Free NFL Picks For Today 9/12/2021
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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Jaguars at Texans—NFL pick is Houston Texans +3.5. Veteran Tyrod Taylor gets the start under center. He has ten years in the league and 47 starts. Defense must improve for the Texans to get near .500. But they did have a good passing attack and shown ability to get points on the board. Trevor Lawrence makes his debut for the Jaguars. Jacksonville a 1-15 team last year that lost their final fifteen games. Houston managed to beat the Jaguars twice last season. Jaguars defense surrendered 30 points per game last year sitting 31st in the league. Their offense produced just 19 per contest. Opponents completed 69% of their throws on the Jaguars. Urban Meyer makes his debut has head coach and not only does he have to get familiar with his Jaguars team but the entire league including this week’s opponent. Taylor can make plays with his feet but will Meyer want his prize rookie to get open field hits? Jaguars lost Travis Etienne to injury. Prefer the experience of Taylor here at home. Play Houston +3.5.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Steelers at Bills—NFL free pick is Pittsburgh Steelers +6.5. Pittsburgh made a good defense even better with the signing of T.J. Watt. Ben Roethlisberger in Week 1 hasn’t taken a hit in over nine months so his body should feel better. He has talented playmakers and a rookie running back in Najee Harris. Buffalo defending AFC East champions. Good offensive team but their weakness was defending the run as they surrendered 4.6 yards per rush. Steelers offensive line is coached up here to help their rookie running back the team could greater success downfield in the passing game. With all summer to prepare for Buffalo and preserve the health or Roethlisberger, would rather take the points here as Steelers attempt to improve their run game. Banged up for the Bills is wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders with a foot injury. He is the number two receiver for Buffalo. Play Pittsburgh +6.5.
New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Jets at Panthers—Free pick Free pick is New York Jets +4. New York added quality to their offensive line to protect first round draft pick Zach Wilson at quarterback. Jets were decimated with injuries on defense and return a quality front seven that can stop the run. Carolina is going with Sam Darnold at quarterback Darnold was 13-25 as starter for the Jets. There are some question marks with the Carolina wide receiver corps. Panthers were a 5-11 team last year that lost nine of eleven to close the season. Panthers were bad defensively getting off the field on third down in 2020 and struggled to stop the run allowing 4.7 yards per rush. Tevin Coleman in the Jets backfield did run for 4.8 yards per carry in 2018. Play Jets +4.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Cardinals at Titans—NFL pick is Tennessee Titans -3. Like the running game for the Titans behind running back Derrick Henry. Arizona struggled with run defense last year surrendering 4.6 yards per attempt ranking 25th in the league. Arizona signing of JJ Watt is a head scratcher as an edge rusher. He did not seem to have much left in his final injury plagued seasons with Arizona. Julio Jones was a weapon in the passing game added by the Titans to aid Ryan Tannehill. Titans were the fourth ranked scoring offense in the NFL putting up 30.7 points per game. Have questions about the Cardinals defense. Play Tennessee -3.
LA Chargers vs. Washington Football Team Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Chargers at Football Team—NFL free pick is LA Chargers and Washington Football Team to play under the total of 44.5 points. These teams are built strong defensively and are coached by former defensive coordinators. Football Team head coach Ron Rivera built strong defenses in Carolina and has a strong front seven and pass rush. LA Chargers signed former Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. LAC starts the season healthy on defense with Joey Bosa and Kenneth Murray Jr. Safety Derwin James got hurt last year and played in only five games. Play LA Chargers and Washington Football Team under 44.5.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Vikings at Bengals—Free pick is Minnesota Vikings -3. I don’t like to bet on NFL quarterbacks in their first few games back from serious knee injuries. You always have to worry about a drop in arm strength and with smaller windows in the NFL that can lead to turnovers and more incomplete passes. Bengals offensive line did a horrible job in pass protection. Third year head coach Zac Taylor defenses have not been good in his tenure. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was unhappy with the play of his defense last year. He has a good track record of solid play defensively. COVID could have impacted their play defensively. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has put up good numbers in the regular season and has a capable running back in Dalvin Cook. This was a running game that generated 4.9 yards per rush. Bengals allowed 5.1 per rush a season ago. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has shown no ability yet to improve a defense. Play Minnesota -3.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
