SHOHOLA, PA – I’m dog-sitting in this very sleepy Poconos locale after a neighboring canine made a jailbreak from its home and took a bite of my sweet Sadie’s front leg. But today I’m helping you take a bite out of your bookie… with the return of Cheesy Bruin’s Free NFL Picks.
FAVORITE
At this point and time are there really “favorites” in any game on the schedule in a normal opening week let alone a summer of limited workouts and full pads practices. Those King of the Hill pools will be more unpredictable as ever in the early going and those just ask you for the winner straight up, as opposed to the handicap. Speaking of handicaps, recent history warns of Super Bowl hangovers. Laying better than a touchdown in Week 1 against a division foe is also a recipe for failure but I’m throwing all of that to the wind. I’m not buying Kyler Murray, Kliff (with a K)Kingsbury, or the Arizona Cardinals in their sophomore years. It’s a stronger belief in Kyle Shanahan and a stable of 49er running backs to leave tread-marks all over the Desert Birds. Running games require less timing and finesse and should be ahead of passing attacks league wide. Furthermore, defenses could be at an advantage in the coming weeks… and I’m only speculating here. This game is a double dip for me—NINERS-7 over Cardinals AND UNDER 48
UNDERDOG
Home underdogs are usually a winning proposition in the NFL and there are eight of them or half the slate in Week 1. Monday Night home dogs fare better in prime time, too and that’s where I’m going for this pick. Tennessee will fall on their faces this year with a tougher schedule, the specter of shitting the bed against KayCee in the playoffs, and Ryan Tannehill being forced by opposing defenses to win games rather than managing them. Denver will be this year’s Cinderella. I like the young offensive talent, head coach Vic Fangio and even that defense minus Von Miller. Stop the run and you’ll remember stop the Titans dead in their tracks. BRONCOS +3 over Titans
OVER
There’s been a great deal of flux on the rosters of the AFC South Colts and Jaguars as continuity is a must have ingredient for early season offensive success during the unique NFL camps. Sometimes you just have to trust an old pro like Philip Rivers and the mind of Frank Reich and his offensive line. Jacksonville worries me more when it comes to scoring points today, but if they are chasing the game today like I think they will, a few garbage time scores certainly make for a winning scenario for those who listen and take JAX/IND OVER 45.5
Good luck and get well Dude/Replacement Matt! Early reports indicate his unexpected brain surgery went well.
