Thursday September 7th at 8:20 football returns into the American psyche. It’s been 191 days of rehashing what went wrong for every team, not named the Kansas City Chiefs. 32 markets prepare for war in-pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy and the right to be called the best in the world. Fans engage in Draft Kings, Fan Duel, and Ceasars engrossing hours of emotion hoping to crack the code of a long shot parlay. The moves all off season have had a ‘let me tell you something’ vibe from peers. GM’s pray they know more then Joe 6-pack and injuries don’t plague them. Any feeling of a recession is ignored on game day as the city’s come to life with no regret of spending on parking, beer, food, merchandise, and tickets to ride and die with their ball club. Whose has felt that pain more than the Detroit Lions, the Chiefs opponent on opening night?
The Lions travel to Arrowhead with Jared Goff at the helm. His departure from LA felt like a death march to Detroit but last year he excelled throwing 29 TD’s and 7 INT’s for 4,438 yards! The offense put up an average of 26.6 points per game, the fifth best in the league. Sadly the defense was ranked 28th and Patrick Mahomes arm won’t stop until he passes last years 41 TD’s. The Lions have improved, losing a lot of close games but they can’t stand on the same stage as the Chiefs. Vegas has the line -6.5 Chiefs, that seems like a lock.
The new look Panthers travel to the Dirty South to showcase their number one draft choice out of Alabama, QB, Bryce Young. The NFC South is probably the weakest division in the NFL and this gives Carolina a shot at the title. The jury is out on starting QB Desmond Ridder former 3rd rounder Bearcat product but it can’t be denied the Falcons have playmakers in London and Pitts. Even though the Panther’s D finished middle of the pack they are descent but the loss of DJ Moore is tough. Can the rookie 2-step his way into a new environment and lead a team? -3 Falcons at home and last year they put 21.6 pts per, I don’t see the Panthers scoring 3 TD’s; Falcons.
The 2nd QB taken in April, C.J. Stroud, Buckeye, takes the Texans to Baltimore to face Louisville and former MVP Lamar Jackson’s, new contract, Baltimore Ravens. Although the offense should have a shot in the arm with 1st rounder Zay Flowers, WR, and the return of J.K. and Gus the defense seems lacking. Favored by 9 points the Ravens should handle an easy opener in September but the toughest division will be punishing on team that was injury prone last year.
The battle of Ohio opens on the North Coast with Watson (the heel) squaring off with Burrow (the boy scout). Is it hard as a Browns fan to cheer for a Deshaun led team, my mom thinks so. Me, I agree, but I try and keep that at bay for the sake of my own selfishness. The deal with the devil has been contracted, there’s no going back; something the Orange and Brown are used to as the yellow flies. A Jim Schwartz led defense cannot be overlooked. But stopping what is the best receiving core and a top 3 QB who drops dimes will tell us where we stand. Cincy -1.5 on the road is too close. Especially when you take into consideration the Browns are 4-1 against Joe, Browns.
The Jags travel to Indy and are the favorite to challenge the Titans for the AFC South. The Colts start a rookie QB, Richardson, from Gainesville against what is hoped to be a seasoned Trevor Lawerance. Last year’s 4,113 yards, 25 TD’s, Divisional Title, and playoff win was impressive. The offense for Jacksonville is ready to roll with WR Ridely’s return from a year long gambling suspension, in-addition to ETN running hard, Kirk speeding, and Engram rounds out a helm. An upset Badger isn’t anything Indy fans want to deal with on a Sunday, when your star is fazed and carries the workload that equation doesn’t balance. Jags -4.5 is the bet I love.
Tampa Bay heads north with the GOAT to face Kirk Cousins and the Purple and Gold at one of the NFL’s top venues, U.S. Bank Stadium. Baker Mayfield may be getting his last shot to lead a team as a starter. Can his Moxy make up for a 29th ranked offensive line, not likely. We know what to expect from Cousins and Jefferson, shirtless and chains. But the Buccaneers are a complete unknown against an 11-win team last year. -6 Vikings at home seems solid enough to ice fish.
The Big Easy will host the Tennessee Titans and if you didn’t see their schedule release marketing video click here, awesome! (Still not over the Titans’ schedule release video 😂 (via @Titans) #shorts – Bing video) According to fans they’ll be facing the St. Louis Rams, Saints, with Derek Carr leaving the desert for the Gulf Coast in free agency. Kamara holds down a backfield with Olave projected to have a breakout year. But the Titans added veteran Hopkins, WR, to aid Ryan and Henry led attack. The line is -3 Saints but I love the over of 41 in the Superdome for sure but I’ll take Tennessee if you made me.
