Each Week at RTHH we will run through some important NFL games on the schedule. We will give reasons each team can cover. We also will release a RTHH Free pick as well as at least one free pick from a Hot Handicapper.

Week 3 NFL Preview (With Free Picks)

Denver

Last Week: The Broncos won their second straight at home, handling the Colts 34-20. The Broncos covered as 6 point favorites and the total went OVER 47.

This Season: The Broncos are 2-0 straight up and 2-0 against the spread. The total is 2-0

Reasons The Can Cover

1. New year better O line. Denver’s offensive line is much better than people expected. Their ability to run the ball and throw short passes to RB CJ Anderson and tight end Virgil Green could be trouble for the Bengals. The Bengals defense has been gashed in the run game so far this season and Denver can exploit that.
2. Shutdown Corners. The Broncos have the best secondary in the NFL with arguably the best cornerback tandem in Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. If Harris is blanketing AJ Green, the Bengals other receivers may not be up to the challenge.

Cincinnati

Last Week: Cincinnati lost a rainy slugfest to the Steelers 24-16, failing to cover as 3 point dogs. The total went UNDER 40

This Season: The Bengals are 1-1 straight up and 0-1-1 ATS. The total is 1-1

Reasons The Can Cover

1. Andy Dalton and home cookin. Dalton will be the best QB on the field Sunday. Like him or hate him he is very comfortable in this offense and plays really well at home. Dalton is 18-4-1 at home the last 3 seasons.
2. Shutdown Corners part II. Ok Pac Man Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick aren’t as good as Denver’s corners but they are still pretty damn good.

Final Analysis and RideTheHotHand Free Pick

Many people will look at the line and think “what is Vegas thinking”? How can Cincinnatti be favored? Well we’re here to tell you that they should be. Yes Denver is the reigning champs and yes they’ve looked good in their 2-0 start. This game will not be played at comfortable Invesco Field were the other team is winded in the 2nd half. This game is not only in Cincinnati but it’s their long awaited home opener. Quarterback Trevor Siemian isn’t going to have nearly the easy time as he did at home. The kid will have trouble with the crowd and that very good Cincinnati secondary will pick him off a couple times. Andy Dalton will have a fantastic game because again…. he is fantastic at home (18-4-1 last 3 seasons). The Bengals will finally get the running game going enough for Dalton to hit some long strikes. We like the Bengals here to win and cover the 3 point spread and as a bonus we like the OVER 41. THE PICK: Bengals -3 OVER 41

Minnesota

Last Week: The Vikings won the first ever game at their new home “US Bank stadium”, beating the Packers 17-14. Minnesota covered as 3 point dogs and the total was UNDER 43

This Season: The Vikings are 2-0 straight up and 2-0 ATS. The total is 1-1

Reasons They Can Cover

1. DEFENSE!!! The Vikings have one of the few defense in the NFL that has the capability to shut down Cam Newton. There’s nothing they aren’t good at. They stop the run, they get pressure on QB without blitzing and they force turnovers. Shutting down Tennessee and the Packers at home is way different than Cam at home though.
2. Sam Bradford and the Passing Attack? There is a question mark there because we need to see more from Bradford before anyone is scared of him. Minnesota does have the receiver weapons though and that is the way to attack Carolina now that Josh Norman is gone. It’s all up to you Sam.

Carolina

Last Week: Carolina won their home opener easily, beating the 49ers 46-27. The Panthers covered as 12.5 point favorites and the total went OVER 44.5

This Season: Carolina is 1-1 straight up and 1-1 ATS. The total is 2-0

Reasons The Can Cover

1. Carolina’s Front 7 is SALIVATING! Carolina’s defense watched Sunday night’s Vikings game just like the rest of us. They saw Sam Bradford played well despite his offensive line doing their best to get him hurt. The Packers D line beat the hell out of Minnesota up front and Carolina’s front 7 is better than the Packers… That’s scary to think about.
2. CAM!!!!!!!! For my money the best and most dangerous player in football right now. Cam’s a BEAST and he’s going to have to be against that Vikings D. Cam will use the read option a lot and use his feet to get critical first downs. He’s going to be sore after this one.

RTHH LEAN: Carolina Wins but Vikings cover the +7

Pittsburgh

Last Week: Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati in their home opener 24-20. The covered as 3 point favorites and the total went UNDER 40.

This Season: Pittsburgh is 2-0 straight up and 2-0 ATS. The total is 1-1

Reasons The Can Cover

1. Carson Wentz. Philadelphia fans are absolutely giddy right now. No one including their fans thought they would be 2-0 with Wentz. It could be back to reality on Sunday. Pittsburgh is a legit Super Bowl contender. Their D is going to confuse Wentz and he will see things on Sunday he did not get against the Browns and the Bears.
2. No Le’Veon Bell No Problem. Pittsburgh is damn good at running the ball and DeAngelo Williams is having a fantastic start to this season. When the Steelers can run the ball, that offense is almost unstoppable. Philly’s D line is susceptible to the run.

Philadelphia

Last Week: Philadelphia beat up on Chicago 29-14 covering as 3 points dogs. The total of 43 ended in a push.

This Season: The Eagles are 2-0 straight up and 2-0 ATS. The total is 0-1-1

Reasons The Can Cover

1. Best Defense You’ve Never Heard Of. Philadelphia’s linebackers and secondary are fantastic. The Secondary can be downright scary with corners Leodis Mckelvin and Nolan Carroll to go with safeties Rodney McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins. If anyone can shut down Pittsburgh’s passing attack, Philly can.
2. Carson Wentz Part II. Up top we said that Carson Wentz can be a reason why Pittsburgh will cover. Well when you have a rookie that’s obviously talented and shows no fear like this one (Learn how to slide rookie) you don’t really know how he’s going to react. Will anyone who watched his first 2 games really be surprised if he plays well again. We wouldn’t be.

RTHH LEAN: Pittsburgh -3.5

Washington

Last Week: Washington lost at home for the 2nd straight week,this time falling 27-23 against The Cowboys. The Redskins failed to cover as 3.5 point favorites and the total went OVER 47.

This Season: The Redskins are 0-2 straight up and 0-2 against the spread. The total is 2-0

N.Y. Giants

Last Week: The Giants used a blocked FG touchdown to beat the Saints 16-13 in a surprising defensive struggle. The Giants failed to cover as 4 point favorites and the total was way UNDER 54.5

This Season: The Giants are 2-0 straight up and 0-1-1 against the spread. The total is 0-2

Free Pick By Handicapper Alex Smart