Claudia's Past Picks
Dillon Gabriel makes his second start, and as we know, tight ends are a rookie QB's best friend. Last week, Njoku posted his highest target total of the season with nine, catching six passes for 67 yards and his first touchdown of the year. He nearly had more receptions than any other teammate had targets. This week’s matchup is ideal — the Steelers are surrendering over five catches per game to tight ends, ranking 10th in yards allowed to the position. We saw Viking's T.J. Hockenson have four grabs last week, plus Patriot's Hunter Henry had a dominant 8-catch, 90-yard, 2-touchdown outing earlier in the season. All signs point toward another big week for Njoku.
Herbert is going to have to use his legs this weekend as injuries continue to deplete the LA roster. He's now without his top RB in Omarion Hampton, top receiver Quentin Johnston is questionable and more importantly, his left tackle Joe Alt is out as well as their right tackle. Miami is allowing the 4th most QB rush attempts, yards, and the 4th highest scramble rate. He has cashed this line in all but one of the last 5 weeks, averaging almost 37 in that stretch. Expect him to be flushed out of the pocket early and often.
This line is as high as 239.5. We have a tight game script here which leads to plenty back and forth. The Jags are allowing the 2nd most attempts and 7th most completions, with over 250 yards a game. Sam Darnold is playing at an elite level -- top 3 in completion percentage and passer rating, leading in EPA per dropback and yards per attempt (9.3). He's throwing to one of the NFL's best in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has the 2nd most receiving yards in the NFL and he has an elite number two in Cooper Kupp. He also has TE AJ Barner who went 7 for 7 last week. Even better, they have a balanced offense with Walker and Charbonnett out of the backfield.
Dart has had back to back 50+ rush yard games, with the third highest scramble rate in the league. He's been efficient, averaging 5.7 yards a carry. Even with Jalen Carter banged up, Dart should see pressure as he tries to navigate, being down both WR Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton. Philly is forcing the 9th most scrambles.
Skattebo hasn't had a game with less than two - and that was with playing limited snaps. He has had 6 catches in two of the last three games, with 17 targets in that stretch. With Nabers and Slayton out, Dart should look to his safety blanket early and often.
We saw 80% of the Eagles plays last week be passing plays. Game script had a lot to do with that -- but even in their wins we have seen him cash this completions line. He's facing a Giants defense allowing the 4th most attempts and 6th most completions. This should be a breakout game for both the passing and run offense, and that balance should help us cash here.
The Rangers missed the playoffs last season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy the year before, and they’re coming out hungry. One of their hottest players is already making noise with seven shots on goal in the season opener against the Penguins. Now they face a Sabres team playing its first game, shaking off some rust, after allowing the 10th-most shots on goal last season. With the total set high at 6.5, there should be plenty of scoring chances on both ends. Expect heavy shot volume again from Zibanejad, who ranked third on the team in shots last season.
You should bet this at regulation, to get it down closer to (-120) odds. The B's should get the win in their home opener, against a Chicago team that's dead last in Stanley Cup odds. Boston is coming off a 3-1 road win over the Capitals with a strong showing from special teams. Goalie Jeremey Swayman's contract drama is behind him and he's ready to go after a full training camp. Chicago is the third youngest roster in the NHL with Spencer Knight in net who will be playing as a full-time starting goalie for the first time in his career. He faced 37 shots in his debut -- similar to the struggles last year's goalies faced, leading to the league's 2nd worst goal differential.
The Dodgers are a disciplined lineup, but Sanchez dominated them in Game One, striking out 8 in just 5⅔ innings. He cashed this line in both regular season starts, including 9 Ks in April. He ended the season with the seventh-most strikeouts among pitchers and a 2.50 ERA. He has elite swing-and-miss stuff and gets guys to chase. The depth should be there as well, helping us cash this over.
Etienne has been one of the most consistent players in the league through four weeks. He's top 10 in attempts per game, with 16 or more in all but week two -- which was their one loss. Still, he had 14, so just missing this line by the hook. The game spread tells us we should see a tight game and I think the Jags have a chance at winning outright. Regardless, when your running back has the the third most explosive run rate, you give them the ball. The chiefs rank bottom 10 in DVOA against the run.
Mahomes isn’t getting much help from his offensive line, facing early pressure and the fourth most hits in the NFL. As a result, he’s being flushed out of the pocket more than anyone – leading the league in scrambles and leading his team in rushing yards. That script shouldn’t change against a Jaguars front that ranks fifth in pressures. Expect him to keep using his legs to avoid the heat and cash this line, like he has in every game this season outside of last week’s blowout against the Ravens (where he missed by the hook.)
The targets haven’t been there yet this season like they were last (tied for the 4th most TE targets) but with no Mike Evans and Bucky Irving in a walking boot, we should see extra opportunities. Seattle has given up the most tight end receptions in the league and every TE facing them has caught at least 4 passes, including McBride (7) and Juwan Johnson (6). Otton has cashed this in 2 of his last 3 and is in a prime spot to cash it once again with an ideal matchup and boost in targets.
Ward is forced to air it out … because his team is a** (as he put it). He has been the least efficient QB in the league, rocking the worst completion percentage and third-worst accuracy rate. As a result, the Titans have been trailing early and often through the first four weeks, leading to the 5th highest pass rate in the league. This week, Ward gets a Cardinals defense allowing the most pass attempts per game (42). All the signs point to another busy day through the air for Ward.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel steps in for the struggling Joe Flacco, coming off an FBS-record 63 career starts. We saw Jaxson Dart get a win in his NFL debut for the Giants... why not Gabriel to keep it close? Let's be clear though -- this is about the defense. The Browns rank #2 in DVOA and pressure rate, which could spell trouble for a battered Vikings offensive line that surrendered six sacks last week. While Wentz faces heavy pressure, Cleveland’s defense might keep things close, and Gabriel’s debut could provide an offensive spark after Flacco ranked dead last in passer rating, completion %, and EPA per dropback ... on top of having the second most picks. Let's back the dogs in London.
Bello is getting hit hard and often with a 5.85 ERA this month in four starts. His expected batting average against ranks in the bottom 21% of all pitchers and strikeout stuff is a career worst (K rate bottom 17% of MLB). He’s facing an offense in Toronto that has been one of the best all season and specifically since August against righties— with the third most runs, batting .266 (fourth-best) in that stretch. Bello has given up three or more runs in every start this month against struggling lineups. In his last start against Toronto in June, he allowed 3 runs on 8 hits (2nd most he allowed this season).