If you didn’t think the arrival of Chip Kelly would solve all of UCLA’s problems, did you think they would be this bad out of the gate? The week off might have afforded them a chance to get their act together, but it’s hard to remember such a weak Bruins’ football team, even though they’ve been stinking it up the last few seasons. Loot Levinson looks at UCLA vs Colorado and the odds Chip gets his first W.
On Sunday, we saw some bad things from the Vikings. It was one of those results that could lead us off-track if we put too much weight on it. The Bills won by 21, a staggering feat for the biggest underdog to win straight-up since 1995. With only one win Minnesota is feeling the pressure to come into form as they take on the 3-0 Rams.
Loot Levinson feels the Cowboys were underestimated before the season while almost everyone had the Seahawks ready for their fishing trip in January. Loot is betting on the Dallas Cowboys +1 beating the Seattle Seahawks. The game kicks off at 4:05 in Seattle.
The season has opened a little unevenly for a Niners team that rode Jimmy Garoppolo’s arm to a strong 2017 finish. Then again, a one-score loss at the Vikings and beating the Lions isn’t so bad for a team that hasn’t much to celebrate recently. 49er backers are getting 6.5 points versus the Chiefs, a full touchdown less than last time these two teams met.
A lot of us looked at the Rams with some restraint, as they were ballyhooed all preseason as big Super Bowl contenders. Granted, they improved drastically last season, winning their division, followed by a frenzied offseason, obtaining valued personnel. But are the Rams as good as they look? And do they look 7 points better than the chargers? We take a… look.
Last week the Raiders looked like they were about to give Gruden his first win since his Raiders reboot. They blew a third-quarter 19-7 lead with Oakland’s defense fading and the offense unable to keep pace. Denver sealed it with a FG. Miami has been better out of the block. The Dolphins came off a win over the Titans and then went on the road to beat the Jets on Sunday 20-1. Sportsbooks made the Dolphins a 3 point favorite.
Going by their records and last week’s results, you could assume there’s not a lot to separate these two teams. Their paths to this spot, however, have been very different. Oregon benefits from opening the first month of their season at home. This is the fourth of four straight games at Autzen to open 2018. And while Oregon was beating Bowling Green and Portland State, Stanford was beating a good San Diego State team and then easily downing USC. Sportsbooks have Stanford -2 here on the road. Mr. Levinson breaks down the potential play.
Washington held Utah to 7 points on Saturday showing how good their defense can be. Over the last few years, they’ve become a top defense in the world of college ball. All the DBs in the NFL who played here over the last few years show that and this year looks to follow the same pattern. Loot looks at both defenses and the sportsbook’s line to make a total pick.
Opponents have scored a combined 32 points on the Dolphins in two games, with a TD coming on special teams. DE Robert Quinn is paying off, with Akeem Spence adding beef up-front. Rookie Raekwon McMillan gives their middle a boost to go along with Kiko Alonso. They have five interceptions through two games. And corner Bobby McCain is the only one in the secondary who hasn’t picked off a pass. Is Miami luckier than good? Loot Levinson breaks down the game and offers his pick.
Central Florida has allowed just 17 points on the season. It’s hard to say what that means with the opponents being really weak. Maybe it means the opponents have been really weak? But, they started last season the same way and the offenses figured them out a bit as the year went on. Is it too early for Florida Atlantic to break this year’s D? Loot Levinson takes a look and gives his football pick.