Picks of the Week

 

Last week could have gone horribly.  As it was, with the vig and losing the big bet put me in a hole to start, but winning the last 4 games of the weekend brought me up to .500.  So there is that.  Let's see if I learned anything.

For those that are new to this site, I will select every game against the spread.  I will be selecting one big bet at $250 per, whereas everything else will be $100.  Winners count as winners, whereasv, losses will be calculated including a 10% vig to make the math that much simpler.  On to the picks.

Washington Football Team -3 1/2 v. New York Giants

So again I took the home team on Thursday, this time because it was a short week.  Lost this one, but this theory will win out more Thursdays than it loses.

Chicago Bears -1 1/2 v. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bears showed some life in the first half on the road against the Rams.  This one is at home and the Bengals are not the Rams.

Denver Broncos -6 at Jacksonville Jaguars

Teddy Two Gloves versus Trevor Lawrence.  Too bad for the Jaguars that everyone else has to play as well.  And thank you to the Broncos for being in the Mountain Time Zone and not the Pacific, otherwise I would be forced to pick Jacksonville.

Miami Dolphins +3 1/2 v. Buffalo Bills

The Bills are better, but they did not look good last week.  So, they either learned their lesson that they have to actually play every game, or, they may have regressed.  Although probably the former, I'll take points on the home team in a divisional rivalry.

Houston Texans +13 1/2 at Cleveland Browns

So Houston may not be the worst team in the league.  Cleveland wins this game, probably easily, but 13 is A LOT of points this early in the season when we haven't quite figured everything out yet.  Cleveland is my pick in my suicide pool, which lost a good number of people week 1 who selected Buffalo and Green Bay.

Philadelphia Eagles +3 v. San Francisco 49ers

Pacific coast team travelling east and playing in the early game.  Plus, Philly looked better than I thought last week - although San Fran was cruising for a while too!

Carolina Panthers +3 1/2 v. New Orleans Saints

I am here for the Jameis Winston era in New Orleans, so long as Sean Payton keeps allowing him to fling it.  But, as in the Miami-Buffalo game, I'll take home points this early in the season in an intra-divisional game.

Indianapolis Colts +4 v. Los Angeles Rams

I think the Rams make the Super Bowl this year, but traveling east to play in the early game, the week after playing the Sunday Night game.  They could still win, but don't cover.

Pittsburgh Steelers -6 v. Las Vegas Raiders

Pittsburgh showed us their defense is still a traditional Steelers defense.  And the Raiders won a hard-fought overtime game against the Ravens last week.  So, not only is LV traveling east to play early, they are on a short week after playing an entire additional quarter on Monday night.  I'll take Pittsburgh.

New York Jets +5 1/2 v. New England Patriots

With two rookie QBs, the smart play is to bet on Belichick.  But, I think this game will be close, so I'll take points at home.

Arizona Cardinals -3 1/2 v. Minnesota Vikings

Arizona was easily the most impressive team in Week 1.

Atlanta Falcons -12 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta is bad.  Tampa should be good.  But that is a lot of points to be giving up.

Dallas Cowboys +3 at Los Angeles Chargers

This is possibly an overreaction to week 1's game against the Buccaneers.

Seattle Seahawks -6 v. Tennessee Titans

Seattle are serious contenders, and at home.  Tennessee was worked by Arizona last week, how do they rebound?  I believe with a second loss in a a row.

Kansas City Chiefs -3 1/2 at Baltimore Ravens

Short, exhausting week for the Ravens after their Monday Night overtime loss to the Raiders.  Their reward?  Trying to keep up with the Chiefs' offense.

Green Bay Packers -11 v. Detroit Lions

Aaron Rodgers looked horrible last week.  No better bounce back than the Lions, who looked spry against the 49ers.  Spry doesn't mean they are good.

  

Big Bet

Arizona Cardinals -3 1/2 v. Minnesota Vikings

Arizona was easily the most impressive team in Week 1.

Is it too early to start the Kyler Murray for MVP chants?  Of course it is, but 21-32 for 289 and 4 TDs, plus a rushing TD at Tennessee was a great start.

Last Week's Record:  8-8

Last Week's Big Bet:  0-1
Year-to-Date Record:  8-8

Big Bet Year-to-Date:  0-1
Last Week's Winnings (Losses): ($245) 
Year-to-Date's Winnings (Losses): ($245)