Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings Pick: The next game on schedule for both of these teams is against the Cleveland Browns, but they will get to that in different weeks.
For the first time in NFL history, a regular season game is set to be played in Dublin, Ireland and it will be hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1), who have owners with links to the country.
They are facing the Minnesota Vikings (2-1), who will be facing the Cleveland Browns next week in London and become the first NFL team to play back to back international games in different countries.
It is a non-Conference game, but the international setting and the Steelers and Vikings both being involved in what should be competitive Divisions should mean there is a full focus on the game.
The Vikings are playing an international game for the third time in four seasons, including last year when they got the better of Aaron Rodgers and his New York Jets team in London. That experience is important and it is perhaps contributing to the Vikings being set as the favourite in Dublin, while they can also expect to be favoured when facing Cleveland next week in London.
Aaron Rodgers has helped the Steelers into a winning position through three weeks, but all has not been completely smooth for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Road wins over the New York Jets, which Rodgers really enjoyed, and the New England Patriots have sandwiched a loss to the Seattle Seahawks and it should be noted that the NFC West team are the only one that hold a winning record.
One of the big issues early in the season has been the Pittsburgh Offensive Line and they have struggled to open running lanes, while also having issues with protecting Aaron Rodgers and giving the veteran time to find Receivers down the field. An early chemistry has been built with DK Metcalf, but the Steelers Offensive Line have to find a way to establish the run in this game to make things more comfortable for Aaron Rodgers.
They are facing a Vikings Defensive Line that has had a slow start to the new season, but it is still tough to envision the Steelers suddenly ripping off big gains on the ground. The team are averaging just 2.8 yards per carry through three games and that has put their veteran Quarter Back in a tough spot, especially as they have struggled in pass protection.
Failing to run the ball efficiently against the Minnesota Vikings will lead to more pressure up front and this is a team that has rushed the passer really well. Any time Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers are behind the chains, the Vikings should be able to get close to him and that will only serve to attack what many believed could be a vulnerable Secondary.
This is clearly going to be the best Quarter Back that Minnesota will have seen through four games, but no one likes having to throw under duress and it could be key to at least stall some drives and force Field Goals or Punts rather than giving up Touchdowns.
Running the ball could be a tough task for the Steelers, but the Minnesota Offensive Line have to be really confident that they can establish Jordan Mason early and often. He is the lead Running Back with Aaron Jones out, but Mason showed his worth in the win last week and this Pittsburgh Defensive Line that has not been reaching the standards of the Steel Curtain of old.
In recent years it has been possible to run the ball against Pittsburgh and the early signs are not good for the Steelers, which should mean the Vikings are putting Carson Wentz in the best spot to be successful.
JJ McCarthy is travelling with the team for this two week business trip, but Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has made it clear that he does not expect the young signal-caller to be available to play. That means the job is in the hands of Carson Wentz, a Quarter Back who looked like he was going to be a franchise player early in his Philadelphia career, but who has become a backup in recent seasons.
However, he is operating under the guidance of a Head Coach who has earned a big reputation at getting the best out of his Quarter Back and Wentz had a solid first start for the Vikings as they comfortably rolled past Cincinnati.
If the team is running the ball as well as they can, things should be pretty comfortable for Carson Wentz who has Jordan Addison available for the first time this season. Justin Jefferson is one of the top Receivers in the League, and some would THE top Receiver, and the Vikings should be able to attack this Secondary from third and manageable range, which would also mean slowing down the Pittsburgh pass rush.
The Steelers could have a couple of key Defensive Backs available for this one, which is important to aid them, but the key will be to find a way to stop the run. Being unable to do that will just make it comfortable for Carson Wentz to get the ball out of his hands quickly and that should see the Vikings moving the chains and ultimately pushing into a position to win this game.
Turnovers are always a factor that could be decisive, but this Vikings Defensive unit may make the bigger plays, especially on the Line of Scrimmage, and that can see the NFC North team come out on top.
Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers both have very strong records as the underdog and that has to be respected.
However, the Quarter Back was beaten in that exact spot by the Minnesota Vikings in London last season, and the team with the stronger expectations at the Line of Scrimmage on both sides of the ball can come through in a tough game here.
Los Angeles Chargers @ New York Giants Pick: Making a perfect start to the season would please any team, but there is something extra special about beating all three Divisional rivals. That is the case for the Los Angeles Chargers (3-0) through the first three weeks of the season and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has to be really excited about what he has seen from his team, as well as the early struggles of main AFC West rivals Kansas City Chiefs.
There has been plenty of praise for his players, but no one can secure Playoff spots in September and Harbaugh will be testing his team and their concentration levels.
This is a tough spot- the early Sunday kick off on the East Coast is never easy for any team coming from the Pacific Time Zone, but the Chargers are facing a New York Giants (0-3) team that looks firmly in transition.
After the latest defeat, Head Coach Brian Daboll had to listen to the fans and his time in charge of the Giants will come down to how Jaxson Dart performs at Quarter Back. Russell Wilson has looked a shadow of the player he once was and the fans were demanding to see Dart so the decision was an easy one to make, while an injury to starting Running Back Tyrone Tracy Jr means Cam Skattebo will be earning the majority of carries.
Some have suggested that Daboll would have been better off waiting a couple of weeks before bringing Jaxson Dart in for his first NFL start once this game was out of the way, but time has run out for the Head Coach who oversaw a 3-14 record in 2024.
There could be opportunities for Skattebo to run the ball effectively, although the Giants Offensive Line have had their issues early this season. They will need to try and establish the rookie, who is going to run hard against a Chargers Defensive Line that have struggled to stop the run, while Jaxson Dart is more mobile than Russell Wilson and he will be willing to run with the ball.
Running the ball is likely going to be the focus considering some of the issues the Giants have had in pass protection, while the Chargers Secondary have also continued to play at a high level. Any rookie is going to have to deal with picking up the pace of the NFL and Jaxson Dart will have some difficult moments in this game, which should give an experienced and talented Chargers team the edge.
Najee Harris was lost for the season last week, but Omarion Hampton might thrive with the backfield completely his as he showed last week. Another rookie, Hampton may have a bigger impact on the ground and he showed that he can catch passes coming out of the backfield which gives the Chargers yet another threat.
It is Justin Herbert who has been on the end of a whole lot of praise and he should be in a better position if Hampton can establish the run as Jim Harbaugh likes.
He has been making big plays in the passing game, despite having been put under pressure in the pass rush and this Giants Secondary has been exploited in the three games played. Justin Herbert has looked after the ball, which is really important, and is more than capable of moving forward in the pocket to avoid pass rush pressure and pick up yards with his legs.
However, it is Herbert's arm that can put the Chargers in a position to win this game on the road and his team are 7-2 against the spread as road favourites under the current Head Coach. Last season they won games at Carolina, Cleveland, Atlanta and New England as road favourites and Jim Harbaugh is a Head Coach who will have the team motivated and focused in a tough scheduling spot.
You have to believe the home crowd will be firmly behind Jaxson Dart in his first start for the team, but it could become difficult if the Giants have to become one-dimensional Offensively to get back into the game.
This is where the Chargers could take over and they may be able to make a late stop to secure a win by at least a converted Touchdown.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick: For much of the game in Week 3, it felt like a matter of time before the Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) would officially lose their first game of 2025. They were trailing for so long and looked lost Offensively, but the late rally saw the Eagles fight back and move ahead of the Los Angeles Rams with the minutes ticking down in the Fourth Quarter.
The Rams rallied and had a Field Goal lined up to win the game, but the Eagles blocked the kick, ran back the ball for a Touchdown and somehow not only won, but covered the spread.
It was a fortunate selection to say the least.
They are out on the road in Week 4 and the Philadelphia Eagles are in a rare position for a team that finished 18-3 in 2024.
