The Packers will be looking to keep their 100% start to the season going while Tampa Bay will be aiming to find some consistency in what has been a Jekyll & Hyde season for them to this point.

Betpack Betting:

Money line: ​​Packers​20/23​​Buccaneers​​19/20
Points Spread: ​Packers –1​
Over/Under:​​55.5

The bookies are rightly taking a cautious approach with their odds. This is one of those rare occasions that you could see reasons for either team winning comfortably. The Packers offense could come out and tear the Buccaneers to shreds but if they don’t, don’t expect their defense to be able to keep them in it against a seriously talented Bucs offense. Consider any money you put on this as high risk.

Fantasy Football Outlook:

Green Bay Packers:
A lot was made of the Packers decision to turn down the chance to grab one of the many talented receivers in the 2020 draft, instead taking the heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love. Well Rodgers has responded in true Aaron Rodgers fashion, by reminding everyone what he is capable of. He has been in blistering form and with Davante Adams back is a good bet to keep that going, even against a very solid Buccaneer secondary.
Alongside Rodgers in the Packers backfield, Aaron Jones has solidified himself as a major fantasy player. He currently sits at 4th in the RB rankings and will surely be fancying his chances of keeping that form going, particularly with monster DT Vita Vea landing on IR for the Buccaneers.

The previously mentioned Devante Adams is one of the best receivers in the league and is another must-start if you have him. Marquez Valdez-Scantling has been known to have some good fantasy outings but is far from a cert. The intriguing option is the TE Robert Tonyan who had a monster day in the week 4 win over Atlanta and is still available in over 25% of NFL.com leagues. If you need a TE to plug in, he’s worth a gamble.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The Buccaneers actually come into this game with the 3rdranked fantasy defense and are still fairly widely available to pick up. They’ll have a tough task keeping a rampant Packers offense in check this week, so buyers beware.
Receiver duo Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are the headliners of the Buccaneers fantasy options. Both have been dealing with injury issues so far but they’re in line to play vs the Packers and are more than capable of putting up good numbers.
Rob Gronkowski’s return to the NFL after a year of retirement raised a lot of eyebrows but has so far been a disappointment for those fantasy owners who bought in. Brady has been looking to get him more involved as the season progresses but don’t expect a huge output from the ex-Patriot.

Tom Brady’s measured, efficient playing style hasn’t always translated will to the fantasy format and he has been a bit hit and miss again so far this season. The Packers defense is there to be got at though and if this turns into a shootout, Brady has the capability and weapons around him to have a big day. Likewise, running back Ronald Jones has been hard to really rely on and while his yardage hasn’t been bad in most games, the lack of touchdowns has limited his output. Leonard Fournette may be back in the fold this week too so only start Jones if you have to.

My Prediction:

The Buccaneers hot and cold form combined with the Packers’ outstanding offense but pretty suspect defense makes this a fairly tough one to call. Right now, I have more faith in the Rodgers/Jones/Adams trinity having too much for Tampa Bay than the Buccaneers being able to hang with them, but I’m far from confident in that. I’ll say the Packers by 6 but this really could go any way.

Packers by 6.

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Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Cleveland Browns take their 4-game win streak to Heinz Field this week to take on the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers in what could be an explosive match up. There is no love lost between these teams at the best of times, but tensions will be even higher than usual going into this game with memories of the clash between them last year which involved the infamous incident between Steelers QB Mason Rudolph and Browns star Defensive Lineman Myles Garrett where Garrett ended up swinging Rudolph’s own helmet at his head. Both teams have been in excellent form thus far and should be confident of taking an important W and stay hot on the heels of the Baltimore at the top of the AFC North.

Betpat Betting:
Money line: ​​Browns​​6/4​​Steelers​​8/15

Points Spread: ​Steelers –3.5​
Over/Under:​​50.5

With so many unknowns before decisions are made on who plays for Cleveland, it’s tough to call how it will go. No Mayfield, Landry, Beckham would surely see that points spread shoot up. But if they all play, and Ogunjobi and Vernon who are listed as questionable too, this could go down to the wire. Austin Hooper, who I’m a big fan of, is good value for1st TD at 13/1.

Fantasy Football Outlook:

Cleveland Browns

The Browns will once again be without the services of Running Back Nick Chubb, who was instrumental in the Browns being the no.1 ranked team in the NFL in Rushing Yards per game. His deputy, Kareem Hunt did a solid job taking on that mantle last week, although was limited to 3.6 yards a carry and faces a suffocating Steelers Defensive frontthat rank 2nd in rushing yards allowed per game. He does offer a threat in the passing game too so could still be a solid contributor.

The big issue here is the Browns injury report which as of now includes the names of Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry and Quarterback Baker Mayfield as questionable. Landry took a painful looking shot to the hip last week and Beckham has been absent from practice due to illness, though has been cleared in a Covid test. Mayfield has been limited in training with a chest injury but the talk coming out of Cleveland is positive on his chances of playing.
If none of those are available, it’s a huge opportunity for the support cast to step up, especially Tight Ends Austin Hooper and David Njoku. If you have either of these in your squad, it’s worth keeping an eye on the status of Landry, OBJ and in particular Mayfield.

Pittsburgh Steelers:

The Steelers will be looking to take advantage of a shaky looking Cleveland pass defense that has given up the 4th most passing yards per game in the league. And with rookie Chase Claypool and Juju Smith-Schuster supplying veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger with ample weapons on the outside, fantasy points could be there to be had. Be wary of including RB James Conner against a run defense that sits 4th in yards allowed/game and 2nd in forced fumbles.

