The First NFL Sunday

The NFL is currently the most popular and successful professional sports league.  As far as gambling, it is a different animal altogether than college football.  The players are grown men and professionals.  Even if there is suspect leadership, players can usually be expected to play for themselves because they need to get paid.  The difference between the best NFL team and the worst is far, far smaller than in college.  Yesterday we saw the biggest spread in college football history with Florida State favored by 70.5 over Savannah State.  Savannah State had absolutely zero chance to win that game.  It was cancelled due to weather in the 3rd Q when the score was 55-0.  In the NFL, any teams can win.  The biggest spread today in the NFL is Miami +13, and they could win.

We're currently in 6th place in the pool, so it would be nice to have a good day in the NFL, but I'm pleased to be up and not down.  One guy is down over 50% at 8,650.  That's a tough hole to dig out of.  For today, we like 5 games and 1 Monday night.  

Indianapolis has a new coach and new QB and they're on the road, so we like Chicago despite a double-digit spread.  Indianapolis has changed a lot both offensively and defensively, and they are also under pressure to get off to a good start with the new coach and the #1 draft pick, new QB Andrew Luck.  Some people see this line and like the Colts, but we think the smart money is on the Bears.

We're debating whether or not to take Tampa Bay over Carolina.  The reason I think we have an edge is because no single player did more to embarrass Tampa Bay's defense last year than Cam Newton and Carolina beat Tampa twice last year in December by hefty margins.  So, we're thinking Tampa has marked the calendar.  

Jacksonville has a new coach, they're on the road, and the best running back in the league held out for more money all summer and show up last weekend, so we like Minnesota at home.

Miami has a new coach and a rookie QB.  Their struggles were also documented on the Hard Knocks tv show, which I think also added pressure on the team.  Despite the big spread we like Houston at home.

Index

Chicago - 10 1100

Tampa Bay +2.5 880

Minnesota -3.5 880

Houston -13 1100

Update:
-Somehow I managed to miss putting in the Minnesota bet.  Probably going to turn out favorable though. NOT A LOSS
-Houston - WIN
-Chicago is up and looking good.
Tampa kicks off at 4:25. WIN