Premiums, 9.7

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Slightly winning day Tuesday with + units in tennis, let’s keep attacking. Other picks also included in case you didn’t already put in aforementioned bets:

U.S. Open Picks 9.4 (10-6, +2.28 units):
Sinner/Alcarez over 39.5 (-110), to win 1 unit
Swiatek/Pegula over 20.5 (-120), to win 1.5 units
Same angles, and you know why.
CFB Week 2 Picks (8-7-1, -0.35 units):
Arkansas State/Ohio State over 68 (-110), to win 1 unit
The total doesn’t match the spread (-44) on the Buckeyes, who are bound to explode, at home, after a pedestrian showing on offense against the Irish. Notre Dame has a very formidable defense though (and we knew that, despite being doubted constantly) — can’t say the same thing about Arkansas State. I think Ohio State annihilates their opponent Saturday; they might score 68 themselves.
Tennessee/Pitt under 65.5 (-110), to win 1.5 units
This total is too inflated and I expect it to fall. The strength of both of these programs is their defense and although both had higher scoring outputs in Week 1, their opponent will present different problems in this matchup. Regression to the norm and a potentially sloppy day in Pittsburgh add on to our liking the under here.
San Jose State/Auburn under 50 (-110), to win 1 unit
Auburn may have the best defense in the SEC this year – please hold, too early to call – but there’s a shot. San Jose State struggled against Portland State in Week 1… When team total props come out we’ll probably bet on SJS under, but for now we’ll take the full game total under. SJS may not score a point.
UFC 279 Picks (12-12, +11.88 units):
Chimaev in Round 2 (+330), to win 1.65 units
Chimaev in Round 3 (+700), to win 3.5 units
Chimaev might take it easy at first — Nate Diaz is still dangerous and he’s an absolute dawg, even if he’s not in his prime anymore. But Chimaev is very likely to end this early. Dude has that weird, psycho-killer mentality, like he’s literally not normal, and Dana White and others aren’t just hyping him up when they claim he might be one of the best the UFC has ever seen when it’s all said and done. Looking for value –  we like this approach.
Li/Ferguson over 2.5 rounds (-105), to win 1 unit
Ferguson is one of the most durable UFC fighters of all time and he’ll be even more on guard after he got knocked out in his last brawl. Li is talented and should win by points, but I still believe Ferguson has one more win in ’em. I like the value of this wager better.
Johnny Walker wins (+175), to win 1.75 units
Johnny Walker wins within distance (+335), to win 1.675 units
Johnny Walker losing to Jamahal Hill is not something to be ashamed of. Hill is primed to contend for a Light Heavyweight championship and he’s tearing through the division. Ion Cutelaba is not in the same class as Hill and Johnny Walker must be primed and ready for a better performance. Walker is a freak, explosive athlete who can be a bit out of control at times, but no more than Cutelaba. Ion is infamous for his antics, in the octagon and out, and he’ll be out-sized and significantly out-reached in this fight. Walker takes the win and I think there’s a decent chance he does it before the final bell. I’m unimpressed by Ion.
NFL Week 1 Official Picks:
 
ATS Plays
 
Bills -2.5 (-115), to win 1.5 units
Stafford’s elbow issues + the hype of Super Bowl rings + Aaron Donald might’ve just got suspended due to today’s incident in joint practice with the Bengals (thank you for that note, @BohBohBets) and for me, this sets up for a Bills all-out performance. Buffalo is still reeling and motivated after last year’s heartbreaking playoff loss. I think they win and cover and put the league on notice in the opening contest.
 
Ravens -7 (-110), to win 2 units
I think the Ravens will be on a MISSION this year, with a revamped, healthy defense and a big contract year for Lamar to show out, I don’t think NYJ has a shot.
 
Steelers +6.5 (-110), to win 1.5 units
This was one of my favorite bets last year in Week 1 and it remains one of my favorites this year — playing on the Steelers! Pittsburgh is perpetually underrated and we think this line will drop once the country starts seeing more crisp QB play from Kenny Pickett. I also think Mitch Tribusky will look better than advertised out the gate, creating a situation that’s tough to predict for their opponent in Week 1. The Steelers have the best defensive line in football in my opinion, because of their talent AND depth, and it’s not unlikely that Joey Burrow and the over-confident Bengals will come out fat and sassy assuming they’ll get a W against their division rival. Even at home, that’s a mistake against Pittsburgh. Well-coached, a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, and a better QB room than people think – we’ll take the Steelers to cover on the first Sunday. Would NOT be shocked if they won straight up.
 
Texans +8.5 (-110), to win 2 units
I don’t know why I didn’t give this shit out a while ago, makes me mad and proves how insanely busy things have been because I’ve liked it for months. Now I like it even more. Dameon Pierce is looking like a real beast, which only adds to this narrative I like. Davis Mills has a defiant personality and he’s better than people think. It’s at Houston. Indy has basically no wide receivers, and it’s a huge line for a Week 1 divisional game. Take the Texans and don’t look back.
 
Patriots ML (+130), to win 2 units
One of the league’s best passing defenses last year takes on a Miami offense that’s getting a lot of hype in South Florida. Belichik is 0-3 against Tua, that has to irk him, and I don’t think the chemistry of Miami’s defense will be there. Savanty Mac Jones gets the win.

Eagles TT over 26.5 points (-115), to win 1.5 units
I’m not sure if the Eagles are for sure winning this game, although I definitely lean that way, but I’m pretty sure they’ll score a lot of points. The speed and potential of their offense is off the charts and I’ve seen NOTHING to believe that Philly won’t produce at a high level against the Detroit defense. 
 
Jaguars +3 (-110), to win 1 unit
We’ll build upon this narrative and write up as the week goes on, but there’s something a little off in Washington, while there’s something sneakily exciting about the media coverage in Jacksonville. I think there’s a real chance the Jags win straight up, so we’ll take the 3 in case it moves down.
 
Chiefs -3 1H (-110), to win 2 units
Chiefs -4.5 (-110), to win 1 unit
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cardinals were down by 10 points and back-door covered in this one, thus only 1 unit on the full line, but this is one of my favorite angles of Week 1 so I wanted to double the opportunity. The Chiefs TT is a look, too, but you can only get a good value over 30 and that’s a pretty high total, even for Kansas City. Either way, I think the Chiefs will blow out the Cardinals in Arizona, which is embarrassing for Kyler and Kliff. 
 
Cowboy/Bucs over 52 (-110), to win 1 unit
Cowboys/Bucs over 50, to win 1.5 units
There’s evidence to believe that the value is gone here since Dallas’ offensive line is somewhat depleted and the Bucs’ offense might be clunky to start. Naa. I still like it. The Bucs and Tom Brady should be trusted and ready to prove their merit on a big stage in Dallas. The Cowboys want to show out, too — I think this is a 30-24 ballgame.
Teasers and Parlays
7 pt. Teaser: 
Browns +8, Ravens win, Jags +10.5, Patriots +9.5, 1 unit to win 2 units
3-Leg Parlay: .
Ravens + 49ers + Chiefs, 3 units to win 5.47 units
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Chris has been betting and handicapping sports for over a decade, honing long-term strategy from the sharpest minds in the industry. A military veteran and avid NY Giants fan, he has a Bachelor's in Journalism and Philosophy from Alvernia University and Master's in Public Administration from American University. When Chris isn't consuming sports (which is rather nonstop), he enjoys spending time with his family, his friends, and his over-sized German Shepherd. He also loves beef jerky (way too much).