Sports Handicapper Michael Alexander's Picks & Predictions

Rating: 2 Units

Both teams are coming off losses in their opening games of the season but I am not rushing to the window to back the Jets on the road, especially for almost even money. Without Hellebuyck they are a different team and I don’t trust Stuart Skinner, especially on the road. The Red Wings are playing the second straight game at home and will be looking for the first win of the season in front of their home crowd and outscored the Jets by 7-2 goals in their two meetings last season. Take the Red Wings to win.

Rating: 2 Units

The Brewers should be favored at home as they’ve been the best team in baseball. Henderson has also been money with a 2.47 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. However, Henderson is a young pitcher who hasn’t been on the big stage yet. King is a vet who is not only having a strong season but has had playoff success. In his last 43 innings, King has allowed 32 hits and 10 earned runs. The Padres also haven’t lost two straight games in a month. The value is with the Padres and the plus money. I’ll take it.

Rating: 2 Units

Certainly, his first two seasons in the NFL could have been a valuable learning experience for McCarthy, which is what you’d assume Harbaugh is gambling on. As for the Cardinals, they win just often enough to wreck somebody’s day. Take last week, for example. Arizona trailed San Francisco by 10 points (-9) when they got the ball back with under two minutes left. So, what do they do? With no chance of winning the game, they drive close enough to kick a field goal and blow the cover for 49ers fans. The moral of the story is that, from week to week, you don’t know which Cardinals team will show up. The good one that’s gone 5-0 ATS in this series and 12-1 ATS vs. the NFC East? Should these guys show up, we’ll take advantage of the Giants’ minuscule 2-8 ATS record in their last ten against NFC West foes.

SNF Smash

Rating: 3 Units

Carolina is 8-4 SU in this series, including 6-0 at home, and has won the last two meetings in Charlotte. The Panthers are also 15-1 ATS when coming off an outright loss, including a remarkable 12-0 ATS the last twelve games. Additionally, playing on an NFL home underdog off exactly one loss as a favorite when it allowed 21 or fewer points in the defeat is 45-22-3 ATS. Better yet, when they’re seeking revenge for a loss suffered against today’s opponent in the previous meeting, they improve to a hard-hitting 32-12-2 ATS. In addition, these teams are 23-7-1 ATS, including a knockout 17-3-1 ATS against opponents coming off a victory.

Inter-Conference Game of the Week

Rating: 5 Units

The 3-0 Niners are a late, back-door field goal by the Cardinals with 39 seconds remaining, and a “triple dipper” (3-0 SU, ATS, and ITS) to open the season. With Frisco ranked # 6 and # 5 in overall offense and defense, and the Broncos #22 and #28 respectively, we look at the fact that undefeated NFL teams in Game Four of the season, playing their third consecutive home game, are 24-4 SU and 18-9-1 ATS, including 9-1 SU/ATS versus foes with a winning record.

NFL Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

Sean McVay has been sucker punched and knocked out in each of his four head-to-heads with the Eagles – he is 0-4 SU/ATS against Nick Sirianni. It all goes to the Philly’s 9-1 ATS mark in the last ten games in this series, and it’s a 3-0 ATS record in games coming off a Monday night. Until the Rams learn to take down the Eagles, we’ll take this home dog Additionally, the Rams are 3-12 SU / 2-13 against NFC East opponents coming off a loss in which they scored fewer than 17 points.