Washington and Philadelphia aren't equipped to stifle opposing playmakers, while the Vikings could upset the odds in Carolina...
{ODDS:109009808:10/11} – Arizona Cardinals (-4) @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills have started the season with back-to-back defeats, and have failed to beat the spread despite facing other mediocre teams in the Ravens and the Jets.
Coach Rex Ryan has a reputation as a defensive guru, but his team were mediocre on that side of the ball in 2015 and look no better now.
They ranked 14th in total yards allowed last year, and conceded the 18th-most points in the NFL.
They should struggle, then, to cope with Arizona’s impressive attack, which scored more points than all but one team last season.
The Cardinals’ receiving group – comprised of Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown – are perhaps the best in the league.
They look poised for a good day on Sunday, given that the Bills have given up 595 passing yards this season – the ninth-most in the NFL – against two average offenses.
{ODDS:109010731:10/11} – Minnesota Vikings (+7) @ Carolina Panthers
Picking against the defending NFC champions might be scary, but the Vikings are better equipped to deal with the formidable Panthers than any other team in the league.
Minnesota have allowed just 147 rushing yards this season – the fifth-best mark in the NFL – and last year only two teams conceded more touchdowns on the ground.
Running the ball is Carolina’s strength, but they will struggle in that area with tailback Jonathan Stewart injured.
And while the Vikings have injury problems of their own, they earned impressive wins in their first two games and beat the handicap on both occasions.
NFC underdogs are 8-3 against the spread this season when playing on the road, and Minnesota should keep this game tight enough to continue that trend.
{ODDS:109011390:10/11} – Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz, the Eagles’ rookie quarterback, has been surprisingly efficient in the first two weeks of his NFL career.
The 23-year-old has clearly benefitted a stingy Philadelphia defence that ranks fourth in yards allowed and second in points against this season.
They have faced little opposition, though. The Browns and the Bears are two of the worst teams in the NFL.
Pittsburgh will prove a much sterner test. They boasted a top-five offense last season, even with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missing the final six games.
The Eagles haven’t faced any player as good as the Steelers’ Antonio Brown this year.
He caught more passes and gained more yards than any other receiver in 2015.
Don’t be fooled by the Eagles’ early success. They conceded more passing touchdowns than all but one team last year, and they will likely revert to that form on Sunday.
{ODDS:109010404:10/11} – New York Giants (-4.5) v Washington Redskins
The Giants were 11-point victors in this fixture in 2015 – one of five wins in their last six meetings with the Redskins.
Despite that defeat, Washington were the better team overall last year, and they have improved their defence by signing star cornerback Josh Norman.
But the Redskins’ other spot at that position has been a real problem recently, and their difficulties in covering opposing wide receivers have seen them start the season with consecutive defeats.
Antonio Brown and Dez Bryant each gained over 100 yards while matched up against Bashaud Breeland in each of the past two weeks.
They were too good for the 24-year-old, and it won’t get any easier for him against Odell Beckham Jr.
Even if the Redskins switch tactics and take Beckham out of the game, Eli Manning can throw to Sterling Shepard or Victor Cruz.
They have each recorded over 100 yards and a touchdown this season.
