Jim Feist Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

The highly anticipated WNBA semifinal matchup between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces on October 6, 2024, will be pivotal as the Liberty lead the series 2-1. The Liberty have been one of the top teams this season, boasting a 36-10 record. With star performances from MVP-candidate Breanna Stewart and dynamic guard Sabrina Ionescu, they are averaging 85.7 points per game. The Aces, defending champions, are not far behind with a 30-15 record. A'ja Wilson leads their charge, but they must overcome their Game 3 loss to stay alive in this do-or-die contest. Both teams have elite offenses, making this matchup a high-stakes thriller. The Aces won't go down easily as I expect them to have a great game here on Sunday. The defending champions will tie this series up on Sunday. Play Las Vegas.

 For the WNBA Semifinals matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun on October 6, 2024, the Lynx are in a strong position, leading the series 2-1 and needing just one more win to advance to the Finals. The Lynx have been the highest-scoring team in the semifinals, averaging 88.0 points per game, with Napheesa Collier leading the charge, averaging over 26 points per game in the postseason. Their offense is supported by perimeter shooters like Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton, making Minnesota a potent threat from beyond the arc. On the other side, the Connecticut Sun are in a must-win situation. Despite a balanced offensive roster featuring players like Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones, Connecticut has struggled to find a consistent go-to scorer late in games. Marina Mabrey has been the Sun's top scorer in the postseason, averaging 18.6 points per game, but their defense-first strategy, allowing just 77.4 points per game, has not been able to slow down Minnesota's high-paced attack. I don't count out the Sun at home with such a good defense. They need to do better then last time and I fully expect it here on Sunday. I'll take the Sun to even the series.

The Buffalo Bills are positioned as slight favorites in their Week 5 matchup against the Houston Texans on October 6, 2024. Both teams come into this contest with a 3-1 record, but their performances this season show distinct trends. The Bills are looking for a bounce-back win after a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, where they were dominated on both sides of the ball. Before that, Buffalo had been strong offensively, averaging 30.5 points per game, which ranks them third in the NFL. Their ability to score will be key in this game, especially against a Texans defense that allows 23.5 points per game. Josh Allen has been effective, with 814 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions so far this season, and he'll be pivotal against Houston's secondary, which has been solid but vulnerable under pressure. Houston, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, has relied on its passing game, with Stroud throwing for over 1,000 yards already this season. However, their offensive line has struggled to protect him, allowing 14 sacks, which could play into Buffalo's hands as the Bills will likely pressure him heavily. Houston's rushing attack has been lackluster, and their injury issues at running back further complicate their ability to exploit Buffalo's weaknesses in run defense. Buffalo's defense has shown strength against the pass but struggles against the run, ranking 30th in rushing yards allowed. If Houston cannot capitalize on that, it will put more pressure on Stroud, and the Bills could take control. Offensively, Buffalo is expected to rely on James Cook and Josh Allen's rushing abilities, as Houston's defense ranks poorly against the run, allowing 4.7 yards per carry. Overall, Buffalo seems well-positioned to cover the spread and bounce back from their Week 4 loss, especially with their offensive firepower and Houston's vulnerabilities in protection and on the ground.

The Buffalo Bills are positioned as slight favorites in their Week 5 matchup against the Houston Texans on October 6, 2024. Both teams come into this contest with a 3-1 record, but their performances this season show distinct trends. The Bills are looking for a bounce-back win after a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, where they were dominated on both sides of the ball. Before that, Buffalo had been strong offensively, averaging 30.5 points per game, which ranks them third in the NFL. Their ability to score will be key in this game, especially against a Texans defense that allows 23.5 points per game. Josh Allen has been effective, with 814 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions so far this season, and he'll be pivotal against Houston's secondary, which has been solid but vulnerable under pressure. Houston, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, has relied on its passing game, with Stroud throwing for over 1,000 yards already this season. However, their offensive line has struggled to protect him, allowing 14 sacks, which could play into Buffalo's hands as the Bills will likely pressure him heavily. Houston's rushing attack has been lackluster, and their injury issues at running back further complicate their ability to exploit Buffalo's weaknesses in run defense. Buffalo's defense has shown strength against the pass but struggles against the run, ranking 30th in rushing yards allowed. If Houston cannot capitalize on that, it will put more pressure on Stroud, and the Bills could take control. Offensively, Buffalo is expected to rely on James Cook and Josh Allen's rushing abilities, as Houston's defense ranks poorly against the run, allowing 4.7 yards per carry. Overall, Buffalo seems well-positioned to cover the spread and bounce back from their Week 4 loss, especially with their offensive firepower and Houston's vulnerabilities in protection and on the ground. I expect to see lots of points in this game today. I'm taking the OVER.

