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Are you looking for a vote of confidence when picking spreads, money lines and the under/ over in the NFL? Let me be that football wizard who has seen the prophecies of victory and has the ability to put your precarious souls at ease. Almost 20 years of sports wagering experience is proudly listed on the resume, as well as playing in my 21st season of fantasy football(definitely a self-proclaimed pioneer). But enough about this guy. In this weekly column, I'll offer up anything from sportsbook's outcomes, moods and reflections, as well as offer words of advice and knowledge on betting strategies. Additionally, for every game, I'll have my picks for the spread, moneyline and under/ over ready to go. And if you're good(or I just happen to be feeling generous), I'll offer up one of my tantalizing, high-odds 'Nicks Picks', a ticket too good to be true. Anyway, if for some reason any of Nick's Picks let you down, I'm cool with you telling your bookie it was all my fault. Yeah... right.

'WEEKDAY RUNAWAY' - Well, I'm guessing a lot of online ticket players choose their sportsbooks based on the provider's ability to furnish the coming week's NFL lines as soon as possible. I get the psychology from both sides of the always pocketed, 'winner/loser' coin; If you have a bad week, you want to ease that feeling of loss and put a half-smile on your face by making some quick, 'for-sure-to-win' tickets. On the other side of said speculative coin, if you end up being gifted with a positive week, there will be adrenaline still pumping in the veins, and with the taste of blood and victory still fresh on your tongue, next week can't come soon enough. A lot of sportsbooks will boast early lines to attract online action. They must think everyone just has some urge to bet without during their homework first. I have one word for them(well, two words): Deshaun Watson. This superstar got hurt at practice mid-week, ending his season, and it dramatically changed the lines between the Houston/ Indianapolis game. If you would of picked the Texans to win or them to cover the spread, you would of been up the creek. Mid-week injuries occurring on the practice field are huge in making your weekly tickets. Other deciding factors are suspensions and of course, the weather report(and I'm not talking about the killer, jazz-rock fusion band from the 70's of the same name). I know a lot of you are thinking that the lines change during the week and you might get more favorable odds by wagering earlier on. That may be true in some of the games, but it will be such a small movement in points(up or down), that you are better off adjusting the lines/ odds yourself closer to the time of action. So basically, I'm saying wait until at least Friday night before finalizing and placing your tickets. Anything can happen during the week at camp and a surprise storm can be announced a day or two before game day. A player can get a case of the rage and strike a loved one, causing a suspension. Who knows with all the drama and freakish injuries in the league today. Definitely do your research as soon as the lines are available, and monitor all week long. Keep all the games in your mind's eye but don't pull the trigger until the weekend hits. BTW, I no longer wager on Thursday Night Football. I've found that the short rest(or just playing on an unusual day like Thursday) might affect players' abilities, thus changing up the character of the teams and making match-ups harder to predict. At least TNF doesn't have an unworthy and 'displeasing to the ear' theme song like it's other two prime time siblings. Or wait, does it?

NICK'S PICK OF THE WEEK: 3 GAME PARLAY | DAL +3 | NYG -2.5 | NYJ -2.5

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS - SEA -6 | SEA -267 | UNDER 40

PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS - PIT -10 | PIT -446 | UNDER 45

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ BUFFALO BILLS - NOS -3 | NOS -139 | OVER 46.5

NEW YORK JETS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - NYJ -2.5 | NYJ -135 | OVER 43

MINNESOTA VIKING @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS - MIN -1.5 | MIN -124 | UNDER 42

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - JAX -3.5 | JAX -194 | UNDER 41

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ TENNESSEE TITANS - TEN -4.5 | TEN -216 | OVER 40.5

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ CHICAGO BEARS - GB +5.5 | CHI -239 | OVER 38

CLEVELAND BROWNS @ DETROIT LIONS - DET -11 | DET -543 | UNDER 43.5

HOUSTON TEXANS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS - LAR -11 | LAR -559 | OVER 45.5

NEW YORK GIANTS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers - NYG -2.5 | NYG -146 | OVER 41.5

DALLAS COWBOYS @ ATLANTA FALCONS - DAL +3 | DAL +140 | UNDER 49.5

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ DENVER BRONCOS - NEP -7.5 | NEP -293 | UNDER 45.5

MIAMI DOLPHINS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS - MIA +10 | CAR -405 | OVER 40

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

SPREAD                 7-4

MONEYLINE           7-4

TOTAL O/U             5-6

YTD RESULTS:

