NFL Handicapping Articles

Who Will Be the Las Vegas Raiders Starting QB in Week 1? Odds and Betting Predictions
by Mike Allen - 3/11/2024

The 2023 NFL regular season was a roller coaster for the Las Vegas Raiders, to say the least. Even though the quarterback position for this franchise has long been a struggle, their head coaching situation hurt them more than anything this past season. They have fixed that problem, at least for the short term. The Raiders played hard all season. They really did. Somehow, though, they found another gear once they got rid of Josh McDaniels.

Who Will Be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Starting QB in Week 1? Odds and Betting Predictions
by Mike Allen - 3/8/2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers are unquestionably one of the greatest franchises in the history of the NFL. Even though I am not a Steeler lover, their fan base is one of my favorites. Those who wave the Terrible Towel aren’t that terrible after all. I consider them one of the classier groups, certainly more suited for a proper dinner than their neighbors to the south, the Philadelphia Eagles.

NFL Free Agency Predictions: Odds and Betting Props for Key Players
by Mike Allen - 3/8/2024

As we approach one month removed from Super Bowl LVIII, it’s about time we shift our focus toward potential Week 1 rosters of NFL teams. There is the NFL Draft, of course, but that isn’t until the last week of April. Thankfully, we have betting odds available for us to attempt to predict the next team of several key free agents in the NFL. The signing period for free agency will begin on March 13, with teams allowed to begin negotiations and even agree to deals with players on the 11th.

Handicapping the Super Bowl teams for Next Season: Chiefs and 49ers Prop Bets
by Mike Allen - 2/16/2024

Raise your hand if you had a successful Super Bowl. Okay, I wasn't talking to you Chiefs bandwagoners. With the roster addition of the biggest pop star in the world, Taylor Swift, even more fair-weather fans are wearing red. I was referring to a fortunate evening of betting. For me, I had a rough year picking NFL games. So, it felt amazing for the Super Bowl to play out precisely as I predicted. We said to bet the Chiefs and the under 47.5.

NFL Championship Weekend Prop Bet Predictions with Expert Analysis
by Matt Zitt - 1/24/2024

Sunday should be a spectacular day of football in the AFC and NFC Conference Championships. There is no shortage of star power, as the Baltimore Ravens will host Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to kick the day off. The tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader will feature the Detroit Lions visiting Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers. Last week’s picks went 4-2, bringing our playoff total to 7-5 overall. Doc’s Sports will break down the best player props from Sunday’s slate of championship games.

NFL Betting Predictions: Championship Week Opening Line Report and Picks
by Spencer Toth - 1/23/2024

The final edition of the opening lines report is here, for what promises to be an action-packed Sunday of NFL Football. There are just 4 teams remaining, all vying for a ticket to Vegas to compete for the Lombardi Trophy on February 11. So far this season, we’ve gone a respectable 28-26-3 ATS. And as long as we avoid an 0-2 conference round, we’ll finish in the green for the second consecutive season. Before we jump into the picks, here’s the biggest storylines from an eventful divisional round:

NFL Divisional Round Weekend Prop Bet Predictions with Expert Analysis
by Matt Zitt - 1/17/2024

The NFL Divisional Round is upon us, and last week we saw our prop bets go 3-3 in the Wild Card round. The Texans, Packers, Chiefs, Bills, and Bucs all saw double-digit victories, as the Lions and Rams were the only close game. Now we are down to eight teams remaining in the quest for a Super Bowl trophy, and the top-seeded 49ers and Ravens will be in action after a bye week. Doc’s Sports will break down some of the best bets for this upcoming weekend.

NFL Wild Card Weekend Prop Bet Predictions with Expert Analysis
by Matt Zitt - 1/11/2024

The NFL ended Week 18 with a ton of excitement, as the Titans beat the Jags to knock Jacksonville out of the playoffs and sneak the Steelers into the dance. Sunday Night Football saw the Bills come back and beat the Miami Dolphins to win the AFC East for a fourth straight season. The drama of Week 18 felt like playoff football, and now we turn our attention to Wild Card Weekend. Six games over three days, which means there are plenty of prop bets to be wagered on. Doc’s Sports will break down below some of the best prop bets and values for this upcoming weekend.

Chicago Bears: Easy Decision for Justin Fields vs. Caleb Williams
by Robert Ferringo - 1/11/2024

The biggest story in the NFL right now is, obviously, the unfolding playoff drama and the question of who will win the Super Bowl. But the minute that the first piece of confetti hits the turf at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Super Bowl Sunday, it will mark the official beginning of the NFL offseason. And for the second year in a row, all eyes will be on the Chicago Bears at the top of the NFL draft.

NFL Betting Predictions: Wild Card Opening Line Report and Picks
by Spencer Toth - 1/9/2024

The playoffs get underway this weekend, with 6 Wild Card games on tap for what should be an exhilarating weekend of NFL football. The playoff field has been set, and we finished off the regular season on a positive note. Last week, we went 2-1 on our picks, bringing our final regular season record to a respectable 27-24-3 ATS. The Saints made easy work of the Falcons, winning 48-17 and easily covering the -3.5 point spread.

