Well, here we go again. It’s The Wife Hates Sports and SportsChump bringing you our top picks against the spread for both the NFL and College Football. It’s hard to believe that another season has kicked off, and we are ready to roll with our Week 1 Football Picks and Top Bets.

What do you mean it’s hard to believe? Don’t you realize the volume of dust and cobwebs you had to wipe off this website just to get this post up?

Wait, are you my inner monologue? How are you putting this on here right now?

Don’t worry about it, slacker.

Hey, we don’t have to dive right in with the name calling. Did you wake up on the wrong side of my brain or something?

That’s about as good as those “weak sauce” Dad jokes that you spew out on a daily basis.

So, actually… I don’t think “weak sauce” is something the kids say anymore. You have no rizz.

I’m not sure what that even means or if it was used in the right context.

Me either.

Well, duh – I’m in your head, remember?

Oh yeah, right.

Now, let’s move on to this year’s picks and make like Charlie Sheen and continue… WINNING!

Yet, another outdated reference.

“Whatever, Russ – whatever”.

OK, that one I approve of.

Thank you, inner monologue – I knew you would. With that said, I know you will like this one, too…

You’re right – now go pick those picks… or the price is wrong, bitch.

The Contest

No, not the contest from Seinfeld.

This is a season long contest with potential prizes going out to our winners, so if you want to join in on the fun, drop a comment here at The Wife Hates Sports… or over at the land of the SportsChump.  We take our top five games of the week against the spread. If you beat us and go undefeated, that leads to fun prizes and heaps of praise on our websites.

With that said, here are our TOP FIVE Best Bets for the week, including my Week 1 Football Picks and Top Bets. The list is ranked in order of confidence, from 50 “dollars” down to $10.

Week 1 Football Picks and Top Bets – Inner Monologue Edition

KP’s Picks: The Wife Hates Sports

$50: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1) at Atlanta Falcons

I realize going with a divisional rivalry as my top pick in the opening week is a bit aggressive. Yet, I’m going to honor the SportsChump here… and his Bucs. Tampa Bay was 4th in rushing yards allowed last season. This was a defense that meant business. Atlanta has fared well against the Bucs and has home field advantage. However, I don’t quite trust Michael Penix Jr. to deliver in this moment. Bijan Robinson will need to be the focal point and the Bucs will work to make Penix beat them. So in a way of honoring the Chump, I’m rolling with Tampa Bay. Bucs cover on the road.

$40: Arizona Cardinals (-6.5) at New Orleans Saints

The Saints open at home and that crowd is always juiced for football. Still, this New Orleans roster feels like it’s being set up to be at the front of the line for the Arch Manning sweepstakes. But KP, Arch didn’t do a lot in the opener against the Buckeyes? Yeah, that’s the college game. Do you remember Peyton (with Tennessee) facing the Gators? Oh man, I’m honoring the SportsChump again – what am I doing? This feels like an inadvertent curse. Getting back to the game, I trust the veteran players and explosiveness of the Cardinals when compared to the Saints. Especially when ‘Zona just needs to win by a TD.  Cardinals cover on the road.

$30: Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at New York Jets

Oh, the twisted NFL QB carousel. Aaron Rodgers was a star for so many years. Then he was hiding in the dark. After that, we just have images of him running out in New York holding an American flag. Now, he’s moved on from the Jets and joined the Steelers – and that process felt like it was absolutely frozen in time. Right? Did Rodgers retire or sign with Pittsburgh? Did we even care? Yet, the Jets have just found a way to be the Jets… and now they have Justin Fields, who was recently with the Steelers. So, who can you trust to plan better in that scenario? It has to be Mike Tomlin. Steelers cover on the road.

$20: Illinois Fighting Illini (-2.5) at Duke Blue Devils

This pool has always been a hybrid of picks between the NFL and College Football. So when we have full weeks of both, I try to make at least one pick in each. Sure, some of the blowout lines were tempting, but you never know how those games will pan out, especially when backups hit the field in the second half. So I stuck with one of the more evenly matched games. I know Bret Bielema and the type of hard-nosed, smash mouth game that he prepares for. I also know Manny Diaz as a defensive specialist that had a brief stay at Penn State. Yes, he will prepare for what Bielema is throwing at him, but in a close, hard fought game, I’m going with the ranked team that has the deeper roster. Illinois covers on the road.

$10: Carolina Panthers (+3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Here we are. There are probably a dozen better options to choose from. Yet, what is sticking with me is this… how Bryce Young finished last season. He was a different player. Carolina was figuring things out. The Panthers added depth to the O-line and made some moves to help protect him. On the flip side, we know the misadventures of the Jaguars. We know the “Duval” speech from Liam Coen. Coen was also a bit of a snake with his shift to Jacksonville from Tampa Bay (again with the SportsChump support?). It just has a feeling that despite the home field advantage, Coen won’t quite be ready to make all the clean decisions in key moments. Give me the Panthers and the points on the road.

On the Outside Looking In (Others I Considered):

  • New York Giants at Washington Commanders (-6) – I trust Jayden, but the rivalry has been close
  • FIU Panthers at Penn State Nittany Lions (-41.5) – When will PSU’s backups come in?
  • Boston College Eagles at Michigan State Spartans (-3.5) – O’Brien does have a dozen starters back…
  • Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) at Cleveland Browns – Cincy should be good, but let’s wait and see…
  • Baylor Bears at SMU Mustangs (-3) – Could be a competitive game and there are better options
  • San Jose State Spartans at Texas Longhorns (-36.5) – Gotta see Arch deliver before I pick him high
  • Troy Trojans at Clemson Tigers (-31.5) – Clemson typically monsters in Death Valley
  • Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos (-8.5) – Nix has one more year of experience than Ward

Week 1 Football Picks: SportsChump

Coming Soon

Chime in with your top picks for the week.  Thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!

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