This is one of those hold your nose situational plays. The Steelers are not as good on the road as they are at home. If you look at the splits for Ben Roethlisberger and this offense, this team just isn't as strong away from Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat the Browns in Cleveland in Week 1, eking out a 21-18 victory. Looming is another divisional clash with the archrival Ravens, so focus could be an issue. Chicago is 0-2 with one good game and one bad one. The Bears hung tough with the Falcons at home before getting blasted by the Buccaneers on the road. The defense has put up some respectable numbers as Vic Fangio continues to do good work. Chicago has covered in five of six and 19 of its last 28 games as a home underdog of 3.5 to 7 points. Three of Pittsburgh's last four games before Baltimore have been decided by one score. As long as this stays at seven or above, I'm taking Chicago.

I think the Giants are in a prime spot to keep things close as Odell Beckham and Janoris Jenkins look to be healthy. The Eagles secondary is terribly banged up and that's a group that's already pretty bad as it is. Yes, there's some worry about the offensive line holding up against the Philly pass rush, but in the past they've given Eli quick throws to make. Philly has dominated this series as of late. I don't know how their offense does against a Giants defense that could play better. To me, this is an overreaction to records. The Eagles have failed to cover in 15 of their last 25 games in conference. I think New York could win this outright. 

I'm a big fan of the Owls and think they should win this one outright. It started rough with Navy and Wisconsin, but we saw what the team can do against Bethune Cookman. The defense is a work in progress while the offense has a lot of talent that finally got to show off. Devin Singletary is a very good running back. Buffalo is along the same lines losing to Minnesota and Army before beating Colgate. Tyree Jackson is a good quarterback and their defense is alright although I think they'll struggle against FAU. Kendal Briles and Lane Kiffin are getting more and more time with the offense which will get more dynamic. Buffalo has been a favorite six times the last three seasons and has covered just once. As long as I am getting the hook, I'm taking the road team. 

Miami is playing their second game of the season on Saturday as they host potent Toledo. The Hurricanes beat Bethune Cookman 41-13 back on September 2nd and have been off since then due to the weather. They've got a very good defense and an offense that is led by a young QB and may be without Ahmmon Richards again. Toledo's got three games under their belt and they've been smoking hot offensively. None of the defenses were on the level of Miami, but you can see Logan Woodside having some success against a rusty Miami team. Toledo has covered in nine of their last 11 road games and 16 of their last 28 overall. If they can start fast, I think this game gets interesting.

The Cavaliers hit the road for the first time this season as they play at Boise State. The Broncos have struggled to get much going this season on offense. They can run it well, but the air attack just isn't there right now. Brett Rypien is coming off a concussion two weeks ago but should be ready for this one. The Hoos went 2-1 in their opening homestand, but they won the games they were supposed to. The offense found a running attack to balance a pretty good aerial game. The Broncos play good defense themselves. This one figures to be a lower scoring game especially since neither side is consistent offensively. Boise is 2-11 at home against the spread the last three seasons and 9-17 ATS as a favorite. UVA has covered seven of their last 11 road games. I think the team out of the ACC can keep things close in this one. 

Another overreaction after one week is that Dallas can suddenly play defense. This couldn't be farther from the truth considering the Giants offense is horrendous without Odell Beckham. Eli Manning was constantly on the run because his offensive line couldn't block either. Yes, the Cowboys offense did it's part, but it's very hard to throw on Denver. Cole Beasley and Dez Bryant won't find as many openings as they did in week one. Denver's run game worked and Trevor Siemian did enough to win on Monday night. I'm guessing some of the love for the road team is based off the short week for the Broncos. Denver has been a home underdog of 3 points or less 19 times since 1992 and have won 12 of those outright. The Cowboys have covered just eight of their last 18 games as a favorite. I'll bite on the potential trap.

Here's one of those games where the overreactions may take place. You've got a Rams team that demolished the Colts who are barely pro level with Scott Tolzien at quarterback. The defense played fantastic and they certainly will be a factor against Washington who struggled with the Eagles front seven. There's also the giant storyline of Sean McVay going up against his former team and who knows more about the other's tendencies. Kirk Cousins didn't do very well against the blitz so you have to think that Wade Phillips will be bringing the heat. Terrelle Pryor will have to improve especially since Josh Doctson is nowhere near ready. The Skins defense wasn't that bad against Philly either and I don't know if they'll be threatened that much by Jared Goff and Todd Gurley. Washington is 14-8 against the spread in their last 22 games as an underdog. I think this one is a Skins win.

