By Ron Jumper
The Hall of Fame Game is in the books and I stand 1-0 ATS. It is always a good feeling getting the first play of the season because you have worked so hard over the off-season studying all the teams. If you lose the first game or first few games, you get this sarcastic/depressing feeling of “well that sure was time well spent…” and ponder what you could have done instead. Maybe go workout? Go to the lake? Nap? Lots of options to choose from…
However, it turns out we cashed in the season opener and tonight we try to cash in again. I have one pick tonight and it yet again involves the Dallas Cowboys. The Oakland Raiders come to town as 3.5 point underdogs. If this were the regular season, the Cowboys would be closer to a double-digit favorite. However, it is the preseason…
**For those that missed it, I am doing an imaginary $1000 bankroll and giving away my picks for free because I’m tired of sleazeball handicapping services taking people’s money. Think of me as the Robin Hood of sports betting…
Bankroll: $1050
Record: 1-0 +$50
Picks: Under 34.5*Risk $55 to win $50
The Raiders have a renewed since of confidence going into this season that they simply have not had in years past and, sadly enough, it is all because of…wait for it… Jason Campbell. That is how BAD JaMarcus Russell really was. Another team’s trash is the Raiders gold. While that may be true, I tend to agree that Campbell is far better than Russell and will at least provide stability to this offense.
As for this game tonight, I did really like the Raiders until both Charlie Frye and Bruce Gradkowski were ruled out at quarterback with Colt Brennan brought in at the last minute. That changed everything completely. Now, the Under looks like the strongest play on the board tonight. Both teams are pretty banged up and want to keep the ball on the ground tonight. I expect the defenses to outperform the offenses, particularly as the starters come out by the end of the first quarter. Enjoy!