4* BEST BET
*Tampa Bay over Kansas City by 17
The Chiefs do not hold fond memories of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium,
scene of their, 31-9, loss to the Buccaneers in the 2021 Super Bowl. Now the
teams are scheduled to meet there again – weather permitting. The Buccaneers’
defense remains dominant holding the Cowboys with Dak Prescott to a field
goal, limiting the Saints to 10 points and Packers to 14 points. Green Bay couldn’t
score during its last nine possessions. The Chiefs have allowed 20 or more points
during each of their last eight games. Both teams are off defeats. The Chiefs fell
to winless Indianapolis. Kicking was a problem. It will stay a problem if Harrison
Butker remains out. Matt Amendola missed an extra point and 34-yard field goal
in the fourth quarter, which contributed to Kansas City’s loss. Patrick Mahomes
has a number of receiving and running back options. But he doesn’t have a super-
star weapon with Tyreek Hill gone. The Buccaneers are No. 1 in scoring defense,
have the most takeaways and are fourth in total defense. The Bucs held the Chiefs
to three Butker field goals – two of which were long kicks – in their Super Bowl
victory. Most of those same defenders remain with the Bucs, along with defen-
sive guru Todd Bowles, now their head coach. Tom Brady led the NFL in passing
yards, completions and touchdown throws last season. Brady has yet to get going
because of a cluster injury problem to the Bucs’ offensive line and wide receiver
corps. The Buccaneers are getting healthier in those areas. Mike Evans, Brady’s
top target, comes off suspension. The Buccaneers are 7-2 ATS following a loss
since Brady came on board in 2020. TAMPA BAY 31-14.
3* BEST BET
*Las Vegas over Denver by 18
Off to their worst start in five years, the Raiders are the only team in the NFL
without a win or tie. Are the Raiders this bad? No. Las Vegas has outplayed each
of its opponents for at least one half. Those opponents were the Chargers, Car-
dinals and Titans – all playoff teams from last season. Las Vegas blew a 16-point
fourth quarter lead against the Cardinals before losing in overtime. Arizona
forced overtime by scoring on the final play of regulation and then converting a
two-point conversion. After this game, the Raiders face the Chiefs on the road,
a likely loss. So this is a must-win spot for Las Vegas. The Raiders are overdue to
play up to their potential. Derek Carr has two elite receiving weapons, Davante
Adams and Darren Waller. The Raiders’ offensive line, featuring three new start-
ers, is beginning to show promise. Maxx Crosby provides a strong pass rush. The
Broncos haven’t scored more than 16 points in a game despite operating against
two weak opponents, the Seahawks and Texans. The Broncos managed to nip the
49ers this past Sunday night despite having eight more 3-and-outs than San Fran-
cisco. Instead of let Russ cook, Russell Wilson looks cooked. Wilson hasn’t even
been cooking at the local greasy spoon diner. Except for one late drive against
the 49ers, Denver’s offense has been painful to watch. Broncos first-year head
coach Nathaniel Hackett has been so overmatched, the Broncos hired a retired
assistant coach to help him make on-field decisions. The Raiders have owned the
Broncos, beating and covering against them during six of the last seven meetings.
LAS VEGAS 31-13.
*Tampa Bay over Kansas City by 17
The Chiefs do not hold fond memories of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium,
scene of their, 31-9, loss to the Buccaneers in the 2021 Super Bowl. Now the
teams are scheduled to meet there again – weather permitting. The Buccaneers’
defense remains dominant holding the Cowboys with Dak Prescott to a field
goal, limiting the Saints to 10 points and Packers to 14 points. Green Bay couldn’t
score during its last nine possessions. The Chiefs have allowed 20 or more points
during each of their last eight games. Both teams are off defeats. The Chiefs fell
to winless Indianapolis. Kicking was a problem. It will stay a problem if Harrison
Butker remains out. Matt Amendola missed an extra point and 34-yard field goal
in the fourth quarter, which contributed to Kansas City’s loss. Patrick Mahomes
has a number of receiving and running back options. But he doesn’t have a super-
star weapon with Tyreek Hill gone. The Buccaneers are No. 1 in scoring defense,
have the most takeaways and are fourth in total defense. The Bucs held the Chiefs
to three Butker field goals – two of which were long kicks – in their Super Bowl
victory. Most of those same defenders remain with the Bucs, along with defen-
sive guru Todd Bowles, now their head coach. Tom Brady led the NFL in passing
yards, completions and touchdown throws last season. Brady has yet to get going
because of a cluster injury problem to the Bucs’ offensive line and wide receiver
corps. The Buccaneers are getting healthier in those areas. Mike Evans, Brady’s
top target, comes off suspension. The Buccaneers are 7-2 ATS following a loss
since Brady came on board in 2020. TAMPA BAY 31-14.
3* BEST BET
*Las Vegas over Denver by 18
Off to their worst start in five years, the Raiders are the only team in the NFL
without a win or tie. Are the Raiders this bad? No. Las Vegas has outplayed each
of its opponents for at least one half. Those opponents were the Chargers, Car-
dinals and Titans – all playoff teams from last season. Las Vegas blew a 16-point
fourth quarter lead against the Cardinals before losing in overtime. Arizona
forced overtime by scoring on the final play of regulation and then converting a
two-point conversion. After this game, the Raiders face the Chiefs on the road,
a likely loss. So this is a must-win spot for Las Vegas. The Raiders are overdue to
play up to their potential. Derek Carr has two elite receiving weapons, Davante
Adams and Darren Waller. The Raiders’ offensive line, featuring three new start-
ers, is beginning to show promise. Maxx Crosby provides a strong pass rush. The
Broncos haven’t scored more than 16 points in a game despite operating against
two weak opponents, the Seahawks and Texans. The Broncos managed to nip the
49ers this past Sunday night despite having eight more 3-and-outs than San Fran-
cisco. Instead of let Russ cook, Russell Wilson looks cooked. Wilson hasn’t even
been cooking at the local greasy spoon diner. Except for one late drive against
the 49ers, Denver’s offense has been painful to watch. Broncos first-year head
coach Nathaniel Hackett has been so overmatched, the Broncos hired a retired
assistant coach to help him make on-field decisions. The Raiders have owned the
Broncos, beating and covering against them during six of the last seven meetings.
LAS VEGAS 31-13.