MATT JOSEPHS
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Bills vs. Ravens
Ravens-7
The Bills could have the worst offense in football. They have a very mediocre wide receiving corps and Nathan Peterman under center. Last year, he played in one game and had way too many interceptions to ever be starting again. Baltimore's defense will be very good by the end of the season. They won't have Jimmy Smith due to suspension, but it won't be an issue here. Baltimore's offense showed some flashes in the preseason with Joe Flacco under center. It'll be interesting to see if Lamar Jackson gets a package of plays to give teams a different look. John Brown and Michael Crabtree aren't a bad duo of wide receivers. Buffalo will have a rookie middle linebacker making calls in a tough atmosphere. I'd love for this thing to dip below a touchdown, but if it doesn't I'll still take it.
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Bills vs. Ravens
Ravens-7
The Bills could have the worst offense in football. They have a very mediocre wide receiving corps and Nathan Peterman under center. Last year, he played in one game and had way too many interceptions to ever be starting again. Baltimore's defense will be very good by the end of the season. They won't have Jimmy Smith due to suspension, but it won't be an issue here. Baltimore's offense showed some flashes in the preseason with Joe Flacco under center. It'll be interesting to see if Lamar Jackson gets a package of plays to give teams a different look. John Brown and Michael Crabtree aren't a bad duo of wide receivers. Buffalo will have a rookie middle linebacker making calls in a tough atmosphere. I'd love for this thing to dip below a touchdown, but if it doesn't I'll still take it.
CHIP CHIRIMBES
Tennessee at Miami 1:00 ET
Dolphins (+) over Titans
To start with this match-up makes my skin crawl. To start with the Titans who two me down twice in the pre-season were 0-4 both straight-up and ATS and now they open the 'favorite on the road...very confusing. I should by all mean take Tennessee except for what I believe might be the key factor. New coaches some are good some are no so good but one thing they have in common is that these new coaches try to instill a 'winnings culture' and Mike Vrabel has been a total flop to date. Is he just laying low as this was a playoff team last year, maybe...but, if not the Titans will be a go-against all season. It might be a matter for who controls the pawns...Take MIAMI!
Tennessee at Miami 1:00 ET
Dolphins (+) over Titans
To start with this match-up makes my skin crawl. To start with the Titans who two me down twice in the pre-season were 0-4 both straight-up and ATS and now they open the 'favorite on the road...very confusing. I should by all mean take Tennessee except for what I believe might be the key factor. New coaches some are good some are no so good but one thing they have in common is that these new coaches try to instill a 'winnings culture' and Mike Vrabel has been a total flop to date. Is he just laying low as this was a playoff team last year, maybe...but, if not the Titans will be a go-against all season. It might be a matter for who controls the pawns...Take MIAMI!
RICKY TRAN
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
49ers vs. Vikings
Ricky's 1* Bonus Play on the Vikings:
Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. In today's game there is no doubt that the Vikings defense is particularly significant.
Key Trends:
- The Vikings allowed opponents to average just 15.3 points per game last year (1st in NFL).
- The Vikings allowed opponents to average just 275 total yards per game last year (1st in NFL).
- The Home team is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings.
Verdict: Take Minnesota
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
49ers vs. Vikings
Ricky's 1* Bonus Play on the Vikings:
Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. In today's game there is no doubt that the Vikings defense is particularly significant.
Key Trends:
- The Vikings allowed opponents to average just 15.3 points per game last year (1st in NFL).
- The Vikings allowed opponents to average just 275 total yards per game last year (1st in NFL).
- The Home team is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings.
Verdict: Take Minnesota
JOSEPH D'AMICO
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
49ers vs. Vikings
Vikings-6
Sunday's FREE NFL WINNER: Minnesota Vikings over San Francisco 49ers.
Game 456.
