ERIC SCHROEDER
I haven't read one story, preview, prediction, analysis - anything - that believes the Kansas City Chiefs can beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. That tells me the Chiefs are the right side of this game.
I liked the Chiefs when I first saw this line, but once seeing EVERYONE on the Steelers, I was even more excited about playing the road underdog.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice after skipping two workouts due to a right elbow injury, but his status for the home opener is uncertain. He is questionable, and if he plays, he plays. He still won't be 100 percent, and I still can't erase the memory of last week's tie against the Cleveland Browns.
And if he can't go, the Steelers will turn to backup Josh Dobbs.
On top of that, guard David DeCastro and cornerback Joe Haden are doubtful to play in this one, making things even tougher on a Steelers team that struggled in Week 1.
Look for Kansas City all-purpose threat Tyreek Hill to follow up last week's impressive display, when he piled up 269 total yards in Los Angeles, by lighting up the Steelers in this one.
Take the Chiefs.
3* CHIEFS
I haven't read one story, preview, prediction, analysis - anything - that believes the Kansas City Chiefs can beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. That tells me the Chiefs are the right side of this game.
I liked the Chiefs when I first saw this line, but once seeing EVERYONE on the Steelers, I was even more excited about playing the road underdog.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice after skipping two workouts due to a right elbow injury, but his status for the home opener is uncertain. He is questionable, and if he plays, he plays. He still won't be 100 percent, and I still can't erase the memory of last week's tie against the Cleveland Browns.
And if he can't go, the Steelers will turn to backup Josh Dobbs.
On top of that, guard David DeCastro and cornerback Joe Haden are doubtful to play in this one, making things even tougher on a Steelers team that struggled in Week 1.
Look for Kansas City all-purpose threat Tyreek Hill to follow up last week's impressive display, when he piled up 269 total yards in Los Angeles, by lighting up the Steelers in this one.
Take the Chiefs.
3* CHIEFS
JACK BRAYMAN
A tie is a win, and since the Cleveland Browns tied the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, I think there will be enough momentum and confidence when they visit the New Orleans Saints today. Oh and by the way, the Browns have won the past two meetings in 2010 and 2014. But I won't mess around with the side, knowing how mad the Saints have to be after getting thumped by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Instead, it's the Under that is the play.
Cleveland's defense produce six Steelers turnovers last weekend. The Browns now face Drew Brees and the high-octane offense of the Saints. The fact these guys play with a lot of intensity, and run around the secondary ball hawking makes this a dangerous game for the Saints. Brees can't take as many chances unless he knows his receivers are breaking free from defenders. But even then the ball isn't safe. The Browns do a good job from every angle.
Meanwhile, New Orleans' defense will have to improve on the more than 500 yards it allowed to the Bucs in Week 1. Against the Browns' paltry defense, I don't see this being a problem. Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor struggled against the Saints last year while playing for Buffalo, passing for a mere 56 yards and was intercepted before being removed from the contest.
Last week, Taylor's Browns debut was ugly, as he went 15 for 40 passing. And the pressure has to be mounting with 2018 top draft choice Baker Mayfield waiting in the wings.
I'll play the Under, as I think both defensive units step up.
4* UNDER Browns-Saints
A tie is a win, and since the Cleveland Browns tied the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, I think there will be enough momentum and confidence when they visit the New Orleans Saints today. Oh and by the way, the Browns have won the past two meetings in 2010 and 2014. But I won't mess around with the side, knowing how mad the Saints have to be after getting thumped by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Instead, it's the Under that is the play.
Cleveland's defense produce six Steelers turnovers last weekend. The Browns now face Drew Brees and the high-octane offense of the Saints. The fact these guys play with a lot of intensity, and run around the secondary ball hawking makes this a dangerous game for the Saints. Brees can't take as many chances unless he knows his receivers are breaking free from defenders. But even then the ball isn't safe. The Browns do a good job from every angle.
Meanwhile, New Orleans' defense will have to improve on the more than 500 yards it allowed to the Bucs in Week 1. Against the Browns' paltry defense, I don't see this being a problem. Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor struggled against the Saints last year while playing for Buffalo, passing for a mere 56 yards and was intercepted before being removed from the contest.
Last week, Taylor's Browns debut was ugly, as he went 15 for 40 passing. And the pressure has to be mounting with 2018 top draft choice Baker Mayfield waiting in the wings.
I'll play the Under, as I think both defensive units step up.
4* UNDER Browns-Saints
FRANK SAWYER
NFL | Sep 16, 2018
Browns vs. Saints
Saints-9½
Take the New Orleans Saints minus the points versus the Cleveland Browns. New Orleans (0-1) looks to bounce-back from a 48-40 upset loss at home to Tampa Bay last week as 10-point favorites last Sunday. The Saints have rebounded to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 12 games after allowing at least 30 points in their last game. New Orleans has also covered the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games against teams with a losing record. Cleveland (0-0-1) comes off their 21-21 tie with Pittsburgh at home last week as a 3.5-point underdog. The Browns surrendered 335 passing yards to the Steelers in that game — and they are just 5-20-1 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing at least 250 yards in their last game. Cleveland is also just 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games on the road. Take New Orleans minus the points. Best of luck — Frank.
NFL | Sep 16, 2018
Browns vs. Saints
Saints-9½
Take the New Orleans Saints minus the points versus the Cleveland Browns. New Orleans (0-1) looks to bounce-back from a 48-40 upset loss at home to Tampa Bay last week as 10-point favorites last Sunday. The Saints have rebounded to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 12 games after allowing at least 30 points in their last game. New Orleans has also covered the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games against teams with a losing record. Cleveland (0-0-1) comes off their 21-21 tie with Pittsburgh at home last week as a 3.5-point underdog. The Browns surrendered 335 passing yards to the Steelers in that game — and they are just 5-20-1 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing at least 250 yards in their last game. Cleveland is also just 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games on the road. Take New Orleans minus the points. Best of luck — Frank.
