Costa's in the Cage
Hard hitting opinions on Gambling, New York Sports, and MMA
Monday, April 5, 2021
Farewell Darnold
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Whatever It Takes
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Week 11 Picks
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Week 10 Picks - Home Teams Prevail
NFL Season 30-25-1
Last Week 2-4
Browns -4 v Texans
The Texans defense stinks, and I think Cleveland is actually better without Odell. The Browns are also getting Nick Chubb back on Sunday, and should be able to run all over Houston.
Giants +4 v Eagles
I love taking home dogs in divisional matchups. Both New York and Philly know each other well, and typically place close games. The Thursday night a few weeks ago was no exception, and I see this matchup playing out very similar.
Panthers +6 v Bucs
I'm going to keep riding Teddy Bridgewater as an underdog. I like the game better now that McCaffery is out since the line shifted two more points in our favor.
Cardinals -2.5 v Bills
Kyler Murray is putting together an MVP season, and might finish with over 4,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards. Neither team's defense is playing as well as we expected going into the season, and this game should be a shootout. I just trust Kyler more than Allen to make that one extra play to win.
Dolphins -1.5 v Chargers
Not going to lie, this line scares me a little. Miami should be at least 3.5 point fIavorites in this situation, but I can't pass it up. If it loses on Sunday then so be it.
Rams -2.5 v Seahawks
The public is still in love with Seattle, but even with Jamal Adams back their defense can't stop a nosebleed. I think the Rams are back in form after a Super Bowl hangover and are well rested off a bye. Sean McVay had an extra week to gameplan some offensive schemes to get Jared Goff cooking.
Sunday, November 8, 2020
Week 9 - Keep the Train Rolling
NFL Season 28-21-1
Last Week 4-2
Another profitable week last week has us up 7 units on the season. It was great watching a Charger collapse being on the opposite side of it for once.
The Seahawks are the most entertaining team in the league offensively. Seattle's defense is getting Jamal Adams back this week, and he should be able to spy Josh Allen to prevent any big plays with his feet. I think that should give them enough of an edge to win and cover.
Colts +1.5 v Ravens
I think Indy is one of the more underrated teams in the AFC, and the Ravens didn't look the same last week after LT Ronnie Stanley was injured. Add to that CB Marlon Humphry is out this week with COVID, and I can see the Colts pulling off the upset.
Texans -7 v Jaguars
The Jags are terrible, and Minshew is out Sunday as well. Houston is coming off a bye, and as bad as they've played the first half, the roster is much more talented that Jacksonville.
Raiders +1 @ Chargers
The Chargers and Anthony Lynn are the funniest team in football, and no lead is safe. The Raiders are hard to get a read on since they play so inconsistently. Still, I'm going to ride with them after they upset the Browns last week on the road.
Dolphins +4.5 @ Cardinals
Hand up, I was wrong about Miami last week. Tua didn't need to do much in his debut as the defense and special teams got the Phins out to a large lead. I think the number is too high in this game, and see Miami keeping it within a field goal.
Bucs -4.5 v Saints
In his Tampa debut, Brady threw two interceptions in a 24-23 loss to the Saints. He's only thrown 2 picks total in the last seven games and is getting comfortable with his weapons and that's a dangerous combo. Tampa sleep walked through 3 quarters on Monday and still came out with a win, and I don't think the Saints are as good as their record.
Sunday, November 1, 2020
Week 8 - Tua's Debut and Two Big AFC Divisional Matchups
NFL Season 24-19-1
Last Week 3-2-1
I was a missed extra point away from another 4-2 week, but I'll take the 1 unit win last week.
Colts -3 @ Lions
I love the Colts coming off a bye against a Detroit team they're much better than.
Bengals +7 v Titans
Change his nickname from Joe Cool to Joe Covers. Burrow and the Bengals are 5-2 ATS this season, and I think they get the backdoor here getting a touchdown.
Rams -3.5 @ Dolphins
LA put out a statement against Chicago on Monday, and will now face rookie Tua Tagovailoa in his NFL debut. I see Donald and Ramsey not being so welcoming to the former Alabama star.
Bills -4 v Patriots
If fans were allowed to attend games, Bills Mafia would be going nuts this week. The Pats are reeling with back to back losses, and they don't have Brady to save them. On top of that, Edelman and Harry are out. I can't see how they stay in this game.
Broncos +3 v Chargers
The Chargers are a pesky team, as Justin Herbert has played well his rookie season. That being said, their wins have come against the Bengals and Jaguars. I think the Broncos defense is good enough to keep them in this one and pull off the slight upset.
Steelers +4.5 @ Ravens
I think this is a matchup of two teams trending in opposite directions. The Black and Yellow are playing lights out and they keep the momentum going today.
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Week 7 - Road Teams Will Prosper
NFL Season 21-17
Last Week 4-2
Browns -3 @ Bengals
Last time these two teams played, Cleveland ran the ball down the Bengals throats and should've easily covered the 6 point spread. However, Burrow led Cincy to a backdoor cover. Even without Nick Chubb, I don't expect this game to be much different. Everyone's making too big a deal out of Cleveland's loss to the Steelers.
Steelers +1 @ Titans
That leads me to this game. I think the Steelers are legit Super Bowl contenders. I didn't know how Big Ben would look after almost missing the whole 2019 season with an injury, as this is also his first season without Lev Bell and Antonio Brown. So far, the team hasn't lost a step. The Titans losing left tackle Taylor Lewan will be a big factor in this game, since they're throwing his backup into the fire trying to stop TJ Watt.
Panthers +7.5 @ Saints
I'm still riding Sir Purr and the Panthers. The Bears defense bent but didn't break last week, and Teddy Bridgewater still had the ball with a chance to tie the game on the final drive. The public still thinks these are the Saints of the past decade with Drew Brees, and I'll keep fading them in these spots. I'll even sprinkle the moneyline on Carolina as well.
Seahawks -3.5 @ Cardinals
Seattle is 6-2 after their bye under Russel Wilson. This is a big game for the division, as the Seahawks can extend their lead to 3 games over Arizona with a win. I think the Kyler and the Cards are good, but I see Wilson leading Seattle to a game winning TD on the final drive for the win and cover.
Bucs -4 @ Raiders
The Raiders are just 3-7 after a bye since 2010. After a COVID scare, only one offensive lineman will be out for Vegas, but I'm not sure how the line will play after missing practice most of the week. Brady is getting more comfortable with his weapons in Tampa, and I see them winning this easily.
Bears +6 @ Rams
The Bears do just enough to win every week, and playing like a team that believes in themselves. The 3-3 Rams have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season, with the only impressive performance coming against Football Team. Give me Big Dick Nick with the points and they may win outright as well.