We may be only two weeks into the 2023 National Football League season, but there are a couple of things that are already evident. If you can pick out these “sure things” early in the season, then you can use that to ride some betting action when it comes to future games. Who is riding high right now on the “Who Do You Trust?” test? And who is down at the bottom of the barrel? Here are two of each you might want to keep in mind.
TRUST: San Francisco 49ers
I will be honest – I was not sold on this team to start the National Football League season. Let’s be honest, QB Brock Purdy was only a couple of weeks removed from the THIRD STRING when he was tossed into the fire in the playoffs last year. The Niners took a big risk putting their eggs in the Purdy basket, letting their former #1 draft pick, Trey Lance, off to the Dallas Cowboys for next to nothing.
But perhaps the Niners knew something. RB Christian McCaffery has been all that AND the proverbial bag of chips, leading the team to three dominant wins to start 2023. News flash – McCaffery tied a record for most consecutive games with a touchdown (12) in San Fran history. Do you know whose record he tied? Some guy named Jerry Rice. Oh, and the Niners have won all twelve of those games in McCaffery’s streak…that’s some extremely solid work.
TRUST: Dallas Cowboys
Heading into their weekend tilt against the woeful Arizona Cardinals, the Pokes haven’t just been beating their opposition, they’ve been crushing them. The ‘Boys have outscored their opposition 70-10, lead the league in defensive performance, and have yet to be pushed on offense. Sure, they’re going to lose a bit with DB Trevon Diggs going down for the season, but I think that LB Micah Parsons and that offense behind QB Dak Prescott are going to remain strong…and I know Cowboy haters have to be groaning at the prospects of a SUCCESSFUL Cowboy team!
RUN: Chicago Bears
Is there another franchise in the National Football League that looks like a flaming dumpster fire? Your defensive coordinator quits during the week, your franchise quarterback craps on the coaching staff, and that same coaching staff seems to be MAKING EXCUSES for that QB’s actions (remember, this is what got Jets QB Zach Wilson benched last year when he refused to take responsibility for his play). There is little joy in the Windy City right now, and it may be some time before there is something to cheer about.
RUN: Chargers OR Bengals?
This was a tough decision…are the Chargers that bad, or just injured? Should QB Joe Burrow have at least gotten a few snaps in the preseason to get in tune with his offense, especially after his injuries from last year and offseason surgeries? Tell you what, let’s put both on here and we can come back and review it later in the year.
This type of thing isn’t what you’re looking for, is it? No, you want some picks…as always, all advice is offered for entertainment purposes only but be ensured that a significant amount of thought has gone into each selection (home team in ALL CAPS).
Los Angeles Chargers v. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-1.5)
When the line opened, the Chargers were the pick of the sharps, getting a couple of points on the road. Then came the news that EB Austin Eckler was going to be sitting out the contest due to an injured ankle, along with DE Joey Bosa still nursing a hamstring injury that could keep him sidelined too. That swung the line all the way to its current seat on the side of the Vikings, who will come into the game relatively healthy. Don’t see any reason to take the points with a shorthanded Chargers squad, so take the Vikings confidently.
PICK: Vikings -1.5
Buffalo Bills v. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (O/U 43)
This has all the indications of a shootout, believe it or not. Both teams are averaging well over 27 points per game, we’re not talking the stoutest of defenses on either side too. If Bills QB Josh Allen can get his game going (especially with the weapons he has) and rookie Commanders QB Sam Howell continues to demonstrate the poise that led head coach Ron Rivera to tap him for the job, we could see the teams run up and down the field. Thus, I think the books are missing this one big time.
PICK: OVER 43
Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) v. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
This is the game we will figure out if Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is for real or not. He’s done an excellent job in starting the season 2-0, and WR Mike Evans is making the Bucs front office uncomfortable with every catch he makes this 2023 season. The defense has been more formidable than many thought, so the Buccaneers have snuck up on some people.
But they haven’t played the Eagles. The defending NFC champions have done nothing to diminish their performance from last year, and many are looking forward to a matchup between them and the Cowboys for Week Nine. To get to that conflict, however, they’ve got to take care of business, and I believe they will against the Bucs – but they won’t cover the spread, which started at 6.5 for the Eagles and has come down gradually since the line was set.
PICK: BUCCANEERS +4.5 (and WISH I had gotten in on that +6.5!)