Commissioner could soon lose his job

Expect another Thursday stinker in San Francisco

BARRY WILNER

Texans coach Bill O’Brien says “you can’t hide in the NFL.”

But fans cans hide their eyes from the Thursday night extravaganza, which this week, uh, features the Rams against the 49ers.

L.A. is one of nine visiting teams favoured in Week 3; ten if you count the Ravens against host Jacksonville in London. These Rams have something decent going on, and the 49ers have shown very little.

The coaching change to Sean McVay in L.A. seems to be working better than the switch to Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, which has scored a conference-low 12 points.

On a short week, though, who knows what will appear on the TV screen. Well, we kind of know it won’t be pretty.

The Rams are a two-point favourites. We’re buying.

Rams, 16-13

As for the rest of the matchups: Baltimore (minus 3.5) vs. Jacksonville at London

The Ravens carry their defensive prowess across the pond.

Best bet: Ravens, 20-9

Seattle (plus 3) at Tennessee Have to go with the home team.

Titans, 17-13

Atlanta (minus 3) at Detroit

Lions might be better than anticipated. Still not good enough here.

Falcons, 30-23

Dallas (minus 3) at Arizona, Monday night

Which are the real Cowboys? Which are the real Cardinals?

Cowboys, 26-20

Pittsburgh (minus 7) at Chicago The Steelers are 2-0 without looking particularly good.

Steelers, 22-13

Denver (minus 3) at Buffalo

The Broncos are 2-0 and have looked good.

Broncos, 20-10

Sean McVay Oakland (minus 3) at Washington Remember when the Raiders struggled in the East? Forget it.

Raiders, 33-26

Cleveland (minus 1) at Indianapolis Wait, the Browns are one of those road favourites?

Browns, 13-10

Miami (minus 5.5) at New York Jets Dolphins taking advantage of an easy opening schedule.

Dolphins, 26-10

Houston (plus 13) at New England A house of horrors for the undermanned Texans.

Patriots, 30-13

New Orleans (plus 6) at Carolina The Saints could keep this close before failing.

Panthers, 21-18

N.Y. Giants (plus 5.5) at Philadelphia Pre-season NFC East co-favourite falls to 0-3.

Eagles, 21-20

Kansas City (minus 3) at Chargers Dangerous game for Chiefs, but if the Chargers can’t hit late kicks ...

Chiefs, 24-23

Cincinnati (plus 9) at Green Bay This is the prime CBS telecast. We might turn on NASCAR instead.

Packers, 20-6

Tampa Bay (no line) at Minnesota Too bad there is no line (Sam Bradford’s availability), because this could have been the best bet.

Buccaneers, 21-10

Last week: Against the spread (79); straight up (12-4)

Season totals: Against the spread (13-18); straight up (21-10)

Best bet: 2-0 against the spread, 2-0 straight up

Upset special: 2-0 against the spread, 2-0 straight up