*21+ and present in NJ, PA, IN, or WV. Gambling Problem? Call-1800-GAMBLER or in WV visit www.1800gambler.net
I've been to at least 30 NFL games. When my wife and I had our second child, I still tried to convince her to name the kid after Tom Brady. Now that we have two, I don't go to games anymore, but I still follow football obsessively. I obsess over College Football as well, even though my college years are looong behind me. I was super bummed when all that went out the window this year.
Usually, it's my favorite time of year. One year, I had a nearly Fantasy Record - I was a legend among my friends. My wife and I were talking about all of the live sports that are starting to come back, and she said, "if only you could actually make money off your amazing skills" and I know she was making fun of me, but I wondered if I could.
I'd heard about FanDuel, a sports betting platform, so I thought I'd give it a shot. They have 2 apps - a fantasy league and the FanDuel Sportsbookfeature for legit betting. I thought I'd try Sportsbook - your first bet is risk-free, so even if you lose, you can get up to 1000, good as cash.
I signed up with my email, credit card, and SS# - the social blocks actual pro players, coaches, and referees from betting. Even though I'd never bet before, FanDuelmade it easy.
They list all the sports on the left, and you can make different kinds of bets, like standards, teasers, and round robins - I didn't know what those were before I started, but after reading their betting guide, I knew what I was doing
The first game I'd placed money on felt completely different than any other game I'd watched - man I missed live sports, and having some money on it made it even more exciting.
Dripping in sweat, I watched the Liverpool WIN. WHICH MEANT I WON. I became a legend that day. I paraded around like a peacock in front of my wife. She asked when I'd be getting my pennies, and when I showed her my actual winnings, her jaw dropped.
The app makes it all super easy - it looks more like a game than a complicated gambling site. It's free to sign up, and you can play as much as you want whenever you want, so once, for fun, I put money on a UFC fight - every day there are Daily Odds Boosts, which are bets with a higher chance of winning. It was really fun and my friends are getting in on the action, too.
I've always been a sports fanatic, but betting with FanDuel Sportsbook has taken my love for it to another level.
21+ and present in NJ, PA, IN, or WV. Gambling Problem? Call-1800-GAMBLER or in WV visit www.1800gambler.net
Josh Allen rushed for a first down against the Jets
Getty Images
Jets 17 - Bills 27
Josh Allen had a career day, leading to a top five QB finish this week in fantasy, with 312 yards passing, 2 TDs and 57 yards and a TD on the ground. He also had some bad misses in the passing game and fumbled twice. Devin Singletary only had 9/30 on the ground but also snagged 5 catches for 23 yards. Stefon Diggs had 86 yards receiving and looked dialed in. John Brown had 70 yards and a TD and could have had another on a Josh Allen overthrow. Zack Moss got a lot of goal line looks, and that seems to be where he will contribute this year. The Jets struggled on offense all day. Jamison Crowder converted a long screen pass for a TD to save his fantasy day. Le'Veon Bell left the game with a hamstring injury and will be out for Week 2.
Packers 43 - Vikings 34
A shootout in Minnesota this week with top fantasy performers on both side of the ball. Aaron Rodgers looked vintage this week, tossing four TDs on 364 yards passing. Davante Adams had 156 yards on 14 catches with a TD. Aaron Jones had 66 yards and 1 TD as well. For the Vikings, Adam Thielen had 110 yards and 2 TD catches. Dalvin Cook, fresh off a new contract extension, had 50 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. Kirk Cousins had 259 yards and 2 TDs. Rookie Justin Jefferson only had 2 catches for 26 yards and looks bench-able until more consistent production can be found.
