Welcome to a new feature on JoeBucsFan.com. Joe has challenged Ira Kaufman, Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter, to pick against the spread this season for a $500 prize. Every Friday, Ira will type out his picks for each Friday-through-Monday game. If he hits at 53 percent or better for the regular season, then Ira gets $500 in gift cards to Abe’s Place in Clearwater, home of historically amazing food and 44 craft beers on tap. Feel free to send Ira your stone cold locks on Twitter, @ikaufman76. The sage of Tampa Bay sports could always use some help.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

That .500 mark continues to prove elusive for your favorite soothsayer.

What’s even more depressing is I’m talking about for the week, not the season. Another 7-8 slate leaves me at an ugly 24-35 against the spread through Week 4.

That 53 percent target goal hanging over my head seems almost out of reach, despite three-quarters of the season still remaining. But like the Bucs, I’m not quitting this job early.

I can still reach the NFL’s Promised Land — and it starts this weekend.

CHARGERS plus-3 1-2 at GIANTS. San Diego’s pass rush is legit and New York’s offensive line is not. Eli Manning, already taking some heat in the Big Apple tabloids, will feel the heat from Joey Bosa and friends.

BENGALS minus-3 vs. BILLS. I know who’s atop the AFC East standings, but I’m not buying these Bills quite yet, especially on the road. Cincinnati’s defense will make things difficult for a pedestrian attack.

BROWNS even vs. JETS. If Cleveland doesn’t pull this one off, the Browns are staring at a possible 0-16 finish. I don’t believe the Jets can do it in the road.

JAGUARS plus-8 1-2 at STEELERS. The schizoid Jags are difficult to read. They’ve blown out two teams and looked putrid the other two weeks. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh appears to be the class of the AFC North.

TITANS minus-3 at DOLPHINS. Like Jacksonville, the Titans have been wildly erratic. Perhaps a little South Florida sunshine can get Miami’s offense out of the deep freeze.

49ERS plus-1 1-2 at COLTS. San Francisco has been competitive and Carlos Hyde is a handful to bring down. Andrew Luck can’t get back soon enough for Indy.

CARDINALS plus-6 1-2 at EAGLES. Before taking on the Bucs at home, Arizona figures to play Philly tough on the road. Even those fickle Eagle fans have to admit Carson Wentz has been rather impressive.

LIONS minus-2 1-2 vs. PANTHERS. Detroit has played very well in the early stages and the Lions are well coached. After a huge win in Foxborough, the Panthers must guard against a letdown.

RAMS minus-1 1-2 vs. SEAHAWKS. Even when they were bad, the Rams usually gave Seattle fits. This is a big test for Jared Goff against one of the league’s elite secondaries.

RAIDERS minus-2 1-2 vs. RAVENS. Baltimore doesn’t have enough weapons surrounding Joe Flacco to exploit Oakland’s weaknesses. The Raiders have spent a lot of money along the offensive line and they expect a big return on investment.

COWBOYS minus-2 1-2 vs. PACKERS. The Dallas skeptics are chirping, but I like Dak Prescott to match spirals with Aaron Rodgers and come out on top.

TEXANS plus-1 vs. CHIEFS. Houston capitalizes on a short turnaround for Kansas City as dynamic rookie DeShaun Watson embraces the prime-time spotlight.

VIKINGS minus-2 1-2 at BEARS. Chicago upset the Steelers at Soldier Field, but I can’t see Mitch Trubisky handling one of the NFL’s top defenses in his first pro start.