Jimmy Garopolo's win streak as a starter is well-documented. But playing a Mike Zimmer-coached Minnesota defense will put an end to that. Jimmy G does not have a true ball-carrier to ease some of the offensive burden. While the 49ers are going to be a better team than in recent years, I just don't think they are quite at the level of one of the NFL's elite. There has been some talk about the Vikings OL injuries and a possible transition delay with Kirk Cousins. But this is a deep-well-coached, Minny team. The Home Team is 7-2 ATS the L9 meetings. The Vikings are 7-1 ATS the L8 in September, 34-16-1 ATS the L51 at home, and 42-19 ATS the L61 overall. Under a TD, lay the wood here. Take Minnesota. Thank you.
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
49ers vs. Vikings
Vikings-6
Sunday's FREE NFL WINNER: Minnesota Vikings over San Francisco 49ers.
Game 456.
Jimmy Garopolo's win streak as a starter is well-documented. But playing a Mike Zimmer-coached Minnesota defense will put an end to that. Jimmy G does not have a true ball-carrier to ease some of the offensive burden. While the 49ers are going to be a better team than in recent years, I just don't think they are quite at the level of one of the NFL's elite. There has been some talk about the Vikings OL injuries and a possible transition delay with Kirk Cousins. But this is a deep-well-coached, Minny team. The Home Team is 7-2 ATS the L9 meetings. The Vikings are 7-1 ATS the L8 in September, 34-16-1 ATS the L51 at home, and 42-19 ATS the L61 overall. Under a TD, lay the wood here. Take Minnesota. Thank you.
SEAN MURPHY
Sunday NFL Bonus Play. My selection is on Tennessee over Miami at 1 pm et on Sunday.
It seems that a lot of bettors are willing to give the Dolphins a pass for their miserable season last year, pinning it on the injury to QB Ryan Tannehill. He's back in the fold this year, but his supporting cast is weaker than it was two years ago as far as I'm concerned.
The Titans are dealing with some key injuries but I still believe they have the personnel in place to succeed. Mike Vrabel will be making his regular season head coaching debut and we know that new head coaches are generally a solid ATS play in Week 1. I expect that to hold true here. All indications are that the Titans players have bought in to what Vrabel is selling.
Tennessee hasn't received as much press as it has in previous years, despite the fact that it not only reached the postseason last year, but won a game before bowing out to New England in blowout fashion in the divisional round. Some may believe that run to the playoffs was a fluke, but I see this as a team on the rise, and one that will be highly motivated to succeed in Week 1.
While there are plenty of question marks surrounding both of these teams, I believe the Titans have a much higher celing, and a lot more upside entering opening week. Look for Marcus Mariota to make amends for missing last year's matchup with the Dolphins - a game the Titans lost.
Sunday NFL Bonus Play. My selection is on Tennessee over Miami at 1 pm et on Sunday.
It seems that a lot of bettors are willing to give the Dolphins a pass for their miserable season last year, pinning it on the injury to QB Ryan Tannehill. He's back in the fold this year, but his supporting cast is weaker than it was two years ago as far as I'm concerned.
The Titans are dealing with some key injuries but I still believe they have the personnel in place to succeed. Mike Vrabel will be making his regular season head coaching debut and we know that new head coaches are generally a solid ATS play in Week 1. I expect that to hold true here. All indications are that the Titans players have bought in to what Vrabel is selling.
Tennessee hasn't received as much press as it has in previous years, despite the fact that it not only reached the postseason last year, but won a game before bowing out to New England in blowout fashion in the divisional round. Some may believe that run to the playoffs was a fluke, but I see this as a team on the rise, and one that will be highly motivated to succeed in Week 1.
While there are plenty of question marks surrounding both of these teams, I believe the Titans have a much higher celing, and a lot more upside entering opening week. Look for Marcus Mariota to make amends for missing last year's matchup with the Dolphins - a game the Titans lost.
MARC LAWRENCE
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Steelers vs. Browns
Play - Cleveland Browns (Game 454).
