I love the summer, absolutely adore it. Nothing more sad than seeing that first leaf change to a bright yellow. Having that first chilling evening or morning. Seeing the sun set by 8pm. A shitty stream of films in the theater. But, there’s just one redeeming thing about the fall. Football is back. Which means I go back to Vegas for the week 1 games and as you’re reading this, I’m there now. And I’m probably drunk, like 85% of the time. I have a couple of gigs when I’m out there, at the Sapphire club and Southpointe Casino so if you’re in town, come check out my bits.
But before I get into them, I’d be remiss if I didn’t promote that my brainchild, “Comics Watching Comics,” is now up on Amazon Video! Go binge Season 1 and tell me what you think! Also, Comics Watching Comics T shirts are available for $20 which includes shipping. Contact me on how to get your S-XL shirt
Here are the picks for week 1:
I’m writing this article as the Chiefs/Pats game is going on. I just can’t see how the Pats are going to open the season, at home, raising the Super Bowl banner (great job of choking, you piece of shit Falcons. Although I did hit the over, thank you!) and NOT cover the spread. Pats are 8/8 ATS extending from last year and KC is 2-4 ATS in NE. They blew an EARLY chance to go up at LEAST 10-0 and even 14-0 but a bad play call from Bellichek on 4th and 1 squashed that notion. But the Chiefs just took a big dump on the Pats and winning outright. So I just lost:
The Patriots -9
The Eagles went out and spent big money to have arguably the second best trio of WRs in the NFL. See NY Giants trio, #1. You know what they didn’t spend money on? Defense. And charm school for their fans. That accent and their manners would make Mr. Belvedere turn beet red. You know who else went out and spent a lot of money on a top WR? Washington with Terelle Pryor. And for now, they have a healthy Jordan Reed and very solid Jameson Crowder. You know what they didn’t spend money on? Defense. Washington has a good running game to compliment their aerial attack. This game is going to be a scoring bonanza. Washington hit the over at home 8/10. When both teams played each other in the last 3, 3 times they hit the over. Good enough for me
Philly over 48
I believe in sports karma, especially when there’s a natural disaster. Bet the farm on a team who the nation rallies for, especially when they’re home. And when said team is playing against Blake Bortles, well even Blake Bortle’s parents won’t be able to convince me that their little boy is going to go in Houston and bust that spread. Here is a nice stat going back to last year: Houston is 8-2-1 against division opponents. Did I mention it’s Blake Bortles on the road? Thought so.
Lock of the week is Hou -5.5
Cincinnati has a solid defense. Joe Flacco was banged up all preseason and has a handful of practices under his belt. Their defense is putrid. Cincy has a nice stable of RBs and of course, AJ Green. This is more of an anti-Ravens pick. Bengals are 7-2-1 in Sept and fun fact, Cincy has hit the under in their last 4 in a row. Ravens also hit the under 4/5 in their division.
Cincy -3 and maybe under 42 as a bonus
I already locked in my Giants the second Elliot was suspended because I was afraid the line would drop. Would you believe that son of a bitch is going to play week 1 and the line actually dropped? Odell Beckham Jr is still a game time decision. I think the Giants D is too much for them yet again. They stopped Elliot and Dez cold in their tracks the last 2 times they played and if they were to lose, I don’t think they’re going to lose by more than 3. And history backs that up as the Giants are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5. Good thing I locked in at 3.5
Giants +3.5
Tennessee is everyone’s early darling and I’m all in on Mariota and Murray in 2 leagues. Oakland could’ve made a deep run but Carr snapped his leg late last season. I like Tennessee but the numbers for Oakland on the road back them up more. But you know what I like in this game? Points. Neither defense sends shivers up my butthole. Raiders 8/11 with the over.
Raiders over 50
The daytime Emmy awards should also cover sports. Because whoever are the announcers are for the Rams/Colts game will put on the best performance of the year when you hear, “RAMS…COLTS! NEXT ON FOX!” Andrew Luck is out. Frank Gore is as old as Woody Allan. Their defense is gonna get washed over like a Puerto Rico during Hurricane Irma. But not this Sunday because new coach or not, the Rams aren’t doing much. And we know the Colts don’t have much going on. So this is an easy one.
Rams under 42
Lastly, I just think Phil Rivers and the San Diego, whoops. Los Angeles…SUPER CHARGERS. Does’t have that same ring, does it? Well blame yourselves, San Diego fans. I get it, the weather is great. The women are hot. So much to do. But shit, it’s only 8 home games a year to support your team. Let’s look at some numbers: SD 10-4 ATS on the road. Broncos are 3-8-1 home against SD. And oh yeah, Trevor Simian is the Den QB. And if he goes down, who’s up next? Brock Osweiller who’s making a kajillion dollars to sit the bench. The last time I saw a heist that big, Henry Hill was listening to 1010 WINS in the shower, having a laugh.
Gimme the Chargers +3.5
I kinda like Pitt -8, the Vikings and the under 48 as well on sunday night but don’t know if I’m going to bet them. Just some food for thought.
Kevin Gootee 