Football Picks: Run from Joe Burrow and the Bengals
As sports in America crawls out of the closet with its relationship with gambling, now is a good time to make cash on the side.
The 2020 NFL season, and whatever there is of the college football schedule, will allow me to return to the science lab to conduct a crucial experiment that will better the lives of thousands of children.
How would a veteran sports scribe do if he actually bet on football games?
For the record, I don’t bet on games. This is not some ethical higher ground.
Gambling is a verb I loathe more than green peas: Spending money.
Because said experiment requires no money out of my wallet, I agreed. Because said experiment requires no money from my company, it agreed as well.
I start the season with a fake $50, and will place an imaginary $10 on five games, college or pro.
How long will I go before needing to visit the ATM, or call a loan shark? Or will I do so well I will retire early? Plan on the latter.
(If you fancy yourself a gambler, and seek advice for a few picks, consider yourself warned.)
$10 L.A. Chargers (-3) at Cincy Bengals.
Pick: Chargers. Rookie QBs don’t win their first start.
$10 Arizona Cardinals at S.F. 49ers (-7)
Pick: Cardinals. I don’t like the Cardinals to win, but to cover.
$10 Syracuse at No. 10 North Carolina (-23)
Pick: Syracuse. That’s a lot of points for a season opener.
$10 Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions. O/U 42.5
Pick: Under. Not betting on Mighty Mitch Tribusky to score the football.
$10 Duke at No. 10 Notre Dame. O/U 45
Pick: Under.
