Beating Vegas: NFL Week 1

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The “sharps” at Vegas play the NFL lines differently from the college lines. A lot of what is determined is based off what the “public” leans towards. Don’t fall for the “sucker-bets” and the “traps” – just beat, Vegas.

Arizona Cardinals -1.5 at Detroit Lions

Last season was a disappointing one for the Cardinals who finished 7-8-1 (yes and ONE). Coach Bruce Arians is still regarded as one of the best in the NFL but his team as a whole just didn’t seem to max out their potential. In what may be a “make it or break it season” for veteran quarterback Carson Palmer, opening weekend means a lot. Detroit on the other hand, surprised the masses last season. As well as over-achieved. . . They rewarded their quarterback Matthew Stafford with a five year $135 million contract. It’s been brought to the light that Stafford has a record of 5-46 when playing against teams with a winning record, and although I’m not big on putting wins and losses on a QB, that stat is just mind blowing. Lucky for him it’s the first game of the season and the Cardinals are 0-0. Even then, the Lions (since dating back to 2006) have lost six straight to the Arizona Cardinals. The public will jump on the Lions being a playoff team home dog to the Cardinals, but the Cardinals have weapons on offense, including the best player in the NFL, David Johnson and a healthy defense that can cause trouble for Detroit.

The Pick: Cardinals +1.5

Los Angeles Chargers +3 at Denver Broncos

Let’s just call it for what it is when it comes to the Broncos: A good defense that picks up the slack for an average vanilla offense. John Elway really thought he could sway a QB to come here, or at least expect last year’s first round pick Paxton Lynch to step up and assume the starting position, but nope – we’re here once again to see another season of Trevor Siemian. Not that Siemian is “terrible” – 18 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 3400 yards passing last year – but he won’t “wow” you either. On the other side of the field, the Chargers have one of the more underappreciated starting quarterbacks in NFL history in Philip Rivers. Rivers, was average at best in two games against the Broncos defense last year but running back Melvin Gordon was able to run for 111 and 94 yards in both games. An added bonus for the Chargers this time around is that they have a healthy receiving core (minus rookie Mike Williams) which includes Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, and Travis Benjamin. The Chargers defense is one of my “sleepers” this year and against this very limited and predictable offense, the Chargers win this one in a low scoring affair.

The Pick: Chargers +3

Oakland Raiders +1.5 at Tennessee Titans

The Raiders won five games last year by five or fewer points. Sure that’s a result of good coaching and focus by the players – but let’s not kid ourselves – you need a lot of LUCK for that to happen as well. Quarterback Derek Carr is the leader of Raider Nation and he enters the home of a Titans defense that finished third worst against the pass last year letting up 7.2 yards an attempt. One could easily say that number was that high because teams were forced to throw against a defense that was stingy against the run last year ( allowing 4 yards a rush). The Raiders allowed 4.5 yards on the ground and even more yards per pass last year than the Titans at 7.9. Bottom line is, the Raiders can’t get “lucky” with this bad play by their defense. That line should actually be six or seven in favor of the Titans.

The Pick: Titans -3

New York Giants +4 at Dallas Cowboys

Two rules that I have when it comes to sports wagering: 1) Never bet on or against your favorite team and 2) Never bet on or against the team you despise. The Giants are the team I despise, while the rest of the world either hates the Cowboys or can’t get enough of them. Last season the Giants beat the Cowboys in both meetings 20-19 and 10-7 respectively. This is a rivalry in which both teams know each other well and with another tight race expected in the NFC East this season, the importance of this rivalry is multiplied by fifty. The Cowboys have their running back Ezekiel Elliot (at least for week one) who had a 50 and 100 yard game against the G-Men defense last season which was only allowing an impressive 3.6 yards a rush. The Cowboys defense was just as impressive against the run last year but it was their pass defense that was gross allowing quarterbacks to complete 67.1% of their passes last year (second worse behind Detroit). Although Eli Manning isn’t the most accurate of passers in the NFL, his receiving options are plentiful. As long as Eli can get rid of the ball quickly, the Giants should not only cover the spread but win outright over the Cowboys. So much for my “rules.”

The Pick: Giants +4

Only if you must: Pittsburgh Steelers are a 9 point favorite in Cleveland against the Browns.

Good Luck and Wager Wisely!

G.W. Gras

twitter @GeeSteelio