PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania—
 September 18, 2023
John FredericksÂ
2023 ATS (Against the Spread)
College Football: 15-7, NFL: 17-13
 Browns at Steelers (+2)
All the wise guys and all the King’s men on God’s green earth are betting the Brownies tonight.
Which is precisely why I am all over the Steel curtain. Give me the Steelers at home, with their backs against the wall, facing an 0-2 start with two home losses—and I’ll show you a desperate team in week two with a sense of urgency.
The Browns dominated their season opener with a 24-3 beatdown of the Bengals, while the Steelers were disseminated against the 49ers. Leave no doubt, Pittsburgh was not ready for that game.
Creepy toad-stool Deshaun Watson wasn’t that great last week, and his post suspension troubles have not been eradicated. Now he’s missing former Titan stud and All-Pro tackle Jack Conklin, who was lost to a season ending knee injury against the Bungles last week.
Get this: the Steelers have won 20 straight Monday night games at home. They have beaten the Browns 19 straight times in Pittsburgh. You’ve got more nuts in your head than grandma’s Christmas fruitcake if you’re betting against those two streaks at the same time.
I’m going with Pittsburgh not ending their playoff hopes in week two. It’s Kenny Picket time or bust.
Pick: Steelers (+2)
 Saints (-3) at Panthers Â
Frank Reich is the worst NFL head coach this side of Brandon Staley. While the Saints got lucky to steal a game last week against a bungling Titans team, the Panthers were pathetic out of the gate. Reich is the clueless woke wonder.
Charlotte hired Frank Reich to coach up Bryce Young.
Reich is too busy virtue signaling. His Indy disaster just shifted south to North Carolina. Clown coach is back to ruin another franchise.
New Orleans needed three interceptions, three missed touchdown passes to wide open receivers streaking down the sideline and one long completion on third and 10 with the game on the line to win last week.
The Panthers just got blown out.
Quarterbacks selected number one in the NFL draft are 94-206-2 in games they started as a rookie.
The Panthers are a still reeling from the Matt Ruhle fiasco. This is just a bad team with a very talented young quarterback.
Derek Carr got harassed all day by a very good Tennessee defensive front in week one. That scenario will not be repeated with Carolina.
On defense, the Saints are legit. They held the Titans to 285 total yards while holding them to two of 14 third down conversions.
Look for a monster Derek Carr game tonight on national television. He’s got something to prove.
Pick: Saints (-3)