SPREAD                67-57

MONEYLINE           76-48

TOTAL O/U            59-65

Are you looking for a vote of confidence when picking spreads, money lines and the under/ over in the NFL? Let me be that football wizard who has seen the prophecies of victory and has the ability to put your precarious souls at ease. Almost 20 years of sports wagering experience is proudly listed on the resume, as well as playing in my 21st season of fantasy football(definitely a self-proclaimed pioneer). But enough about this guy. In this weekly column, I'll offer up anything from sportsbook's outcomes, moods and reflections, as well as offer words of advice and knowledge on betting strategies. Additionally, for every game, I'll have my picks for the spread, moneyline and under/ over ready to go. And if you're good(or I just happen to be feeling generous), I'll offer up one of my tantalizing, high-odds 'Nicks Picks', a ticket too good to be true. Anyway, if for some reason any of Nick's Picks let you down, I'm cool with you telling your bookie it was all my fault. Yeah... right. 

'ONE MORE AND IT'S OFFICIALLY A STREAK' - Well, having a good week wagering on the NFL is a coincidence; two weeks in a row and you better keep your newfound ego in check by sticking to all working plans and methods. String three or more lucrative weeks together and your winning ways have become a streak. What does this mean? It means your successful wagers show that you're locked into the heartbeat of the NFL, especially at it's current moment of the season. These are the best times to trust your instincts and not second guess yourself if possible. Also, even though you want to absorb as much info/ data on the NFL every week as possible, YOU and only YOU need to be the person that compiles all the resources and makes the final decision when making your tickets. Keep methods routine and limits in check, although there is nothing wrong with increasing your ticket values or amount of weekly wagers placed as your winnings increase your bankroll. I'm all for 'riding the snake'(maybe it's 'wave'? Snake might refer to something else, according to some old Jim Carrey skit I kind of half-remember). Hopefully you've been striking the hot iron as I have and we continue to take a little back from 'them'. Best to you this week

NICK'S PICK OF THE WEEK: 2 GAME PARLAY | CAR -1 | PHI -8

BUFFALO BILLS @ NEW YORK JETS - BUF -3 | BUF -156 | OVER 43

LOS ANGELES RAMS @ NEW YORK GIANTS - LAR -3.5 | LAR -175 | UNDER 41.5

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ TENNESSEE TITANS - BETTING ON HOLD DUE TO INJURY

ATLANTA FALCONS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS - CAR -1 | CAR -112 | UNDER 44

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - JAX -4.5 | JAX -216 | OVER 39.5

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - NOS -7 | NOS -303 | UNDER 50

DENVER BRONCOS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - PHI -8 | PHI -370 | UNDER 43.5

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ HOUSTON TEXANS - HOU -13 | HOU -704 | OVER 49

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers - SF +2.5 | SF +113 | OVER 39

WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - SEA 7.5 | SEA -344 | OVER 45

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ DALLAS COWBOYS - KC -1 | KC -110 | OVER 51

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS - OAK -3 | OAK -166 | UNDER 44

DETROIT LIONS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS - DET 2.5 | DET -139 | OVER 43.5

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

SPREAD                 7-6

MONEYLINE          10-3

TOTAL O/U             6-7

YTD RESULTS:

SPREAD                60-53

MONEYLINE           69-44

TOTAL O/U            54-59

Are you looking for a vote of confidence when picking spreads, money lines and the under/ over in the NFL? Let me be that football wizard who has seen the prophecies of victory and has the ability to put your precarious souls at ease. Almost 20 years of sports wagering experience is proudly listed on the resume, as well as playing in my 21st season of fantasy football(definitely a self-proclaimed pioneer). But enough about this guy. In this weekly column, I'll offer up anything from sportsbook's outcomes, moods and reflections, as well as offer words of advice and knowledge on betting strategies. Additionally, for every game, I'll have my picks for the spread, moneyline and under/ over ready to go. And if you're good(or I just happen to be feeling generous), I'll offer up one of my tantalizing, high-odds 'Nicks Picks', a ticket too good to be true. Anyway, if for some reason any of Nick's Picks let you down, I'm cool with you telling your bookie it was all my fault. Yeah... right. 

