Is Green Bay's rookie kicker worth a bet this week?

Will Baltimore shut down Tennessee's slot receiver on Sunday?

Will Denver be able to keep Christian McCaffrey in check?

Will the league's best QB shine against against his AFC East rivals?

In this Pac-12 opener, can the Cougars get back on track after a rough start to the 2026 season?

Do you really want to pick against Drew Rasmussen here? I don't! The Rays have won each of Rasmussen's last 12 starts since the All-Star Break! 12! In three of his four starts against the Yankees this season, the Rays starter has pitched at least six innings and given up one run or less. Gerrit Cole has been good against Tampa Bay with a 2.50 ERA this season but I feel more comfortable playing the hot hand of Rasmussen against his AL East rivals in Game 1.

We have a Sun Belt battle between Georgia State, who is 4-0 against the spread, and Old Dominion who is 0-4 against the number this season. The difference in the teams' offenses is clear: Georgia State is #1 in the Sun Belt in yards per game (468.3) and 2nd in points per game (38.8). Meanwhile, ODU is 14th (last) in YPG (287.5) and 12th in PPG (22.3). I can't tell you that I've watched much of either team this season but the metrics lead me to think this will be at least a two-score result. Georgia State 35, Old Dominion 24.

I just don't see the North Carolina offense scoring much in this game. Notre Dame's defense is surrendering only 8.3 points per game and 199.3 yards per game, which is the best in the country. With rain projected in at least the second half, look for Notre Dame to get ahead early and for the contest to turn into a punt-fest in the second half. I would be mildly surprised if the Tar Heels got to double-digits. Notre Dame 31, North Carolina 7.

If weather doesn't interfere, this top-25 matchup has shootout written all over it. The Crimson Tide have averaged 48 points per game and the Bulldogs 43 PPG this season. Both teams are combining to average more than 1,000 total yards per contest. And I'm not sold on either defense as both have shown leaks thus far. Which young QB, Keelon Russell or Kamario Taylor, takes a step forward towards an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony? Expect at least six combined touchdown passes in the game. Alabama 38, Mississippi State 31.

Since the new MLB playoff format was introduced in 2022, Game 3 of Wild Card series' have proven to be low-scoring. In fact, four of the five Game 3s saw six or less total runs. We should see a combination of Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler for the Phillies, so don't expect the chilly Atlanta offense to score at will. And with all hands on deck for the Braves (minus ace Chris Sale likely), expect a flurry of pitching changes to play the matchups. This feels like a 3-2 or 4-2 game either way.

I hate laying -172 odds for any bet but Cubs 3B Alex Bregman is 7 for 8 vs. Padres starter Michael King in his career. That is serious domination of a matchup. Plus, Bregman is coming off a 4 for 4 game on Sunday. I'll also be betting his Over 1.5 H+R+RBI at plus-money on several sportsbooks.

I'll lay the -1.5 run line for the home team in Game 1 of this short series. Chris Sale is 3-0 vs. Philadelphia this season with a 2.08 ERA in four starts. In those first three games, Atlanta won each by multiple runs. Meanwhile, Philadelphia starts Jesus Luzardo in Game 1, though I'm not sure how much length they'll give him after coming off the Injured List on Sunday. Luzardo through a two-hit shutout vs. Atlanta in September, but is he 100% now. Who knows? Either way, I think the Braves win Game 1 by a score of 5-2 and sweep the Phillies, who look to be on a downward trajectory at this point.

If there's an area that can be exploited in the Philadelphia defense, it's the middle of the field. And Luther Burden III is Chicago's best chance of finding success in that matchup. Last week, two Commanders slot receivers, Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams both had at least 40 yards receiving and a score. I would be surprised if Bears third string quarterback Case Keenum takes many shots down the field, so using Burden as a safety blanket makes the most sense. I think Burden also tops 40 yards as the Bears attempt to have a semblance of a passing attack on Monday night.

With a win, the Pirates finish above .500 for the first time since 2018 and you know this team is going to want to do it. Sunday's starter Jared Jones has been awesome in September: 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA. With the emotion worn off after Justin Verlander's finale on Saturday for Detroit, I think Pittsburgh wins the season finale and finished 82-80 in 2026.

We likely will have game flow in our favor for the Jets – the Lions at home should be able to do whatever they want on offense. And that means it's time for Geno Smith to chuck it and duck it in the second half. New York's quarterback threw for 215 and 247 yards in low-scoring, ugly games over the first two weeks. Imagine what he can do in a shootout. Detroit’s defense isn't great, primarily the secondary. The Lions are allowing the eighth-highest passing success rate and the 11th-most EPA per dropback. This might be a ladder play for me as I project 55 total points in the game. Could 300+ yards be in play for Geno on Sunday?