Best Bets of the Weekend Oct.14-15

Western Michigan has won eight straight over Miami (Ohio), but are big home underdogs on Saturday. Can the Broncos deliver an upset? In the NFL, the Forty-Niners unbeaten express comes into the Dawg Pound to face the Browns while it’s pupil vs. mentor as the Raiders host the Patriots and Bill Belichick tries to get the Patriots on track after scoring just three points the last two weeks.

Western Michigan +8.5 at BetMGM

The Broncos host a Miami team that has won five straight, it’s longest win streak in 20 years and coming off its first shutout of a team since 2010. Western Michigan is 2-4, but played Mississippi State tough in an eventual 41-28 loss. Old Dominion transfer Hayden Wolff made his first start in Starkville and threw for 262 yards and three scores.

The RedHawks are led by quarterback Brett Gabbert, the younger brother of current Chiefs back-up Blaine. He’s thrown 57 TD passes in his career. But Western Michigan has Miami’s number. They’ve won eight in a row over Miami and getting 8.5 points at home is a great pick.

San Francisco -5.5 at DraftKings

You might be wondering why this spread is even so small, but the Browns have a legit defense led by Myles Garrett who has 5.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits in four games. The Browns were off last week.

However, San Francisco has been the best team in the NFL through five weeks. They demolished the Cowboys Sunday night 42-10. Running back Christian McCaffrey has scored in 14 straight games – the NFL record is 18. The Niners defense is No. 1 in points allowed, and I just can’t see the Browns scoring many points against San Francisco. The Niners can win this by a touchdown easy.

Raiders -3.5 at FanDuel

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels gets a shot at his mentor Bill Belichick with the Patriots just when New England is about as down as they have been in 20 years.

New England has scored three points in their last two games. Quarterback Mac Jones has struggled behind a patchwork offensive line and yes, even the media is starting to whisper that maybe it’s time for Belichick to go.

Unfortunately, the Raiders offense isn’t great either. The Raiders haven’t scored more than 18 points this season and Jimmy Garoppolo (himself a former Patriot) has thrown a league-high seven interceptions. Running back Josh Jacobs is only averaging 2.9 yards a carry. But at least the Raiders have some weapons on offense and can score. The Patriots have nothing right now,