Edges - Browns: 3-0 ATS last three games in this series; and 3-1 ATS in last four home openers … Steelers: 6-12 SU and 4-13-1 ATS in road openers, including 1-8 ATS in division games … With that we’ll back the victory-starved Browns. We recommend a 1* play on Cleveland. Thank you and good luck as always.
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Steelers vs. Browns
Play - Cleveland Browns (Game 454).
Edges - Browns: 3-0 ATS last three games in this series; and 3-1 ATS in last four home openers … Steelers: 6-12 SU and 4-13-1 ATS in road openers, including 1-8 ATS in division games … With that we’ll back the victory-starved Browns. We recommend a 1* play on Cleveland. Thank you and good luck as always.
MIKE LUNDIN
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Steelers vs. Browns
Browns+5 -110
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tendency to play down to their opponents, and while Cleveland Browns have lost the last six meetings, none of the last three were decided by more than four points.
The Browns are just 1-31 overall over the last two seasons, but this is a very different side with 31 players on the roster who weren't there last year.
Their new quarterback duo, Tyrod Taylor and No. 1 overall pick Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, should feed off each other and can do plenty of damage this season. Cleveland also has added running back Carlos Hyde, who's coming off a good season with the 49ers where he had a career-high 1,288 scrimmage yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
Pittsburgh will be without running back Le'Veon Bell as he as of Friday had yet to report to the team, still holding out for a new contract. That leaves the Steelers very one-dynamic and Cleveland can put all focus on shutting down QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall, and I think this is too many points to cover on the road.
Free pick on Cleveland Browns.
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Steelers vs. Browns
Browns+5 -110
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tendency to play down to their opponents, and while Cleveland Browns have lost the last six meetings, none of the last three were decided by more than four points.
The Browns are just 1-31 overall over the last two seasons, but this is a very different side with 31 players on the roster who weren't there last year.
Their new quarterback duo, Tyrod Taylor and No. 1 overall pick Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, should feed off each other and can do plenty of damage this season. Cleveland also has added running back Carlos Hyde, who's coming off a good season with the 49ers where he had a career-high 1,288 scrimmage yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
Pittsburgh will be without running back Le'Veon Bell as he as of Friday had yet to report to the team, still holding out for a new contract. That leaves the Steelers very one-dynamic and Cleveland can put all focus on shutting down QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall, and I think this is too many points to cover on the road.
Free pick on Cleveland Browns.
JOHN MARTIN
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Bills vs. Ravens
1 Unit Bonus Play on Baltimore Ravens -7.5
The Ravens are going to be a playoff team this season. The drafting of Lamar Jackson has lit a fire under Joe Flacco, and reports out of the team camp is that Flacco is in the best shape he’s been in a long time and motivated for a big season. I like his new weapons in WR’s Michael Crabtree and John Brown. The Ravens went 5-0 this preseason. They once again have a very good defense. That defense is going to give Buffalo QB Nathan Peterman fits. Peterman is probably the worst starting QB in the NFL right now, and he has limited weapons on the outside. The Bills are a rebuilding team that won’t be ready to compete with the Ravens in Week 1. The home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings. The Bills are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings in Baltimore. Give me the Ravens.
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Bills vs. Ravens
1 Unit Bonus Play on Baltimore Ravens -7.5
The Ravens are going to be a playoff team this season. The drafting of Lamar Jackson has lit a fire under Joe Flacco, and reports out of the team camp is that Flacco is in the best shape he’s been in a long time and motivated for a big season. I like his new weapons in WR’s Michael Crabtree and John Brown. The Ravens went 5-0 this preseason. They once again have a very good defense. That defense is going to give Buffalo QB Nathan Peterman fits. Peterman is probably the worst starting QB in the NFL right now, and he has limited weapons on the outside. The Bills are a rebuilding team that won’t be ready to compete with the Ravens in Week 1. The home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings. The Bills are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings in Baltimore. Give me the Ravens.
