Will Rogers – Sports Handicapper

The set-up: With its ace on the mound, I like Chicago to bounce back and clinch the series victory tonight over the Twins. The Cubs won the opener 1-0 and then the Twins bounced back with an 8-1 victory last night. And with that win, Minnesota has now clinched a spot in the playoffs. Now the Twins are jockeying for a better position, but still just the mental aspect of finally clinching tends to lead to complacency. The visitors hand the ball to Jose Berrios (4-3, 4.15 ERA) who comes in pitching well, but who was rocked by the Cubs in his lone appearance vs. them, allowing six runs off six hits over four innings. 

The pick: Yu Darvish (7-1, 1.86) is going for his 71st career victory today. Darvish is winless ove rhis last two starts, despite posting a 3.46 ERA in that span. In three matchups vs. the Twins he's 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA, to go along with 25 K's over 20 1/3's innings of work. Look for the Twins to have a mental letdown here after clinching last night and lay this reasonable price on the red hot Darvish.

This is an 8* DESTRUCTION on the Chicago Cubs.

The set-up: I had a play on the Lakers in Game 1 and I think they now have the blue-print to sweep this Denver team in four. The Nuggets come off back-to-back seven game series where they had to dig themselves out of a 3-1 hole. It's an emotional game and I think that Denver is out of gas and it's "magic" has run out. The Lakers started slowly in the first quarter in Game 1, but then a quick adjustment saw them dominate the rest of the way, especially defensively.

The pick: Nikola Jokic is going to have a heck of a time slowing down Anthony Davis, who I expect to once again have a big game here. The Lakers are too tough defensively for Jamal Murray to operate effectively either. I'm laying the points and expecting another blowout from start to finish. 

This is a 10* GAME OF THE WEEK on the LA Lakers.

The set-up: I think Russell Wilson and the Seahawks will love nothing more than an opportunity to run up the score and destroy Cam Newton and the Patriots on Sunday night. New England looked "ok" in its home win over the Dolphins, but its patchwork defense is going to be in trouble tonight. That said, there's no question that Newton and the Patriots' offense will have their opportunties tonight as well.

The pick: As note that the Hawks allowed 506 yards of offense to the Falcons last weekend and 25 points overall. Wilson had 322 yards passing and four TD's himself. This one has "over" written all over it!

This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE MONTH on the OVER Pats/Hawks.

The set-up: The Chiefs have had a few extra days off after they crushed the Texans on the Opening Thursday night and I don't think that's working in their favor. The Chiefs I think will also get caught "looking ahead" here to their big game at Baltimore next week. 

The pick: The Chargers did just enough to win a tough game vs. the Bengals in Week 1, but after the way Cincinnati played in Cleveland on Thursday in Week 2, it does make LA's defense look a lot better going into this matchup. And with a "cream puff" at home vs. Carolina next week, the Chargers are able to put their full focus onto their division rival. I think Tyrod Taylor controls this one while the Chargers are on offense and I love the home side to comfortably sneak in through the backdoor down the stretch.

This is an 8* DESTRUCTION on the LA Chargers.

The set-up: With Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford going head-to-head, some may think that this could be a very high-scoring affair, but I'm going to go the other way, as I expect these two division rivals to battle tough and I expect this total to fall "under" once it's all said and done. Detroit looked great for three quarters vs. the Bears last week, before then collapsing and allowing 21 unanswered points. I don't think that's going to happen twice. The Lions offense wasn't great, posting 23 points as Stafford had 297 passing yards and one TD. And again, through three quarters the defense looked great, before the "brain fart" in the fourth. 

The pick: The Packers dominated in their win last week, posting 43 points. Rodgers had 364 yards passing and four TD's. Minnesota's defense looked out of sorts last week though and I think Rodgers and the home side offense will have a much more diffiuclt time moving the ball vs. this highly motivated and focused Lions team. This number is a tad high. 

This is an 8* O/U PLAY-BOOK on the UNDER Lions/Packers.

The set-up: I think the Bears can build off their big fourth quarter last week. The Giants though looked inept vs. the Steelers in their 26-16 setback at home on Monday though and I think they'll struggle again here on the short week. QB Daniel Jones had 279 yards passing and two TD's. The defense allowed 229 passing yards and 113 rushing. 

The pick: The Bears overcame a 17 point second half deficit to get an impressive win in Detroit last SUnday. QB Mitch Trubisky had 242 passing yards and three TD's. Chicago allowed 288 yards passing, but I think the unit can improve at home here vs. Jones, who is down a few key pieces. Note as well that the Bears are 5-2 ATS in their last seven at home vs. teams with losing records, while New York is 0-6 ATS in its last six vs. clubs with winning records. Lay the points, expect a blowout!

This is a 10* NON-CONFERENCE DESTRUCTION on the Chicago Bears.

The set-up: The Titans are coming off a thrilling last second win on Monday Night Football in Denver, prevailing 16-14. The Titans failed to cover the spread and I think they're going to have a difficult time covering this large number as well. Jacksonville was a huge dog at home to Indianpolis, but Gardner Minshew and company ended up winning outright. Minshew is an interesting character and he'll be trying to make the most of every opportunity he's given. 

The pick: Tennessee was sloppy in its win last week and it also missed three field goals. RB Derrick Henry was pedestrian, as was QB Ryan Tannehill. And hanging your hat on the fact that the defense only allowed 14 points to a decimated Broncos' offense is nothing to be proud of in my opinion. The Jags aren't going to go down without a fight here and I look for them to comfortably sneak in through the back door as the game comes down the stretch. 

This is an 8* SUPER-BLOWOUT On the Jacksonville Jaguars.