The NFL and gambling go together like 50 Cent and petty social media beefs.
As the NFL celebrates its 100th anniversary, let's all acknowledge like adults that for each of those 100 years it's a pretty safe bet that bookmakers have set odds and gamblers have enthusiastically placed wagers on professional football games. Hell, gambling is such an integral part of NFL history that the Mara family—co-owners of the Giants—got into the football business thanks to patriarch Tim Mara’s profits from his bookmaking operation while legend has it Art Rooney Sr., the patriarch of the Rooney family—owners of the Steelers—earned enough money to purchase the franchise back in the 1930s thanks to his winnings at the racetrack. And we all know that without gambling—including fantasy football and daily fantasy sports because those are forms of gambling—the NFL wouldn’t be nearly as popular as it is today. Because every gambler knows that having a vested interest in a game makes things a hell of a lot more fun than just watching them like a lame.
Thankfully, the negative stigma attached to sports gambling is rapidly withering away thanks to the Supreme Court's decision last year to overturn the archaic rule outlawing it nationally. Numerous states are now operating their own books and more are coming in the future. DFS continues to grow in popularity and gambling has become so mainstream that some of the NFL's network partners even feature gambling specific programming. Gamblers never could've imagined that a decade ago.
So with all that being said, and that brief history lesson aside, we wrote all the above as a preamble to our new weekly feature where Complex Sports' resident gamblers will provide their three best bets all 17 weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs. Some picks will be backed up by astute observations and dogged research. Others will be made from our proverbial gut. We’ll keep track throughout the season to see who really knows their shit and, most importantly, who can finish with a profit since, you know, the name of the game is to finish in the black. So enjoy, good luck, and always pay your gambling debts like an honorable individual.
Week 1
Cap
Panthers +3 vs. Rams
The previous season’s Super Bowl loser is a disturbing 3-16 ATS in Week 1 since 2000, according to ESPN. Also throw in the whole west coast team on the east coast for a 1 p.m. kickoff thing (not a tried and true gambling cheat code, but not without some merit) and I’ll take Cam Newton, his repaired shoulder, and the Panthers at home. Might have to shop around for the 3 points since some books have moved the number down to 2.5.
Titans +5.5 at Browns
With so much hype surrounding Cleveland this season (for good reason) you should take a hard look at fading the Browns any chance you get whether it’s their division odds, AFC odds, Super Bowl odds, their season win total, or Week 1 vs. Tennessee. Seventy percent of the public bets are on the Browns while 65 percent of the money is coming in on the Titans which screams take the points.
Bengals +9.5 at Seahawks
Teams favored by 7 points or more are covering at just a 39 percent clip in Week 1 since 2000. That stat is also courtesy of ESPN and it’s one of the biggest reasons why I’ll take the points in what figures to be a lopsided matchup. Seattle is a tough place to play and while the Seahawks have Super Bowl aspirations, the Bengals certainly do not. I don’t care about that since we know so little about all 32 teams entering the season’s first game and passing up such a big number seems foolish.
Chopz
Falcons +4.5 at Vikings
I loveeeeeee the Falcons here. Yes, they've been shaky on the road in the past, but they're finally healthy and Matt Ryan and company will be ready to show out Week 1. I also have some serious questions about the Vikings, and while this game should be close, give me the Falcons and the points.
Patriots -6 vs. Steelers
The last time the Pats played on opening night after winning the Super Bowl they got smacked by the Chiefs. Well, that ain't happening again. I got the Patriots rolling the Steelers, who might struggle to score against a very good New England defense without AB to open things up.
Browns -5.5 vs. Titans
Pal, you knew we weren't going to agree on everything. Listen to me folks, TAKE THE BROWNS WEEK 1. Put the rent money on it. The Titans offense is already shaky and they won't have their starting LT against a dominant Browns front. I've never felt more sure about any bet. Book it.
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