Weekend best bets: Pro bettors, handicappers on 21-3 run against spread
LV REVIEW JOURNAL SUBSCRIPTIONThere’s a joke that it’s bad luck to be superstitious. But many gamblers believe in superstitions.
We don’t want to jinx the red-hot run of Review-Journal best bets compiled by our esteemed collection of pro sports bettors, handicappers and oddsmakers — on Halloween, no less — but we want to applaud them for going 7-1 against the spread in three consecutive weeks for a sizzling 21-3 stretch.
Pro sports bettor Chuck Edel is 8-1 on his RJ best bets after hitting the Cowboys-Broncos over last week in Denver’s 44-24 win. He’s banking on the Broncos-Texans under 40 this week.
“Two of the best defenses in the NFL,” said Edel (@chuckedel). “Denver will have a much tougher time scoring this week against a strong Houston defense. Houston’s banged-up offense will find points hard to come by.”
Here are seven more best bets (home team in CAPS).
Seahawks (-3) over COMMANDERS
Pro bettor Jeff Whitelaw wagered on the Seahawks to run their road win streak to 10 games.
“They play probably better on the road than they do at home,” he said. “Washington is off of a short week. I do realize that Washington is getting their quarterback (Jayden Daniels) back, but I don’t know if he’s 100 percent.
“Washington is missing a lot of guys (including receiver Terry McLaurin), and they really have a hard time stopping the run, and Seattle runs pretty well. It’s a good spot for Seattle.”
Colts (-3) over STEELERS
Pro bettor Cris Zeniuk hit his best bet last week on the team with the NFL’s worst record (Jets) and will now back the team with the best record (Colts) against a Steelers squad that lost 35-25 to the Packers on Sunday night.
“Indianapolis is by far the better team, and Pittsburgh is worse than it played on (Sunday) when it got steamrolled,” said Zeniuk (@lasvegascris). “Lay the 3 with Indy.”
Falcons (+5½) over PATRIOTS
Westgate SuperBook vice president of marketing Jay Kornegay, who leads the RJ NFL Challenge with a 25-14-1 ATS record, made the Falcons his best bet if Michael Penix starts at quarterback.
“It looks like Penix is back (pass if it’s Kirk Cousins), and therefore the Falcons look live,” he said in a text message. “They bounced back nicely after their other flop (vs. Carolina), and I expect a good effort here.
“The Patriots have recently benefited from a soft schedule. This should be a tight game.”
BENGALS (+3, -120) over Bears
Pro bettor Randy McKay has hit five best bets in a row and is backing Cincinnati to make it six straight despite the uncertain status of quarterback Joe Flacco, who has a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.
“I’m rolling the dice that Flacco will play. He’s been a durable quarterback his whole career,” said McKay (@RR39). “The Bears defense is the big issue here. It’s banged up, and the Cincinnati offense should have decent success.
“On the other side of the ball, the Bears offense doesn’t complete drives and kicks too many field goals.”
Tommy G
**1PM NFL MAXES**
1pm: Texans -130 (5u) max
1pm: 6pt Teaser: Giants +8.5, Lions -2.5 (5u) max
1pm: JTaylor TD, Lions ML, Rams ML -131 (5u) max
1pm: Jamarr Chase over 8.5 rec (5u) max
1pm: Tyler Warren over 59.5 yards (5u) max
1pm: Brandin Cooks over 9.5 yards (5u) max
**1PM NFL OTHER**
1pm: JJ McCarthy INT -154 (3u)
1pm: Jamarr 25+ rec yards each Half -155 (3u)
1pm: Jamarr 10+ rec yards each Q +240 (2u)
**1PM NFL MAYHEM* (recreational bets)***
1pm: Tyler Warren
80+ +215 (1u), 90+ +310 (0.5u), 100+ +440 (0.5u)
1pm: Brandin Cooks20+ +230 (1u), 25+ +310 (0.5u), 30+ +440 (0.5u) up to 60+ 0.25u ea.
1pm: Jamarr 100+, JSN 100+, JTaylor 100+ +834 (1u)
1pm: Jamarr 100+, JSN 100+, CeeDee 100+ +1124 (1u)
1pm: Jamarr TD, JT TD, DK Metcalf, Gibbs TD, Cook TD, Kelce TD +3399 (1u)
**1PM NFL MAXES**
1pm: Texans -130 (5u) max
1pm: 6pt Teaser: Giants +8.5, Lions -2.5 (5u) max
1pm: JTaylor TD, Lions ML, Rams ML -131 (5u) max
1pm: Jamarr Chase over 8.5 rec (5u) max
1pm: Tyler Warren over 59.5 yards (5u) max
1pm: Brandin Cooks over 9.5 yards (5u) max
**1PM NFL OTHER**
1pm: JJ McCarthy INT -154 (3u)
1pm: Jamarr 25+ rec yards each Half -155 (3u)
1pm: Jamarr 10+ rec yards each Q +240 (2u)
**1PM NFL MAYHEM* (recreational bets)***
1pm: Tyler Warren
80+ +215 (1u), 90+ +310 (0.5u), 100+ +440 (0.5u)1pm: Brandin Cooks
20+ +230 (1u), 25+ +310 (0.5u), 30+ +440 (0.5u) up to 60+ 0.25u ea.1pm: Jamarr 100+, JSN 100+, JTaylor 100+ +834 (1u)
1pm: Jamarr 100+, JSN 100+, CeeDee 100+ +1124 (1u)
1pm: Jamarr TD, JT TD, DK Metcalf, Gibbs TD, Cook TD, Kelce TD +3399 (1u)
Steve Fezzik
3* Chicago/Cincy over 52
2 * Sea RB Walker OVER 53.5 Rush Yards -115
2* KC QB Mahomes rushes OV 4.5 -145
2* Buf QB ALLEN OVER 41.5 rush yards -115
2* Car 4Q +3.5 -135
2* N Orl 4Q +3.5 -122
2* Chic 1Q -135
2* Cin 3Q.+.5 -135
2* Atl 1Q +.5 -140
2* N Eng 3q -165
2* Indy 1Q -165
2* Pit 3Q +.5 -135
2* Jax 1Q -165
2* LV 3Q +.5 -145
3* Chicago/Cincy over 52
2 * Sea RB Walker OVER 53.5 Rush Yards -115
2* KC QB Mahomes rushes OV 4.5 -145
2* Buf QB ALLEN OVER 41.5 rush yards -115
2* Car 4Q +3.5 -135
2* N Orl 4Q +3.5 -122
2* Chic 1Q -135
2* Cin 3Q.+.5 -135
2* Atl 1Q +.5 -140
2* N Eng 3q -165
2* Indy 1Q -165
2* Pit 3Q +.5 -135
2* Jax 1Q -165
2* LV 3Q +.5 -145
