raiders are off to a 2-0 start. You may be surprised to know, this is a franchise that’s won 2 straight just 20 times since 2004, and they went a terrible 6-14 SU and 5-15 ATS in their following game. After winning their first 2 games as an underdog versus Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the Raiders assume the role of a chalk for a first time this season. Since the start of the 2017-2018 season, the Raiders are 0-4-1 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 or less when facing an opponent coming off a loss.

Miami is coming last Sunday’s embarrassing 35-0 home loss to Buffalo. However, it must be noted that since 2001, away teams with a point-spread of +4.5 to -4.5 who are coming off a home shutout loss have gone 8-0 ATS. Additionally, since the start of last season, Miami is 6-3 SU on the road and that includes 3-0 SU&ATS as an underdog of 6.0 or less. As a matter of fact, 1 of those wins came last season at Las Vegas 26-25 as 2.5-point underdog. Yes the Dolphins will be without Tua at quarterback, but at this stage of his young career there’s not a huge drop off going to veteran Jacoby Brissett who has starting experience with both Indianapolis and New England. Bet on the Dolphins plus the points for a Top Play wager.