Joe Champion’s tips for Sunday’s NFL action include comfortable wins for the Jets, Texans and Chiefs.
The 2024 NFL season continues this weekend as 14 games take place on Sunday, with the headline act coming from the SoFi Stadium when the Kansas City Chiefs travel to the LA Chargers.
Best bets
New Orleans Saints +3.5
20/33
New York Jets -6.5
4/6
Houston Texans -6.5
20/21
Kansas City Chiefs -6.5
10/13
Saints should stay in touch
After two explosive opening performances, the New Orleans Saints offence regressed in last week’s 15-12 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, Derek Carr’s men had previously scored 47 points against Carolina and 44 against the Cowboys and they should produce another competitive effort when they head to Atlanta to face the Falcons in an all-NFC South clash.
Atlanta are 1-2 under Kirk Cousins and, while there is room for improvement, they are yet to fully click into gear, suggesting that the Saints can keep the score within a field goal.
Jets to turn on the afterburners
Aaron Rodgers’ Jets career has gathered pace over the last two weeks with wins coming over the Titans and Patriots and he can lead his team to a commanding home victory over the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos ran out surprise winners over the Buccaneers last week as rookie QB Bo Nix claimed his first NFL triumph, although the Bucs were banged up on defence, so it’s difficult to gauge the merits of that performance.
Nix and his offence had previously scored just six points against the Steelers and a meeting with a confident Jets team, who have had three additional days of rest, will provide a much bigger test of his mettle.
Texans look poised to bounce back
The Houston Texans slumped to a 34-7 Week Three loss to the Vikings in Minnesota, but a home AFC South clash with Jacksonville affords them a fine chance to bounce back to form.
While Offensive Rookie of the Year CJ Stroud is yet to repeat the fireworks which saw him claim that award, his team are still 2-1 and can enhance their record with a triumph over the listless Jaguars.
The Jags started the season with narrow losses to the Dolphins and Browns and were awful in Monday’s 47-10 loss to the Bills.
Trevor Lawrence is struggling to complete passes and his offence could struggle to match that of their high-powered hosts.
Chiefs should stamp their authority
Reigning champions Kansas City have scrapped their ways to wins over the Ravens, Bengals and Falcons to move to 3-0 and they can cover the spread and extend their lead at the top of the AFC West with another success over the Chargers.
LA are 2-1 to start the season, but QB Justin Herbert’s fitness is a huge concern after he failed to complete last week’s 20-10 loss to the Steelers.
While the Chargers have secured wins over the Raiders and Panthers, the Chiefs have won the last four meetings when Patrick Mahomes and Herbert have started at quarterback.
With the LA signal caller nowhere near fully fit, this could quickly turn into a one-sided contest.