One of those defeats was avenged in the Playoffs, but this is the one game that the Eagles will play in 2025 with revenge on the mind. Under the current Head Coach, the Eagles are 22-10 against the spread with the revenge angle in their favour as they prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) who had a late Field Goal to beat the New York Jets in Week 3.
The win is welcome, but Mike Evans has been lost to an injury and Baker Mayfield is playing through the pain, although the Tampa Bay Offensive Line could be bolstered.
The Buccaneers will lean on Bucky Irving and Rachaad White who will be looking to establish the run against the Eagles Defensive Line, which has had problems on the ground. That will help considering the lack of experience that the Buccaneers have in the passing game without the big target of Evans, which will be evident in a game against this very good Philadelphia Secondary.
Credit has to be given to the Secondary considering there has been a lack of pass rush pressure generated by Philadelphia and the Eagles will expect to be able to make enough plays when the ball is in the air to stall some of the Tampa Bay drives.
There is almost certainly going to be a similar feeling in the Buccaneers camp.
Head Coach Todd Bowles has a strong Defensive unit that has been very difficult to run against in the last couple of seasons and another strong start has been made by the Defensive Line.
Saquon Barkley showed he is a special Running Back, but it has not been the most productive of starts in 2025 and the Offensive Line is a little banged up. Some of the criticism is that the new Offensive Co-Ordinator has been guilty of making predictable calls and that has stymied some of the early Offensive showing.
Even the passing game has yet to really spark, but the Eagles have plenty of talent on this side of the ball as they showed in the fightback to beat the Rams in Week 3.
Quarter Back Jalen Hurts is capable of moving the ball out of the Run-Option and he is also a better passer than some will have you believe. It helps he has the likes of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith to target, while Dallas Goedert was back in action last week, and the Eagles should have the capabilities of moving the ball and scoring points.
Tampa Bay have played well to win all three games this season, but they have faced the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Texans and New York Jets with the last of those teams missing Justin Fields. None of those teams have produced a lot Offensively, but this Philadelphia Eagles team will be motivated against an opponent that has a good recent record against them.
The Eagles are 5-2 against the spread when set as the road favourite in their last seven outings in such a spot, and they may have the talent on the Offensive side od the ball to put up enough points to cover this spread.
If they can force the Buccaneers to have to throw the ball to keep up, the Philadelphia Eagles could make a big play or two to stall a late drive and that may ultimately prove to be the difference in this contest between two unbeaten teams.
Indianapolis Colts @ Los Angeles Rams Pick: There is a Thursday Night Football game on deck for the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) and that against a Divisional rival that has begun the season with a perfect record. The scheduling spot does feel a little tough for the Rams having somehow failed to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 and with a short week coming up, but Head Coach Sean McVay will be looking for a bounce back performance from his experienced roster.
They should also have the additional focus of facing an unbeaten opponent when hosting the Indianapolis Colts (3-0), a team who have made a surprising start with Daniel Jones at Quarter Back.
Most would have tipped up the Colts to be chasing the Houston Texans in the AFC South, but they are leading the way in the Division.
Wins over the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans are not the most eye-catching, but the Colts have thumped both opponents. They were fortunate to beat the Denver Nuggets when a late flag gave the Colts a second chance to hit a game winning Field Goal in Week 2, but this is something of a prove it kind of outing for them.
Jonathan Taylor has made a really strong start to the season and the Indianapolis Offensive Line have been key to opening up the running lanes, but this is a Rams team that have focused on being able to play the run better than previous years. Most of the attention for that improvement is trying to shut down the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Rams played Saquon Barkley well in Week 3 to believe they can have success against Taylor.
That will change the dynamics for Daniel Jones at Quarter Back, although he is a player capable of tucking the ball away and look to pick up chunks of yardage on the ground too.
