Week one giveth and week one taketh away. That is often the way when picking spreads. It opened with a 3-2 record, all the while missing on my top two confidence picks. Both of those games had garbage time or very late TD’s that led to a tally in the loss column. Not only that, but both were the final leg of four-leg parlays that I had achieved success with until that final game. That’s ok. We move on to our Week 2 Football Betting Picks. Week 1’s frustration is why we have friends to lean on. I only say that because I wanted a segue into talking about friendship.

This week’s theme is friendship. I think you figured that out already. But isn’t odd how some friendships form? The strangest ones often end up being the longest friendships. Sound off in the comments if you have any fun or random friendship stories.

Let’s start with that guy, the SportsChump. We met in a sports blogging community that no longer exists. We have met only one time in person. Yet, we continue to have blog collaborations such as this, and we are likely to meet up next year prior to The Masters. He’s going. I’m not. Not that I’m bitter. OK, fine, I am very bitter. But again, we talk on the phone from time to time and we have been friends for many years. Maybe that’s because I haven’t played golf with him in person – and kicked his butt. Just messin’ with you, Chump.

Another one is my buddy Dave from college. I bring him up because he’s visiting this weekend. He frequently visits for my son’s birthday. We affectionately refer to him as “Uncle Dave”. How I met him is kind of a bizarre story. My parents used to live by the beach in Central Florida. A handful of friends wanted to go there for Spring Break one year, but we had no transportation. Dave was in our co-ed service fraternity, but I had never met him. He agreed to come along and drive… and 18-hour trek from Penn State. Yet, he came and we clicked instantly. And the rest is history.

Dave also had a hand in helping align my top five this week. That’s another reason why these are being posted right up to the deadline. Also, if these picks suck, we can blame him. After all, what are friends for, right?

Contest Reminder

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 or over at the land of the SportsChump.  We take our top five games of the week against the spread (in both the NFL and College Football). If you beat us and go undefeated, that leads to fun prizes and/or heaps of praise on our websites.

With that said, here are our TOP FIVE picks for the week, including my Week 2 Football Betting Picks. The list is ranked in order of confidence, from 50 “dollars” down to $10.

Week 2 Football Betting Picks – The Friendship Edition

KP’s Picks: The Wife Hates Sports

$50: Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8)

Never be quick to judge after the NFL’s first week. With that said, the Browns are terrible. We can be quick to judge on that. Any team that willingly picks Deshaun Watson as their starting QB after all he’s done (and how he’s performed since). Watson continues to steal headlines. “I think the media has this expectation that I’m supposed to throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns every week”. Well, 20 passing TD’s, 13 picks, and 26 civil lawsuits is not what Cleveland had in mind. As for the Bucs, they showed fight battling back against a very tough Cincy team. Rookies like Josiah Trotter showed a ton of promise and there should be plenty of motivation to bounce back in their home opener. Bucs cover at home.

$40: Eastern Washington Eagles (+43.5) at Washington Huskies

This is likely the first and last time I pick Eastern Washington on this site. This pick, however, is not about the Eagles – and yes, that’s their mascot. I had to look it up to confirm. Washington’s two wins were against teams (Washington State and Utah State) currently ranked 95th and 99th in ESPN’s Football Power Index. The issue has been injuries, especially in the running game, where the Huskies lost the top three backs on their depth chart for an extended time. A sixth-year transfer and true freshman are reportedly stepping in. The offense has been anemic. Therefore, if Eastern Washington scores just one TD, that means this offense needs to post 51 to cover. Yeah, give me Eastern Washington and the points.

$30: Philadelphia Eagles (-7) at Tennessee Titans

Expectations are through the roof for Cam Ward and many expect him to take the next step, especially after being gifted new offensive weapons like Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson. Yet, a sub-60% completion percentage just isn’t going to cut it. That’s where he is after 18 career games, including last week. His Week 1 performance at home (vs the Jets, of all teams) was simply not good enough. Enter the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that has a lot more talent on both sides of the ball. Even this early in the season, this one seems like a no-brainer. Eagles cover on the road.

