Teddy Covers

THE PLAY: Total Under 44.5 (-112)

Take Washington - Philadelphia UNDER (#475-476)

This ‘Daily Double’ video offers my take on Philly - Washington and Green Bay - Minnesota on Sunday.  Here’s a brief write-up of my Eagles - Commanders opinion.

It’s not hard to make a case for Week 1 divisional Unders — the offenses haven’t gotten enough work in August and the defenses have familiarity with what they’ll be facing on opening day.  Washington didn’t reach 300 yards of offense in either meeting against the Eagles last year.  Philly is in their first game running Sean Mannion’s offense with a downgraded receiving corps for Jalen Hurts to throw too.  Philly still has an elite defense under Vic Fangio and Washington went on a free agent spending spree, upgrading their defense on all three levels.  Expect field goals, not touchdowns in what has all the makings of a relatively low scoring affair.  Take the UNDER.

THE PLAY: Houston Texans +1.5 (-120)

Take Houston (#464)

While the recreational bettors fall in love with their favorite quarterback when it comes to betting Week 1 of the NFL, experienced pros know that getting stops – the better defense – is every bit as important as having an elite QB.  The Texans defense is better than the Bills defense on all three levels; one of many ‘depth concerns’ issues that Buffalo has after signing Josh Allen to his fat long term contract.  I trust Houston to get a key fourth quarter stop far more than Buffalo -- so crucial in this pointspread range -- just like they did last year when they held Matthew Stafford and the Rams to 14 points in Week 1.  This time around, however, I expect the Texans revamped offensive line to hold up; a game I expect them to win.  That said, I’d rather take the point and a half here ‘just in case’ of a tight finish -- the moneyline payout simply isn’t worth it.  Take the Texans