Last week was a great week in our best bets. A 4-1 record set our overall best bets record to 11-9 this season.

Let’s keep the winning going.

Browns +3.5 over Chargers

Picking the Falcons to defeat the Browns last weekend was one of my top picks. Cleveland to win and cover this week is one of my favorite selections. Against the Falcons, the Browns were missing both Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. Now, both are expected to return to the lineup and should bolster the defense immensely. While LA can put up points at will behind Justin Herbert, they have yet to face a defense as stout as Cleveland’s. Just last week, the Chargers allowed the Texans to hang around; the week before, they were blown out by the Jaguars. The Browns are a sneaky underrated team and will only improve once Deshaun Watson returns from suspension. Until then, Jacoby Brissett remains a serviceable backup capable of leading an offense. Browns pull off the upset.

Lions +3.5 over Patriots

Here is another outright upset I love this week. Even though the Lions will be without D’Andre Swift and potentially Amon-Ra St. Brown, they still have enough firepower to drive up the scoreboard. Despite being injury-ridden, the Lions put up 45 points on the Seahawks in a loss last week and should do the same against the Patriots. While we have yet to determine if Brian Hoyer or Bailey Zappe will get the start for the Patriots, New England will not be able to keep up with the scoring machine the Lions have become. Take the points, but don’t be surprised if the Lions pull off the outright win.

Saints -5.5 over Seahawks

With Jameis Winston out for the Saints, Andy Dalton will make his second consecutive start. The Saints are better off with Dalton at the helm, especially since he isn’t prone to the same mistakes Winston is notorious to commit. While the spread may seem high in this matchup, people are overrating the Seahawks based on the career performances that Geno Smith and Rashaad Penny turned in last weekend against Detroit. Let’s remember that Detroit was missing several starters on both sides of the ball and still managed to accumulate 45 points against Seattle. New Orleans should be able to take advantage of the Seahawks’ subpar defense and bring Smith and the offense back to earth. The Saints’ defense is efficient against the run and will shut down Penny and force Smith to throw. The Saints win comfortably. 

Commanders +2.5 over Titans

Washington has been dreadful against the spread this season with a 1-3 record, but I will back them again this week. Washington will have a much easier time competing against an over-performing Titans’ defense that is nowhere in the same category as the Eagles or the Cowboys. Carson Wentz should get ample more time in the pocket and will be able to connect with his top three receivers, Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson. The Titans don’t perform well against the pass, and this could be the week the Commanders bounce back. Commanders win at home. 

Cardinals +5.5 over Eagles

The Eagles have arguably been the best team in the NFL thus far this season. However, if there were a time for Philadelphia to lose, it would be in this trap game against the Cardinals. The Eagles have yet to face a mobile QB like Kyler Murray, which could pose difficulties for the Philly defense. Moreover, the Cardinals perform well against the run and should be able to shut down the run game, forcing Jalen Hurts to throw. While Hurts has done a tremendous job this season, this will be the most formidable defense he has faced yet and could pose a threat. Coming off an emotional win against their former head coach Doug Pederson last week, the Eagles fall flat this Sunday. While they may edge out the win, it will be close. Take the points.