The team’s favorite segment is back and better than ever. We’ve expanded our Pick Em’ for the 2021 season to include at least one “bet the spread” game per week. We’re also adding a crew member this year, our guy out in Atlanta, Nick Pizzuto (@nick_pizzuto5). Last years board was extremely close down the stretch and finished out like this:
Zach is back to defend his crown this year, putting in a pretty dominate performance from the get go in 2020. We’re excited to bring you weekly picks from all 7 of our staff members each week, just like last season we’ll include a weekly scoreboard and aim to get our twitter followers more involved. This is another weekly blog we'll post right before game day, follow along to see who's taking home some hardware on out twitter: @TheUpsidePlay
Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TNF)
Current Lines: Bucs (-7.5) // O/U (52)
Brady vs The Boys kicks off the season this Thursday! Dak Prescott is a fan favorite to have a legit comeback tour as he lit it up last season before the ankle injury (370 yards per game in first 5 weeks). The opening lines suggest this game to be one of the highest scoring for all of week 1. Lock and load and set those lineups, this Thursday has all the makings of a true shootout from the jump.
James: Bucs
Vince: Bucs (-7.5)
Zach: Bucs
Nick: Bucs
Patrick: Bucs
Ryan: Bucs
Maher: Bucs
Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans
Current lines: Titans (-3.0) // O/U (52)
The Cardinals had a fairly busy offseason, picking up two absolute legends from the 2012 season in JJ Watt and AJ Green. Okay jokes aside, Arizona would be a 9+ win team in any other division, Kyler Murray has several solid options this year to work with and the defense is slowly improving. Tennessee made one of the biggest moves in the offseason acquiring Julio Jones to pair with AJ Brown. King Henry is still a top 3 back in the league and is coming off that incredible 2,000 yard season, we’re in for a good one in Nashville.
James: Titans
Vince: Titans
Zach: Titans
Nick: Cardinals
Patrick: Titans(-3)
Ryan: Cardinals
Maher: Titans
Los Angeles Chargers @ Washington Football Team
Current lines: Chargers (-1.5) // O/U (44.5)
Both of these teams are dark horses to make some noise in 2021 and make a playoff run. Justin Herbert is expected to have a monster sophomore season after posting 4,300+ yards with 31 TD’s. LA has a *Fingers Crossed* healthy Austin Ekeler and Derwin James to add into the rotation, and new head coach Brandon Staley is a defensive specialist. The Washington Football team has a deadly front 4 and a consensus top 5 defense heading into the season. Will new veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick provide the “Fitzmagic” Ron Rivera is looking for? Great early test for both teams in this one.
James: Chargers
Vince: Chargers
Zach: WFT
Nick: Chargers
Patrick: WFT
Ryan: Chargers
Maher: Chargers
Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs
Current lines: Chiefs (-6.0) // O/U (53)
Cleveland Browns fans have never been this optimistic heading into a season in my lifetime. Baker Mayfield is looking to make a leap in his 4th year, regardless he’s backed by a top 3 RB duo in the league in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. They drafted a couple defensive studs and boast a top 5 O-Line. The play in the trenches make Cleveland a tough matchup for any of the NFL’s elite squads. Patrick Mahomes is ready for his revenge tour after an ugly superbowl loss last year. They have retooled their O-Line as well and still have elite weapons in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Kansas City is going to have to slow down this Cleveland run game if they want to avoid an upset in week 1.
James: Chiefs
Vince: Chiefs
Zach: Chiefs
Nick: Browns
Patrick: Browns
Ryan: Chiefs
Maher: Chiefs
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams (SNF)
Current lines: Rams (-7.5) // O/U (44.5)
Depending on the starting QB, this game could get ugly quick. Andy Dalton is said to be QB1 in Chicago and the fans have been… indifferent about that news. Regardless, this team has a ton of holes outside of QB and will rely on their defense to stay relevant. The good news is Allen Robinson has been able to produce with any QB he’s been paired with, and David Montgomery still runs HARD. The Rams have the third highest odds to represent the NFC at the superbowl this year. Coach McVay brought in Matt Stafford this offseason and features 2 All Pros on defense in Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald. This team is built for a deep playoff run, and has the playmakers to prove it. Tough start for the Red Rifle in this new Chicago tenure.
James: Rams
Vince: Rams
Zach: Rams
Nick: Rams
Patrick: Rams
Ryan: Rams
Maher: Rams (-7.5)
Baltimore Ravens at Las Vegas Raiders (MNF)
Current lines: Ravens (-5.0) // O/U (51)
In the first Monday Night showdown of the year the Ravens head to Vegas to take on the Raiders. Baltimore has the talent to make a deep playoff push and with Lamar Jackson, they can hang up points with the best of them. On the other side, the Raiders are gearing up to play in their new stadium in front of fans for the first time. Derek Carr and Jon Gruden are heading into their 4th season together and are hopeful they can play consistent football throughout a whole season. The Raiders new look defense has a real tough matchup in week 1.
James: Ravens (-5.0)
Vince: Raiders
Zach: Ravens (-5.0)
Nick: Ravens (-5.0)
Patrick: Ravens
Ryan: Ravens (-5.0)
Maher: Ravens
- Ryan Mobley, Upside Play
* Give us a follow on Twitter: (@TheUpsidePlay) for daily fantasy coverage and game day highlights!
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