Record: 15-17-2 (2.04U)
The NFL made its return last week and we made some bank, going 2-0 and bringing us to 4-0 in the past two weeks. With the Colts game ending in a tie, DraftKings voided that leg of the parlay but kept our Eagle and Ravens picks for a win of 0.96 units. Let’s stay hot!
September 15: NFL- Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs
Call us crazy, but we’re not in love with the Chiefs this year. They’re still a great team, but we don’t expect them to be as dominant as they have been in previous seasons.
Yes, they looked like world beaters against Arizona in Week 1. But the Cardinals aren’t exactly a Super Bowl contender right now, at least not to us. And we still need to see the effect of Tyreek Hill’s departure on that offense in a close game.
With that in mind, we’re liking the Chargers’ moneyline (+160) for this Thursday night matchup.
Los Angeles’ defense sacked Raiders QB Derek Carr six times last week and picked him off three times. They’re sure to get in Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ face more often than the Cardinals did.
And while Mahomes is sure to continue putting points up on the board, some extra pressure and the loss of his top receiver could cause him to falter.
Plus, we love the Chargers’ offense, even without star WR Keenan Allen. QB Justin Herbert looked fantastic in Week 1 and the offense put up 17 points in the first half before sitting on their lead.
This is sure to be a close game and the Chiefs still look like a top-three team in the league, but the season is still early, and the Chargers are out here to prove that they can compete with the best.
You can take the spread at +4 if you don’t like the ML, but at +160 we’ll take the risk.
*Odds taken from DraftKings
Rebel’s Pick: Los Angeles Chargers ML (+160) @ 1U
September 18: NFL- Carolina Panthers vs New York Giants
If betting during Week 1 is about future expectations, Week 2 is about overreactions.
This week’s overrated team appears to be the New York Giants (-130), who finished Week 1 with a surprising victory over the Tennessee Titans. Yes, it was a good win. But was it more about how well the Giants played, or how flat the Titans came out? Probably a bit of both, but we’re not sold on New York quite yet.
The Panthers (+110) have the better QB in Baker Mayfield, who found his game in the second half of Week 1’s contest against the Cleveland Browns. They also have the arguably better RB in CMC, who has single-handedly dragged the team to wins in previous seasons.
Saquon Barkley ran for 164 years on 18 carries in Week 1 for the G-men, but can you hold out hope that he’ll replicate those numbers? Even if he can, Daniel Jones doesn’t have the same upside as Mayfield, and New York can’t run the ball 50 times and expect to win.
We’re pouncing on this Week 1 overreaction and taking the Panthers. It may not be a blowout, but Carolina should get the job done, even in enemy territory.
*Odds taken from DraftKings
Rebel’s Pick: Carolina Panthers ML (+100) @ 1U
