And, even after Week 1, gambling is still gambling.  The comebacks on both Sunday and Monday nights really hurt, as the swings at the end of the fourth quarter resulted in two losses from what looked like two very good wins, and ultimately a $420 swing ($100 per game that I didn't win, to $110 per game that I lost due to the vig).  But hey, at least the Joe Flacco Rebirth Tour continues in full effect covering my Big Bet!!!

For those new to WeMakeItRain, I will select each game, placing a $100 wager on all but one game.  That game, the Big Bet, will be for $250, and is obviously the one I think is the biggest guarantee of the week (yeah, right?!).  All picks are against the spread, and their will be no over/unders in this column until the playoffs (when the number of games is fewer).  Anyway, let's get to the picks!!!

Green Bay Packers -3 1/2 v. Washington Commanders

A refrain that you will read over-and-over-and-over again this  year, take the home team on a short week.  Doesn't hurt that the Packers looked like one of the best three teams in Week 1 - the others being the Bills and Ravens.

Detroit Lions -6 1/2 v. Chicago Bears

So the Bears simultaneously looked like the Bears, and looked like a much-improved team, taking a 14-3 Minnesota squad down to the wire while the Bears defense was missing three starters, including two cornerback that would have been responsible for covering Justin Jefferson.  But, the Bears played Monday night, and the Lions have a lot to prove after they looked ordinary against the Packers.  If the Bears had a full week, I might honestly take these points, but they don't.

Los Angeles Rams -5 1/2 at Tennessee Titans

Beware the road favorite, but luckily for betting me, Nashville plays in the Central Time Zone - not Eastern - so I am not as concerned with travel as I ordinarily would be.  The Rams won a low scoring game against the Houston Texans, and the Titans lost a close battle to the Denver Broncos, despite Titans receivers dropping some critical passes.  I think Tennessee's game was more of a function of Denver not playing well, and I think Los Angeles takes this one handily.

Pittsburgh Steelers -3 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks

Both teams had hard-fought battles in Week 1, the Steelers winning a shootout against the Jets and the Seahawks falling to the 49ers, Seattle is travelling east and playing at 1:00, and Aaron Rodgers is playing like Aaron Rodgers.

New York Jets +6 1/2 v. Buffalo Bills

Ok, Ok, calm down.  The Jets are not going to WIN this game.  But, as I stated a number of times last week, I hate selecting road favorites in intra-divisional games.  Plus, given that the Bills started with a huge comeback win against Baltimore, this might be a little bit of a letdown game.  Also, the Jets looked spry last week against the Steelers.  Spry enough to keep this somewhat close.

Dallas Cowboys -5 1/2 v. New York Giants

Dallas looked like an actual football team last week in a 24-20 loss to the Eagles, and they were a couple of CeeDee Lamb drops away from defeating the defending Super Bowl champion.  The Giants, were, well the Giants.

Cleveland Browns +11 1/2 at Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore is going to have to be pissed after handing a sure-fire win to Buffalo last week, but ... 11 1/2 is A LOT of points to a divisional rival, especially one experiencing the Joe Flacco Rebirth Tour!!!  I'll take the points in an otherwise comfortable Ravens victory.

New Orleans Saints +3 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers

This is the worst game of the week - yes even worse than the next game I will be selecting.  Mac Jones starting for the 49ers, George Kittle out.  They still have a healthy McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall, but there is just too much unknown.  I'll take points at home in this situation, even if those points involve Spencer Rattler.

New England Patriots +1 1/2 at Miami Dolphins

Just judging on Week 1, Miami IS the worst team in the league.  The problem is that Week 1 causes A LOT of overreactions.  The domestic assault investigation (yes another one) into Tyreek Hill is another issue.  Give me the points.

Cincinnati Bengals -3 1/2 v. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville proved a lot to me last week, which isn't much as I expected them to be one of the worst teams in the league this year, and the Jags finally cutting ties with Trevor Lawrence, but again, they only beat Carolina.  Cincinnati struggled with Cleveland, but I think we all expected that.  Is it possible that by jettisoning Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne can become more comfortable and the offense can really settle down and play?  We will see.  Cincinnati will be in playoff contention all year, and they win at home by a touchdown.

Arizona Cardinals -6 1/2 v. Carolina Panthers

Arizona looked good at times last week, albeit against the Saints, but a touchdown reception by the uber-talented Marvin Harrison, Jr. is HUGE!  Carolina, on the other hand, did not look good at all against Jacksonville.  I wish this was around 4 1/2 to 5 points to feel more comfortable, but it isn't.  I still have to give the points at home.

Denver Broncos -1 1/2 at Indianapolis Colts

Is this the NFL or the Kentucky Derby?  All that seem to be missing are the old USFL Birmingham Stallions and the current UFL Birmingham Stallions.  Denver's offense struggled a bit against the Titans, and the Colts were ON FIRE against the Dolphins, but this game is a different type of race.

Philadelphia Eagles +1 1/2 at Kansas City Chiefs

Philadelphia was challenged by Dallas last week, so the question is ... Has Philly taken a step back, or is Dallas pretty good?  We have been asking the step-back question about Kansas City constantly over the past few years, but even then, they never do, even when they do.  Philly is still better overall, especially on the lines, so I will take the points.

Atlanta Falcons + 3 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota really showed us something in the fourth quarter against the Bears, and they seem like they could be a dangerous team this year.  But, Atlanta needs to rebound badly from their loss to Tampa Bay in order to avoid starting 0-2, and Minnesota is on a short week.  Minnesota 28-27.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2 1/2 at Houston Texans

I was more disappointed by Houston than any other team last week.  9 points?  Really?  You always need to avoid overreacting to Week 1, but I can get points against the Texans right now?  Yes, please.

Las Vegas Raiders + 3 1/2 v. Los Angeles Chargers

I HATE this pick.  HATE it, HATE it, HATE it.  You get the picture?  Well, Pepster, why are you picking the Raiders, then?  Because it is early in the season and there is less to really study before making picks, so I really, really need to rely on traditional betting rules, like not taking a divisional road favorite.

BIG BET:

Dallas Cowboys -5 1/2 v. New York Giants

Dallas looked like an actual football team last week in a 24-20 loss to the Eagles, and they were a couple of CeeDee Lamb drops away from defeating the defending Super Bowl champion.  The Giants, were, well the Giants.

This just seems too obvious.  Cowboys played to the level of the Eagles last week, and the Giants played to the level of the Giants.  If this keeps up, Dallas will win big.  Javonte Williams also looks more than serviceable enough as the Dallas passing attack searches for balance from the running game.

Last Week Record:  7-9

Last Week Big Bet: 1-0

Year-to-Date Record:  7-9

Year-to-Date Big Bet:  1-0

Last Week Winnings (Losses):  ($140)

Year-to-Date Winnings (Losses):  ($140)