Its week 6, and I am on a roll. 4-1 last week which brings me to 7-3 since we started the Thursday 5. Lets keep this momentum going.

Eagles @ Vikings (Min-3) BET: Eagles

Being a three-point favorite at home means Vegas thinks they are even, and just giving the home team the benefit of the doubt. Philadelphia is the better team. They also match up well against the Vikings strength. Philly only allows 63 yards a game on the ground, the Vikings rush for 166.4 yards a game. This is a big game for Cousins, and he shows up in big games less than Waldo in his own magazines. Additionally, the Vikings losses have come against good defensive teams (Green Bay and Chicago). Ill predict an “upset” and definitely the Eagles cover. Eagles 21-20

Saints @ Jaguars (Jax-1) BET: Saints

This game is essentially a pick ‘em so keep it simple and take the better team. When looking at the numbers the teams look extremely even, but let’s put context to it. The saints have played 4 playoff caliber teams this season. Jacksonville hasn’t played a quality opponent since week 2. I think the saints are better in most positions on the field, have already played a tough schedule and proven they can beat good teams. Saints 25-16

49ers @ Rams (LAR-3) BET: 49ers

This game will come down to both teams’ ability to run the ball. Todd Gurley hasn’t been good and he is going up against the 5^th best rushing defense in the league. Additionally, the Niners have 7 interception, 2^nd best in the NFL. Jarred Goff has thrown 7 picks this season. He has been prone to mistakes and is going up against a team who makes the most of the mistakes. I’m predicting another upset with this one, and this is the most confident upset pick I have. 49ers 33-27

Titans @ Broncos (DEN-2) BET: Titans

Both sides have solid defenses, and underwhelming offenses. The difference is that Joe Flacco is making mistakes this season. Say what you want about Marriota, but he hasn’t thrown a pick this year. The Tennessee defense also takes the ball away, and Flacco will give them those chances. The titans can also run the ball better, and their defense travels well. Titans 17-15

Lions @ Packers (GB-4) BET: Packers

My only favorite I like this week. The Detroit Lions, despite what the narrative says, is not a good defensive team. They allow almost 130 yards on the ground and will be tasked with stopping Aaron jones who is feeling really good after that game against Dallas. The lions also have not been able to create turnovers on defense, or get to the quarterback. Both teams can make plays on offense, but only one can get the job done defensively. Packers 26-20

Welcome Back for another installment of the Thursday 5. Every Thursday I choose 5 games in the NFL and tell you what to bet and why. Last week I was 3-2 and could’ve been 4-1 had Tom Brady shown up against Buffalo.

Rams @ Seahawks (SEA -1.5) Bet: Seahawks

When I first saw the line for this game, I thought it was going to be tough to decide, but after a little researching, it became quite easy. The Rams have absolutely no running game and the Seahawks have the 6^th best defense against the run, meaning all the pressure is back on Goff after throwing the ball nearly 70 times against Tampa. Additionally, Goff hasn’t made great decisions this season so far, already with 6 Interceptions thrown. Wilson hasn’t thrown any and is completing a better percentage (72.9%) than Goff (64.2%). It will be close, but I’ll take the Seahawks defense to slow down the Rams enough to scrape by with a win. Seahawks 27-23

Buccaneers @ Saints (NO -3) Bet: Saints

I have confidence that the Buccs will do a decent job defensively. They have the best defense against the run (just 59.2 yards a game allowed), however they are second to last in the league in passing defense. Bridgewater is a seasoned enough quarterback to exploit mistakes that will be made by the Buccs defense in the air, and Alvin Kamara is still good enough to make an impact running the ball. I do not trust Jameis Winston though, even if he has been playing well after that abysmal season opener against the Niners. Another close game, but the Saints can be counted on more than the Buccs. Saints 23-17

Falcons @ Texans (HOU -5) Bet: Texans

5 points is a lot in the NFL, and if last week taught me anything, its that large spreads are tough to cover. This is different, because it’s the Falcons. Sure, Matt Ryan is throwing over 300 yards per game, it’s not translating to a lot. Only 17.5 points a game, 6 Interceptions, and their running game doesn’t do much, 27^th in the league. Houston has a top 10 defense, allowing 19.5. The also run the ball well, and Atlanta gives up over 100 yards a game on the ground. I could eat dirt again picking the favorite with such a wide margin, but ill take a good Texans defense at home against the mistake prone Falcons offense who can’t produce on offense. Texans 24-17