ROB VINCILETTI
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Titans vs. Dolphins
UNDER 45
The NFL Comp play is on the Under in the Tennessee at Miami game at 1:00 eastern. These two have played under in 8 of the last 10 here including last years snooze fest with just 26 points scored. This game fits a solid 85% week 1 totals system that plays under for non division road favorites with a total of 44 or more. The Dolphins have stayed under in 8 of 10 in week ones games and the Titans are 4 of 5 under vs AFC Teams. Look for this one to stay under.
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Titans vs. Dolphins
UNDER 45
The NFL Comp play is on the Under in the Tennessee at Miami game at 1:00 eastern. These two have played under in 8 of the last 10 here including last years snooze fest with just 26 points scored. This game fits a solid 85% week 1 totals system that plays under for non division road favorites with a total of 44 or more. The Dolphins have stayed under in 8 of 10 in week ones games and the Titans are 4 of 5 under vs AFC Teams. Look for this one to stay under.
JIMMY BOYD
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Cowboys vs. Panthers
1* Free Pick on Dallas Cowboys +3
Most are going to be quick to back the Panthers laying just a field goal at home, but I think the value here is clearly with the Cowboys. Dallas is coming off a 9-7 season after that breakout campaign in 2016. A big reason they didn't live up to the hype is the suspension and off the field drama surrounding Ezekiel Elliott and injuries to star players like Sean Lee.
With Elliott 100% locked in on just playing football, I look for this Cowboys offense to take off in 2018. I know there's concerns with the lack of weapons at wide receiver and tight end, but the passing attack is going to be built around spreading the ball. Keep in mind teams are going to have to load the box to stop the run, so guys are going to be open on the outside.
As for the Panthers offense, I'm just not a fan of Cam Newton and I don't know that he's exactly liked inside the locker room. Either way, I think the Panthers offense is going to struggle to move the ball against what I think is a very underrated Dallas defense that is loaded with young talent. Take Dallas!
NFL | Sep 09, 2018
Cowboys vs. Panthers
1* Free Pick on Dallas Cowboys +3
Most are going to be quick to back the Panthers laying just a field goal at home, but I think the value here is clearly with the Cowboys. Dallas is coming off a 9-7 season after that breakout campaign in 2016. A big reason they didn't live up to the hype is the suspension and off the field drama surrounding Ezekiel Elliott and injuries to star players like Sean Lee.
With Elliott 100% locked in on just playing football, I look for this Cowboys offense to take off in 2018. I know there's concerns with the lack of weapons at wide receiver and tight end, but the passing attack is going to be built around spreading the ball. Keep in mind teams are going to have to load the box to stop the run, so guys are going to be open on the outside.
As for the Panthers offense, I'm just not a fan of Cam Newton and I don't know that he's exactly liked inside the locker room. Either way, I think the Panthers offense is going to struggle to move the ball against what I think is a very underrated Dallas defense that is loaded with young talent. Take Dallas!
Jeff Allen
Free NFL Play for Sunday is on the Cincinnati Bengals
The home side has won the last eight meetings and the Bengals have lost eight straight at Indy, the last being a 2014 playoff game. That's all old news as the Colts try and figure things out with an Andrew Luck who basically hasn't played in three years and a Bengal team on the improve. The Colts have lost four straight home openers and are 1-9 ATS in Week One the L10 years whole the Bengals are very respectable 18-12-2 road dogs the last four years. Do some shopping and take the three
Free NFL Play for Sunday is on the Cincinnati Bengals
The home side has won the last eight meetings and the Bengals have lost eight straight at Indy, the last being a 2014 playoff game. That's all old news as the Colts try and figure things out with an Andrew Luck who basically hasn't played in three years and a Bengal team on the improve. The Colts have lost four straight home openers and are 1-9 ATS in Week One the L10 years whole the Bengals are very respectable 18-12-2 road dogs the last four years. Do some shopping and take the three