Eagles 17 - Washington 27
A big surprise this week as the Eagles blew a 17 point lead, losing 27-17 to the Washington Football Team. Carson Wentz threw 2 TDs to each of his starting tight ends, Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert, but couldn't do much else behind a patchwork offensive line. Goedert had 101 yards on 8 catches, and looks to be challenging Ertz as the team's top tight end. Rookie Jalen Reagor had 1 catch for 55 yards but was otherwise quiet. Dwayne Haskins had 178 yards passing, but it was Peyton Barber who punched in 2 goal line TDs. He had 29 yards on 17 attempts. Antonio Gibson had 36 yards on 9 carries but was not used near the goal line.
JK Dobbins finds the endzone for one of his two rushing TDs on the day.Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Browns 6 - Ravens 38
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens cruised against a depleted Browns defense. Lamar Jackson threw 2 TDs to TE Mark Andrews, who picked up right where he left off in 2019. Jackson had 275 yards and 3 TDs and looked more proficient as a passer. Rookie JK Dobbins converted 2 goal line rushes for TDs, but Mark Ingram is still the starter for now. Baker Mayfield struggled against the Ravens defense, completing 21/39 passes for 189 yards. Odell Beckham only had 3 catches for 22 yards. Austin Hooper contributed 2 catches for 15 yards. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt each had 60+ yards on the ground, but the game got away and pushed the script to more passing for Cleveland in the second half.
Colts 20 - Jaguars 27
The Jaguars surprised the whole NFL by upsetting the Colts Sunday. Undrafted rookie RB James Robinson had 62 yards on the ground as well as 30 yards in the passing game. Second round pick, Laviska Shenault Jr, had his first career TD and seemed very comfortable with the offense. Gardner Minshew had a 95% completion percentage, going 19/20 for 173 yards and 3 TDs. Philip Rivers had 2 TDs and 2 INTs in his Colts debut, but was otherwise unable to lead a comeback. Marlon Mack was lost for the year with a torn achilles tendon, which means the Colts' first round pick, Jonathan Taylor, will take over as the main RB for the remainder of the year. TY Hilton had a pedestrian 53 yards on 4 catches, but should improve as the season goes on.
Raiders 34 - Panthers 30
The Raiders pulled out a win on the east coast to start their inaugural season in Las Vegas. Josh Jacobs had 3 TDs to lead the team and is cemented as a top tier RB this year if he can stay healthy. Rookie Henry Ruggs had 55 yards on 3 catches, a promising start. Christian McCaffrey had 2 TDs and 96 rushing yards, while Robbie Anderson had 115 yards receiving and a TD catch as well. Anderson looks like he has the best chemistry with Bridgewater to start the year. DJ Moore had a disappointing 54 yards on 4 catches, but Carolina's passing offense will be much better this year.
Trubisky lead the Bears to 3 TDs in the 4th quarter
AP
Bears 27 - Lions 23
Chicago erased a 26-3 4th quarter deficit on 3 Mitchell Trubisky passing TDs and the Bears snuck out of Detroit with a victory this week. Trubisky was 20/36 for 253 yards and 3 TDs while David Montgomery had 64 yards on 13 carries. Anthony Miller and Allen Robinson each had 70+ yards this week with Miller snagging a TD. Adrian Peterson was the bell cow for the Lions, rushing for 93 yards on 14 carries. TJ Hockenson had 56 yards and a TD and rookie Quintez Cephus had 43 yards on 3 catches in place of injured Kenny Golladay.
Seahawks 38 - Falcons 25
Russell Wilson was damn near perfect in Atlanta on Sunday, going 31/35 for 322 yards and 4 TDs. DK Metcalf lead the way with 95 yards and a TD through the air while Chris Carson had 2 TDs through the air. Tyler Lockett also had 92 yards receiving. For the Falcons, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley each went over 100 yards receiving, with Ridley pulling in 2 TDs as well. Todd Gurley had a score on the ground for the Falcons as well. Matt Ryan had 450 yards passing this week, good for best in the NFL for week 1.
