ironcladlocks

You know Philly didn't look as bad against the Cowboys on MNF as the score (and media) might have indicated. There were 2-3 plays that really made that game look like a blowout. The Eagles Jalen Hurts looked good at times last week and Philly has a legit receiving corp, but the issue for Philly bettors today is the Eagles are banged up on both the O-line and D-line.

Patrick Mahomes and Co. are pissed and looking to make a statement today, but we can't forget that the Chiefs defense has been very suspect this season and I think Philly will score against KC.

Contrarian pick but I like Philly to make this a game here today and do just enough to get the cover.

Chiefs 30, Eagles 24

The big news here is that Tampa will be w/o Antonio Brown today after he tested positive for COVID and possibly w/o Jason Pierre-Paul (hand/shoulder) who didn't practice this week. But Tampa Bay are riding a 10-game winning streak with an average margin of victory of 15.3 points. I think these two NFC powerhouses give us an early look at a potential conference title game here in Week 3, but even without AB I'm not ready to jump off the Tom Brady bandwagon just yet. It's a homer pick but I'm taking Tampa Bay here but treading lightly.

Terrible game for Utah bettors. :(

I'm losing confidence in Iowa. SMH

With Eagles loss to 49ers, every NFC East team has now lost.

Win vs. Chargers would bring Cowboys back into a tie atop division.

New England has their backs against the wall following another tough loss to Miami, and I expect Belichick and Co. to unload on a New York Jets team quarterbacked by rookie No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson on Sunday.

Also the Jets just lost their best offensive lineman in Mekhi Becton last Sunday. And sure the Dolphins got the win over the Patriots last week, but the Pats outgained Miami 393-259 as penalties (8 for 84 yards) and turnovers (two) plagued New England. Don't expect a Belichick team to play that sloppy 2 weeks in a row and Zach Wilson proves today why he's QB1 in New England.

It is neither easy nor common to drop four spots in the AP rankings after a win, but that's how unimpressive Notre Dame looked while needing to erase not one but two fourth-quarter deficits at home against Toledo. And it certainly doesn't help the Irish's case that the team they beat in overtime in Week 1 (Florida State) lost to Jacksonville State this week.

Big plays have been a big problem for the Notre Dame defense. The Irish have already allowed four plays (two rushes, two passes) that went for at least 60 yards, putting them in a tie with Arkansas State for worst in the nation. Now they face a Purdue team that has one of the best wide receivers in the nation in David Bell, as well as a defense that held its first two opponents (Oregon State and Connecticut) without a passing touchdown.

Maybe I'm being too linear but everything points to Purdue here and I'm putting Notre Dame on upset alert.

Prediction: Purdue 35, Notre Dame 27

Fresno State is looking like a team that could make a run at the Group of Five's spot in the New Year's Six bowls. The Bulldogs held a fourth quarter lead at Oregon before letting that major upset slip away, and they won their other games against Connecticut and Cal Poly by a combined score of 108-10. Quarterback Jake Haener has gotten out to an excellent start, already boasting more than 1,000 passing yards and 11 total touchdowns. And even in the loss to Oregon, the Bulldogs displayed solid defense.

UCLA is good this year and the Bruins should get the job done at home, though. The backfield tandem of Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown has thrived early, and you just know Dorian Thompson-Robinson is going to make a couple of huge plays on any given night.

I predict this game is a grudge match and comes right down to the wire. I've got to take the 11 points here as double digits feels like too many based on how Fresno St looked against Oregon.

Prediction: UCLA 38, Fresno State 31

It took 25 minutes for UAB to get on the scoreboard in its 31-0 victory over Jacksonville State, and the Blazers may well go the full 60 minutes without reaching paydirt against Georgia's elite defense. Even against the Tigers and even without most of his top receiving threats, no one expected to see JT Daniels struggle that mightily. Things should go much better this weekend for what was one of the top preseason Heisman candidates. At any rate, there will be a lot of people legitimately concerned about the Bulldogs offense if that don't light it up against UAB.

Prediction: This is a homer pick but taking Georgia and that nasty Bulldog defense. I don't see UAB scoring more than 7 points in this game. Georgia wins a 37-6.

Laying the points with the Bills. I think this Steelers team has been turning down for last 3-4 years and it's going to crescendo this year. I think a 6 win season is in store for the Steelers. Najee Harris will provide some spark but 1 player isn't saving this team. Plus Big Ben is used up. Buffalo gets right back to last season's winning ways.

The Irish had an 18 point lead on Florida State last weekend but they just didn't keep their foot on the gas. I don't think Brian Kelly's going to let that happen a second week in a row especially at home. The Irish are going to show out for this one. The defense is going to step it up. How could you not after your coach says he wants to execute you? Toledo's going to be great in the MAC this year.. this just isn't the MAC

I don't have anything to copy and paste like the guys under me, but I saw wind is blowing out on a warm day at Wrigley field. 51% of Giants runs come via the Home Run. Both team home run total Over 2.5 is sitting at Even[+100]. I would like to bet on the Giants going 3-0 in Bullpen games this year, but this scrappy Cubs team could pull something out of their Bear Cave and pull a W. My prop bet here is over 2.5 total dingers, Good Luck!

