2023 NFL Podcast Picks – Week 1

2023 NFL Podcast Picks – Week 1

Wannamakeabettors,

Hopefully you enjoyed the NFL season kickoff as the Detroit Lions delivered for bettors on the moneyline and wrecked the Chief teasers while they were at it.  Speaking of teasers, we have updated our odds for teasers this season.  This has been a long time coming as our teaser odds were not on par with industry standards so we have updated all teasers as follows:

 

• Two Team Teasers – 6 points – Odds -120 to win 100.  A beneficial new change here also: A win and push in this two team teaser will now be refunded, not counted as a loser.
• Three Team Teasers – 10 points – Odds -130 to win 100.  Any push and the bet loses.
• Four team teasers – 13 points – Odds -140 to win 100.  Any push and the bet loses.

 

NFL Podcast Picks

Our first podcast of the season went live last night a couple of hours before the game kicked off and those of you who listened hopefully followed us with our Detroit Lions pick.  Make sure you follow us on Spotify or your favorite streaming platform to get the latest updates.  Here are the top five consensus picks for week #1 in the NFL.  We’ll be keeping track of our record for the entire year and entering our picks in a number of contests as well.

• Detroit Lions +4.5 over Kansas City Chiefs
  • Detroit was looking to continue their hot streak ATS from last season and ended up delivering for bettors.  We discussed the importance of two key absences including super star Travis Kelce and holdout defensive end Chris Jones.  It could not have been more clear in the 4th quarter how important these two are to the Chiefs winning strategy.  The backups did not deliver and the Chiefs lost the home opener.
• Atlanta Falcons -3.5 over Carolina Panthers
  • Is Desmond Ritter ready for prime time?  We think so.  And workhorse rookie Bijan Robinson will be joining him in the backfield on an Atlanta team that looks great on paper and has many people expecting big things in 2023.  Meanwhile, Carolina is ready to roll with rookie Bryce Young, who clearly has some adjusting to do in the league before he’s ready.  And having Adam Thielen and DJ Clark out to start the season at WR is not what the doctor ordered.  Throw in colts reject Frank Reich and we have the makings of a straightforward  win for the Falcons in week 1.
• Houston Texans +10.5 over Baltimore Ravens
  • Spoiler game of the week.  The entire country is going to be riding the Ravens out of the gate in their survivor pools and we know what that usually means.  A difficult cover.  But despite that, Lamar will be back with a whole new offensive scheme, cast of weapons, and coach.  Clearly they have an embarrassment of riches on offense but it may take some time to gel.  Meanwhile, here comes ultra motivator DeMeco Ryans, a true motivator of men, and rookie QB CJ Stroud looking to wreck every Survivor pool and three and four team teaser from here to California.  We don’t think Houston gets the win but the back door will be swinging.
• Tampa Bay Bucs +5.5 over Minnesota Vikings
  • Who the hell are the Vikings to be laying this many points to anyone not named the Cardinals.  The worst secondary in the league is facing Tampa Baker and (assuming Mike Evans suits up) some serious weapons on offense and the Vikings don’t have a defense to take advantage of Tampa either via pass rush or stopping the pass.  The Bucs will start strong this year and then fade late but here’s a great spot to back to the Bucs.
• Seattle Seahawks -5.5 over LA Rams
  • Facing Seattle at home is hard enough for any team but trying doing it with one hand tied behind your back.  Cooper Kupp is out, and if you thought Kelce was important to Mahomes multiply that by 5 to show the importance of Cupp to Stafford and this Rams offense.  The Rams lack meaningful depth across many key positions, especially on defense.  Outside of Aaron Donald… who does this team have?  Nobody.  On paper this is among the worst defenses in the league.  And they have to start the season against a four headed monster in Geno, Metcalf, Lockett and rookie Smith NJigba. We know it’s a diivision game but this is likely going to get ugly early and often.  And LOUD.

If you have any questions at all feel free to reach out.

Jack and Josh

Wannamakeabet.com