In the AFC North clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens on October 6, 2024, both teams will be looking to make important statements as they jockey for position in the division. The Ravens enter the game with a 2-2 record and are coming off a dominant 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills. They have found success with the addition of running back Derrick Henry, who posted 199 rushing yards in the win against Buffalo. Lamar Jackson has been efficient, contributing both with his legs and through the air, but the Ravens' defense remains a concern, especially in the secondary, as they've allowed 22 points per game this season. Baltimore's ability to run the ball and control the clock will be crucial, especially with offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley questionable due to injury. On the other side, the Bengals (1-3) finally got their first win of the season last week, defeating the Carolina Panthers 34-24. Joe Burrow looked more comfortable, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Chase Brown added 80 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. However, Cincinnati's defense has been vulnerable, allowing 26 points per game, and they rank 27th in total defense. This game represents a must-win for the Bengals if they want to avoid falling deeper into the standings. With the pressure on, I expect the Bengals best performance her on Sunday. As such I don't see either team able to stop the other. I'm taking the OVER.

 In the upcoming matchup between the Cleveland Browns (1-3) and the Washington Commanders (3-1) on October 6, 2024, the Commanders are riding a wave of momentum, having won three straight games. Led by rookie QB Jayden Daniels, Washington's offense has been highly effective, averaging 30.3 points per game, ranking them third in the league. The Commanders have also been efficient on the ground, ranking third in rushing yards per game, with Brian Robinson Jr. leading their ground attack. However, Daniels' mobility has also been a significant factor, as he's rushed for over 200 yards this season. The Browns, on the other hand, have struggled offensively, averaging just 16.5 points per game, which ranks near the bottom of the league. Deshaun Watson and the offense have been plagued by inconsistency and turnovers. However, Cleveland's defense has been one of the stronger units, ranking 11th in total yards allowed and excelling against the pass. Key injuries on both sides may impact the game, with the Commanders potentially missing key players like Robinson and Austin Ekeler, while the Browns are dealing with injuries to their offensive line and defensive stars like Myles Garrett. I like Daniels a lot as he's looked the best thus far of the 2024 QB class. They have scored on just about every drive they have had and Cleveland will need to up their offense to stay with the Commanders. I'll take the OVER on Sunday.

In the AFC North clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens on October 6, 2024, both teams will be looking to make important statements as they jockey for position in the division. The Ravens enter the game with a 2-2 record and are coming off a dominant 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills. They have found success with the addition of running back Derrick Henry, who posted 199 rushing yards in the win against Buffalo. Lamar Jackson has been efficient, contributing both with his legs and through the air, but the Ravens' defense remains a concern, especially in the secondary, as they've allowed 22 points per game this season. Baltimore's ability to run the ball and control the clock will be crucial, especially with offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley questionable due to injury. On the other side, the Bengals (1-3) finally got their first win of the season last week, defeating the Carolina Panthers 34-24. Joe Burrow looked more comfortable, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Chase Brown added 80 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. However, Cincinnati's defense has been vulnerable, allowing 26 points per game, and they rank 27th in total defense. This game represents a must-win for the Bengals if they want to avoid falling deeper into the standings. With the pressure on, I expect the Bengals best performance her on Sunday. Play Cincinnati

Week 5 action starts early as the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings kickoff from London, England on Sunday. The Vikings enter Week 5 with a perfect 4-0 record, showcasing an explosive offense led by their star quarterback and an efficient running game. Minnesota has averaged over 28 points per game and has one of the best offensive units in the league. Their defense, though not flawless, has done enough to complement their offensive prowess. Key to their success has been the play of the Vikings' passing game, ranking in the top five in the NFL. The running game, while secondary, is still effective in short-yardage situations. The Vikings' defense, however, has had lapses, especially in the secondary. They have allowed several teams to put up significant yardage in the air, which could become a factor against the Jets. The Jets have been more inconsistent, with a 2-2 record, but their defense has been a bright spot. Known for its tenacity, New York's defense ranks among the top in yards allowed per game, particularly strong in the secondary and against the pass. Offensively, the Jets have been more of a work in progress. Their quarterback play has been steady, but they have yet to establish a consistent offensive identity. They also are still getting used to QB Aaron Rodgers cadence as they had five illegal motion penalties on offense last week. Their running game, in particular, has struggled to find a rhythm, ranking in the bottom half of the league. The Jets' defensive secondary, which has been strong this season, will face a major test against the Vikings' top-tier passing offense. Minnesota's deep passing game, driven by their strong receiver play, will challenge New York's defensive backs. The Jets will likely focus on controlling time of possession and limiting Minnesota's scoring opportunities by emphasizing their short passing game and attempting to establish the run. However, the Vikings' defense, while allowing yardage, has been opportunistic, especially in forcing turnovers. The Vikings offensive firepower and ability to put up points can be the difference here today as they outpace the Jets, who will struggle to keep up unless their defense can generate turnovers and provide favorable field position. I'll take the Vikings here on Sunday from London.