Doc’s Sports Free Picks & Handicapper Review

There are plenty of reasons to expect goals in this matchup. Edmonton has been one of the NHL's highest-scoring teams, averaging more than four goals per game, and its power play has been clicking at an impressive 35.7%. The Oilers have also struggled on the penalty kill, which gives the Rangers opportunities to contribute offensively. Goaltending is another big factor here, with New York missing Igor Shesterkin and Edmonton expected to start Matt Tomkins in the second game of a back-to-back. The Rangers have gone OVER in nine of their first 14 games, and we like the chances of both teams finding the net enough to push this one past 6.5 goals.

Boston is playing some good basketball right now, winning four straight and averaging over 120 points per game to start the season. Orlando has struggled with consistency and is dealing with some significant injuries, including Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs being sidelined. That's a lot of offensive production and defensive toughness missing against a Celtics team that's finding its rhythm. Boston has also won three straight meetings with the Magic, and with Jayson Tatum leading the way, we like the Celtics to pull away and cover this number.

2 Unit Play: Take #260 Denver Broncos over Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m., Sunday, November 1, CBS)

Kansas City’s weaknesses were on display last week, and now the Chiefs head to Denver for their second consecutive road game. The Broncos bring a strong defense, much like Seattle’s, and I don’t trust Kansas City to generate enough offense without turnovers or short fields helping the cause.

Denver is 3-0 at home and quietly sitting at 5-2 after three straight wins, including a victory over Seattle two weeks ago. A win here would move the Broncos into first place in the AFC West and strengthen their chances of repeating as division champions. Kansas City has also failed to cover in its last four trips to Denver. With this line sitting around pick’em, I’ll back the Broncos at home against a Chiefs team whose record overstates its quality.

2 Unit Play: Take #240 Detroit Lions over Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m., Sunday, November 1, FOX)

Minnesota may be undefeated, but I’m not sold on this team. The Vikings have leaned heavily on their defense while averaging just 17 points per game over their last five wins. That formula will be difficult to sustain against a Detroit offense averaging nearly 400 yards per game.

I’m not the biggest fan of Detroit’s head coach, but I expect him to have the Lions ready for this matchup. Detroit is the more desperate team, and its offense should eventually find a rhythm at Ford Field. When that happens, I don’t trust Kyler Murray and the Vikings to keep pace. As long as the Lions protect the football, I expect them to expose Minnesota’s limitations and win by double digits.