Blazin' 5

Colin’s NFL Week 3 Blazin’ 5

Image via The Herd
Image via The Herd
By Posted

It’s NFL Week 3, and Colin is so hot to start the year, he might spontaneously combust. Back to back 4-1 weeks to start the season, and 8-2 overall is his best start ever. This week he’s back to make some more bank for the loyal listening audience.

Get your deposit slips ready. Here are Colin’s Week 3 NFL plays:

  1. Chiefs at Chargers (+3) – Colin has Kansas City on top of his Herd Hierarchy, but he’s rolling with the Chargers getting 3 at home in their soccer stadium. The Chargers are 0-2 and are desperate for a win to avoid going 0-3. They’ve played 11 games decided by 7 points or less since the start of 2016, and even though they’re 1-10 in those games, they don’t need a win to cover. This season They’ve lost by 3 at Denver (blocked FG at end of game) and 2 at home against Miami (missed FG at end of game).

Despite their record, they’re line has only allowed 2 sacks of Philip Rivers this season – tied for best in NFL. Colin thinks they catch the Chiefs napping on a west coast road trip. Take the Bolts, the 3, and the upset. 26-23, Chargers.

  1. Seahawks (+2.5) at Titans – Seattle hasn’t looked good on offense to start 2017, but Colin likes them getting points on the road in Tennessee. The Titans are an awful 6-16 over their last 22 at home, and Russell Wilson has won his last 7 games against AFC opponents.

The Seahawks defense is still dominant, and has only allowed 4 10+ play scoring drives this season, which is 3rd-best in the NFL. Rookie running back Chris Carson looks like he may be the answer to Seattle’s rushing game woes. He’s averaging 5.1 yards per carry and is coming off a 93-yard effort against the Niners. A desperate Seattle gets it together for the cover and the win. 24-22, Hawks.

  1. Broncos at Bills (+3) – Denver would seem like the obvious choice here, after crushing Dallas at home last week, but Colin likes the Bills getting a field goal at home. Buffalo has won 9 of their last 13 home games, and 3 of the 4 losses came by one score.

Colin likes the Bills O-line, Shady McCoy in the run game, and since the start of 2016, QB Tyrod Taylor has thrown 14 TD passes at home against just 5 on the road.

Even though the Broncos defense has been dominant, they only have 3 sacks this season, and going back to last season, they’ve had 2 or fewer sacks in 7 straight games. The Bills have the second ranked defense in total yards allowed (234.5 yds/game), and the Broncos are allowing the 4th most yards per game (258.5). It all adds up to a low scoring game, and a Buffalo cover. Take the Bills, the points, and the upset. 23-20, Buffalo.

  1. Ravens at Jaguars (+3.5) – Colin loves the improved Jags getting points at their second home in London against Baltimore. Jacksonville is 4-1 ATS over their last 5, and the Ravens are just 2-6 ATS over their last 8 on the road. This game is at Wembley Stadium, where J’Ville has won in each of the last two seasons, and Blake Bortles has played uncharacteristically great in those games, throwing for a combined 4 TD and 1 interception.

The Ravens are a dismal 30th in the NFL in pass offense, and will be without 6-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda for the rest of the season after a fractured his ankle in Week 2. That matters. Baltimore gets the win, but the Jags cover. 24-23, Ravens.

  1. Cowboys (-3) at Cardinals – Colin will take Dallas giving 3 on the road in Arizona in a bounce back game following their disappointing loss to Denver last week. As is typical, the media has overreacted to the Cowboys’ dud last week, and Arizona is without superstar all-purpose back David Johnson, who just underwent wrist surgery. In their first game without him last week, Arizona only managed 3.3 yards per rush, and were led by Chris Johnson’s meager 44 yards.

Things will be as bad or worse this week, against a Dallas rush D that has led the NFL since 2016, allowing only 86.1 yards per game. Dallas wins and covers the 3. 28-20, Cowboys.

Download and subscribe to Colin’s Blazin’ 5 Podcast with RJ Bell at TheHerdNow.com,iHeart Radio, Google Play, or iTunes to find out what he wiseguys say about his picks. Don’t miss it!

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