Every Friday on Brady & Price on Sportsnet 590 The Fan at 8:30 a.m. ET, Greg Brady will discuss his Hateful Eight NFL picks of the week. Here’s a sneak preview.
1. PANTHERS -7.5 over Bills in Carolina
Of course, the spread’s a bit too high, but you have to believe Cam Newton will look better than he did in the first half of last week’s walkover win over the 49ers. New season and new coach, yes, but the Bills have only covered in one of their past five road games.
2. STEELERS -5 over Vikings in Pittsburgh
This number will increase as the week continues. But if you give me the current number, you have to take the Steelers. They were a bit sloppy in Cleveland in Week 1 but they have a unique and trustful relationship with their home fans, and though I like Sam Bradford, being outdoors at the Steelers on a short week isn’t going to be as easy as the pathetic Saints defence in Week 1.
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3. PATRIOTS -7 over Saints in New Orleans
How many points would be too many to back the Patriots after the disastrous season opener and three extra days of rest? Well, it isn’t seven points, that’s for sure. Brandin Cooks returns to New Orleans and will get the ball a ton more than he did in Week 1. New England isn’t starting 0-2 and they’re not leaving the outcome in jeopardy at the end of the third quarter like they did against the Chiefs.
4. EAGLES +6 over Chiefs in Kansas City
It’s the best 1:00 p.m. game in Week 2, that’s for sure. I picked the Eagles to win the NFC East, and I think this might be the game that convinces a lot of folks. People are really high on the Chiefs after their 44-point assault on New England’s defence. This is a classic Week 2 re-correction here. This would be a lot closer to a “pick ’em” game if it were a Week 1 matchup.
5. CHARGERS -4.5 over Dolphins in Los Angeles
It’s the Chargers’ home opener and tickets are actually quite hard to get, not to mention their first game this season Sergio Dipp won’t be present and accounted for. I can’t prove that, but neither can you. I’m quite hesitant to judge the Dolphins too early on, given I think their 9-2 finish and 10-6 overall record had a very fluky feel to it, and I think Cutler will be better for them in November and December than he will be in September and October. First impression will be a good one in their new home, so take the Chargers.
6. COWBOYS +2.5 over Broncos in Denver
Wait, I get the better QB, the better running game, the more experienced head coach and the better playmakers at receiver, AND I get points? Sold.
7. RAMS -3 over Washington in Los Angeles
Big Jared Goff believer here, and I think it’s only going to get better with the Rams. The offensive attack under new head coach Sean McVay looked distinctly different from how melancholy it all seemed in the early games last year with Jeff Fisher and his staff. There’s a reason they aren’t there anymore. I’m not into Washington this season at all, and more and more people will be hopping off the wagon of Kirk Cousins as the season chugs along.
8. FALCONS -2.5 over Packers in Atlanta
Atlanta starting 2-0 will get people talking about them breaking this Super Bowl Loser Curse thing, but this is very fortunate timing to get Green Bay at night, coming off an exhausting home win over Seattle. I don’t think the Packers are a great team, but obviously Rodgers elevates them. I still think they’ll have lots of problems stopping the run this season, and that may begin Sunday evening against the Falcons’ twin threats in the backfield.