San Fran visiting Blitzberg is a short straw for the Steelers. Many people love the chance a of any led Mike Tomlin team with a healthy Watt but the Niner’s are just as tough. Can 2nd year Panther native, Kenny, survive and thrive against the top defense with Najee crying ‘Roll Tide’? The Steelers 9 wins was an accomplishment but we will see how they stack up against an elite unit. Vegas has the line at -2 San Fran, I don’t like that. I’ll take the black and yellow, even though I want to yell ‘Prudy’.
Now to a game everyone will be watching, Cardinals Vs. Commanders. Dobbs traded from the Browns assumes the starting roll as the team cut Colt. Sam Howel huh, well dang D.C., sorry Terry. A Chase Young front man screams for patience and Vegas yields -7 D.C. Sure I’ll take the home team Arizona is a mess.
The NFC North is up for grabs and the Bears lead-off with the Pack at Solider Field. Jordan Love, A-A-Ron’s backup gets the start but who is he throwing to? Justin has added a top-notch guy in Moore, has shown his special skill set, the team added more o-line help with their 1st rounder Williams out of Tennessee. I expect the Green Bay backs to be good fantasy but the Packers are doomed. Bears -1.5 seems easy.
The Raiders find themselves at Mile High facing the Broncos who have debts to pay. Last year Russel Wilson looked terrible but Sean Payton, HC, returns to right the wrong. Vegas supplemented Carr for Jimmy G, which doesn’t seem like an upgrade. Josh Jacobs has settled his contract dispute and Adams helps round out the offensive weapons. Who knows what tricks Payton has in-store but -4 Broncos is iffy. I think the over of 44 is a more likely outcome but when in doubt take the home team.
Fins V. Chargers should be a showcase. Miami is speedy and strong, Herbet is top tier and the So-Fi crowd will want ‘Showtime’. Can Tua stay upright with Bosa hunting? Will Justin be able to rely on his run game? This matchup should not disappoint. -2.5 L.A. is like riding the line with an over of 50.5. This could in either direction so home team and the over.
Hurts, hurts from the loss last year, so close but coming into Foxborough week one may bask in him the greatness of past patronage. The Eagles didn’t seem to take a foot off the break adding Swift to the mix. The hoodie sees QB, Mac, forgetting his shortcomings but signing an aged Zeek ain’t saving the Pats from last in the AFC East. -3.5 Philly is a staunch yes.
More west coast games finds the Rams in Seattle facing the 2nd coming of Geno Smith, WV. Who was that man last year? 30 TD’s and over 4,000 yards passing! The Rams have a feel of a bionic hybrid who needs updates. How much more can they juice these guys? They’re the equivalent of a Big 3 when 5 are needed. -4.5 Seattle says a lot. I’ll take the Hawks.
Cowboys Vs. Giants is an old school divisional game to behold with bad blood. The loss of OC, Kellen, leaves Mike to play calling, oh no. Dak is Dak, I expect more out of Tony but Dallas hasn’t seen glory in forever. Sure there are names but where are W’s when it counts Skip? NY on the other hand feels like they’re playing with house money. No one expects Jones to throw 20+ TD’s but please keep the INT’s at 5 bud; let Barkley do it. Even though the defense was ranked low they seem to play tougher than they are. They did beat Kirk in MN for a play-off win. -3 Boys makes me go with the Giants at home on a Sunday night.
Monday Night Football has the nation entering Met Life for the J-e-t-s via ESPN Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, sucking the fun, life, and energy out of a matchup with rival Buffalo. Josh Allen against the ‘Double Check’ dude, who hasn’t known another woman since ’05, is ready to give us his best Broadway Joe impression. NY has done it’s best to put together a super team but the Bills are built ‘Tough’. They’ve brown bagged their lunch as a unit. The Bills -2 is plenty for a bet on the Wyoming talent. 46 over is something to consider with all the talent out there.
So you have it, my best guest, from a 2-time winner take all NFL DK, ha. September should be renamed ‘Stinker Tinker Time’ I miss the League. Drops, adds, divisional, home, away, money lines, overs, under’s, parlays, and prop bets swirl, sink, or swim throughout my daily activities. “I’m sorry what did you say, I was thinking I should sub out Jefferson, the Vikes bye is week 13. Oh I’m getting ahead of myself, what did you want?”
“Ranch or Blue Cheese, Golly?”