$20: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Indiana Hoosiers (-44.5)

I picked on Western Kentucky in this slot last week. Well, I didn’t, the Georgia Bulldogs did – to the tune of 70 points. I typically shy away from large covers such as this, but I’m tackling two of them this week. Why? Well, the Hilltoppers have lost by a combined 85 points in the first two weeks. That includes a game against Nevada. Yeah, not exactly a football powerhouse. Enter the National Champion Hoosiers – that still sounds weird as hell. Curt Cignetti rarely takes his foot off the gas, if ever. In just two games, the Hoosiers are averaging 215 yards on the ground and have ten touchdown passes through the air. This could get ugly quick. Indiana covers at home.

$10: Virginia Tech Hokies (-2.5) at Maryland Terrapins

“Hey Michael, Hey Michael, Hey Michael, Hey Michael…” – we are looking at Franklin and the Hokies this week. IYKYK. This is the first significant matchup for both teams. There’s history between both coaches. One thing you can say about “Little Game James”, he wins the games he should win, and when his team is favored. A lot of talent came from Penn State to join the Hokies. Virginia Tech is pushing to “wear white” and adding stripe-out games, etc. All a lack of creativity, just like Franklin’s offenses at Penn State. On Maryland’s side, there’s a talented pass rush, so VT QB Ethan Grunkemeyer will have his hands full. But he’s a talented kid, with his arm and legs. Virginia Tech covers on the road.

 

On the Outside Looking In (Others I Considered):

  • Kennesaw State Owls at Tennessee Volunteers (-34.5) – Seems obvious but not pulling trigger in top five
  • LSU Tigers (-2) at Ole Miss Rebels – There may not be more hatred in any other game this year
  • Eastern Michigan Eagles at Wisconsin Badgers (-23) – Badgers beat a directional school by 27 last week
  • Buffalo Bulls at Penn State Nittany Lions (-39.5) – PSU needs to be more explosive in running game
  • USC Trojans (-21.5) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights – USC missing key offensive weapon, but Rutgers is terrible
  • Temple Owls (+6) at Toledo Rockets – Owls had some moments holding Penn State in check last week
  • Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers (-12.5) – Are Niners simply limiting the CMC workload?
  • New York Giants (+7.5) at Los Angeles Rams – Harbaugh had a nice debut and the Rams did not
  • Virginia Cavaliers (-10.5) at West Virginia Mountaineers – Beau Pribula has been explosive

 

Week 2 Football Betting Picks: SportsChump

$50 on Cowboys/Commanders over 50.5 total points scored

There was a point early last season when several straight Cowboys games landed not just over, but way over.  It’s why so many believed the Cowboys would start this season like gang busters.  From Weeks 2 through 8, Vegas could never catch up to their number.  Their game totals were 77, 45, 80, 59, 57, 66 and 68. That’s a lot of scoring, combined with some abysmal ball stoppage.  In the off-season, Dallas went young, revamping its defense but a lot of those players were already injured in Week One.  This weekend, after not being able to stop the New York Football Giants, they’ll face the Commanders. 

Jayden Daniels, like Jaxson Dart before him, can cause problems with his legs and looks healthy enough to keep Dallas’ defense on its heels once again.  That means Dallas will have to kick its offense into high gear to keep up, which one would think they’re perfectly capable of.  With Prescott not yet in sync with Lamb and Pickens, the Cowboys’ offense was rustier than most expected.  Even automatic Aubrey was off.  They’ll shore that up on Sunday.  I see no D in Big D.  Commanders/Cowboys over 50.5.

$40 on Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)

You heard my joke about the Browns fan, right?  Poor lot.  After a loss in which he coughed up the football more than a sore throat kicking out a lozenge, Baker Mayfield will look to right the ship and put stick ‘em on his hands.  This week, there’s not only the revenge of playing his former team but also retribution for a shitty game last Sunday.  It’s also perfectly conceivable that the Browns fans in the stands will be rooting more for the Buccaneers quarterback than they will their own.  This line opened at under a touchdown and kudos if you got it early because it soon skyrocketed to 8 ½.  The Buccaneers’ offense should have no problem moving the football.  Not sure I can say the same about Cleveland.  I’ll happily take Bucs minus the six-and-a-half.  Note:  If you’re feeling frisky, take Baker to run one in at +475.

