NFL Bets, Week 2: We all think that Rams-Cardinals line is curious, right?
It's not easy being a Rhode Island Scumbag. Or rather, it's not easy being a profitable Rhode Island Scumbag.
Our new New England betting guide had big shoes to fill, and unlike his predecessor, flailed his way through the opening weekend. Where the Scumbag 1.0 would typically fly through September with an 8-1 or 7-2 record, his replacement jumped in confidently with a trio of two-unit bets and promptly lost all three. By significant margins, too.
That brought our former artist in residency to the group chat where he took a well-deserved victory lap.
"I know, I know, it’s one week and the article was very well written; I mean that was some Shakesperian [sic] level [stuff]; I haven’t been that locked into an article until Men’s Health released the new guide to building bigger lats last month. Pulitzer-level writing aside, it is the picks that matter. Chinz, a seasoned veteran at putting picks out that 100 percent will be criticized if incorrect made two very reasonable and smart bets. The new gunslinger slapped his c[Ed. note: c'mon man you know we can't publish anything from this point out, it's filthy. Just say the new picks were bad and move on so we don't get fired]."
Well, noted. He also tossed out four plays for this weekend, leaving his self imposed prohibition from this column maxed out at exactly one (1) week. If you want to tail him because he's typically surface of the sun hot before October, here are his locks: "New York Giants, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and a paycheck whopper of a bet on Tampa Bay +7.5." But if you want to see if the new Scumbag can course correct, well, read on.
New England Patriots (+3.5) over Seattle Seahawks (one unit)
Last week: 0-3, -6 units
Season to date: 0-3 (.000), -6 units
My non-scumbag picks for Week 2: Los Angeles Rams +1.5 at Arizona Cardinals (one unit), New York Jets at Tennessee Titans UNDER 42 points (one unit)
Well, I see our Scumbag friend is zeroing in on the trap that is having confidence in the Pittsburgh Steelers. As much as I respect that defense, I've been burned enough times on a week-to-week basis to know Pittsburgh only exists to make others feel bad about themselves, especially bettors.
Anyway, the Rams went out and nearly closed on the road, erasing a 14-point deficit to take a late lead against the Detroit Lions before losing the overtime coin toss and never having a possession in the extra frame. The Cardinals went in the other direction, allowing the Buffalo Bills to erase a two-touchdown advantage and eventually losing, in part, because Kyler Murray has yet to make a meaningful connection with the wide receiver drafted fourth overall.
Los Angeles' offensive line and wideout depth is a concern thanks to injury, but the Cardinals don't have the horses to exploit either. Maybe Murray levels up and wins a shootout, but I like the value here.
Jets-Titans puts a spiraling Will Levis in front of a defense in need of a get-right game. New York's offense wasn't entirely inspiring and the Titans, while not at San Francisco's level, is better at stopping the ball than moving it.
Last week: 2-0, +2 units
Season to date: 2-0 (1.000), +2 units
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL Bets, Week 2: We all think that Rams-Cardinals line is curious, right?
