Picking five games against the spread is tough!
If you are in a handicapping contest and need a help, you found the right place.
Below are my 5 NFL Week 1 Circa Sports Million Contest Picks and a few reasons why I like each game for the contest.
Vikings -3.5
No significant money split to indicate more picks for one side.
Why I like the Vikings
- The Vikings have one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL.
- The Vikings defensive unit is solid.
- I like the match-up of a homefield Viking defense against a Pro Football Focus rated #22 Falcons offensive line.
- Cousins will be at home with a healthy Dalvin Cook to compliment his outstanding receiving core of Diggs and Thielein.
- I do not think the Falcons defense will be good this year.
- This is a prime spot for the Vikings to pick up a win… my only concern is if they can cover the hook!
Bills +2.5
No significant money split to indicate more picks for one side.
Why I like the Bills
- Adam Gase
- Adam Gase
- Adam Gase
- The Jets have a talented roster but I am not a fan of Adam Gase. He is not a coach I am looking to back and will be against him in this division rivalry game.
- The Bill’s defense should be one of the best defenses in the league.
- Good luck to an Adam Gase offense going up against a top defensive unit.
- The stout Bills defensive line should dominate against a Pro Football Focus rated #28 Jets offensive line.
- Josh Allen made improvements throughout his rookie year and is looking to make a sophomore leap.
- Josh Allen was the top rated fantasy QB the last 6 weeks of 2018 NFL season… can he keep it rolling??
I think the Bills are the better team and can win the game. I’ll take the points!
Rams -1.5
Carolina LOVE! Holy Smokes the money is on the Panthers!!
This is indicating many picks should come in on the Panthers.
Why I like the Rams
Are the Panthers that good!?!
Did the Super Bowl really skew our opinion of the Rams that much!?!
- The Rams roster is very similar to the 13-3 2018 NFC Championship Rams.
- Sean McVay is a better coach than Ron Rivera
- Todd Gurley should be the most healthy he will be all year.
- Jared Goff has struggled on the road in his career but I do not see this being a road struggle spot.
- It will be a warm day in Charlotte and Bank of America Stadium is not the most hostile environment.
- The Panthers 2018 defense ranked 21st by Pro Football Focus and does not show signs of improvement.
- The Panthers defense can be exploited by a good offense and the Rams have one of the best offenses in football.
- Cam has slowly regressed from 2015 MVP SuperCam.
- Shoulder surgery this past offseason and a foot injury in the preseason for Cam.
I think the Rams are clearly the better team and should pick up a Super Bowl bounce back road win to start the season!
Lions -2.5
The money is on Arizona!
Majority of the picks in this game should be on the Cardinals.
Why I like the Lions
- Lions have a solid offensive line and the Cardinal’s have a bottom of the league pass rush. This should allow time for Stafford to throw.
- Matthew Stafford feasts on poor defenses and struggles in tougher matchups.
- If Stafford is ever going to be “MVP Stafford”… it’s in this Week 1 matchup.
- Cardinal’s will be missing their best defensive player in Patrick Peterson.
- The Cardinal’s have one of the worst offensive lines in football.
- You would hope the defensive minded head coach Matt Patricia can scheme up a defense to exploit a poor O line, rookie QB, and rookie head coach calling the plays.
- No rest or spot advantage for Arizona in Week 1. Home-field should not be as advantageous.
- Jalen Hurt’s performance for Oklahoma makes me question Kyler. Is Kyler a product of Lincoln Riley!?!
Packers +3
The “Aaron Rodger’s Revenge Tour” starts tonight!
The money is on Chicago!
Majority of the picks in this game should be on the Bears.
Check out 6 Reasons the best NFL Week 1 teaser pick is the Green Bay Packers: 7 point teaser to find out why I love the Packers tonight!
