NFL 2019 WEEK 1
The NFL Degenerate can be seen on Sundays beating the fare on NJ Transit as he takes the train to Secaucus to get his bets down. After Scott Norwood’s late PAT miss in Buffalo’s 34-30 playoff loss to Cleveland in 1990 blew his 3 ½-point cover, he swore off betting until the following Sunday.
TENNESSEE +5½ at Cleveland
Guessing that this line goes down by game time as more folks get squirrelly about laying close to a TD with a Cleveland team that may be the most hyped sub.-500 squad in NFL history. The Browns were a pretty good value even before last year’s turnaround, but I need to see proof they can handle the role of favorite. They certainly won’t creep up and surprise anybody this season; the surprise will be if Mayfield and Beckham shut their mouths long enough to back up the hype.
GIANTS +7 at Dallas
Big Blue hasn’t fared well in Big D (or at home, either) against the ‘Boys lately, but I don’t see them getting blown out to start the season, particularly with Elliott just returning to the fold. Feeling here is that Eli and Barkley rise to the occasion and at least keep it respectable.
DETROIT -2½ at Arizona
The Cardinals will be improved this season, and Kyler Murray, helped by an upgraded offensive line, will make plays that will have people comparing him to Russell Wilson. But I’m a Show-Me guy (see Cleveland, above), and for this one I’m taking the more experienced QB backed by a defense that could make it a long day for Kliff Kingsbury’s college-style offense.
CINCINNATI +9½ at Seattle
The ‘Hawks look like beasts again after adding Clowney et al., and could easily go deeper in the postseason this time around. But the Bengals were a steal as double-digit ‘dogs last year, and though this line is a hair under that, hunch is the number is a little high.
DENVER -2½ at Oakland
Wonder how much stores are getting for Antonio Brown Raiders jerseys now. Coming off a 4-12 season, this wasn’t quite what was hoped for to start 2019. Denver’s no juggernaut either, but I’ve always liked Flacco and feeling here is the Broncos have enough to take advantage of the turmoil by the bay.
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