Picks of the Week

  

At one point last wekend, things were looking amazing; 5-5 after the early games, and sitting at 3-1 in the late games, with a team driving for me to be 4-0.  Then, it all fell apart.  1-3 in those games, and boy did that hurt.  Oh well, we are now learning how this season might be progressing, although there are still some really big question marks about some teams.  Let's hope I answer those questions correctly this week.

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.

Houston Texans +8 1/2 v. Carolina Panthers

I hated this pick when I made it, but if you always take the home team on a short week, ultimately you will end up ahead.

Chicago Bears +7 at Cleveland Browns

Will the Bears offense experience a bump with rookie Justin Fields at the helm?  Probably so.  Keeps this game close.

Baltimore Ravens -8 at Detroit Lions

The Lions just don't have enough firepower, and as we saw last week, the Ravens do, even with all of their injuries.  And, Detroit is on a short week having played Monday night.

Atlanta Falcons +3 at New York Giants

When two really bad teams play against each other, I like to take the points.  Tougher decision on this one because the Giants have looked borderline respectable, but I'll still take the points.

New England Patriots -3 v. New Orleans Saints

If I get this one wrong, it is because the Saints are going to bounce between great and awful, so I just have to figure out when the bounce will occur.  My guess is they don't bounce back against a Belichick coached team.

Pittsburgh Steelers -3 v. Cincinnati Bengals

The battle of the two worst offensive lines in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans -5 1/2 v. Indianapolis Colts

We don't even know which quarterback will start for Indianapolis after Carson Wentz's one-on-one game with Allen Iverson (he broke both ankles.)  But we do know that Tennessee bounced back bigly last week.  They continue to roll.

Buffalo Bills -7 v. Washongton Football Team

Bills are out to prove that week 1 was a delusion.  Played great last week, and although this week should be tougher, still win by 10-14.

Kansas City Chiefs -7 v. Los Angeles Chargers

Take the over first and foremost.  Secondly, Kansas City NEEDS this win after last weeks unexpected loss to Baltimore.

Arizona Cardinals -7 1/2 at Jacksonville Jaguars

I am inventing a new caveat to the bet against the west coast team travelling east and playing the early game; the addition is "unless they are playing a team with a rookie quarterback AND a rookie coach.  Oh, wait, Arizona is in the mountain time zone.  Then, easy pick.

New York Jets +10 1/2 at Denver Broncos

The Jets are not good,, but they do have some actual NFL players.  So, I'll take the 10 1/2.  Denver is my pick in my suicide pool, though.

Las Vegas Raiders -3 1/2 v. Miami Dolphins

No Tuaniganinualepola this week, and although Jackby Brissett is an accomplished NFL backup, he doesn't move the needle offensively.  I think the Raiders win convincingly.

Seattle Seahawks -2 at Minnesota Vikings

Seattle is still trying to figure out how they lost last week.

Los Angeles Rams +1 1/2 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Easily the best game of the week.  A potentially great offense getting points at home.  Brady always rises to the occasion for big games, but for him, this isn't necessarily a big game.

Green Bay Packers +3 at San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay on a short week, but at least they get the Sunday night game.  I feel that week 2 Green Bay is way more indicative of what they Packers can do versus Week 1 Green Bay.

Dallas Cowboys -3 1/2 v. Philadelphia Eagles

I still don't think we know exactly what either of these teams are going to be, but I feel that if Dallas can run a little bit, they should be able to win this game.

  

Big Bet

Las Vegas Raiders -3 1/2 v. Miami Dolphins

No Tuaniganinualepola this week, and although Jackby Brissett is an accomplished NFL backup, he doesn't move the needle offensively.  I think the Raiders win convincingly.

Another reason to type Tuanigamanualepola!  Injured Dolphins team not going to cover against a Raiders team that is playing as good as anyone.

Last Week's Record:  7-9

Last Week's Big Bet:  0-1
Year-to-Date Record:  15-17

Big Bet Year-to-Date:  0-1
Last Week's Winnings (Losses): ($455) 
Year-to-Date's Winnings (Losses): ($700)