It is time again for my weekly NFL picks, as well as my winners in games involving state of Florida college teams.

A 5-2 tally last week took my season numbers to 16-6 against the spread, 17-5 overall. 

Remember, I select the games based on the national telecasts, the Dolphins’ game, and at least one of the doubleheader games on Sunday.  

These selections are for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.  Don’t forget that wagering is illegal at Bushwood, sir.

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Here are my SUPER SEVEN picks this week in the NFL:

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS):

My picks are highlighted.

Thursday

Giants @ REDSKINS -3

The Giants have beaten the Redskins four times in a row.  You would think that the Redskins should be able to run the ball effectively against the Giants defense.  Kirk Cousins has been very effective so far since taking over for RGIII at QB, and he has a lot of weapons at his disposal.  I picked against the Giants last week, and that was one of my two losses last week.  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  I’m taking the Giants, plus the 3 points, over the Redskins.

Sunday

Dolphins -3 over RAIDERS (London)

I know.  I am the eternal optimist.  Bottom line, if the Fins don’t beat the Raiders, this season is pretty much down the drain.  I’m counting on Ryan Tannehill putting on his big-boy pants this week and do his talking on the field. Besides, Miami has beaten Oakland 10 out of the last 11 times they've played, including four in a row.  

Packers -1 over BEARS

Love the way the Bears are playing, but there is no way in hell that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers fall to 0-3.  

RAVENS -3 over Panthers

The Ravens have been excellent against the run, and the Panthers are close to the bottom of the league running the football, and lost FB Mike Tolbert to injury last week.  Carolina gave up 264 rushing yards against the Steelers last week.  Joe Flacco and former Panthers WR Steve Smith have hooked up nicely so far this season.   

Falcons -2 ½  over VIKINGS

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and the rest of the Falcons offense are clicking on all cylinders.  The Vikings have a new starting QB, rookie Teddy Bridgewater, who takes over for Matt Cassel, who is on injured reserve.    

Saints -3 over COWBOYS

Drew Brees is 4-1 lifetime against the Cowboys, with 14 TD passes against only 2 interceptions in those five games, including a 3-0 record on the road.  I’m going to go out on a limb and say that he is pretty good.  

Monday Night

Patriots -3 over CHIEFS

The Patriots have been held to under 300 yards total offense in two out of the first three games this season.  Tom Brady is 4-1 in his career against the Chiefs.  The Pats’ defense has been better after the Miami loss, holding the Vikings and the Raiders to a combined 121 rushing yards.  Tough to pick against Belichick and Brady in this contest.

Here are this week’s NFL games and early point spreads.  Some of these lines will definitely move around as the week progresses:

Thursday, September 25th

Giants @ Redskins -3                      8:30 pm        CBS

Sunday, September 14th

Dolphins @ RAIDERS (London) +3    1:00 pm         CBS

Panthers @ Ravens -3                    1:00 pm         CBS

Titans @ Colts -7 ½                       1:00 pm         CBS

Bills @ Texans -3                           1:00 pm         CBS

Packers @ Bears -1                        1:00 pm         FOX

Lions @ Jets -1                              1:00 pm         FOX

Buccaneers @ Steelers -7 ½           1:00 pm         FOX

Jaguars @ Chargers -13                  4:05 pm         CBS

Eagles @ 49ers -4 ½                       4:25 pm         FOX

Falcons @ Vikings +2 ½                  4:25 pm         FOX

Saints @ Cowboys +3                      8:30 pm         NBC

Monday, September 29th

Patriots @ Chiefs +3                       8:30 pm         ESPN

The first bye week of the season has the following teams taking a break:

Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Seattle Seahawks

St. Louis Rams

If you play fantasy football, make sure you remember to take the bye weeks into account when setting your lineups.

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Here are this week’s college games involving Florida teams:

My picks are highlighted:

FSU @ NC State             3:30 pm         CBS

This may surprise you, but North Carolina State has won five of its last seven home games against Florida State.  Who did Florida State lose to in their last ACC loss?  NC State.  Who has the best offense in the ACC?  This may surprise you too . . . it is NC State, averaging 502 yards of total offense per game.  In last year’s game at Tallahassee, Florida State scored 35 points in the first quarter in route to a 49-17 win.  IN THE UPSET OF THE YEAR SO FAR, NC STATE OVER FSU.

FIU @ UAB                     3:30 pm         American Sports Net

No upset here.  UAB is scoring at a 41 points-per-game clip.  The Blazers over the Panthers

UTSA @ FAU                   5:00 pm

Tough one to call.  I lean towards the Roadrunners and their head coach, Larry Coker.  One of the good guys in college football.  

Duke @ MIAMI                7:30 pm         ESPN 2

Duke comes into the Seven Names Stadium with a 4-0 record so far this year, but those wins for Duke (Elon, Troy, Kansas, and Tulane) came against pretty bad teams.  The Blue Devils beat the Canes last year, 48-30, outscoring Miami 17-0 in the fourth quarter.  One thing we must remember, however, is that the Miami was playing without Duke Johnson or Phillip Dorsett in that game.  I love what the skill position guys have done for the Canes this year, including QB Brad Kayaa, WR’s Stacy Coley and Dorsett, TE Clive Walford, and a healthy Duke Johnson.  This is the week that Miami offensive coordinator James Coley lets go of the reins.  Also important to remember is that Duke ran for over 300 yards against Miami last year.  After what Nebraska did to them last week, I’m not sure why the oddsmakers have Miami favored by 7.  Miami has shown it his has shortcomings on defense so far this season, and everyone in Coral Gables is hoping that this is the week it all comes together.  I hope they're right.  I’m not totally sold on the head coach with the orange tie, but I think the Canes pull it off on Saturday with a big win.

UCF                              OFF THIS WEEK

Florida                          OFF THIS WEEK

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Behave yourselves, and remember that tomorrow will bring us another day.  Enjoy the weekend!!