Monday Night LockS: 2023 Week 2
Saints (-3) @ Panthers, O/U 39.5
I want to start by saying that Monday nights with a 7:15 p.m. football game followed by an 8:15 p.m. absolutely rock. Let’s make this the standard.
The 1–0 Saints travel to Carolina to face the 0–1 Panthers. We know the Saints have a solid defense. I’m curious to see what Derek Carr does with this offense. And Michael Thomas actually looked pretty good last week, which is an interesting development there. The Panthers are extremely young on defense and have a rookie QB. So they’re going to have some bumps and bruises along the way for sure. But I love Brian Burns and expect him to be a big factor here against a QB who has a history of putting the ball on the ground.
I’ll take the points with the Panthers here. Home team in a division battle getting a field goal? On prime time? Yes please. I’ll take the under as well.
Picks: Panthers +3 (Padlock), UNDER 39.5 (Deadbolt)
Browns (-2.5) @ Steelers, O/U 38.5
The Browns have an opportunity here to really make a statement in front of a national audience. If they can start the season 2–0, with both wins coming in their division, that’s big time. The Steelers, on the other hand, are hoping to erase any memory of the disastrous performance they put forth last week and get back on track in what is probably the best division in football.
The same rule applies to this game as to the first. Home team in a division battle getting points on prime time. I want that. The Steelers are too proud and too good of a franchise to not bounce back from last week. Give me the Steelers and the under.
