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Fast starts help build big bankrolls when it comes to betting on the NFL and there is nothing better than cashing in on all three of last week’s top picks. After breaking down all the matchups on this Sunday’s NFL slate, I have come up with this week’s “Top Three Picks” for the games using BetOnline’s NFL betting odds.

Sunday, Sept. 20

San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5)

The 49ers are coming off a 20-3 victory against Minnesota as 2.5-point home underdogs while the Steelers will be looking to rebound from a 28-21 loss to New England as seven-point underdogs on the road. The problem for San Francisco is it will now have to travel to the East Coast on a short week after playing on Monday night to face a well-rested Pittsburgh team that has been itching to get back on the field since last Thursday.

San Francisco failed to cover against the spread in its previous six games while the Steelers have gone 5-2 ATS in their last seven games at home. Playing at Heinz Field is tough enough, but it only gets worse when you have to face the Steelers coming off a loss. Lay the 5.5 points and take the home team in this one.

San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals (OVER 46)

Both the Chargers and the Bengals put on an offensive show in their season openers. San Diego outlasted Detroit 33-28 as a three-point home favorite and Cincinnati rolled to a 33-13 victory over Oakland as a three-point road favorite. Philip Rivers threw for 404 yards and two scores in the Chargers’ win and the Bengals amassed close to 400 yards of total offense against the Raiders.

The total has gone OVER in four of San Diego’s last six games on the road and it has also gone OVER in five of Cincinnati’s last six games at home. Look for both teams to light things up again this Sunday to take this game OVER the 46-point total line.

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants (-2)

The new-look Falcons rolled up and down the field on offense and stuffed Philadelphia for the first two quarters in Monday’s 26-24 opening day win as three-point home underdogs, but they still needed a missed field goal in the closing minutes to seal the win. New York basically handed Dallas a victory on Sunday night in 27-26 setback as a seven point road underdog. Atlanta’s defense began to wear down in that game, which could set the stage for a big day for Eli Manning and the Giants’ offense.

The Falcons have struggled to win on the road with a straight-up record of 4-12 in their last 16 games, while the Giants have gone 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games. Lay the two points and go with New York to bounce back in a big way this Sunday.

After opening the new college football season on a strong note with a 2-1 record in Week 1, things went south in hurry this past Saturday as all three of my top picks came up short. Heading back to the drawing board with 5Dimes’ posted college football betting odds, I have zeroed-in on my top three picks that should get me back on track in Week 3.

Air Force (+26.5) at Michigan State

The Falcons have jumped out to a 2-0 start both straight-up and against the spread with lopsided victories against Morgan State and San Jose State by a combined score of 100-23. They will certainly be stepping way up in class this week against one of the top teams in the nation, but behind a powerful running game that has amassed a total of 822 yards in just two games, they should be able to keep things closer than expected.

Also in the Falcons’ favor in this matchup is the possible letdown factor following Michigan State’s huge 31-28 win against Oregon this past Saturday night as five-point home favorites. It would be easy to see the Spartans coming out flat this Saturday after such a big win.

Virginia Tech (-5.5) at Purdue

The good news in Virginia Tech’s opening day loss to Ohio State is that its offense still managed to put 24 points on the board. The Hokies posted 42 points last week against Furman and for a team that has been known over the years for its stout defense, I really like the way this offense has played so far.

Purdue was able to bounce-back from its 41-31 loss to Marshall as a seven-point road underdog with a 38-14 win against Indiana State as a 15-point home favorite. I still do not trust the Boilermakers’ defense to keep things close as one of the bottom-feeders in the Big Ten this season. Take the Hokies and lay the points in this one.

Nebraska at Miami, FL (-4)

Nebraska posted a slow start out of the gate in a 33-28 loss to BYU as a 4.5-point home favorite and the Cornhuskers’ sketchy defense is going to have its hands full again this Saturday on the road against Miami. Nebraska has been torched for an average of 346 passing yards in its first two games and overall this defense has allowed an average of well over 400 total yards a game.
The Hurricanes are off to a 2-0 start both SU and ATS following routine wins against Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlanta while racking-up a total of 89 points. They have been able to move the ball both through the air and on the ground and while this matchup will be a major step-up in class, Miami is going to be tough to stop in its own backyard. Go with the ACC over the Big Ten again in this one.

