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February 3, 2024

šŸ’° NFL Preseason Kickoff & UFC Fight Night Picks šŸˆ

šŸ’° NFL Preseason Kickoff & UFC Fight Night Picks šŸˆ

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Donā€™t you feel good for this guy?

NaJee Thompson with one hell of a play gunning.

Heā€™s an undrafted guy out of Georgia Southern really just fighting for a chance and clearly heā€™s making an impact.

The NFL preseason has officially kicked off and it feels good. Letā€™s see whatā€™s going on after Thursdayā€™s action - aside from great special teams play.

Also, here are the other things we have for you today:

  • NFL Preseason Day 1 Takeaways (from Thursday Aug. 10)
  • NFL Fantasy Tip of the Day
  • MLB Daily Matchups (Aug. 11)
  • UFC Fight Night (Aug. 12)

NFL Preseason Takeaways

The firs two games of the preseason are in the can.

Here are a few takeaways:

Houston Texans (20) vs. New England Patriots (9):

  • C.J. Stroud struggled in his first preseason start, which could allow the quarterback competition with Davis Mills to linger.
  • On a night that most starters didn't play, second-round draft pick Keion White turned in an impressive debut. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive end out of Georgia Tech started on the edge and was disruptive and consistently around the ball. The Patriots should have a fierce defense again with first-round pick Christian Gonzalez starting at cornerback.

Seattle Seahawks (24) vs. Minnesota Vikings (13):

  • Drew Lock completed 17 of 24 passes for 191 yards, two touchdown passes and a tough-luck interception on a throw that was tipped at the line of scrimmage
  • Running back Ty Chandler took advantage of an extended look Thursday night as he competes for the No. 2 job behind starter Alexander Mattison. Playing for almost the entire first half, Chandler rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries, while also catching four passes for another 29 yards.

    Chandler will likely get the No. 2 back position in Minnesota - something to watch for fantasy.

NFL Fantasy Tip

Looking for sleepers in your NFL fantasy draft?

Here are some players that Sports Illustrated thinks you should take in later rounds for value - that will outplay their draft position:

  • Kenny Pickett (QB), Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers improved the offensive line and added Allen Robinson to the passing game in the offseason. In addition, I could see Pickett rushing for around 350-400 yards.
  • Rachaad White (RB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: White is in prime position to outperform his draft position, as the Buccaneers cut ties with Leonard Fournette in the offseason and didnā€™t replace him in the draft or free agency.
  • James Cook (RB), Buffalo Bills: With Devin Singletary no longer on the roster, Cook should see his opportunities increase, especially as a pass catcher, in Year 2.
  • Deā€™Von Achane (RB), Miami Dolphins: While the Dolphins do have a crowded backfield with both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. in the mix, the rookie could etch out his own role, much like that of Darren Sproles during his salad days.
  • Jordan Addison (WR), Minnesota Vikings: projected as the No. 2 wideout in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson. There will be plenty of targets for Addison to absorb after the team parted with Adam Thielen during the offseason.
  • Jahan Dotson (WR), Washington Commanders: Dotson will open the season as the Commandersā€™ No. 2 wideout behind Terry McLaurin.

MLB Matchups

Baseball fans, the games roll on.

Lines are below for August 11. Here are some picks from around the sports betting sphere:

CBS Sports:

  • Baltimore vs. Boston: BOS -120, U10
  • Cleveland vs. Detroit: CLE -155, U8.5
  • Chicago (Cubs) vs. Cincinnati: CHC -110, O9
  • Chicago (Whitesox) vs. Kansas City: CHW -178, O7.5
  • Texas vs. Houston: HOU -278, O8
  • Miami vs. Philadelphia: PHI -170, O8
  • Pittsburgh vs. Arizona: ARI -170, O7.5
  • St. Louis vs. Colorado: STL -110, U11.5

Action Network:

  • Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: Bet Pittsburgh on the moneyline at +101 or better.
  • Additionally, I set the total around 9.5 runs; bet Over 9 to -110.
  • Chicago Cubs vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Bet Under 9 to -110, and look to back the surging Cubs at +143 or better (projected +132).
  • San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: Bet the Snakes to +133, compared to my projected line of +123.

    Other Action Network Picks:
  • Arizona Diamondbacks (+150, 0.5u) at WynnBet (bet to +133)
  • Chicago Cubs / Toronto Blue Jays, Under 9 (+100, 0.5u) at Caesars (bet to -110)
  • Detroit Tigers F5 (+120, 0.5u) at WynnBet (bet to +110
  • Detroit Tigers (+145, 0.5u) at WynnBet (bet to +125)
  • Milwaukee Brewers / Chicago White Sox, Over 8.5 (-105, 0.5u) at Caesars (bet to -107)
  • New York Mets (+164, 0.5u) at FanDuel (bet to +159)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates (+110, 0.5u) at WynnBet (bet to +101)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates / Cincinnati Reds, Over 9 (-110, 0.5u) at FanDuel (bet to -110)

PickDawgz:

  • Padres vs Diamondbacks: Back the Padres on the run line to cash here.

UFC Fight Night (Sat. Aug. 12):

We promised you some more picks here, and here they are.

Weā€™ve compiled some picks from around the MMA-sphere:

Pickswise:

  • Josh Fremd vs Jamie Pickett: Fight to go the Distance - No
  • AJ Dobson vs Tafon Nchukwi: Nchukwi Win
  • Polyana Viana vs Iasmin Lucindo: Fight to go the Distance - No
  • Khalil Roundtree Jr. vs Chris Daukaus: Roundtree Jr. Win
  • Cub Swanson vs Hakeem Dawodu: Dawodu Win
  • Vicente Luque vs Rafael Dos Anjos: Fight to go the Distance - No

MMA Mania:

  • Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos: Prediction: Dos Anjos def. Luque by decision
  • Cub Swanson vs. Hakeem Dawodu: Prediction: Swanson def. Dawodu by decision

Doc Sports:

  • Guy's Pick: Take Vicente Luque (-102)

NFL Clip: Maxx Crosby - ā€œIā€™m sick of this shitā€.

Sorry Maxx and Raiderā€™s fans. Barring Jimmy G becoming the second coming of Montana (or would it be Rich Gannon for you?), you may need to wait a bit longer.

Mickelson is our god.

Heā€™s just like us guys.

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