I think we are getting Idaho at a good time here after their crushing loss at home to UNLV. The Vandals were terrible on both sides of the ball losing to the Rebels at home 44-16. They have the better offense in this matchup and maybe the better defense. The Broncos were gashed at USC and Michigan State this season. They also saw their passing offense manage less then 100 yards in both matchups. It's Western Michigan's first home game of the season and Idaho's first road game. WMU has the rushing attack capable of winning this game, but if you aren't afraid of the pass, you can stack the box against it. Idaho has covered in 17 of their last 27 games including nine of their last 13 on the road. I think the Vandals are a very live dog in this one.

Last week didn't work out well for me with the Mean Green, but this is a tough spot for Iowa. They are coming off a draining overtime road win at Iowa State and are hosting Penn State next week so here sits North Texas. Iowa's secondary was under siege in week two which is what we thought they would be like in week one against Josh Allen. Their front seven has done well against the run but UNT wants to throw it. They struggled to slow down Courtland Sutton last week in SMU. They probably stack the box against Akrum Wadley and make the Iowa passing game beat them. Iowa is 6-9 ATS at home their last three seasons. I think the Mean Green make this game a bit of a sweat. 

It's an early body clock game for UCLA who travels to play Memphis on Saturday. The Bruins offense has been very good this season especially Josh Rosen who led them to the week one win over Texas A&M. The problems have come on defense where they've been gashed on the ground. The Bruins have not traveled yet this year and have a road game at Stanford next week. Memphis lost their game last week due to the weather so they only have a 37-29 win over Louisiana Monroe. The Tigers ran for 319 yards and forced four turnovers in the win. UCLA is 10-16 ATS the last three seasons and 7-11 ATS as a favorite. To me, they struggle in this one as the Tigers have a good enough offense to keep up if this becomes a shootout. 

Iowa State is coming off a draining overtime home loss to their hated rival Iowa and now has to head to Akron where they are going to be excited to get a Big 12 team. Not only that, ISU has conference play to begin next week so who knows where their focus will be. There's no doubting the Cyclones talent offensively as they've scored at will on both of their Iowa opponents. Akron is feeling good after beating Arkansas Pine Bluff. They got gashed by Penn State in week one and that's a concern, but this is at home. Thomas Woodson and Warren Ball aren't bad offensive players. You can't count out a Bowden in a big game too. Iowa State has won one of their last 11 road games, covering just three of them overall. I think this one is a struggle for the squad out of the Big 12. 

Two teams that want to forget their week one take on each other on Thursday night. Houston lost at home 29-7 to Jacksonville in a game that saw a quarterback change and a lot of sacks. Deshaun Watson is going to get his first start in this one and I feel like it's the right decision behind a bad offensive line. Watson gives the offense a boost with Lamar Miller and DeAndre Hopkins still being threats. The Texans defense is pretty good although they struggled against Jacksonville. Cincinnati got shut out by the Ravens last week 20-0 and Andy Dalton looked terrible. The Bengals defense also was beaten up on the ground. Houston has won the last two matchups winning in Cincy 10-6 in 2015 and 12-10 in Houston last season. The low total means it's going to be a close game and field position will be key. I believe the Texans defense is better and they are a juicy proposition especially if it gets to seven points. 

Yes, I know the Jets are going to be the worst team in football, but this is a little much for a Bills team that ain't exactly that good either. Buffalo has the only known commodity on both sides in LeSean McCoy so they'll probably ride him, but Tyrod Taylor's #1 weapon may be Zay Jones, a rookie especially if Jordan Matthews isn't ready. The Jets "strength" is in their secondary with some young safeties and decent cornerbacks. Buffalo is changing up their defense a lot and is rebuilding their back end so it's not like they are going to be at that much of an advantage. Like it or not, Josh McCown is a veteran quarterback who has some decent weapons and Bilal Powell at running back. I may look very stupid for doing this when New York loses by double digits, but it's not like the Bills are that good either.