This Thursday night marks the start of the 2015 NFL regular season, which means it is time get back to work when it comes to handicapping the games. After breaking down all the matchups on this Sunday’s NFL slate, I have come up with my “Top Three Picks” for this Sunday’s games using BetOnline’s NFL betting odds.

Sunday, Sept. 13

Take Green Bay (-6.5) over Chicago

I am really big on the Packers in this early NFC North clash given just how close they came to winning last season’s NFC title. With veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers carrying that chip on his shoulder, he knows that these are the kind of road games Green Bay needs to win to stay on top in the NFC North. The good news for Sunday is that wide receiver Randall Cobb has been upgraded to probable with a tweaked knee. It also helps that the Packers are 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games against Chicago.

Take Carolina at Jacksonville Jaguars Under 41.5

Both of these teams really struggled to put points on the board last season with Carolina finishing the year ranked 19th in the league in points per game (21.2) and Jacksonville bringing up the rear among all 32 NFL teams with an average of just 15.6 points. The Panthers’ offense has already taken a major hit with the loss of wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and the Jaguars’ recent betting trends on the total line also support this pick with the total staying UNDER in five of their last seven home games.

Take New York Giants (+6) over Dallas Cowboys

The Giants have not had all that much success beating their bitter NFC East rivals the past few seasons with a 1-5 straight-up record in the last six meetings, but they do know how to keep things close with a profitable 4-2 record against the spread. I would also be very concerned with a Dallas offense that looked way out of sync in the preseason. While head coach Jason Garrett remains confident that his offense can replace the loss of running back DeMarco Murray, if quarterback Tony Romo has to try and win this game throwing the ball, the Cowboys could be in trouble. I definitely like New York’s chances to cover with the six points in what should remain a three-point game, but it would not shock me to see Dallas lose this game SU.

I got off to a solid start with last week’s top college football picks with a 2-1 record and after reviewing this week’s matchups in light of 5Dimes’ posted betting odds I have zeroed-in on my top three picks that you can take to the bank in Week 2.

Houston at Louisville (-11)

The Cougars upended Tennessee Tech 52-24 in their season opener, but they could not cover as heavy 37-point home favorites. Behind Greg Ward Jr. at quarterback there is little doubt that Houston will put some points on the board, but I am very leery of a Cougars’ defense that was torched for 312 yards through the air in Saturday’s win.

The Cardinals did not come out on top in a tough matchup against Auburn in their season opener, but they played well enough to cover against the spread as 10-point underdogs. They have always done well against Houston in the recent past with a 6-1 SU record in the last seven meetings including a 4-1 SU mark at home. I am going that way again this Saturday with Louisville bouncing back to cover.

Georgia (-19.5) at Vanderbilt

Georgia had little problem with UL Monroe last week in a 51-14 victory as a 34.5-point home favorite. The Bulldogs moved the ball at will on the ground behind the running of Nick Chubb and their defense held the Warhawks to just 251 yards of total offense. They now go on the road with a 4-1 record both SU and ATS in their last five road games.

The Commodores failed to convert a late two-point conversion in a 14-12 loss to Western Kentucky as two-point home underdogs in their season opener. They are now 1-5 SU in their last six games and 3-5-1 ATS in their last nine home games. Vanderbilt has dropped nine of its last 10 home games against Georgia and there is no real reason to believe it will be able to keep this game close enough to cover.

Iowa at Iowa State (+4.5)

The Hawkeyes opened-up a 17-point lead at the half against Illinois State and went onto to win their season opener 31-14 as 10-point home favorites. The concern in this matchup is a 4-13 record ATS in their last 17 games against their in-state rivals including a stunning 20-17 loss last season to Iowa State as 13-point home favorites.

