It’s fair to say the first two weeks haven’t gone great for this page. As I said in the preview, there are normally strange antics which occur in the opening weeks of the National Football League and this year hasn't disappointed. Maybe looking back I put up too many unit stakes but as they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing. It’s summed up by the fact Johnny Manziel has a win so far this year where as Andrew Luck, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco do not. ‘Johnny Football’ has also now been benched this week for the Browns. Right lets crack on with a preview for week 3.
Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts
The Colts, tipped by many pre-season including myself are currently 0-2. The first defeat was by no means an upset going on the road to the Bills who have a good looking defence (even though Brady and the Pats didn’t think so) but the second game, at home to the Jets wasn’t good viewing for Colts fans.
The offensive line is the main worry. Andrew Luck is coming under far too much pressure to maximise his potential. Regarded as one of the best QB’s if not the best facing the blitz it’s mission impossible if no one is blocking in front of him. I think the Colts O-line will have been hammered over the week and against a weak Titans side, start to build some momentum in which is their first game in the AFC South. I was impressed with the Colts defensive front last week at times. They managed to get to the dependable Chris Ivory on occasions and prove that they had the fight in themselves. They did struggle with screen passes quite a bit which were lapped by Decker and Marshall but the Titans have no one in their ranks who can offer that sort of receiving game.
The Titans and their new QB Mariota put up a great week 1 performance, dismantling the Bucs with ultimate ease but they were brought crashing back down to earth last week against the Bears where Mariota was sacked seven times and fumbled the football twice. The worry that carries on from that game was how Manziel managed to produce big time plays down the middle, something which Luck is renowned for.
This is a massive game for the Colts so early in the season and will most likely show us how they will end up this year, I have no doubt Mariota will be a great player in the years to come but against a fired up Luck he will have his work cut out here. Luck goes to town on a weak Titans secondary. As a side note the Colts have beaten the Titans in the last 7 meetings head to head by 3 points or more.
7pt Indianapolis Colts Handicap -3 @ 4/5
(-7pt)
2pt Double New England Patriots Handicap -13.5 @ 20/23 and Arizona Cardinals Alternative Handicap -6 @ 4/5
(+4.73pt)
Adding the above 2pt double as well. The Patriots are at home to the Jags and it’s hard not to see anything but an absolute masterclass being put on from Tom Brady. Bortles and the Jags won’t be able to keep the reins on him. The other part is the Cards to cover the 6 points. It’s been a great start from Arizona and they have been sliding under the radar some what, they come up against a 49ers team who struggle massively on the road and it’s hard to see that changing on Sunday night.