49ers at Lions—NFL pick is San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions to play under the total of 46 points. San Francisco built a strong defense, but they were hit very hard with injuries. Back healthy are defensive ends Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. Healthy is the 49ers offensive line and running back positions which greatly aids Jimmy Garoppolo in the passing game. Detroit switches from Matthew Stafford to Jared Goff. The former Ram didn’t live up to expectations in Los Angeles as he struggled in the pocket. Goff doesn’t handle pressure well and the 49ers know that. Detroit will have trouble scoring. 49ers build lead and drain clock with run and short passes to preserve victory. Play San Francisco and Detroit under 46.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Eagles at Falcons—NFL free pick is Philadelphia Eagles +3.5. Tough to lay over a field goal on a Falcons team coming off a four win season. They shipped away Julio Jones to Tennessee. Falcons were one dimensional as their run game was near the bottom of the league at 3.7 per attempt. In recent seasons the Eagles have been decimated by injuries to their wide receiver. Jalen Hurts is the starter and it is his job to lose. Expect Hurts to take advantage of this opportunity with a somewhat normal spring and training camp. Hurts has rookie receiver DeVonta Smith as one of his targets in the passing game. Better health for offensive line and receiving corps coming out of training camp. Hurts also adds a run dimension to the offense. Play Philadelphia +3.5.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Seahawks at Colts—Free pick is Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts to play over the total of 49 points. AFC vs. NFC matchup as these teams meet only once every four years so opposing defenses not familiar with either team. Seattle has a clean injury report so that means playmakers and healthy offensive lineman for quarterback Russell Wilson. There was some drama with Wilson and Seattle management in the offseason but that been calmed. Issue is Seahawks run the ball more than Wilson likes and needed help on the offensive line. Seahawks averaged 31 points or greater in seven of their first eight games. The defensive numbers were bad, so Seattle got away from high scoring. Look for the Seahawks to throw more to satisfy Wilson. Can’t hide the fact that that Seahawks are not good defensively as evidenced with their 31st ranking in pass defense. Carson Wentz is healthy and so are his playmakers and offensive lineman for the Colts. TY Hilton is back healthy at wide receiver and so is running back Marlon Mack giving Indianapolis a solid 1-2 punch with Jonathan Taylor. Shane Waldron former passing coordinator for the Rams is the new offensive coordinator for the Seahawks. Play Seattle and Indianapolis over 49.
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Dolphins at Patriots—NFL pick is New England Patriots -3. Last time the Dolphins were on the field they were blown out 56-26 to Buffalo in the playoffs. Tua Tagovailoa was mistake prone last season and hit the bench for Ryan Fitzpatrick. They were near the bottom of the league on third down and ran for only 3.9 yards per rush. Mac Jones debuts at starting quarterback for New England. It was a good free agent period for Bill Belichick as he improved the offense and defense. Running back Damien Harris averaged 5 yards per carry a season ago which gives the Patriots a run threat for their rookie quarterback. Mac Jones will improve on the 30th ranked pass offense for the Patriots. Play New England -3.
Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Browns at Chiefs—NFL free pick is Cleveland Browns +5.5. The teams met in the playoffs with the Browns competitive in a five point defeat. Cleveland won seven of nine prior to their AFC Divisional playoff loss to the Chiefs. Browns have a good offensive line and had a good offseason to address defensive concerns during the draft and free agency. Kansas City has revamped their offensive line and that always takes time to develop chemistry. Also, there is Super Bowl tape on the Chiefs in their loss to the Buccaneers. Play Cleveland +5.5.
Denver Broncos vs. New York Giants Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Broncos at Giants—Free pick is Denver Broncos -3. Teddy Bridgewater has won the starting quarterback job over Drew Lock. Von Miller and Chubb back healthy for the Broncos on a defense that also got improvement from the draft as well as free agency. New York was the 31st ranked offense under Daniel Jones at quarterback. Saquon Barkley comes off an ACL injury and just cleared to play. Bridgewater with talent around him was productive when he filled in for Drew Brees in New Orleans. Play Denver -3.
Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Packers at Saints—NFL pick is Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints to play over the total of 49.5 points. This game played on an neutral site in Jacksonville moved from New Orleans. Game will be played in heat and humidity in Florida so expect points to be put up in the second half with defenses tiring. Packers were the highest scoring team in the NFL putting up 32 points per game. They averaged 40 points per game in their first three last season. Week one so healthy line and playmakers. Jameis Winston wins the starting job following Drew Brees retirement. Taysom Hill will find a way to contribute. Don’t see much changing play calling wise as Sean Payton likes the to throw the football. His Saints team in 2020 put up 30 points a game. Saints have a strong running game and offensive line to aid Winston in play action. Play Green Bay and New Orleans over 49.5.
Chicago Bears vs. LA Rams Pick Prediction 9/12/2021
Bears at Rams—NFL Free pick is LA Rams -7.5. Andy Dalton to get the start for Chicago in their opener as rookie Justin Fields will have to learn from the sidelines. Rams were the top defense in the league giving up the least amount of points and yards. They do have a good pass rush and Andy Dalton has been mistake prone in his career when dealing with pressure. Matthew Stafford gives LAR a veteran presence under center and a coach in Sean McVie that can help him out with solid play calling. Bears lost eight of eleven to close out their season. This was a team last in the NFL in third down conversions and near the bottom at 6 yards per pass attempt. Rams have fans in their new stadium so crowd noise will be factor facing Andy Dalton and the Bears offensive line. Play LA Rams -7.5.