Football is here, thank god. Took a beating my first time betting baseball this year, most likely steering away from that for the remainder of my life. So let's dig in....
Carolina -2.5 (-110) 2*
Of course the super bowl revenge factor is in play here, but I couldnt care less about it. The simple fact here is in no galaxy should Trevor Siemian be opening against Cam Newton as a 3 pt dog. This should be -6. Benji returning (albeit limited snaps, supposively), Funchess and Olsen should give Denver's D , who will be on the field all night plenty of fits. I like J-stew here with fresh legs to begin the season and pair that with Denver losing Travathan and Jackson, another year on Ware, and the rookie qb having to play mistake free football on this big stage.....I just think its too much too handle. If carolina wants to set an immediate tone for their season they come out and hit Denver in the mouth.
Ravens (-150) 5*
Outside of this being perceived as a homer pick, only someone who follows the Ravens every second of the day like myself would know this is as close to robbery as it gets. We know Tyrod like the back of our hand, practicing against him for four years, Rex Ryan has never beat Baltimore since leaving, Joe and Harbs opening day record is 5-3 with two losses at Denver (2013, 2015). This years Ravens are as healthy as they've been in a long time, with the exception of Doom being out for this one. I expect Zdarius Smith and Judon (3 sacks in preseason) to fill in fine for him setting the edge and containing Tyrod. From the training camp practices I've attended I've seen a massive difference in communication on the back end moving Webb to SS and signing Eric Weddle. This secondary will not be top 10 by any means, but it will not be the burnt toast it was last year for the first half of the season. Factor in the ravage of injuries and suspensions the Bills are facing : Dareus Suspended, Henderson suspended, Manny Lawson suspended, Shaq Lawson out, Reggie Raggland out, Karlos Williams suspended and cut, and Glenn being banged up, I think its too much for them to overcome on the road. Ravens running attack + improved Oline + most recieving threats Joe has had in his career = success
.
Phil/Clev UNDER 41 1*
Rookie qb + Rg3 and very limited weapons out the gate, factor in Philly's very solid secondary (absolutely love their safety duo) I have this at 20-13.
WSH +3 (-110) 2*
Really trying to disregard my hate for Pitt, I don't see how this team is improved this year, Jarvis Jones has 2 sacks in 29 career games, Arthur Moats 4 in 40 games, Harrison is old but he'll get his 4-6 on limited playing time, Dupree is on the IR, their secondary is trash with Cockrell and Gay as starters. (Gay is a solid slot corner, has no business being a #1, Golson is on IR, and Gilbert is awful at this point. In this league if you are missing a pass rush or secondary you can get by, without both you are in trouble. I don't buy the all high powered offense talk, when this team has gotten worse on offense with the absence of Bryant and Miller retiring. (Greene on IR). Another fact everyone is overlooking is Pitt let their Left Tackle walk and he has been very Solid for jax. They're rolling this season with an undrafted LT in Villanueva to protect an injury prone Big Jen, not very wise IMO. Do I think they still score a lot? Yes. But this defense is surely not ready for Jackson, Garcon, Reed, Crowder, (doctson if he plays). Kirk will have plenty of time back there in the pocket to do his thing. Give me the skins and the points at home in primetime.
Thank god football is back and good luck to all.
Carolina -2.5 (-110) 2*
Of course the super bowl revenge factor is in play here, but I couldnt care less about it. The simple fact here is in no galaxy should Trevor Siemian be opening against Cam Newton as a 3 pt dog. This should be -6. Benji returning (albeit limited snaps, supposively), Funchess and Olsen should give Denver's D , who will be on the field all night plenty of fits. I like J-stew here with fresh legs to begin the season and pair that with Denver losing Travathan and Jackson, another year on Ware, and the rookie qb having to play mistake free football on this big stage.....I just think its too much too handle. If carolina wants to set an immediate tone for their season they come out and hit Denver in the mouth.
Ravens (-150) 5*
Outside of this being perceived as a homer pick, only someone who follows the Ravens every second of the day like myself would know this is as close to robbery as it gets. We know Tyrod like the back of our hand, practicing against him for four years, Rex Ryan has never beat Baltimore since leaving, Joe and Harbs opening day record is 5-3 with two losses at Denver (2013, 2015). This years Ravens are as healthy as they've been in a long time, with the exception of Doom being out for this one. I expect Zdarius Smith and Judon (3 sacks in preseason) to fill in fine for him setting the edge and containing Tyrod. From the training camp practices I've attended I've seen a massive difference in communication on the back end moving Webb to SS and signing Eric Weddle. This secondary will not be top 10 by any means, but it will not be the burnt toast it was last year for the first half of the season. Factor in the ravage of injuries and suspensions the Bills are facing : Dareus Suspended, Henderson suspended, Manny Lawson suspended, Shaq Lawson out, Reggie Raggland out, Karlos Williams suspended and cut, and Glenn being banged up, I think its too much for them to overcome on the road. Ravens running attack + improved Oline + most recieving threats Joe has had in his career = success
.
Phil/Clev UNDER 41 1*
Rookie qb + Rg3 and very limited weapons out the gate, factor in Philly's very solid secondary (absolutely love their safety duo) I have this at 20-13.
WSH +3 (-110) 2*
Really trying to disregard my hate for Pitt, I don't see how this team is improved this year, Jarvis Jones has 2 sacks in 29 career games, Arthur Moats 4 in 40 games, Harrison is old but he'll get his 4-6 on limited playing time, Dupree is on the IR, their secondary is trash with Cockrell and Gay as starters. (Gay is a solid slot corner, has no business being a #1, Golson is on IR, and Gilbert is awful at this point. In this league if you are missing a pass rush or secondary you can get by, without both you are in trouble. I don't buy the all high powered offense talk, when this team has gotten worse on offense with the absence of Bryant and Miller retiring. (Greene on IR). Another fact everyone is overlooking is Pitt let their Left Tackle walk and he has been very Solid for jax. They're rolling this season with an undrafted LT in Villanueva to protect an injury prone Big Jen, not very wise IMO. Do I think they still score a lot? Yes. But this defense is surely not ready for Jackson, Garcon, Reed, Crowder, (doctson if he plays). Kirk will have plenty of time back there in the pocket to do his thing. Give me the skins and the points at home in primetime.
Thank god football is back and good luck to all.
