A Brief Intro and 2 NFL Picks for Week 1

Today, the first Sunday slate of games gets the new NFL season underway in earnest, and we kickoff a new blog, “The Bet Life.” Twenty years after posting my first sports blog on what eventually became “The Ink – A Philly Sports Blog,” it’s time for a new approach and a fresh start.

Legalized gambling has ushered in a new era of sports. The way games are covered and watched is different. Even fandom has changed.

The once taboo subject of point spreads that was rarely mentioned on a game broadcast, except for Brent Musburger suggesting a late drive in a football game held interest for some fans despite the actual score making the winner a foregone conclusion, now dominates the media. Commercials for gambling flood most sports broadcasts. People aren’t just betting on games or even props like the total passing yards for a quarterback. They’re betting on the next possession, the next score, or the next play.

I posted picks for a number of years on “The Ink.” My win-loss record was not good, but my money total was in the black. It still amazes me how many guys give picks, and never even mention dollar amounts for bets or win totals. Nothing else matters. I went 61-85-4 for $627.31, since I rebooted “The Ink” two years ago. Believe it. Don’t believe it. But if you’re new to gambling, know this – your record means nothing, your money total is everything.

Obviously, as my record shows, I’m not a professional “handicapper.” I’m a guy who likes sports, gambling, and writing. I hope to have some fun doing this blog by offering some picks, opinions on topics related to sports gambling, and doing a little writing.

For Sunday, I’m taking the Steelers -3 (-108) at the Jets for $15 to win $13.95, and the Ravens -1 (-109) at the Bills for $10 to win $9.20.

On Thursday, I posted two picks on my social media pages. Dallas -8 paid $29.06 (with a profit boost) and I lost $14.40 on a “same game parlay.”