by Jeremy Dennis
@menace524
The week 8 betting lines were fitting for Halloween, especially if you like favorites. The underdogs were 10-4 against the spread. There were a few surprise results outright as the one-win Bengals and Vikings defeated the division-leading Titans and Packers respectively. Heck, the Tampa Bay Moneyline holders were shaking in their shoes as the Bucs had to stop a two-point conversion to hold on to a 25-23 victory Monday night. Now, that the calendar has turned to November and it is time to watch the cream rise to the top of the league. Maybe…..
Last week YTD
Record 4-10 58-58-1 (50.0%)
Top Picks 0-3 13-14 (48.1%)
Betting Result DOWN 62 Units DOWN 71.6 Units
TOP PICKS (10 Units)
Pittsburgh (-14) at Dallas
The computer says otherwise on this one. However, without Dak Prescott, Dallas is a miserable football team. It’s entirely possible that Pittsburgh’s defense outscores the Dallas offense regardless of whether Dalton or Dinucci start.
Indianapolis (+2.5) vs Baltimore
It has become clear since the playoffs last season that Lamar Jackson is regressing. Plus, his performance against great defenses has been poor at best. The Ravens play a Colts team with one of the best defenses in the AFC and they are playing in Indy. Like a broken record, if Rivers can cut down on the turnovers, this will be a Colts win.
Houston (-7) at Jacksonville
The computer has already started hating the Stache but now we have a back-up quarterback playing in Jacksonville. Houston has definitely played better after releasing Bill O’Brien from his duties. Let’s go with the Texans big.
BETTER THAN AVERAGE BETS (7 Units)
Denver (+4) at Atlanta
The computer simply refuses to pick the Falcons. I don’t blame it one bit.
Las Vegas (Pick) at Los Angeles Chargers
If this was a three-quarter bet, I would certainly be all-in on the Chargers. Alas, this is a 60-minute game and L.A. certainly cannot keep it together that long. They have also lost three leads of 17 points or more. Would that make them the Atlanta of the West Coast or vice versa?
Seattle (-3) at Buffalo
I am not thrilled with this bet. However, betting against Russell Wilson can be a tricky proposition. Josh Allen has appeared to level out the past few weeks. Let’s take the Hawks on the road.
WHATEVER BETS (4 Units)
Chicago (+6) at Tennessee
Detroit (+4) at Minnesota
New Orleans (+5) at Tampa Bay
POST ELECTION HANGOVER BETS (1 Unit)
New York Giants (+2.5) at Washington
Miami (+4.5) at Arizona
N.Y. Jets (+7.5) at New England
Carolina (+10.5) at Kansas City
The last two bets here are interesting. I do not know why the computer loves the Jets so much. It’s Miami pick is also strange since Tua T didn’t exactly light it up against the Rams at home.
Enjoy your football weekend and the fact that there are no election ads (for now).