Bills @ Titans (TEN -3) Bet: Bills

This is a sure fire upset. The Bills are excellent at the Titans Biggest weaknesses. First, the Bills are 4^th in the league running the ball. The Titans are one of the worst teams defending the run. The Bills are also 4^th in the league defending the pass. The Titans are also one of the worst teams passing the ball. Tennessee does know how to get interceptions, and Josh Allen has thrown twice the amount of Interceptions as TD’s. I think the Bills however will exploit the Titans weaknesses and keep Allen from throwing the ball too much and get a nice win on the road. Bills 17-13

Browns @ 49ers (SF -3.5) Bet: 49ers

The must watch game this week. I just don’t trust the browns to put together solid performances consecutively. The Browns strengths are running the football and getting to the opposing team’s quarterback. San Francisco has the 5^th best running defense, and Jimmy G is getting sacked less than once per game. The Niners defense is real overall as well. 5 interceptions, allowing less than 300 yards in the air, and will be going against Baker Mayfield, who has thrown a pick every game. I expect Jimmy G to light it up in the air, Baker to be all over the place, and the Niners defense to swarm all over the Browns. 49ers 30-17

We are six games into the Premier League season, which isn’t much, but just enough to start dissecting the teams and how their seasons look to unfold. The big six looks to be almost broken, with the likes of Chelsea, Man United, and Spurs all sitting outside 6^th (who would’ve thought Arsenal wouldn’t be listed there despite their problems). 6 clubs stick out to me as having compelling seasons ahead of them, and I’m here to tell you what I see and why.

1. Arsenal. Where else would I start? Is there any club that nobody has figured out? They can’t even play a complete game of good football. Their draws against Watford and Spurs, and their most recent win against Villa display just how inconsistent this club is even in the span of 90 minutes. David Luiz is now taking on all the criticism that Mustafi was receiving last year, with costly mistake being made nearly every match. Unai Emery doesn’t show any sense of what’s going on tactically, making the poor decision to stick with the diamond against Watford once they started pressing and getting through to their shaky backline. There are 3 really good things going on for arsenal that should see them back in champions league competition. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is absolutely lethal, one of the best in the league at scoring goals in crucial spots, Matteo Guendouzi can control the middle of the pitch, and three crucial members of the defense are returning, Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding. If those three can even prevent just one fewer goal every other game, this team will be one to be respected this campaign.
2. Chelsea. I want to say I have figured them out, but I’m not too sure yet. They are god enough to beat the bottom half teams, but when it comes to those fighting for European competition, they fall just short. Tammy Abraham however has been unleashed, showing the potential Londoners have been claiming he has had for years. Their big signing however, is almost no where to be found. Pulisic is out there, you can see the speed and skill he has, but they aren’t leading to quality chances. And when the ball is given up, he doesn’t make much of an effort to get it back. The defense is too shaky for that to happen, as they are giving up quite the number of goals (0 clean sheets this season). I still see them getting back in 6^th, but that’s where their ceiling stops unfortunately.
3. Manchester United. For a club with the global prominence they have, this is a dumpster fire. Solskjaer doesn’t have his players under control (Pogba’s agent reportedly has a master plan to force a transfer in January), his players (aside from Daniel James) show no passion for the club, and like Chelsea, their back line is too weak for these kinds of issues to happen all on the pitch. They don’t even have a set penalty taker, even Newcastle has that figured out. I only see one way this club finishes in the top 6, and that’s spending money on the back line in January. Get Koulibaly, and upgrade their defensive midfielder, and then this team has a shot at somewhat saving their season.
4. Norwich City. Before the season started, I had this team being relegated. I’m doing a complete 180 on that take. This is a mid-table team all things considered. Let’s start with their fullbacks, Sam Byram and Jamal Lewis. The job they did against city in slowing down City (cause you can’t stop them) on the outside was outstanding, and when they got possession, they were calm in breaking city’s pressure and getting the ball up the field. Teemu Pukki is without question a top striker in the league, who can obviously score goals, but can pick out a teammate on the rare occasion they make their runs in the correct spots. And lastly, take a look at the clubs they are competing for a mid-table finish. Newcastle is as bad as everyone predicted, Watford are winless, Everton and wolves have been huge disappointment so far. The only thing that will hold them back is that they have given up more goals than any other club so far. They aren’t going to be a great defensive team, but if they can show competence, they will comfortable finish the year in somewhere near 12^th.
5. Wolves. Believe it or not, wolves are winless in six games, even playing against Crystal Palace and Burnley. Their issue was an area I was concerned with from the start, and its their defense. Their attacking threats haven’t been consistently good enough to get better results than they should. It may be the European competition draining them out, but if they don’t improve in almost every area on the pitch, it’ll be a season of battling to not be relegated, instead of competing for the top 6 like most saw from this side.
6. Liverpool. I’m officially making my championship prediction. Liverpool will finally do it this year. What can’t this club do? They are clinical in attack, they win possession back in the midfield consistently, the back line doesn’t break, Klopp’s substitutions are game changing, it’s the team that is meshing the best right now. If want to be extremely picky and find just one flaw, its that I feel the ball sticks to Salah’s feet too long, and defenses are catching on to it, leading to slightly fewer chances each game than Liverpool could actually have. However, this club is too good at every area for that to make any difference in the score line. Their schedule is quite favorable as well in the next month or so as well, so the hype around this side is only going to grow stronger. Let’s see if they can handle it.