Dolphins 11 - Patriots 21
The new look New England Patriots took care of the Miami Dolphins this week on Cam Newton's 75 yards rushing and 2 TDs. He only had 155 yards on 15 completions through the air. Sony Michel had a rushing TD and 37 yards while Julian Edelman contributed 57 yards through the air. Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled for the Dolphins, throwing 3 INTs this week. Devante Parker was held in check by the Patriots defense, only getting 47 yards on 4 catches. Myles Gaskin led the Dolphins backfield with 40 yards on 9 carries while Matt Breida had 22 yards on 5 carries.
Los Angeles Chargers v Cincinnati Bengals
Getty Images
Chargers 16 - Bengals 13
The Joe Burrow show began with a bang and ended with a fizzle this week in Cincinnati. Burrow had a rushing TD this week to pair with 193 yards passing. Joe Mixon had 69 yards on the ground with a fumble while AJ Green led the receivers with 51 yards on 5 catches. Tyrod Taylor had 208 yards through the air. Austin Ekeler had 84 yards on the ground while Joe Kelly had 60 yards and a TD. Hunter Henry had 73 yards through the air, the most on the team this week. Keenan Allen had 37 yards on 4 catches.
Cardinals 24 - 49ers 20
Arizona's Kyler Murray came into Levi Stadium and shocked the 49ers. Murray had 230 yards through the air and with a TD to go along with 91 yards rushing and a TD. Kenyan Drake had 61 yards rushing with a TD. DeAndre Hopkins had a massive 151 yards receiving on 14 catches. Hopkins is going to have a monster year. Jimmy Garoppolo had 2 TDs on 259 yards for the 49ers. Raheem Mostert showed the NFL why he wanted a raise this off season, with 56 yards rushing paired with 95 yards receiving and a TD, he look everything like a top 10 RB this year in fantasy.
Buccaneers 23 - Saints 34
Tom Brady got off to a rocky start in Tampa Bay, throwing 2 terrible INTs to go along with 2 passing TDs and a rushing TD. He looked rusty and was not on the same page as some of his teammates. Ronald Jones had the lion-share of carries, having 17 for 65 yards. Chris Godwin led the receivers with 6 receptions for 79 yards. OJ Howard had a TD reception, on 36 yards. Drew Brees struggled to get the ball to his receivers, but his defense did enough to slow the Bucs while he fed the ball to Alvin Kamara. Kamara had 16 rushing yards and a TD as well as 51 receiving yards and a TD. Jared Cook pitched in 80 yards on 5 catches.
CeeDee Lamb had a great debut for the Cowboys.startelegram.com
Cowboys 17 - Rams 20
The Cowboys struggled to get their offense going against a (possibly?) underrated Rams defense. Zeke Elliott had a rushing and receiving TD. Amari Cooper had 81 yards on 10 catches while Michael Gallup had 6 catches for 50 yards. Rookie Ceedee Lamb had 59 yards on 5 catches. The Rams pounded the ball with Malcolm Brown, who had 79 yards and 2 TDs. Cam Akers had 39 yards on 14 carries. Right now, the backfield seems to be Brown's to lose, as Akers looked nothing like a starting RB against an exploitable Cowboys defense. Robert Woods had 105 yards receiving while Cooper Kupp had a disappointing 40 yards.
Steelers 26 - Giants 16
Big Ben is back! Roethlisberger had 229 yards and 3 TDs on Monday night while James Conner left the game early with an ankle injury. Benny Snell filled in admirably, rushing for 113 yards on 19 carries. Rookie Anthony McFarland Jr did not see an attempt. JuJu Smith-Schuster had 69 yards and 2 of Ben's TDs, while James Washington accounted for the other. Diontae Johnson had 57 yards but also had a costly fumble. Daniel Jones was under duress all night from the Steelers defense, throwing for 279 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Saquon Barkley had 15 rushes for 6(!) yards, as he could get nothing going against Pittsburgh. Darius Slayton had over 100 yards receiving and looks to be Jones' favorite target.
