Jim Feist Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

Week 3 is normally the "Dress Rehearsal" week where starters play all or most of the 1st half. Don't tell that to Rams HC Sean McVay. Sean has taken a different approach to the preseason in that he really has no idea of playing his starters. In a way I can understand this, the season is long enough, why beat them up even more in the preseason. We have seen this with different single plays on other teams throughout the years, but not usually the entire 1st unit of a team. So far in the preseason the Rams have gone under in both games for this very reason. Now they play the Broncos who have also not scored a lot in preseason. The Broncos have new head coach Vic Fangio and Defensive coordinator Joe Woods. Both are finding their way with their new team including new QB Joe Flacco. Expect Flacco to get more playing time tonight, but I doubt we'll see him the whole first half. Drew Lock has been getting the bulk of the time behind center and he's making the typical rookie mistakes. The problem is that Lock injured his thumb in the team's last game and now he looks to be out for an extended period of time. That makes playing Flacco less here maybe even more important as Lock rests that sprained thumb. QB Kevin Hogan might get the most snaps in this game and he was harassed last week by the 49ers, getting sacked five times. I don't expect much from either team here tonight. Play the UNDER and take a nap.

Traditionally this is the week we see starters play most or all of the 1st half of the season. That's why they call this week "Dress Rehearsal" week. However, we are seeing a change in that philosophy over the last few years as more and more coaches are opting out of playing starters. That's what you have here today with the Colts coach Frank Reich, who has said that most of his starters WILL NOT play today against the Bears. Reich has made the health of his team a high priority. Therefore, the Bears seem to be taking the same approach here and likely won't play starters more than a series or two if at all. That being said, I'm taking the UNDER here as the 3rd and 4th stringers struggle to make things happen. Play UNDER.

TV matchup here from Orlando, Florida has two old rivals facing each other as Miami-Florida takes on Florida. Expect these teams to be chippy here on Saturday as they meet to open the season. I also expect this game to be high scoring. Early games are usually not defensive battles, despite both of these teams being in the top 25 defensively last year. No 8 Florida is a 7-point favorite here on Saturday. The Gators begin their second season under HC Dan Mullen and return QB Franks. Former Dan Mullen assistant, Manny Diaz, begins his first season as the Miami head coach. Both teams return a lot of talent, but I just can't pass on the points here with the Hurricanes. Play Miami Florida.