Sunday, September 17, 2023

2023 NFL Week 2 Picks


Travis Kelce, who is reportedly hanging out with Taylor Swift,
makes his return back to the lineup this week

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) @ Cincinnati Bengals  - JK Dobbins is out for the season.  Both Burrow and Lamar Jackson struggled in the opener.  Conklin is out for the Bengals.  Perhaps Burrow can rebound after his injury and weird weather although the Ravens do get Mark Andrews back.

Seattle Seahawks  @ Detroit Lions (-5.5)(Lock) -  Seattle will be missing 2 offensive linemen so they could struggle especially since the Rams wide receivers like Puka dominated them.  

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (+1.5)  - Battle of rookie QBs including CJ and Richardson, who has shown good mobility.  Both teams were relatively impressive at times in double digit blowouts.  

Chicago Bears @ Tampa Buccaneers (-2.5) - Baker Mayfield and Justin Fields battle out.  The Bucs took out the Vikings last week and appeared to outplay them in the 2nd half.  Perhaps that momentum continues into this game.  

Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars - Jacksonville almost upset the Chiefs in the playoffs.  The lack of wide receivers may hurt the Chiefs in this one although they have more time to prepare plus Kelce returns along with their top defensive end Chris Jones.  

Green Bay Packers  (-1.5) @ Atlanta Falcons -  The Falcons have a solid defense but may not be able to keep on the offensive end.  Jordan Love is looking to build momentum - from this game, one can infer if the Bears defense was really bad or if Jordan Love is very good.  Although Aaron Jones and Christian Watson are out.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Buffalo Bills (-9.5) - Buffalo typically takes care of games like this at home.  If they lose the game, sound the alarm.    Josh Jacobs only had 3 receptions last week, it will be interesting to see if Jimmy G targets him with Jacobi Myers out.  

Los Angeles Chargers  @ Tennessee Titans (+3) - Neither team wants to start 0-2.  Ryan Tannehill was awful yet the Titans barely lost to the Saints.   Derrick Henry could have a good game against a not so special Chargers run defense although Tajee Spears had more carries than Henry last week.  Austin Ekeler is out.  

San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams (+8.5) - The 49ers look like the class of NFC although perhaps McVay can draw up a game plan to keep it close against a division rival.  

New York Giants @ Arizona Cardinals (+5.5) - Two losing teams that feel different ways about their performance.  The Giants were absolutely wrecked by the Cowboys while the Cardinals managed to lose a close one to the Commanders.  The Cardinals defense was better than I anticipated - although the Cardinals rush defense could have trouble containing Saquon Barkley as Brian Robinson had a good running game.

New York Jets @ Dallas Cowboys (-9) (LOCK) - Zach Wilson against the Cowboys is a scary proposition.

Washington Commanders(+3.5) @ Denver Broncos- Broncos' mascot Thunder is not making his first game since 31 years.  It feels like this could be a very low scoring game.  Howell has to do a better job avoiding sacks if the Commanders want to come away with a win.  

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (+2.5) -  The Patriots didn't look as impressive in their loss to the Eagles although it is a division game and both teams appear to be in similar tier.  

New Orleans Saints(-2.5)(LOCK) @ Carolina Panthers -  The Saints defense looks terrific.  There are still questions about Derek Carr although the Saints receivers looked excellent including Chris Olave and Michael Thomas.  Miles Sanders will get a lot of work but it's unclear if anybody else will step up to the plate.  

Cleveland Browns (-2.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers - The Browns absolutely manhandled the Bengals last week.  The Steelers should produce a much better effort after getting destroyed by the 49ers but the Browns defense could do enough to slow down the Steelers.

Week 2 Against the Spread - 0-1

Week 2 Straight up - 1-0

2023 Against the Spread - 6-11
2023 Locks - 1-1
2023 Straight Up - 9-8


2022 Against the spread - 133-124-7

2022 Straight up - 185-92-1

2021 Against the Spread- 151-127-1

2021 Straight Up- 162-101-1
2021 Locks - 10-5

2020 Against the Spread- 124-140-6
2020 Week Straight Up - 173-97-1
2020 Locks- 24-24-2

2019 Season Against the Spread- 128-113-3
2019 Season Straight Up- 158-103
2019 Locks - 21-19-2
2020 Postseason against the Spread- 8-3
2020 Postseason Straight Up- 7-4


2018 Season against the Spread- 112-107-7
2018 Season Straight Up- 137-86-2
2018 Locks- 21-16-2

2017-18 Against the Spread- 121-125-7
2017-18 Season Straight Up - 167-92

2016-17 Against the Spread - 141-115-7
2016-17 Straight Up - 101-41

2015-16 Against the Spread - 140-110 

No comments: