Last week, while typing up this weekly article, I sat before you at 14-22 on the young NFL season. Now, a week later, we’re 20-24! Still under .500, but the climbing out of the hole has commenced! Time to steamroll your sportsbook.
Also of note, I gave you some 1H under 24.5s to consider. Those went 2-2, though they are not technically plays.
Here’s what’s on tap for this week:
NFL Plays
Cincinnati +5.5 - I refuse to buy into this Steelers team and Cincinnati at home ought to be able to keep this one respectable in a primetime spot.
Jacksonville +3 - The Jags’ defense is legit and if their offense can ever manage to get out of their own way, they can beat anyone. Bounce back spot for the Jags. I got this at +3.5 and I like it a lot better with the hook, but it’s priced at +3 now, so that’s how we’ll grade it.
New Orleans +5.5 - The Saints going into Chicago against a Bears team coming off of an emotional win on a short week. Take the points.
Cleveland -2.5 - Admittedly, I hate this one. Feels like the perfect spot for Miami to get right, but I’m not sure Miami’s ever going to get right this year and the Dawg Pound lifts the home team to victory.
Tennessee +7 - Another spot where I got it with the hook but that’s gone now, so we’ll take the +7 for grading. The Titans canned Brian Callahan and Cam Ward has the talent to go out an win a game on his own. New coach, new motivations. And they’ll be motivated against Vrabel in his return to Tennessee.
Las Vegas +12.5 - This is too many points for a division game.
Minnesota +2.5 - No one’s going to be betting this side, but Minnesota’s a really tough road environment.
Denver -7 - Time for a small dose of reality after a couple of fun weeks for Giants fans. I think Denver’s the better side here.
NY Giants/Denver o40 - Denver’s defense is getting too much respect here. These are a couple of offenses that are moving the ball well now. Root for points.
San Francisco -2 - The Falcons dismantled one of the Super Bowl favorites on Monday night, but now they travel to the west coast on short rest to face a 49ers team coming off an embarrassing loss to the Bucs.
Detroit -4.5 - Detroit doesn’t lose two in a row and they’re a tough out at home.
Tampa Bay/Detroit u53.5 - Injuries are stacking up for both teams here. For as good as these two teams are, this one may not be very exciting.
That’s 12 plays and if all goes well, we’ll be out of the hole entirely by this time next week.
1H Under 24.5s
These are not official plays, but something we’re tracking because I like the idea in certain spots. Tampa Bay and Detroit is a tough spot, but at plus money it' might be worth a crack.
NO/CHI u24.5 -135
LV/KC u24.5 -155
IND/LAC u24.5 -125
ATL/SF u24.5 -150
TB/DET u24.5 +115