Titans 16 - Broncos 14
The late Monday night game brought a defensive battle. The Titans' Ryan Tannehill had 249 yards and 2 TDs, while Derrick Henry had a massive 31 carries for 116 yards. Corey Davis had over 100 yards on 7 catches, and his production deserves attention, as he was second fiddle to AJ Brown (5-39 yards) last year. Drew Lock had 216 yards and a TD in his debut. Noah Fant led the Broncos receivers with 81 yards on 5 catches and 1 TD. Melvin Gordon dominated the RB touches for Denver, gaining 78 yards on 15 carries with a TD. He also had a costly fumble deep in Titans territory. He looks to be the RB play though right now in Denver. Jerry Jeudy had a nice debut with Cortland Sutton injured. He had 56 yards on 4 catches and looks startable against exploitable defenses.
Tier 1: Set It & Forget It
Justin Tucker (BAL), Harrison Butker (KC), Greg Zuerlein (DAL), Wil Lutz (NO), Robbie Gould (SF).
You really can't go wrong with any of these kickers in the top tier. Each is going to be part of an elite offense in 2020 with plenty of scoring opportunities. Tucker and Butker are a bit higher than the other 3 just due to how explosive each of their respective offenses are, Zuerlein is kicking in Dallas in 2020 and should get a bit of a boost with kicking indoors for half of his games. Lutz and Gould round out the top five, and both should produce excellent fantasy campaigns in 2020.
Justin Tucker is the #1 Kicker in our rankings for 2020BaltimoreRavens.com
Tier 2: Solid Starters
Matt Gay (TB), Zane Gonzalez (AZ), Younghoe Koo (ATL), Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU), Matt Prater (DET), Dan Bailey (MIN).
You could make the case for Matt Gay being in Tier 1 with the addition of TOm Brady at QB this year in Tampa Bay. I think he'll be overlooked slightly in drafts and could be a great catch as the 6th or 7th kicker off the board. He's a guy I am targeting in redrafts this year. Gonzalaez should benefit from offensive additions and another year under Kyler Murray's belt. Koo and Fairbairn are both in top 10 offenses and should see plenty of opportunities at points. Prater and Bailey are both solid contributors as well in this group.
Tier 3: Match-up Dependent Starters
Michael Badgley (LAC), Joey Slye (CAR), Chris Boswell (PIT), Brandon McManus (DEN), Austin Seibert (CLE), Tyler Bass (BUF), Jason Myers (SEA)
Badgley could be a really nice streamer in 2020 due to the Chargers taking a step back, offensively in my opinion. Joey Slye had several excellent weeks in 2019 with Kyle Allen as his QB in 2019 and should have a chance to repeat in 2020. Austin Seibert could be another diamond in the rough as well with a bounce back campaign for Cleveland's offense. Tyler Bass is a rookie with a massive leg, and he was just handed the starting job in Buffalo for 2020. McManus and Myers will most likely be solid,but not have too many spectacular weeks.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 4: Streamers
Dustin Hopkins (WAS), Greg Joseph (TEN), Eddy Pineiro (CHI), Jason Sanders (MIA), Sam Sloman (LAR), Graham Gano (NYG), Justin Rohrwasser (NE)
Another late round target this year that intrigues me is Rohrwasser from NE. Belicheck & Co. were impressed enough to not sign Gostkowski in the off season and all reports point to Rohrwasser having a very strong training camp to this point. He's a lottery ticket that has top 10 potential. Sam Sloman will take over for the Rams, and if they can return to more of a 2018-like offense, he could be another player that ends the year in the top 10.
Los Angeles Daily News
Tier 5: Desperation Plays
Randy Bullock (CIN), Brett Maher (NYJ), Daniel Carlson (LV), Josh Lambo (JAC).
Very little upside here with any of these last four. Lambo my have some streaming appeal due to Jacksonville playing from behind most of the year, but you can do much better than these players.
