As a new week of sports rolls around, so does another week of sports betting, and so does another week of top picks of the week. This week has an exciting slate of matchups across the UFC, NFL, and college football, with potential to make a little money. This week we’ve spotlighted 6 carefully selected bets designed so you don’t have to dodge that Monday morning text from your bookie. From key insights into team performance to strategic analysis of fighters and spreads, we aim to provide you with valuable information that could enhance your betting strategy. Whether you are looking to add an extra level of thrill to this week’s game, or just wanting some extra pocket change, these picks of the week are selected to help to meet those goals.
Top Picks of the Week: College Football – Florida +17.5 vs. Georgia
While Georgia is favored by 17.5 points, betting on Florida to cover this spread could be a smart choice. After a dominant victory against top-ranked Texas in a hostile environment, it seems crazy to bet against Georgia. It also seems crazy to bet on 4-3 Florida, who is 2-2 in SEC play. However, I’m not picking Florida to win the game, nor should anyone bet on them to. I’m simply stating Florida seems very likely to cover the massive -17.5 spread against their bitter rival in Georgia. Rivalry games bring a different unpredictable aspect to sports betting, and the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” is one of the biggest rivalries in college football.
While Florida started off the season poorly, they are beginning to show signs of improvement. A quick look at their last three games offers some insight into this unpredictable UF team. They secured a solid 24-13 victory over a decent UCF team, experienced a nail-biting 17-23 overtime loss to 7th-ranked Tennessee, and delivered a 48-20 blowout win against a solid Kentucky defense. This Florida team, with a rejuvenated offense rolling out of a bye week, might just have the pieces to give Georgia some trouble.
Georgia is entering Jacksonville riding high, coming off what many consider the best win in football, along with a bye week, making them fresh and ready to go. While UGA looked great against Texas, they are somewhat unpredictable and have notable weaknesses. Their offense is a glaring concern, averaging only 33 points per game. This Georgia team has relied heavily on its defense to secure victories. If Georgia’s offense starts slow and sluggish, as they have in many games this year, Florida’s revitalized offense could make this game much closer than experts predict.
Brandon “The Assassin Baby” Moreno -160 against Amir Albazi
Brandon Moreno is still a dominant force in the flyweight division, despite two questionable split decision losses in his last outings. Facing the up-and-coming Amir Albazi, Moreno is ready to make a statement and show why he’s still a top dog. Though Albazi has proven to be a formidable opponent, I believe Moreno’s experience and well-rounded skill set will likely get the job done, proving he’s ready to reclaim the belt.
With odds at -160, betting on “The Assassin Baby” is a rare opportunity for great betting value. Moreno’s last two split-decision losses were against champion Alexandre Pantoja and #1-ranked Brandon Royval—both incredibly close fights that could have gone either way. While not ideal, these near wins show just how close Moreno is to the top of the division.
Moreno’s combination of dynamic striking and suffocating jiu-jitsu makes him a dangerous opponent in any situation. Whether standing or on the mat, Moreno has shown he can handle it all. Albazi, an undefeated rising star, presents a challenge, especially with his recent and best win being over Kai Kara-France. However, Moreno knocked out the same Kara-France, highlighting the gap in skill between the two fighters.
This one has fight of the night potential, but with Moreno’s proven track record against top-tier talent, his odds at -160 make a great addition to the top picks of the week.
Steelers -6 against the New York Giants
The Monday night football matchup has the Steelers at -6 against the Giants, making them one of the most compelling picks of the week. Pittsburgh’s defense is widely regarded as one of the best in the league, boasting a relentless pass rush led by Tj Watt and a secondary that can lock down opposing receivers led by Minka Fitzpatrick. This defensive dominance, combined with the Giants’ offensive struggles and injury issues, puts the Steelers in a strong position to cover the spread.
Offensively, the Steelers have a well-rounded attack. Najee Harris has been a standout this season anchoring down the run game, and Russell Wilson showed a strong connection to wr1 George Pickens in first appearance for the Steelers against the Jets. Their ability to control the clock, make key plays in the passing game, and take advantage of turnovers makes them a tough matchup for a Giants defense that has shown vulnerabilities, particularly against the run and in red zone situations.
Given the Giants’ inconsistency on both sides of the ball, the Steelers’ -6 spread feels like a confident choice for one of the picks of the week. Pittsburgh has a history of covering the spread, particularly when facing struggling teams like the Giants, making this bet an attractive option for anyone looking to maximize their chances.
Commanders -3.5 against the Giants
Coming off of a story-book ending against the Bears, the Commanders are not to be dismissed as pretenders, these guys are the real deal. Led by an emerging star in Jayden Daniels and a physical defense, they have defied expectations at every level to be playing how they are right now. The last time they played the Giants, they won by 3 in Daniel’s second only NFL game. His confidence has taken a noticeable jump since then, and so has the other areas of Washington’s football team.
The Giants however, are on a full nose dive into another disappointing season led by Daniel Jones, whose last home touchdown pass came on New Year’s Day of 2023 against the Colts (You and I have both thrown as many touchdown’s as Daniel Jones at home since his big $160 million payday). The Giants are in a full panic mode having started off the season 2-5, and they don’t seem to be improving. Their offense is consistently falling in the bottom 5 offenses according to PFF and other popular rankings. 3 and a half points is generous for these division rivals on totally opposite paths. It’s fitting that a franchise as bad as Commanders is made to look like a fantasy team compared to the awful Giants… they truly are God’s forgotten team.
Panthers -6.5 against the Saints
Taking the Panthers at +6.5 against the Saints could be a smart play, especially if you’re looking for value in a divisional matchup where underdogs often keep it close. The Saints’ offense has struggled with consistency, and their quarterback play has been shaky at best in recent weeks. That one hurt me to say, because I’ve been rooting for Spencer Rattler ever since he left OU to head to the gamecocks back in 2022.
If Carolina’s defense can create pressure and contain the Saints’ run game, they have a chance to stay competitive. Even though the Panthers’ offense is young and going through some strong growing pains with Bryce being benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, they’ve shown flashes of promise, and the Saints’ defense has been prone to giving up big plays this season.
With the line betting at 6.5 points, you’re betting on them to keep the game within a touchdown— which is beyond possible in what will likely be a low-scoring, hard-fought divisional game against two teams struggling with offensive identity.
Thursday Night Football Picks of the Week: Texans -1 against the Jets
Taking the Texans -1 against the Jets next weekend could be a savvy pick given both teams’ recent play – this might actually be a no brainer. The Texans, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, have shown an impressive offensive spark and poise in close games. Stroud has been highly effective, making few mistakes this year and has built strong chemistry with his receivers, allowing the Texans to compete well against solid defenses. In contrast, the Jets’ offense has been struggling lately with inconsistent quarterback play from two time MVP Aaron Rodgers who is playing like anything but. the Jets are also having big time offensive line issues. Their inability to put points on the board in recent weeks puts extra pressure on their defense to carry the team.
Houston’s defense, while not elite, has improved in recent weeks and should be able to apply pressure on the Jets’ struggling offense. With a minimal spread of -1, you’re essentially betting on the Texans to win outright, which feels achievable given their recent momentum and the Jets’ lackluster offense. If Stroud and the Texans can keep their offense moving, the Jets’ defense could wear down late in the game, making Houston a solid play here.
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If you’d like to see how our previous picks have performed, check out our past picks here!
Clay and Bobby’s Blazin’ 3 – Top 3 Betting Picks of the Week – UA Twitch
