Week 2 ATS Picks
Last week was poor, not just the 1-4 record — sometimes you lose on coin flip games, and it’s just bad luck, but these were bad picks. I had the Giants (40-0), the Steelers (30-7) and also the Bears (38-20). They weren’t 14-point spreads, either.
The Steelers one was especially bad because while I thought the Giants and Bears were good values, I didn't even like the Steelers to begin with! I just thought it was odd and went contrarian for that reason. Never force it. You will know when it’s time to do the odd thing because you’ll feel it. If you don’t feel it, don’t do it.
This week, my lines were much closer to the actual ones which is good and bad. Good because my finger’s more on the pulse of the league, but bad because I have less conviction.
In any event, here’s are my picks in the three SuperContest-style pools:
Normal 1 and 2 (1-4)
Giants -4 — I’d feel a lot better if I knew for sure Andrew Thomas (hamstring) were playing and at something close to full capacity, but I’m buying low after that traumatic Sunday night disaster.
Jaguars +3.5 — Maybe the Chiefs with Travis Kelce and Chris Jones back will crush them, but Jones hasn’t played all summer, Kelce might not be 100 percent, and they’re laying more than a field goal on the road against a good team.
Titans +3 — I could have used this in my “ugly” entry too. The Chargers just strike me as soft. A field goal at home seems like more than enough to make up for the talent disparity.
Team +3.5 — Sam Howell looked pretty bad against the Cardinals, but this seems like too many points for the Broncos to lay until they prove something.
Falcons -1.5 — I’m not sold yet on the Packers, and the Falcons should run all day on them.
Ugly (2-3)
Seahawks +5 — The Lions are a fun up-and-coming team, and who wants to touch the Seahawks after they got blown out at home last week against the Rams?
Rams +7 — Speaking of which, who wants to take the Rams and their no-names on offense against the 49ers, while getting only one score?
Patriots +3 — Any takers for the Mac Jones Patriots against Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Tua?
Panthers +3 — Was there anything redeeming about the Panthers 14-point loss to the Falcons last week?
Steelers +2.5 — This was the most hold-my-nose of all. The Steelers are a bad team, they face what might be a serious contender if Deshaun Watson is back and they’re getting only 2.5 points?
Monday night home dog divisional rival coming off an embarrassing loss should bring it, and the Browns have oddly played well against the Bengals (who were out of sync due to the Burrow injury last week) of late.