'EASY PICKIN'S OR JUST A MATTER OF LUCK?' - I had a really swell week 7 in the world of NFL gambling. Almost everything clicked and I had wished I would of opened the wallet straight up to the sky. Any time you hit multiple 3 or 4 - game parlays, an 8 - game ticket and just miss another 8 - gamer by one contest, you almost feel like you're special, lucky or have some rare insight to picking winners. If those factors really pertained to you and your situation, you wouldn't be reading this column... you would be in Vegas, getting ready for NFL week 8. And/ or, maybe even finishing up your own gambling advice article. What I'm trying to get at is, the reason I didn't win an obscene amount of money, even though my winning %'s were excellent, was because I can't tell the future and have to stick within my weekly budget. Obviously it pays to do your research, but that's about all you can do. After all, the players still have to play the games and have to finish within the parameters of what you think those final scores will be. This week I just want to stress the cardinal sin of wagering beyond your means and/ or luck streak. Remember to have 'odds of winning' in perspective and never let last week's winnings influence this week's wagers. That is of course you are on a really bad losing streak and your wallet needs a little break from the action.

NICK'S PICK OF THE WEEK: 3 GAME PARLAY | CAR +2 | BUF -2.5 | LAC +7.5

MIAMI DOLPHINS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS - MIA +3 | MIA +138 | OVER 38

MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS - MIN -9.5 | MIN -405 | OVER 38

ATLANTA FALCONS @ NEW YORK JETS - NYJ +4.5 | ATL -210 | OVER 45.5

CAROLINA PANTHERS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - CAR +2 | CAR +116 | OVER 46

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ BUFFALO BILLS - BUF -2.5 | BUF -135 | UNDER 45.5

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - LAC +7.5 | NEP -329 | OVER 48.5

CHICAGO BEARS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - NOS -9 | NOS -395 | OVER 47.5

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS - CIN -11 | CIN -505 | UNDER 42

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - PHI -13 | PHI -714 | OVER 46

HOUSTON TEXANS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - HOU +5.5 | HOU +211 | OVER 46

DALLAS COWBOYS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS - WAS +1.5 | WAS +106 | OVER 49

PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ DETROIT LIONS - PIT -2.5 | PIT -141 | UNDER 45.5

DENVER BRONCOS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - KCC -7.5 | KCC -327 | OVER 43

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

SPREAD                 12-2

MONEYLINE           12-2

TOTAL O/U              4-10

YTD RESULTS:

SPREAD                 53-47

MONEYLINE            59-41

TOTAL O/U             48-52

Are you looking for a vote of confidence when picking spreads, money lines and the under/ over in the NFL? Let me be that football wizard who has seen the prophecies of victory and has the ability to put your precarious souls at ease. Almost 20 years of sports wagering experience is proudly listed on the resume, as well as playing in my 21st season of fantasy football(definitely a self-proclaimed pioneer). But enough about this guy. In this weekly column, I'll offer up anything from sportsbook's outcomes, moods and reflections, as well as offer words of advice and knowledge on betting strategies. Additionally, for every game, I'll have my picks for the spread, moneyline and under/ over ready to go. And if you're good(or I just happen to be feeling generous), I'll offer up one of my tantalizing, high-odds 'Nicks Picks', a ticket too good to be true. Anyway, if for some reason any of Nick's Picks let you down, I'm cool with you telling your bookie it was all my fault. Yeah... right. 

NICK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - 3 GAME PARLAY | NEP -3.5 | BUF -3 | JAX -3

TENNESSEE TITANS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS - TEN -5.5 | TEN -237 | UNDER 45

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS - NOS -4 | NOS -203 | OVER 47.5

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS - JAX -3 | JAX -161 | OVER 43.5

CAROLINA PANTHERS @ CHICAGO BEARS - CHI +3 | CAR -160 | OVER 41

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS - LAR -3 | LAR -142 | OVER 45.5

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ BUFFALO BILLS - BUF -3 | BUF -151 | UNDER 45

NEW YORK JETS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS @ - JETS +3 | JETS +147 | OVER 38.5

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS - MIN -4.5 | MIN -215 | OVER 38.5

DALLAS COWBOYS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers - DAL -6.5 | DAL -281 | OVER 48.5

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ NEW YORK GIANTS - NYG +3.5 | SEA -186 | OVER 39.5

DENVER BRONCOS @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS - LAC +1 | LAC +106 | OVER 40.5

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS - PIT -5.5 | PIT -232 | UNDER 40.5

ATLANTA FALCONS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - NEP -3.5 | NEP -168 | OVER 56.5

WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - PHI -4.5 | PHI -216 | UNDER 49

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:

SPREAD                 3-9

MONEYLINE           3-9

TOTAL O/U             8-4

YTD RESULTS:

SPREAD                41-45

MONEYLINE           47-39

TOTAL O/U            44-42