$30 on Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (-6 ½)

Heeeeee’s baaaack!” is exactly what I texted my friends after Patrick Mahomes’ return.  It looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat.  We’ve become so accustomed to the Chiefs doing as they please that when that didn’t happen last year, we were all shocked.  How could this be?  Then Mahomes went down with a torn ACL and LCL.  He must have the best doctor in town because last Monday night, against one of the best defenses in the league, Pat threw two touchdowns and ran for one more.  This week, they’ll play against another quarterback that blew out his knee last year. 

Actually, Daniel Jones’ injury was a torn right Achilles.  He looked far less mobile in his return.  This week, without Keenan Allen, the Colts travel to Kansas City where they’ll play the Chiefs who look like a different squad with Kenneth Walker running the football.  Even Travis Kelce looked rejuvenated.  The crowd was raucous against Denver last Monday night.  I expect more of the same.  Rashee Rice wasn’t even a factor yet and the Chiefs still won by three touchdowns.  The Colts couldn’t keep up with the Ravens at home in Week One.  They’ll have problems doing the same in Kansas City in Week Two.  Bummer of a schedule, dude.  Chiefs cover the six-and-a-half.

$20 on Tampa Bay Buccaneers total points scored Over 25.5

I’m probably loading up too much on one single game but, with what the Browns are putting on the field, in the Florida September heat, the Buccaneers offense should be able to do what they want against Cleveland.  The Bucs are still adjusting to life without the greatest receiver in team history, but they still have plenty of weapons in that locker room.  The Bucs turned the ball over four times last week against Cincinnati and still put up 27 points.  They’ll go back to the drawing board, giving Bucky Irving the ball plenty, and trying to figure out whether Emeka Egbuka can fill the number one slot that Mike Evans left vacant.  Either way, we should see the Buccaneers with plenty of opportunities to score the football.  Bucs total points scored over 25.5

$10 on Louisiana State Tigers (-2 ½) at Ole Miss Rebels

I’ve said some mean things about Lane Kiffin over the years.  He’s an easy target.  I even have a slew of texts saved from my fellow Gator brethren talking him up, then shooting him down once he decided to diss Florida for LSU.  Gator fans don’t like to think of themselves as secondary citizens.  As soon as Kiffin stepped foot in Baton Rouge, drama accompanied him.  Not a week goes by when his name isn’t in some sort of scandal.  It seemed like Florida fans had dodged a bullet.  Then Lane Kiffin and company embarrassed Clemson on national television, handing Dabo Sweeney his worse loss ever.  Of course, this all came after the hullabaloo of LSU signing pro players which, to be fair, the Southeastern Conference has been doing for years, technically. 

This week, Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford, Mississippi where there’s probably still a For Sale sign on his house.  He’ll be playing against kids he recruited at a school where he had double-digit wins.  And that stadium will be loud.  It better be.  From what I saw against Clemson, LSU, led by a motivated, vengeful Lane Kiffin is frightening.   As badly as the Ole Miss kids will want to beat their former coach, Kiffin’s new locker room won’t let that happen.  This is a night game in Oxford.  Kiffin may still have a soft spot for the kids playing on the opposite sidelines but don’t think for one second, he won’t win this game.  Two-and-a-half seems like an easy cover.  LSU leaves Oxford with a victory.  LSU minus two-and-a-half.  Note: Before wagering on this game, check the status of LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, currently listed as doubtful.

 

Last Week’s Recap

  • Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) – INCORRECT
  • Penn State Nittany Lions (-23.5) at Temple Owls – INCORRECT
  • Chicago Bears (-2.5) at Carolina Panthers – CORRECT
  • Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Georgia Bulldogs (-40.5) – CORRECT
  • Ohio State Buckeyes (+2) at Texas Longhorns – CORRECT

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (Top Five Only)

  • NFL: 1-1 (-$20)
  • CFB: 2-1 (-$10)
  • Overall: 3-2 (-$30)

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (By Confidence)

  • $50: 0-1
  • $40: 0-1
  • $30: 1-0
  • $20: 1-0
  • $10: 1-0

Week-by-Week for Kevin Paul and TWHS (Top Five Only)

  • Week 01: NFL: 1-1 (-$20) | CFB 2-1 (-$10) | Week: 3-2 (-$30) | Overall: 3-2 (-$30)

 

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

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