Yours Truly adventures into the sports gambling waters to give my boring safe picks, along with a bet for the Kool-Aid drinking fanbase.
This season, SB Nation has partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook and with it come a few picks from Yours Truly.
Last week, I went 1-1 and missed out on my Purple Kool-Aid pick. Derrick Henry scored his expected touchdown that I had locked in with certainty. However, wide receiver Zay Flowers went for fewer than 53.5 yards.
Let’s see if I can go 2-0, or hit on my PKA.
Week 2: Bet 1
Mark Andrews Anytime TD +280
Last week was the Isaiah Likely show as the Kansas City Chiefs double-covered Andrews on more than he’s been bracketed since 2021. The Chiefs have the defenders to do so while; I’m not so sure the Raiders do. They’ll not be able to be heavy in covering Andrews and I see Jackson getting the ball in his direction. And in the red zone, Andrews can make it happen. In a game that could get out of hand, Andrews may be the one to put the Ravens over the top and into run-the-ball mode for the second half.
Week 2: Bet 2
5-leg Same Game Parlay +1,017
- Ravens Moneyline (-430)
- Ravens 1st Quarter Spread -2.5
- Ravens 2nd Quarter Spread -3.5
- Ravens 3rd Quarter Spread -2.5
- Ravens 4th Quarter Spread -2.5
Not a fan of parlays but I think this is an appetizing bet. So long as the Ravens remain up by a field goal in the first, third and fourth quarter, you’re golden. And if they get into the half up by more than four, which feels their speed, I’m for it. Ravens are the biggest favorites in Week 2. The opened at -9.5 and it’s dropped a point since. The Moneyline aspect feels like the “free” part of this. But I expect the team Ravens to overwhelm the Raiders early and it could be smooth sailing on a +1,017.
Week 2: Purple Kool-Aid Bet
Baltimore Ravens to Score in All Four Quarters +150
At minimum, the Ravens should get a field goal each quarter. The defense can set them up for success and an aggressive offense letting loose for the first time in nine months against a team not named the Chiefs feels like a tsunami of scoring is on the cusp of washing over M&T Bank Stadium. Tucker will knock through a field goal and the offense — and maybe even the defense — will get into the end zone in each quarter combined.