Gary Bart Handicapping: Top-Rated Sports Picks

Boston will try to bounce back with a win after losing in Orlando Friday. The Celtics have been inconsistent without Jason Tatum in their lineup. They are 4-6 heading into this game. Boston is an experienced team that has the ability to bounce back. Look for a better effort from the Celtics. Take Boston. 

Washington is off to a 2-0 start. They head to Baylor as a big underdog. Baylor are coming off a win against UT Rio Grand Valley. The concern is that Baylor trailed early in that game by 14 points. The Bears have five new starters. That could be an issue against a Washington team that is 2-0. Take Washington. 

Second-year Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz brought in 12 new players, including seven Division I transfers, to add to the one starter back from a 17-18 team. The new-look Cowboys opened the season with a 95-71 home victory over Oral Roberts on Tuesday. Texas A&M are 2-0. Both of those wins came against weak teams. The Aggies have five new starters. That may be an issue in their first game against a big program. Take Oklahoma State.

Pittsburgh moved to 5-3 after a big home win against the Colts last week. L.A. are 6-3 after a win at Tennessee last week. Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rogers is coming off one of his best games of the season, but Pittsburgh is still ranked 28th in yards gained per game. The Chargers have better offensive and defensive stats in yards gained and allowed per game. Take the Chargers.  

The Jags are coming off a road win against the Raiders. Houston will be without starting QB C.J. Stroud. Davis Mills will get his first start since the end of 2022. The Texans have a number of injuries to their offensive line. Guard Ed Ingram and right tackle Tytus Howard will not play. Mills did not look good last week in a home loss against the Broncos. Houston should have trouble running the football and protecting Mills without Ingram and Tytus in their lineup. Take the Jags.

This should be an interesting matchup between two teams that are coming off big wins. Both teams got off to slow starts to their seasons. QB Lamar Jackson returned for the Ravens last week, while the Vikings had second year QB J.J. McCarthy in their lineup last week. McCarthy played well in the Vikings win against Detroit. The Ravens have been better the last few weeks. They had wins against the Bears at home and against a weak Miami team on the road. Baltimore should find things more difficult on the road against the Vikings. Take Minny. 

Cleveland is 1-4 in their last five games. New York won their first game of the season at Cincy two weeks ago. Both teams have had extra time to prepare for this game. The Jets traded away a number of key defensive players this week. They opened as a small favourite, but because of those changes they are a home underdog. The Browns are a good defensive team and the Jets are ranked 25th in yards gained per game. Those trades will make a bad team even worse. Take Cleveland.