Sports Handicapping – Tips, Picks and Betting

NFL PICKS FOR WEEK 1

NFL Weekly  Picks 

Resuming my analysis of the NFL weekly picks for week one, there are a number of divisional match-ups. I already mentioned San Diego at Kansas City. Of the rest, Detroit at Chicago, Miami at Buffalo, Arizona at St. Louis, and San Francisco at Seattle represent early important divisional games this season.

NFL PICKS FOR SUNDAY, SEPT 12th

 While the Bears seem to be the obvious NFL weekly pick versus the perennially hapless Lions, the emergence of QB Matthew Stafford, RB Kevin Smith, and WR Calvin Johnson has injected some new life into the team. Coupled with Chicago’s Jay Cutler’s increasing propensity to throw interceptions—he tossed 27 TDs and 26 INTs in 2009—the Lions’ defense may have ample opportunity to seize control of this game and shock the “experts” who have Chicago favored by 6.5 points.   Read more... (434 words, 0 images, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

“NFL Weekly Picks ATS for Week 1”

Well, it’s that time of the year again—time for football fans to scour the Internet looking for news related to NFL weekly picks. Week 1 is difficult, indeed, due to myriad uncertainties about team cohesion in a rapidly-growing free agent world. Preseason is not a good indicator of regular season prowess which complicates matters.

When looking at popular NFL weekly picks for week 1 there are a number of surprises, at least to me. Take Atlanta at Pittsburgh, for one. The Falcons are a 2.5 point favorite against the perennial playoff-bound Steelers. I find it hard to believe that Ben Roethlisberger’s four-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy—which was reduced from the original six games—is the driving force behind the Steelers’ underdog status at home. Perhaps backup Byron Leftwich’s injury which has relegated Dennis Dixon as the starting QB for Pittsburgh has provided the impetus for the betting line. While Matt Ryan is rapidly becoming an elite QB with a slue of weapons, doubts still remain as to whether Atlanta can beat the Steelers at home. Just look at the Chargers’ history in Pittsburgh the past few seasons when they have clearly been the better team but lost to the Steelers at Three Rivers.  Read more... (350 words, 1 image, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)