The purpose of the Game Day report from Qoxhi Picks is to update the latest developments for the Sunday action including weather, key injuries, and information that reveals the three most bet-on teams by the public heading into the final hours before kickoff.
Weather is calm and not a factor at the nine outdoor venues today and the injuries heading into the first weekend find a lot more players coming off the injured list and onto the playing field. Players like Dak Prescott didn’t see any preseason action while recovering from the injuries that ended his 2020 season early. The Cowboys got edged by the Buccaneers Thursday night, but Prescott looked solid from the quarterback position.
Frank Reich, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, is hoping his new quarterback, Carson Wentz, has a similar opening performance. Acquired from Philadelphia during the off season, Wentz, when healthy, appears to have the talent to lead a team all the way. He gets big help today with the return of All Pro guard Quenton Nelson, who was sidelined for more than a month with a foot injury not unlike the one suffered by Wentz.
A healthy Wentz makes the Colts a factor, and I’m betting he is going to have a solid effort and guide a win on Sunday over the Seattle Seahawks.
The San Francisco 49ers have talent and skill on both sides of the ball, and a head coach that may be the best in the business. Kyle Shanahan leads his troops into the opener in Detroit against a Lions team known for losing.
The 49ers are good enough to pound the Lions into the ground, but Detroit is motivated to avoid a blowout loss in front of their home crowd. The 49ers can control this game without the need to run up the score, while the Detroit players gain the motivational edge that comes from the stark reality that they could get their asses kicked.
While the 49ers come in confident, that is not necessarily the formula for a blowout victory. An inspired Lions squad is likely to stay with the 49ers with a straight-up win a lot less likely than a point spread cover.
In all, we have four money rated plays posted now. If a Bullet Play develops in the final hour leading up to the day’s first kick off, that game will be added to the play list by 9:45 a.m. Pacific Time.
As for the public, they have checked in with their three favorite plays of the week based on the volume of wagering dollars. They are, in order of most bet, the San Francisco 49ers (-9) over Detroit Lions; Seattle Seahawks (-3) over the Indianapolis Colts; Green Bay Packers (-4) over New Orleans Saints.