The Cyclones also tip the scales in their favor this Saturday following a solid 31-7 victory over Northern Iowa last Saturday as 13-point home favorites. They got a solid effort from quarterback Sam Richardson with 233 yards passing and two touchdown throws. Iowa will be looking for revenge in this matchup, but I have Iowa State winning this one SU as well as underdogs at home.

The 2015 NFL preseason is just about in the books so it is time to get serious about the start of the regular season. To get you ready for all the action, Bovada sportsbook has recently updated its NFL futures odds to win both the AFC and the NFC as well as Super Bowl 50.

Starting in the AFC, the team that is now at the top of the list to win this conference is the Indianapolis Colts at +300. Their betting odds to go on and win Super Bowl 50 are tied for third-best on the board at +850. Andrew Luck has taken the NFL by storm in his first three seasons as the Colts’ starting quarterback and it could easily be his time to get his team to the highest level in this sport.

The next favorite to win the AFC at +400 is the New England Patriots. The betting public’s confidence level to get past all the offseason controversy surrounding quarterback Tom Brady’s pending four-game suspension is taking its toll on their Super Bowl odds. The Patriots are now +1000 fifth-favorites to successfully defend their title.

The top teams to win the NFC is a tie between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks at +325, but the Packers have the edge when it comes to winning the Super Bowl at +550 verse +650 betting odds for Seattle. These two teams met in last season’s NFC title game with Seattle squeezing-out a 28-22 overtime victory as an 8.5-point home favorite. That result would probably swing the other way if that game is played in Green Bay this year.

The Philadelphia Eagles have certainly gotten the attention of the betting public with a very productive preseason. They are now listed as +425 third-favorites to win the NFC and their betting odds to win Super Bowl 50 are the third-best on Bovada’s updated list at +850 along with the Colts.

Denver has been listed as a +600 third-favorite to win the AFC this season and its odds to win the Super Bowl are now set at +1400. Dropping down the list in both the NFC and Super Bowl futures is the Dallas Cowboys after posting a less than stellar performance in their early preseason action. The Cowboys’ odds to win the NFC now stand at +800 and to win the Super Bowl they are sixth on the list at +1400.

The new college football season finally gets underway this week and while 5Dimes has posted betting odds for all the games, I have zeroed-in on my top three picks that you can take to the bank.

Washington at Boise State (-12)

The Pac-12 Huskies come into Friday’s season opener with a 1-4 record against the spread in their last five nonconference games, while the Broncos are a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four contests outside the Mountain West. Boise State is also 19-9 ATS in its last 28 games played on a Friday and 5-1 ATS in its last six games played in September.

Second-year head coach Bryan Harsin will look to pick-up where his team left off after the Broncos posted 12 straight-up win in his first season at the helm. These are the kind of games that Boise State needs to win convincingly to attract national attention and it gets it done by covering the 12 points.

Penn State at Temple (+7)

Penn State should finally be back on track after suffering through the effects from a slew of NCAA sanctions the past few seasons, but it could have its hands full on the road against Temple this Saturday. The Lions are just 0-3-1 ATS in their last four road games and they went 2-4 ATS in their last six games in 2014. The Owls were 6-6 both SU and ATS in the AAC last season, but they come into this year as +625 fourth-favorites to win the conference and +335 second-favorites after Cincinnati to win the AAC’s East Division.

This has always been a rivalry game for Temple, although its past track in this matchup is not encouraging SU with 10-straight losses, it has covered ATS in three of the last five meetings. The Owls finally have a team that can stand toe-to-toe with their Pennsylvania foes to the point where they throw a real scare into the Lions this time around.

Texas at Notre Dame (-9.5)

The Longhorns closed-out the 2014 season with two losses both SU and ATS and they start this season with a 2-5 record ATS in their last seven nonconference games. Notre Dame struggled down the stretch in 2014 as well, but it closed things out on a high note with a stunning 31-28 victory over LSU as an 8.5-point underdog in last season’s Music City Bowl.