My Prediction:

Again, hard to predict this game without knowing the injury status of key members of the Browns line-up. We know Chubb is out, and that in itself is a hammer blow. But if theylose some, or all, of the others, it’s hard to see them staying in this game for long. But if they are all fit and ready to play, this could be a hell of a game. At full strength, I’m leaning towards a narrow Browns win

Browns by 2

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NFL MVP Race: Wilson, Rodgers showing there’s life in the old dogs

Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs – Preview, Fantasy Advice & Prediction

Preview

Indianapolis has recovered well after suffering a shock defeat to Jacksonville on an opening day and is on a 3-game winning streak. Their success is built largely on a water-tight defense which leads the league in points per game and yards allowed per game. That defense faces a tough test as Cleveland brings a high-powered offense which is finally showing signs of clicking under new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. They also have the best turnover ratio in the NFL at the quarter stage of the season. Can the Browns continue to establish a dominant run game in the absence of Nick Chubb? Or will the Colts suffocating defense be too much to overcome for Baker Mayfield & co.?   

Betpat NFL Betting:
Money line: Colts 10/11 Browns 10/11
Points Spread: Browns  -1
Over/Under: 49

I think this will be a low scoring game. The under 49 is a decent bet. The Halftime/Fulltime are both 7/1 for one team to be leading at HT and lose, and I really like that one.

Fantasy Football:

Colts:
The Colts defense is the top ranked defense in fantasy and is still available in 14% of NFL.com leagues. Running Back Jonathan Taylor has the talent and the opportunity to establish himself as a big-time fantasy back with Marlon Mack sidelined for the season. Tight End Mo-Allie Cox burst on the scene against the Minnesota Vikings and is still available in the vast majority of NFL.com leagues. T.Y. Hilton is, as always, their main receiving weapon but I don’t expect huge days from him or Mr. Rivers in this game.

Browns:
Kareem Hunt’s value exploded with the injury to Nick Chubb last week. He will be running behind a formidable offensive line in a system that like to lean on the run game. He was already performing well in fantasy and could now become a monster while Chubb is out. If you’re one of the lucky ones to have him, he’s a must start. Odell Beckham had a huge day last week at the Dallas Cowboys and the big question is whether that was a one-off or the turning of the corner in his Cleveland career. They were actively looking to get him the ball in a variety of ways which is a good sign. However, this Colts defense is a very different animal to the Cowboys defense he battered last week. If you have him, you might as well start him unless you have a ridiculous receiver group.

My Prediction:

Very tight game to call. While both teams have good records, questions remain about both due to the level of opposition they have played. While a win for either won’t do much to answer those questions, a loss will no doubt give rise to a lot more doubt. I’d nearly be tempted to call a tie here; I see 2 very evenly matched teams. But there will more than likely be a winner, so I’ll lean towards the Colts. 

Colts by 2

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NFL MVP Race: Wilson, Rodgers showing there’s life in the old dogs

Indianapolis Colts @ Cleveland Browns – Preview, Fantasy Advice & Prediction
Over the past 12 months, Andy Reid’s charges have been putting anyone who has the temerity to try to stand in their way to the sword without hesitation. This week their sights are set on their AFC West rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders. Do the Raiders have enough about them to stand up to the juggernaut that is the KC Chiefs or will they fall like those before them?

Betpat NFL Betting:
Money line: Raiders 21/5 Chiefs 1/6
Points Spread: Chiefs  -11
Over/Under: 54.5

You probably need to find an outside the box bet for good value, nothing here is eye-catching. My gut feeling is this game will be closer than 11 points but I wouldn’t have enough conviction in that to put money on it. You can get 13/2 on Kelce and Ruggs to both grab a TD, which isn’t bad.

Fantasy Football:

Kansas City
As per usual, weapons galore in the Kansas City offense and pin pointing which of them will provide the big numbers is the key. By now we should all know to expect another big outing from Patrick Mahomes regardless of who they play. Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be in line for a good day as he goes up against a defense that ranks in the bottom 5 in the NFL in Rushing yards allowed per carry. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, as usual, are the most likely to put up some big numbers out of the receiving corps but Watkins and Hardman are good pick-ups if you’re in a bind and are available in your league.

Raiders

You definitely want to own Josh Jacobs for this game. Unfortunately, though not surprisingly, he is already owned in 100% of NFL.com fantasy leagues. If you are one of the lucky ones, make sure he starts. While, as I mentioned, the Raiders are in the bottom 5 in terms of yards conceded per carry, the Chiefs are one of the 4 below, coming in as the 31st ranked team. They are giving up 5.3 yards a carry and go against one of the hardest runners in the league in Jacobs. If the Raiders can find themselves ahead and in a good position to keep running the ball. Jacobs can light them up. Their passing attack will be helped is boosted by the return of Henry Ruggs, though Bryan Edwards is still out. LT Duane Brown is back to provide Carr a platform to get his receivers in play, which is vital against a potent Chiefs pass rush. Look for TE Darren Waller to be the volume target through the air for the Raiders.

My Prediction:

Saying anything other than a Kansas City win is a brave call, and I’m not going to be the one to make that shout this time. I think the Chiefs are good for another win here. I don’t think it will be a blow out but I wouldn’t be expecting a nail-biter either. 

Chiefs by 9

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