Welcome to the first installment of the Thursday Five. Every Thursday I will choose 5 games in the NFL and tell you what to bet and why.

Eagles @ Packers (GB -4.5) Bet: Packers

This may be early, but I’m selling my stock on the Eagles this season. They haven’t looked good enough. Wentz isn’t showing that he can lead the eagles to a win in close games (0-2 this season) and the defense is 23^rd in the league in points allowed per game. Meanwhile, Green Bay looks to have what will be a top 10 defense this year. The last time they had a defense this good, they won a super bowl. Aarons numbers have been improving each week, going up against the Bears, Broncos, and Vikings, all exceptional defenses. Ill swallow the points, 4.5 is too low for me when the Packers are at home and on a roll. Packers 27-21

Redskins @ Giants (NYG -3) Bet: Giants

Both teams give up large numbers of points, 94 points through three games. The only team that has allowed more points are the Dolphins. There is a big difference here though, and that is Daniel Jones. He is better than what we thought since he was drafted, however, he will not have Saquon Barkley, making his job that much tougher and giving the Redskins one less thing to worry about. I still think the Washington defense will not get the job done, and Jones will pick up the win. Giants 24-20

Titans @ Falcons (ATL -4) Bet: Titans

Do I think the Titans will win? No, but they could. Atlanta has all sorts of issues defensively, giving up 25 a game, while the Titans defense has made it tough for every team they have faced. Another factor that matters here, Mariota hasn’t thrown a pick this season, while Matt Ryan has thrown six. Tennessee is also 3^rd in the league interceptions with 4. A mix of poor decisions thus far from Matt Ryan, a Tennessee defense that creates turnovers, and a better running game from the Titans will keep this game close. Falcons 17-14

Vikings @ Bears (CHI-2) Bet: Bears

This game is going to come down to whether the Vikings will be able to run the ball against the Chicago defense. The bears have only allowed 69 Rushing yards a game so far, 5^th in the NFL. The Vikings are rushing for 194 yards per game. Offense doesn’t travel well, especially when going to the windy city. In all other important stats, these teams are level. The both have positive +/- on turnovers and both have excellent defenses. I think being at home gives the Bears an advantage that just can’t be ignored.    Bears 13-10

Patriots @ Bills (NE -7.5) Bet: Patriots

This is still going to be a great game to watch. Josh Allen has been looking great this season, already winning 2 road games. The bills defense is top 5 as well, but here is the stat we all should be looking at. The Patriots have won seven in a row in Buffalo and Bellichick is 14-2 all time in Buffalo. The Patriots defense is also the best in the league, leading in interceptions with 6 and sacks with 13. Brady is also not throwing any picks, while Josh Allen has thrown 3. I can see Buffalo hanging with them the first half, maybe 3 quarters, but I’m still expecting a comfortable double-digit win for New England. Patriots 30-20

Falcons @ Colts (IND -1) Bet: Falcons

Might be the most sure fire bet of the week. Jacoby Brissett is not as good as the stats show. 69% passer, but only 168 yards per game is not going to get it done against the Falcons, who have faced better defenses, and have a much better QB. This will not be a blowout, but the colts just won’t have enough to get the job done. Falcons 20-17

Ravens @ Chiefs (KC -6) Bet: Chiefs

Lamar Jackson has looked the part the first two weeks, but that was against the Dolphins, who are taking tanking to new lows, and the Cardinals, which they didn’t win convincingly against a rookie QB/Coach combo. The Chiefs haven’t faced much competition, however, they won on the road in both games, and convincingly. It will be a comfortable win for the Chiefs 30-20

Rams @ Browns (LAR -3.5) Bet: Rams

I have never bought into the hype the Browns had this offseason, and win over the Jets is not going to change my mind. Baker has not been this accurate passer I’ve been told he is, and Freddie Kitchens doesn’t know how to handle all the egos on the team. The Rams however do have pressure on them. Only really good teams get point spreads like this on the road against a team who could still get a wild card spot. I’m still taking the team with the better QB, coach, and offensive line to get a road win. Rams 24-20