He has been well protected early this season, but this could be a tougher test against a strong Los Angeles pass rush and especially if Daniel Jones is throwing from third and long spots. The Rams Secondary have also been playing well thanks to that pressure up front and this is unlikely to be a day when the Indianapolis Punter gets to put his feet up.
While the Colts could have some challenges establishing the run, the Rams should be more effective with the Indianapolis Defensive Line perhaps the least impressive of the units on both sides of the ball. That is not to say the Colts have been terrible, but they are have allowed some big carries and the Rams could be able to use their solid Offensive Line to open up gaps up front.
This is going to be key for Matthew Stafford, especially if Davante Adams is not able to suit up for the Rams.
Operating out of third and manageable spots should allow Stafford to use all of his experience to keep the chains moving, even against this Colts Secondary that have opened the season playing the pass very effectively.
The schedule is tough for the Rams, but this is also feels like the first really big test for the Indianapolis Colts.
Having the hook is always dangerous when opposing the underdog, but the Los Angeles Rams should be focused after the loss in Week 3 and they can make up for that, while also staying in touch with the early pacesetters in the NFC West.
Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys Pick: It was never going to be hard for Micah Parsons to find motivation in his very quick return to the Dallas Cowboys (1-2), but comments made by Jerry Jones during the week will only have intensified the situation.
Contract negotiations had dragged on for months, but it was still a huge surprise to see the Cowboys trading away someone like Parsons ahead of his prime years. To send him to a Conference rival is even more bizarre and Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers (2-1) will be looking to make a big statement.
They were upset in Week 3 at the Cleveland Browns, but the Packers should have won that game, and they are not facing a team with the same kind of Defensive power in this one.
Injuries on the other side of the ball are going to make it very tough for Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys and it makes it an interesting tactic from Jones to try and rattle Parsons. The Cowboys owner spoke about some of the issues Parsons has had in run blocking and might be expecting Javonte Williams to continue his fine start to the season behind this Dallas Offensive Line.
However, this is the first time the Cowboys could be facing a Defensive Line as strong as the one that the Packers have trotting out onto the field and Williams may not have nearly the same room as in the previous three games. Stopping the run might also have become the focus for Green Bay after the injury to CeeDee Lamb, which has taken away Dak Prescott's favourite target, and the Packers can win up front.
Dak Prescott can still make big plays, but it would be all the tougher from third and long and with Micah Parsons breathing down his neck.
Without CeeDee Lamb, Prescott will need players like Jake Ferguson to step up, but throwing against this Green Bay Secondary will be difficult all day and it could be a tough night in the office for the Quarter Back and the Offensive unit.
The Packers have also had some early struggles running the ball and Josh Jacobs is a little banged up, but there should be more opportunities in this game. Handing the ball off to Jacobs and looking to remain in front of the chains is important for the Packers, but it should be possible to do that and make life a little more comfortable for Jordan Love at Quarter Back.
Kenny Clark was part of the Micah Parsons trade and will be looking to help his new team clamp down on the run, but the road team should have enough successes to keep the Quarter Back in a strong position.
Jordan Love will also be without a key Receiver, but he should have some time in the pocket when he drops back to throw and this Cowboys Secondary have struggled against the pass through the first three weeks of the season. The ball is spread around by Love and he should be able to find open Receivers, which should put the Packers in a spot to win and cover on the road.
Dallas will not have forgotten the Playoff beating here at the end of the 2023 season, but they have lost five in a row and a late Sack from Micah Parsons could put the final touches on this one.
MY PICKS: Minnesota Vikings - 2.5 Points @ 1.83 Sky Bet (1 Unit)
Los Angeles Chargers - 6 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Philadelphia Eagles - 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Los Angeles Rams - 3.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Green Bay Packers - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Week 3: 5-3, + 1.56 Units (8 Units Staked, + 19.50% Yield)
Week 2: 3-2, + 0.67 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.40% Yield)
Week 1: 0-2, - 2 Units (2 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)
No comments:
Post a Comment