I want to thank the computer for getting me off the Bears and eventually landing on the Raiders. That turned a 3-2 week in contests into a 4-1 week. In these large field contests the most important thing to have a shot to actually win is no negative weeks. If you go 3-2 every week you will be in contention, but it is extremely hard to overcome those negative weeks. This week seems to be significantly harder than last week. Once the Jags line moved to 4.5 in week one, it became a clear contest play at -2.5. Always remember line differences are not all created equally. Crossing key numbers, is obviously important. In that game specifically, we crossed a key number, had some weather concerns as well and I felt it was an auto play. Will I apply the same logic to the games this week? We shall see.
BUF -6 at NYJ
Oh man, the Jets offense played very well, and the Bills defense was shredded. We do not lay points on the road in division. Pass for me.
NYG +4.5 at DAL
This line has come down from 5.5 to where it is now. I do like the idea of taking the points against a team that had limited expectations to start the season. The Giants offense is not good. I may just stay away from the Giants until the make a change at QB. As a Steeler fan I saw firsthand that Russ is, well, cooked. I lean Dallas here and kind of want to stack them in DFS. The hard part about playing this in contests is the line has moved against the Cowboys. Pass, for now.
CLE +11.5 at BAL
Stop if you heard this before. The Ravens lost a heartbreaking week one game and now home in week two as double-digits favorites. That is our scenario here, and it was last year as well when the Ravens blew a 10-point lead against the Raiders and Gardner Minshew. I think the correct side here may be the Browns as this line has come down a some from the 12.5 opener. I am passing though. I am very curious how the Browns defense attacks the Ravens here.
LAR -5.5 at TEN
Last week we played the Rams -3 and happily faded the Texans offensive line. Guess what happened, the Texans could not block at all, and the Rams got constant pressure. Meanwhile the Rams offense looked, a little worse than I anticipated. Maybe I am overrating the Titans defense after their performance in Denver. I believe the Titans offense has to look better and week one was more about the Broncos defense than Cam Ward and the Tennessee offense. I am fading the Rams on the road outdoors playing in the early window. Titans in contests and as a wager at +5.5.
JAX +3.5 at CIN
I have zero feel here. The Bengals offense was shut down by the Browns defense, maybe the Jags are better, or Carolina is that bad. Pass for me.
SEA +3 at PIT
Sam Darnold on the road against what is supposed to be a good defense. I am willing to say the Steelers defense was thrown way off following an early secondary injury. Maybe that is my homer-rose-colored-glasses. I still think the Steelers are going to be better than expected and the offense looked fantastic in week one. The defense has to show up right? I am laying the points here with the Steelers in contests and as a wager.
CHI +6 at DET
This line keeps climbing. We have gone from 4.5 all the way to 6.5 in some spots. I am not playing the Bears on a short week on the road with a rash of secondary injuries. There is a chance the Lions window has closed and they are just not what they were. Having said that I lean Lions here. If Detroit can run the ball some and push the ball into the battered Bears secondary, they should score. I’m on the Lions which are -4.5 in contests.
SF -3 at NO
This number is much higher in contests at 4.5 points. I am not laying points with Mac Jones on the road. I also do not feel comfortable taking points with the Saints due to the Niners defense. Pass.
NE +1.5 at MIA
No feel here either. In the past Miami at home in the first few weeks was always a solid bet due to weather and the sun in the stadium. But, the Dolphins feel broken. The Patriots are clearly several pieces away from being the sleeper people thought they might be. Pass for me.
CAR +6.5 at ARZ
I think both these teams are not very good. If anything, I would lean Carolina, but I have zero desire to invest in either of these teams. Pass for now.
DEN -1.5 at IND
This line started at Denver -3.5 and after week one we have seen it come down by two points. In general, it is good practice to not lay points on the road often unless Tom Brady is involved. Pass for me.
PHI -1.5 at KC
This is the weirdest line of the week by far. My model has this at Philly -3.5 for obvious reasons including Chiefs injury/suspensions and the Eagles easily winning the Super Bowl. I know the correct side should be Mahomes and the Chiefs, but I can not do it. I am ready for Hollywood Brown to score two TD’s and the Chiefs to win here, but I am staying away. Pass for me.
ATL +3.5 at MIN
This line is all over the place. The number opened at Minnesota -4.5, in the DK contest it is Minnesota -5.5 and right now the live line is Minnesota -3.5. I have concerns with J.J. McCarthy playing on short rest after having a child, later this week. The Falcons should have won or could have won I suppose on Sunday, but instead they lost another close game decided by a failing kicker. I am passing on this game as I have no feel for either team after one week.
TB +2.5 at HOU
I am all about fading the Texans this year. I have been worried about their offensive line and their new OC did not do himself any favors by how that first game went. The Texans lost their center to a high ankle sprain during the game, and he will be out again this week. The Bucs looked like they were stuck in neutral for a majority of the opener in Atlanta and they get to travel again in week two. I am not playing the Texans but lean the Bucs.
LAC -3.5 at LVR
Are the Chargers that good? Or have the Chiefs fallen off? I like home dogs, especially in divisional matchups. These two coaches faced each other in the NFC west several times. I wonder if that newly revamped Chargers offensive line can handle the Raiders pass rush. Maybe this entire division is good? Lean Raiders.
So here we are on Friday with three contests picks and two wagers already set.
I will post my choices on Twitter/X Sunday morning and may make a video for TikTok and YouTube like I did a few times last year.
Until the games start, let’s have some fun and build the pile!
My Plays
PIT -3
TEN +5.5
Contest Picks
PIT -2.5
TEN +5.5
DET -4.5
Survivor
I am splitting my entries again to give me some different paths. The Philly entry from last week is playing Baltimore. The Denver entry is going to play Dallas.
Entry 1
Philly (WIN Week 1)
Baltimore (Week 2)
Entry 2
Denver (WIN Week 1)
Dallas (Week 2)
Computer Model Plays
Platinum
NONE
Premium
DET -6
BUF -6
MIN -3.5
LAC -3.5
Regular Plays
CIN -3.5
NYG +5
TEN +5.5
MIA -2
NO +3
PIT -3
BAL -11.5
DEN +1.5
ARZ -6.5
PHI -1.5
TB -2.5
NFL Computer Model
2025-2026 Season
Overall 9-9 50%
Platinum 0-0 0%
Premium 1-2 33.33%
Recommended Plays (Platinum + Premium) 1-2 33.33%
My Plays
Overall 2-1 66.66%
Draft Kings Contest Record 4-1 80%
Props/Parlays/Teasers 0-1 0% -100