NFL Week 18 Circa and Westgate Las Vegas Football Contest Report
by Christopher G. Shepard - 1/5/2024

It was a tough week for the leaderboard in week 17 of the Circa Million V where the consensus picks and the contest leader Saint31-1 (59-25-1, 70,2%) 59.5 points were 1-4 ATS. The leader is still 1.5-points in front of RDLown, who also went 1-4 in week 17 and has 58 points at 56-25-4 (69.1%) on the season. Rounding out the top-3 are three entries #LFGMO-2, JJARVIS117-1 and LCPA-1 all with 56.5 points. I went 2-3 last week and moved to 289th place. This brings my season-long record to 49-33-3 (61%) or 50.5 points on the season and nine points behind the leader. The five consensus picks were 1-4 in Week 17: Tampa Bay -2.5 (30.5%), Dallas -5 (29%), LA Rams -5.5 (25.9%), Carolina +6.5 (25%), Baltimore -3 (24%).

Best NFL Teaser Bets Week 18: Basic Strategy Teasers
by Mike Allen - 1/4/2024

We have reached the final week of the NFL 2023 regular season. I guess I have to add 2024 onto there this time. I hope you entered the holiday season with your betting bankroll in the green. And if it's still there after all the shopping you did for your friends and family, then congratulations on a successful year.

NFL Betting Predictions: Week 18 Opening Line Report and Picks
by Spencer Toth - 1/2/2024

The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us, and there is still plenty of meaningful football to be played. Nine of the 14 playoff spots have been clinched, with 11 teams vying for the 5 remaining postseason berths. Last week, we went 2-0-1 on our picks, bringing our season record to 25-23-3. Barring an 0-3 Week 18, we will finish in the green for the second consecutive regular season.

NFL Week 17 Circa and Westgate Las Vegas Football Contest Report
by Christopher G. Shepard - 12/28/2023

Even though I didn’t cover the 2023 Circa Survivor contest, with a winner-take-all prize of $9,267,000, I’d be remiss not to mention that after the Patriots upset the Broncos last week, this contest is down to four of 9267 total entries; Circus Master-2, IndianaJet-4, JaxJags-2, LA Joneser-4 remain. And if you haven’t been following this contest, you’ve missed enough drama to fill a Lifetime movie.

Best NFL Teaser Bets Week 17: Basic Strategy Teasers
by Mike Allen - 12/27/2023

As we enter Week 17 of the 2023 NFL regular season, you may have fallen victim to the parlay fairy. Whether you leave a tooth under your pillow or not, she steals what little profit you did make, and you wake up with more space in your wallet. The parlays are fun to think about, and they are fun to play…until they aren't.

NFL Betting Predictions: Week 17 Opening Line Report and Picks
by Spencer Toth - 12/26/2023

The NFL postseason race is heating up, with just 2 weeks to go in the regular season. Six of the 14 playoff spots have been confirmed, with a whopping 18 teams vying for the final 8 playoff berths. The playoff race has never been tighter, and there will be plenty of high stakes football on tap for the final weeks of the season. Last week, we went 1-2 on our picks, bringing us back to .500 on the season.

Best NFL Teaser Bets Week 16: Basic Strategy Teasers
by Mike Allen - 12/21/2023

It’s now Week 16 of the 2023 NFL regular season, and the surprises haven’t been scarce. I hope you are still in the green. Betting the point spread or the point total in the NFL is very challenging. I just wish there was a way that the bettor could manipulate the line in their favor. Even if it was as little as 6 points, we could roll into game day with much more confidence and, in our minds at least, a thicker wallet by the end of the night.

NFL Week 16 Circa and Westgate Las Vegas Football Contest Report
by Christopher G. Shepard - 12/21/2023

Saint31-1 has taken a 3-point lead in the Circa Million V. This entry went 5-0 in Week 15 and has 54.5 points at 54-20-1 (73%) on the season. JJarvis117-1 is the lone entry in second place with 52.5 points and 51-21-3 (70.8%), which puts them a half-point in front of one third-place entry, Rdlown-1, who went 3-2 and notched a 50-21-4 (70.8%) and 52 points. There are four entries tied for fourth, among them is Steve Fezzik entry Fezzic-2 with 51.5 points on the season. Meanwhile, my freefall continues. In a season-long football contest, inconsistency is the hobgoblin of aspiring contest cashers. I went 1-3-1 last week.

NFL Betting Predictions: Week 16 Opening Line Report and Picks
by Spencer Toth - 12/19/2023

The NFL season has entered its final 3 weeks, and it’s now do or die time for the playoff hopefuls. Just 4 of the 14 playoff teams have been confirmed, with a whopping 22 teams still vying for the final 10 playoff spots. Last week, we went 1-2 ATS, bringing our season record to 22-21-2. The Browns started things off with a nervy win and cover in Cleveland, but a pair of NFC East contenders both lost outright, with the Cowboys and Eagles falling to the Bills and Seahawks, respectively. Before getting into a tantalizing Week 16 slate, here are the biggest storylines from an eventful Week 15.

NFL Week 15 Circa and Westgate Las Vegas Football Contest Report
by Christopher G. Shepard - 12/14/2023

There’s been a shake-up in the top spots of the Circa Million V as Saint31-1 has taken over sole possession of the lead, going 4-1 to put this entry at 49-20-1 (71%) on the season and 49.5 points. Rdlown-1 went 4-0-1 for 47-19-4 (71.2%) and took over second place with 49 points. Last week’s leaders, Castlerocker-3 and Fezzic-2, have slipped to third place with two other entries at 48.5 points on the season. Meanwhile, I went 2-2-1 last week. This brings my season-long record to 43-25-2 (62.5%) or 43 points and 138th place.