1 PM : Steelers / Bills
Big Ben Roethlisburger showed up to training camp in great shape after going on a strict diet. He acknowledged he doesn't eat avacado ice cream like tom brady but by Ben's appearances maybe he'll be referred to as 'Medium Ben' by the end of this season. The Steelers have a new offensive coordinator and philosphy and drafted Najee Harris as their first pick. The main concern here is the Steelers O Line but draft pick Harris is a great pass catching RB and Big Ben will be more nimble. The Steelers are great road warriors going 10-3 Ats their past 13. so if Hedgie sees +7 that will be a play. But with the explosive Bills Offense this game points more towards...
OVER 48 3 stars
1PM: Colts/ Seahawks
The Seahawks have been an amazing 12-1 in the Eastern Time zone straight up since 2018 (as per espn) . The past 2 seasons Russell Wilson is also 8-2 outright ....HOWEVER only 3-6-1 against the spread. The Colts are legit . Hedgie loves HC Frank Reich who worked in Carson Wentz in his past successes. Wentz and star Guard Nelson were both recovering from injuries and there was some uncertainty about their status. But BOTH WILL GO today which is why Hedgie loves the Home Dog. Hedgie believes Vegas had shaded a little too high the Seahawks based on the recent public perception and media attention that Russell Wilson gets. Wilson had very little work in the preseason so Hedgie will gladly take ....
COLTS +3 3 stars
1 PM: Jaguars /Texans
The Texans offseason was a disaster. There's almost no positive news coming from this franchise. While in Jacksonville there's plenty of hype. The Jags have a new Head Coach in Urban Meyer and drafted the #1 pick QB Trevor LAwrence. Both will be making their debuts today n the NFL. The Hedgie knows the Texans are in rebuild mode. But these are professionals and behind the leadership of QB Tyrod Taylor will give max effort in this spot (week 1) . Home Divisional Dogs week 1 also hit at an above average rate. So the contrarian play here is ...
TEXANS +3 1 star
4:25PM Packers/ Saints
Due to Hurricane IDA this game was moved from New Orleans to Jacksonville. There's alot of logistics that goes into moving an entire team on short notice. The players have also had to deal with family emergencies and distractions that come with a Hurricane ripping through their home town. The vegas line didn't move much off this news. Packers have been favored by -3 , 3.5. maybe -4 agt some spots. Sean Peyton is ne of the best coaches around and Hedgie doesn't love the idea of going against a good saints team as a home dog. However, Aaron Rogers is the opponent and after a tumultuous offseason Hedgie thinks He will come out firing . Rogers is a great game manager as opposed to the new saints starting QB (Jameis Winston) and Hedgie thinks Rogers will find a way to win. Hedgie's best angle in this gamne is to best the Packer to simply win outright on the Monelyline. Thats. anywhere from -185 to -175 depending on the sportsbook.
PACKERS -175 MONEYLINE 1 star
4:25PM Broncos /Giants
The Broncos have a legitimate defense and are on the upswing. But under HC Fangio have NEVER WON IN SEPTEMBER . The Hedgie thinks this game is a big focus for Denver and thus the announcement that veteran Teddy Bridgewater would start game 1.
BRONCOS -3 2 stars
NFC WEST TEASER SPECIAL
This is a very popular public play but the public is often right these days. The Rams an d 49ers both have high aspirations this year and both have very good teams. The rams opened -7.5 vs the Bears while the 49ers opened -7.5 vs the Lions. Both these lines are climbing so the 6 point teaser is very important on EXECUTION of the line. Many witnessed the same affect on the Bucs vs Cowboys. That line climbed from -7.5 to -9 or even higher and the public got BURNED when the final score was 31-29. SO The Hedgie will play the teaser only at. -8 or -8.5 or better n both lines...currently the play is :
TEASER : RAMS -2 & 49ers -2.5 1 star