The Irish could have their most talented team since their run at a national title a few years back and they come into the new season ranked No. 11 in the AP’s initial Top 25 poll. I like their chances to get off to a fast start with a SU win at home that covers the 9.5 points.

The third week of the NFL preseason is traditionally when all 32 teams use this game as their final dress rehearsal for the start of the regular season. Most starters should see playing time into the second half, so the betting lines for this week’s games are definitely sharper for most of the matchups.

Things get underway on Friday night with a nationally broadcast game on CBS between the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both teams come into this matchup with a 1-1 record both straight-up and against the spread in their first two preseason games. BetOnline has opened the Jaguars as one-point home favorites with the total line set at 42.5. These two met in Week 3 of last year’s preseason with the Lions squeezing-out a 13-12 victory as three-point favorites at home.

Saturday’s action featured a highly anticipated showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. The high-flying Eagles have already put-up a combined 76 points in back-to-back routs against Indianapolis and Baltimore. Green Bay comes in 1-1 both SU and ATS following a costly 24-19 loss to Pittsburgh last week as two-point road underdog after wide receiver Jordy Nelson went down with a torn ACL. BetOnline has listed this game as a PICK with a total line of 49.5.

Another interesting matchup on Saturday’s slate sends Seattle on the road to face San Diego in one of three NFC West vs. AFC West tilts in Week 3 of the preseason. Seattle comes in as a slight one-point favorite with a total line of 42. The Seahawks are trying to get back to their third-straight Super Bowl this season and so far they have lost both preseason games by a combined three points. The Chargers are just trying to get back to the playoffs after last season’s 9-7 record fell short of qualifying for the postseason in the AFC. They are off to a solid 2-2 start in the preseason both SU and ATS.

One of two nationally broadcast games on Sunday features the Houston Texans on the road against the New Orleans Saints as three-point road underdogs. The total for the 4 p.m. (ET) start on FOX has been set at 44. Houston is 1-1 (SU and ATS) so far and the total has stayed UNDER in both contests, while the Saints have gone 0-2 both SU and ATS with the total going OVER in each game.

The betting action should get dialed-up a bit heading into the second week of NFL preseason games after getting our first glimpse of all 32 teams last week. It is hard to draw too many hard and fast conclusions from Week 1 of the preseason, but the betting results from BetOnline heavily leaned towards the favorites (11-5) with the total line evenly split 8-8.

The NFL betting odds for this week have been released and one of my top plays on the schedule is the OVER 44.5 in Saturday night’s Baltimore at Philadelphia game. The Ravens opened the preseason with a 30-27 victory over New Orleans at home in a game that ended as a PUSH. The total easily went OVER the 36.5-point closing line. The Eagles steamrolled Indianapolis 36-10 last Sunday as five-point home favorites to take that total OVER the 40.5-point closing line. Both teams did a good job moving the ball up and down the field no matter who was under center at quarterback.

My second “pick of the week” is the New Orleans Saints as one-point home favorite over New England. The Saints are coming off a disappointing 7-9 record in 2014, so getting a win at home this Saturday would be a step in the right direction following last week’s road loss. The Patriots came out completely flat in a 22-11 loss to Green Bay last Thursday as 2.5-point favorites at home. The defending Super Bowl Champs have nothing to prove in the preseason, but the bigger issue with this team is the distraction the whole Tom Brady suspension situation has created. No one in that organization will admit it, but right now New England is not focused on its preseason games.

The third and final top pick for Week 2 of the NFL preseason is the Jacksonville Jaguars over the New York Giants as three-point road underdogs for Saturday night’s clash at MetLife Stadium. The Jaguars took their first step towards turning around a string of four-straight losing seasons with a 23-21 victory against Pittsburgh last Friday as 1.5-point home favorite. When your team has a long history of losing, getting a few wins under your belt in the preseason becomes important even if they do not count in the standings. Blake Bortles continues to develop as one of the up and coming quarterbacks in the NFL so his motivation to showcase his skills against the Giants will also be running high.