Week 1 was just the appetizer, but Week 2? That's where the real feast begins! The chaos of non-conference matchups heats up, underdogs rise, and the big boys start flexing. If you crushed it last weekend with my picks (or wish you had), you're in for a treat. Tom's your go-to gridiron guru with a proven track record of spotting value where Vegas hides it. This week Tom has dissected every stat, injury report, and matchup nuance to deliver you WINNERS! Let's cash some tickets!
Member Notes
Today’s Free Picks
| Sport | Game Selection | Game Time |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | (461) New York Giants at (462) Washington Commanders | 1:00pm EDT - Sep 7/2025 |
The PLAY: New York Giants +6.0 (-110)
The betting line opened at Washington -7 but has shifted toward the New York Giants, with some sportsbooks now listing it at 5.5. I anticipate the line will settle between 5 and 5.5 by kickoff. The Commanders had a stellar 2024 season, reaching the NFC Championship Game. Their offense, led by rookie standout Jaden Daniels, remains a strength. Offseason acquisitions of Deebo Samuel and Laramie Tunsil, combined with a long-term extension for Terry McLaurin, bolster their attack. However, their defense was a weak point last season and appears largely unchanged, raising concerns about their ability to contain opponents. The Giants struggled in 2024, finishing with just three wins. However, they’ve made significant upgrades, most notably at quarterback with Russell Wilson, who brings experience and leadership. Wilson has reliable weapons and a robust running game led by Tyrone Tracy. The Giants defense is their standout unit, boasting one of the league’s top secondaries and a formidable pass rush, which could pose problems for Washington’s offense. With limited Week 1 data, historical trends provide insight. Since 2016, Week 1 underdogs have a strong 78-62 ATS (against the spread) record. Road underdogs perform even better at 52-36 ATS, while underdogs who missed the postseason the prior year are 59-45 ATS. Most compellingly, divisional underdogs in Week 1 are 31-16 ATS, making the Giants an attractive pick. Given the Commanders defensive vulnerabilities and the Giants’ defensive strengths, New York is well-positioned to keep this game close. Back the Giants as underdogs (+5.5) and consider a sprinkle on the Giants moneyline for added value, leveraging their defensive edge and favorable historical trends in this NFC East matchup. Let's cash some tickets!
| Sport | Game Selection | Game Time |
|---|---|---|
| CFB | (329) Iowa at (330) Iowa State | 12:00pm EDT - Sep 6/2025 |
The PLAY: Iowa +3.5 (-110)
While the consensus may favor Iowa State, my model leans toward Iowa as the road underdog. Iowa's lackluster performance against Albany, where they failed to cover, suggests they treated it as a tune-up game, likely holding back their playbook with this rivalry matchup against Iowa State on the horizon. Meanwhile, Iowa State impressed as underdogs against Kansas State and cruised past South Dakota in a predictable blowout. However, history adds intrigue: last season, Iowa State handed Iowa their only home loss, leading by as many as 13 points, and the road team has won the last five meetings in this series. Expect another tight, competitive game. Iowa, as the road underdog, has the potential not only to keep it close but to steal a win late. Let's cash some tickets!
Consultant Bio
Tom Macrina is your one stop handicapper excelling in all major North American sports. Tom has been building his name in the industry posting WINNING seasons in multiple sports. Lifelong sports fan, from the Philadelphia area. Specialized in market movement/contrarian handicapping. Efficient in MLB/NCAAB/NASCAR. Capping for 10+ years. He looks for every available angle to make the smartest wager. Let's cash some tickets!