NFL YTD: 0-0 (+0.00*)
NCAA YTD: 18-8 (+9.30*)
Seattle(-5) over Los Angeles Rams (1*)
- - Pete Carroll’s coaching style has always been best suited to a young team. IMO there is a wide consensus among experienced observers that no team had a better training camp than Seattle . , . A number is something Vegas hangs on a game for a plethora of reasons. Simply put, in this charged up opening spot, I would almost always see value with backing the 2023 Seahawks I have been tracking, and I would almost never speculate on getting value backing the very much to prove Rams without invaluanle WR Cooper Kupp in said same spot.
Washington(-7) over Arizona (1*)
- - I need to trust my stuff, and my INFORMATION and ANGLES on this game rate Arizona as a real mess for an opening week identity, going on the road against an NFC East foe that I admit I am likely higher on than many or most as being a pretty decent squad that will greatly disappoint me if they play this opener with complacency.
Green Bay(+1') over Chicago (1*)
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https://www.readoptional.com/p/jordan-love-is-ready-for-the-big
“As (GM Brian) Gutenkunst said, he needs to play.”
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8 first round picks on defense.
- - Chicago(-1') seems about the right line for spreading the action as Chicago obsesses over their Division Daddy, but IMO it offers not much better value than Bears +155 to make playoffs vs. Packers +160 to make playoffs.
Pittsburgh(+2) over San Francisco (1*)
- - I am now on a ride to see if QB Brock Purdy from Iowa State and the QB gurus in San Francisco can bash me over the head with his excellence, because I will be seriously doubting him for a good long while before his story is written over the next 2 or 3 or 4 seasons . . . I like the chances of Pittsburgh and QB Kenny Pickett as a live dog to bring enough to the table to score a huge take down of an otherwise elite San Fran squad.
San Diego(-3) over Miami (1*)
- - I think I am very much in the minority when I say I will not be shocked if Pittsburgh unseats Cincinnati as a Division winner, and also very much in the minority when I say I will be shocked if a team other than the Jets unseats Buffalo as a Division winner (i.e., no Dolphins). On the other hand, I think the Chargers under QB Justin Herbert can possibly unseat any team in 2023 if they stay healthy, notwithstanding concerns about HC Staley. After the bitter ending to their season the Chargers have had to live with since January, I think Miami has their hands full in California with a healthy and hungry Chargers team in this one.
Denver(-3)(-115) over Las Vegas (1*)
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Philadelphia(-3)(-125) over New England (1*)
- - Zero chance New England would carry my cash in this game with or without Tom Brady, does not mean a play on Philadelphia is the way to go.
Minnesota(-4) over Tampa Bay (1*)
- - The line moves account for me getting off a play on Cleveland and choosing this play instead. I know I’m at least a tad higher on the potential of QB Baker Mayfield in the future, but it is still very much unproven, and U.S. Bank Stadium has proven a tough place to visit.
GL