Beating Vegas: Tennessee Turn Up in the NFL?

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Last week Beating Vegas went 50/50 on College and NFL picks. That’s just not going to cut it here, so let’s knock out these NFL picks!

Seattle Seahawks +3 at Tennessee Titans

In two weeks, the Seattle Seahawks have put up a whopping 21 points. The offensive line isn’t what it used to be and its kept quiet. . . but, neither is Russell Wilson. Wilson’s completion percentage is 56% and he’s averaging 5.4 yards a pass. Those are pretty below average numbers for a guy who’s held in such high regard today. It’s not all his fault though, the pass protection isn’t great and his receivers – if we’re being honest – they’re a pretty overrated group (sorry Doug Baldwin fans. . . all four of you). Tennessee is a team, on the other hand that NEEDS to piece this thing together. Quarterback, Marcus Mariota is putting up better numbers than Wilson – but not by much. Unlike Seattle, Mariota has weapons. Running back Derrick Henry just may have taken over the reigns last week when Demarco Murray went down with a hamstring injury (day-to-day) and the young receiving core has talent with Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor and Rishard Matthews. They’re just a young team that is finding ways to put it all together – at least one would hope. The Titans need a signature win and this is their opportunity, to hit a heavy weight while it’s tending to it’s wounds.

The Pick: The Titans -3

Houston Texans +13.5 at New England Patriots

While Texans coach Bill O’Brien is muddling through the early goings of this 2017 season (blowout loss to the Jaguars and barely beating the Bengals) he has to take his team, led by rookie quarterback Deshawn Watson, to go against his former boss, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. O’Brien was awarded stripes while being the offensive coordinator at New England, then won people over by accepting the job at Penn State during its darkest times and eventually becoming head coach of the Texans. It’s been rough though as this once heralded “quarterback guru” has been shuffling through mediocrity under center since he arrived. Now a rookie quarterback enters New England, where under Belichick rookie quarterbacks have gone 0-8. Add to the fact that Watson is averaging less than 5 yards a pass and his second leading target is his under achieving running back Lamar Miller – things can get crazy. This Texans defense is “supposed” to be one of the better ones in the league, but in two games they’ve netted three sacks and zero interceptions. New England on the other hand shook off their week one cobwebs and got their swagger back against New Orleans last week 36-20 (game wasn’t even that close – Brees through a garbage time TD with about 5 minutes left). Houston is going to struggle to score and there will be more than a few three and outs. This will benefit the New England offense who by the second half will wear down this defense.

The Pick: Patriots -13.5

Miami Dolphins -6 at New York Jets

It’s easy to pick against the Jets because. . .it’s the Jets. When a team is noticeably tanking, you take that into consideration, but this is a rivalry game and coach Todd Bowles is coaching for his life right now. On the other hand, the Miami Dolphins are only looking up as they bring to New York one of the more complete rosters in the NFL. Miami went to L.A. and squeezed out a win against a gritty Chargers team that has a knack for blowing close games and now come back to the east coast to play their rivals in New York. Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler looked like he didn’t forget a step in the Adam Gase offense. He looked calm and in control throughout the game. Cutler is completing over 70% of passes, which is pretty much what the Jets allow at in addition to 11.4 yards a pass. Josh McCown is doing what he can on offense, but with no real running game to help him out and only one real target in Jermaine Kearse, the frustration settles in quick.

The Pick: Miami -6

Good Luck and Wager Wisely!

G.W. Gras

Twitter @GeeSteelio