UNLV is coming off a home loss against the Eastern Washington 35-33 in a double-overtime game. Sophomore quarterback Doug Brumfield struggled in this game as he went 5-of-12 for 117 yards with an interception. The Sun Devils are coming off a 41-14 win against the Southern Utah and junior quarterback Jayden Daniels went 10-of-12 for 132 yards without a touchdown or an interception.

Look for the Rebels to stick to their ground game behind senior running back Charles Williams. He played his first game of the season and was solid as he had 27 carries for 172 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns while having a nine-yard reception mixed in there. The biggest concern for UNLV bettors is the Rebels sieve of a defense. The UNLV allowed 35 points to a pretty bad Eastern Washington offense, so it begs the question how they will hold up against a Top 25 ranked team.

Prediction: UNLV will keep this game on the ground behind RB Doug Brumfield to burn clock and limit ASU offensive possessions. This certainly isn’t a game the Rebels will win, but I’ve got to take the 34 points here as I do think UNLV will score 20 or so points and keep this one closer than expected. Final score prediction, UNLV 21 - ASU 48

Stanford Steve’s Pick:

Kansas State vs Stanford under 53

Not a ton of value here at the prices, but rolling with Webb here and at -170 my hand is forced to go ML.

Montas just held the Giants and Yankees scoreless but he's coming in here on only 4 days rest. Manning just threw a dandy against Toronto and I think Detroit could surprise in a low scoring game.

Cleveland brown win tonight ! If u dont bet it i dont know what ur doing

Miami really stretched their legs last week against a struggling Falcons team, racking up 422 total yards and 28 first downs. The Bengals gave up 336 yards to the Team last week and were trailing in most stat categories. Cincinnati had just 214 total yards, 13 first downs and a 25:31 time of possession. Sure it's preseason, but Miami just looks like the better team at all levels.

We’ve got two “top of the rotation” guys on the mound tonight so scoring should be a premium. Manoah got drilled in his last start giving up 6 runs in only 3 innings before getting the hook. Manoah has been better at home but I’m not betting against Lance Lynn in this spot- Lynn has the lowest ERA for any starter in the AL.

The Rangers have only averaged 3.5 runs per game over the same stretch. Nathan Eovaldi is going to lock down this Texas offense. Sox win a 7-2 type of game in a route.

Peralta has allowed five or more runs in each of his last three road starts. Jin Ryu has allowed 11 runs in his last ten innings and will be facing a Tigers lineup that ranks fourth in the league in hitting against lefties. This pitching matchup sets up for offense and I think we see a double digit score in this game.

Tough to consider betting on this Cubs offense but this is a game they can win. Keegan Thompson will be making his second start of the year and he is an impressive 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA in 21 innings at home. On the other side, KC's Kris Bubic has allowed 11 runs and 5 home runs in his last 12 innings. Even the Cubs anemic offense should be able to find success today.

Everything about this matchups screams take Toronto but I’m taking a flyer on Washington and the big plus money. Sure Josiah Gray has given up a home run in each game he has started, but overall Gray has been a serviceable starter, going 5-6 innings in each start and only allowing 5 runs over 16 innings of work. Berrios was rocked in his last start against the Angels giving up 6 runs before getting the hook in the 4th inning. I think this game is lower scoring than expected and Washington has a solid chance at the update.

Nick Pivetta went six innings, allowed three hits, one earned run, and struck out eight in Friday’s win over Baltimore. Pivetta has been one of the better Red Sox starters here in 2021. While he is prone to the occasional blow-up start, his strikeout numbers make him a sneaky good streamer in plus matchups.

Andrew Heaney allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks in five innings against the White Sox on Thursday. He had five strikeouts and did not factor into the decision. Heaney is 7-8 on the season with a 5.78 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 131 strikeouts over 109 innings of work. The 30-year-old lefty is tentatively scheduled for a home start against Boston next week

Pick: Following the trends you’ve got to love Pivetta and the Red Sox here getting even money. Pivetta (4.20 ERA) has given up 1 run in last 2 starts over 12 IP. Heaney (5.78 ERA) has given up 11 runs in last 2 starts across 11 IP. Getting the better starter and the better offense here at even money…sign me up.

If you build it, they will come..

This is going to be a fun game tonight. Some people say it's just a little too.. Corny. 🌽

The wind is blowing out today. Kevin Millar, said he expects both teams to have double digit scores. I dont know if I could take it that far though. Lance Lynn is coming in with an extra day of rest. Sox haven't been able to get the RBI the last two games, going 0-7 with runners in scoring position, but the 4 games before that they had a combined 32 runs scored. So we know the Sox can hit the ball. Andrew Heaney has a high fly ball rate and with the wind blowing out I can see a high sox score. Yanks have been wishy washy and can't be trusted, especially with so many of their key players out due to Covid-19 protocol. Either way it's gonna be a fun game!

White Sox Total Score over 5[-115]

White Sox Total Score over 5.5[+115]

I'm thinking this will look like a pitchers duel, good luck!

I just can't picture a scenario where this series doesn't go 7 games. James Harden was nothing more than a decoy playing on a bum hamstring and Jeff Green isn’t going to shoot 7-of-8 from three again and KD isn't going to go for 50 points again.

Phoenix took care of business in the first round against Los Angeles, but the thought is still out there of how would the Lakers have fared with a healthy squad. The Nuggets have won three of their last four playoff series and even without Murray, Jokic has shown he's unstoppable and the role players have stepped up.

Score Prediction: NUGGETS 111, SUNS 107