Ken Barnes NFL Free Picks & BEST BETS!
San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants (+4.0)
For the second straight week, the San Francisco 49ers visit MetLife Stadium in New York. They easily outlasted the New York Jets 31-13 as 7-point favorites last Sunday and will look for another win as 4-point favorites this weekend.
The Niners lost Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), Nick Bosa (knee), and Raheem Mostert (knee) last week. Bosa is probably done for the season; Mostert will miss a couple of weeks, while Garoppolo is doubtful to play against the Giants. That means we’ll see Nick Mullens under center, and Jerick McKinnon will lead the backfield.
On the other side, the New York Giants cannot count on Saquon Barkley, who’s done for the season due to a torn ACL. The Giants signed Devonta Freeman a couple of days ago, and the former Atlanta Falcons superstar will play against the Niners, but I don’t have high expectations, especially against San Francisco’s defense.
The hosts will try to avoid their third straight loss. However, I think they will struggle against the Niners’ D, but think the 49ers will also struggle. While I’m looking for the visitors to rush a lot, as the Giants are allowing 138.0 rushing yards per contest. This will be the clash of the two beaten-up teams, but i have a feeling the 49ers will overlook this one and get upset.
I am already locked in early at +4.5
FREE PICK: Giants +4.5 over 49ers
Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings (+2.5)
The Tennessee Titans are undefeated after their first two outings in 2020, but they haven’t impressed at all. After a 16-14 win at the Broncos, the Titans barely outlasted the Jacksonville Jaguars 33-30 at home in Week 2.
Now, the Titans are slight favorites to win in Minneapolis in Week 3. I was shocked to see the Vikings as home underdogs in this one, although they started the 2020 NFL season with a pair of losses. Minnesota was beaten to the bone by Green Bay in the opener (43-34), while the Vikings lost 28-11 at the Colts last Sunday.
The Vikings will have to solve some issues on both sides of the ball. They are surrendering 443.5 total yards per game while racking up just 293.0 in a return. Dalvin Cook has recorded only 113 rushing yards through the first two weeks, while Kirk Cousins has tossed for 372 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions.
I think the Vikings can only play better in Week 3. Their defense cannot be more awful than this. Also, the Titans had some defensive problems, especially in their secondary, so I’m backing the Vikings to keep it close. Minnesota plays at home and desperately needs to avoid a 0-3 start. If you’re looking for greater wages, take the Vikings at +120 moneyline odds.
Interestingly, the Vikings are winless in three straight outings at home, but they are 3-0 SU and ATS in their previous three home encounters with the Titans.
FREE PICK: Minnesota Vikings +3.5 (-120)
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals (-5.5)
After blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead against the Bears in the opening week, the Detroit Lions embarrassed themselves once more in Week 2. They lost at the Packers 42-21 despite scoring a couple of touchdowns in the first quarter to grab a 14-3 lead.
Obviously, the Lions’ D remains a massive problem. Last year, they were among the worst defensive teams in the NFL, and the Lions’ secondary was completely helpless. On the other side of the ball, the Lions are capable of scoring, particularly through the air, so I’m looking for a proper high-scoring battle in Arizona this weekend.
The Cardinals upset San Francisco 24-20 as 7-point underdogs in the opener. They beat Washington 30-15 as 7-point home favorites in Week 2, and the Cardinals’ defense showed a lot of improvement after a poor 2019 campaign.
However, the Lions’ offense is way more potent than Washington’s attack. Also, the Football Team’s D is much better than the Lions’ defense, so give me the over on the totals in this one.
Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins built great chemistry in Arizona, and I expect them to torture the Lions on Sunday. Their first two contests in 2020 went in the under, but the over has hit in four of the Lions’ previous five outings.
Last year, the Lions and Cardinals played a 27-27 draw at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The over is 14-5-1 in the last 20 matchups between these two NFC foes.
FREE PICK: Over 53 points (-110)
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks (-5.0)
The Cowboys avoided a 0-2 start thanks to a recovered onside kick, while Dak Prescott led his team to a 40-39 victory with three touchdowns on his own. Prescott also completed 34 passing attempts for 450 yards and a TD, as the Cowboys overcame a 19-point second-half deficit.
Anyway, the Cowboys were terrible defensively, allowing Matt Ryan to toss for 273 yards and four touchdowns. Dallas heads to Seattle this Sunday, and if they continue to play lousy defense (and I don’t see how they will improve), the Seahawks will score a bunch of points.
Seattle dropped 38 points on Atlanta in Week 1 and 35 on New England in Week 2. The Seahawks allowed 55 points in total through the first two weeks, but they don’t care as long as their loaded offense works like a well-oiled machine.
Russell Wilson threw five TD passes to five different players last Sunday. DK Metcalf already has eight catches for 187 yards and a couple of touchdowns, while the Seahawks’ ground game is a huge weapon, as they can rotate Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde, while Russell Wilson is always dangerous when totting the pigskin.
On the other side, Dak Prescott can count on an excellent receiving corps, too. Furthermore, Ezekiel Elliott posted 185 rushing yards on 44 carries over the first two weeks, so the Cowboys undoubtedly possess enough firepower to score a lot against the Seahawks.
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)
I’m not going to overthink this one at all. The Baltimore Ravens will beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Give me the hosts at moneyline odds, although they are not alluring. I don’t want to take any risks with some paltry spread.
The Chiefs barely avoided an upset in Week 2, beating the LA Chargers 23-20 in overtime as 9-point road favorites. They improved to 2-0 on the season, and the reigning champs are undefeated in 11 consecutive outings while covering 10 times in the process.
However, the Chargers ran for 183 yards. If they manage to rack up 183 rushing yards against the Chiefs, the Ravens will roll over the reigning champions. Last week, Baltimore posted 230 rushing yards in a 33-16 road victory over the Houston Texans.
