First impressions are tricky.
Every September, Week 1 of the NFL season offers every team another go-around at making a first impression and an opportunity to alter how they’re viewed.
That perception can already be in place when you start throwing point spreads into the mix, and those clubs tagged as NFL underdogs in their opener have a steeper grade to climb against the sentiments of the betting public.
And speaking of NFL underdogs, this is far from my first installment of Covers’ weekly column of the same name. Yet, with the growing popularity of NFL betting (and the SEO team doing a bang-up job), this is likely the first time many of you are reading it.
“OK, JLo. First impression time. The pressure’s on. Don’t screw up.”
I’m Jason Logan. I’ve been with Covers.com since 2005 and at the wheel of this NFL picks piece for the past four years, boasting a 126-104-1 ATS mark all-time in the regular season and playoffs (55%). That includes a 31-28 ATS record last year.
That’s not bad considering the name of the game is “underdogs” and I can only select from those football teams catching the points — teams that often lurk near the bottom of the NFL betting power ratings.
Handicapping underdogs is actually the anti-first impression: a delicate dance that requires seeing the “good” in bad teams and the “bad” in good teams, all while monitoring the market perception, injuries, and any other underlying edge that could give that pup a little extra pop.
All that said, if you really want to win someone over with a first impression: pick some winners.
On to NFL Week 1…
