Here's a lesson for all of ya's. I won't even charge you for it!

AI is a wonderful tool. It really is.

I know that is very controversial. But I find AI very helpful—with the understanding that it is not 100% accurate. Some AI models, in fact, can be wrong quite often.

As long as you go in with that understanding, I think people would be more accepting of AI. Use it as a base from which to start from, but don't depend on it entirely.

As Reagan once said to Gorbachev, "Trust but verify."

"How does this relate to this article about sports betting?" you may be asking.

Well, I've been using ChatGPT to track my betting from week to week. The problem is: I haven't been verifying.

I did the first two weeks and Chat nailed it. It gave me a false sense of confidence that I no longer had to double check it.

Until this week.

I knew I was having a great week with my picks. When I asked ChatGPT to give me my final results, I was pissed when it spit back at me that I went 5-8-1 on my ATS picks.

Well, I spat back.

Not literally. That would be weird.

So I went back and, manually, checked my picks every week with the actual results. It was very tedious, but, in the end, I was rewarded with the realization that I haven't been having nearly as bad of a season as I thought.

Here are my correct season stats (which include a perfect 3-0 on my Best Bets):

A couple of weeks ago, I was so disheartened by the results ChatGPT was showing me that I was giving serious thought to not continuing with these "picks" articles.

But now, lucky you, I am revitalized and ready to take my picks to another level!

Thursday Night Football – October 29, 2026

Carolina Panthers (3-3) at Green Bay Packers (4-3) – 8:15 PM (Prime Video)

Straight-Up Pick: CAROLINA
ATS Pick: CAROLINA +3.5
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS (out of 5)

O/U Pick: OVER 46.5
O/U Confidence: 4.5 STARS (out of 5)

Carolina laid a major egg last week. They lost, 43-13, to Tampa Bay. The Panthers' run defense is so bad that Baker Mayfield only had to throw 11 times in his return to the lineup... and the Bucs still managed to score 43 points! How?

Fortunately for them, they are facing a Green Bay team that doesn't have much of a running game. They do have Josh Jacobs back, so who knows?

Score: Carolina 27, Green Bay 24

Sunday, November 1 – 1:00 PM Window

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-1) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: BUFFALO
ATS Pick: BUFFALO -3
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS

O/U Pick: OVER 54.5
O/U Confidence: 4.5 STARS

Maybe Lamar Jackson plays this week.

Maybe he doesn't.

Only Lamar knows.

Either way, the Bills are coming off a bye week and are well-rested, and playing at home.

Score: Buffalo 31, Baltimore 26

Tennessee Titans (1-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: CINCINNATI
ATS Pick: CINCINNATI -11.5
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 46.5
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

This game has all the makings of one of those weird upsets. Tennessee has actually scored 20+ points in back-to-back weeks for the first time this season. I just don't trust Cincinnati from week to week.

Score: Cincinnati 29, Tennessee 16

Arizona Cardinals (2-5) at Dallas Cowboys (3-4) – 1:00 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: DALLAS
ATS Pick: DALLAS -7
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS

O/U Pick: OVER 54.5
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

Here we go! No, I am not imitating Dak Prescott. It is my inner voice admonishing me for picking Dallas again.

Score: Dallas 34, Arizona 24

Minnesota Vikings (6-0) at Detroit Lions (4-2) – 1:00 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: MINNESOTA
ATS Pick: MINNESOTA +3
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 46.5
O/U Confidence: 4.5 STARS

As the late, great Rodney Dangerfield was fond of saying—"No respect." That's how the undefeated Minnesota Vikings must feel being three-point underdogs going into Detroit to face a poorly-coached Lions' team.

Score: Minnesota 20, Detroit 19

Indianapolis Colts (2-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: JACKSONVILLE
ATS Pick: JACKSONVILLE -10
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 46.5
O/U Confidence: 5 STARS

The firesale has begun in Indy. The Jaguars are coming off a bye and head coach Liam Coen is not one to take his foot off the gas.

Do you really think the Colts are going to risk injuring their blue chip trade piece, Jonathan Taylor?

Score: Jacksonville 27, Indianapolis 13

Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) at New York Jets (2-5) – 1:00 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: LAS VEGAS
ATS Pick: LAS VEGAS +1.5
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 45.5
O/U Confidence: 5 STARS

The race to see who will be the first NFL head coach to be fired has me on the edge of my seat.

Score: Las Vegas 20, NY Jets 16

Cleveland Browns (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: PITTSBURGH
ATS Pick: PITTSBURGH -3.5
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 39.5
O/U Confidence: 4.5 STARS

Prior to the season who thought this Week 8 matchup would be a critical game for playoff seeding?

Score: Pittsburgh 17, Cleveland 13

Atlanta Falcons (3-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) – 1:00 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: ATLANTA
ATS Pick: ATLANTA +2.5
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 44.5
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

There is no way Tampa can play that well two weeks in a row, right?

Right?

Score: Atlanta 23, Tampa Bay 20

Sunday, November 1 – 4:05 PM Window

Los Angeles Chargers (0-6) at Los Angeles Rams (3-4) – 4:05 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: LA RAMS
ATS Pick: LA RAMS -6.5
ATS Confidence: 4 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 45.5
O/U Confidence: 3.5 STARS

Are the Chargers really going to go 0-9?

I think so.

Score: LA Rams 24, LA Chargers 17

Sunday, November 1 – 4:25 PM Window

Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) at Denver Broncos (5-2) – 4:25 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: KANSAS CITY
ATS Pick: KANSAS CITY -1.5
ATS Confidence: 4 STARS

O/U Pick: UNDER 40.5
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

I can't believe Patrick Mahomes is going to throw up two stinkers in a row.

Score: Kansas City 20, Denver 17

New England Patriots (4-3) at Miami Dolphins (1-5) – 4:25 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: NEW ENGLAND
ATS Pick: NEW ENGLAND -7
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS

O/U Pick: OVER 43.5
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

This has upset written all over it as well. Miami is coming off its first victory of the season and they are playing better. New England always has problems in Miami.

Score: New England 27, Miami 19

Sunday Night Football

Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) at Washington Commanders (1-4-1) – 8:20 PM (NBC)

Straight-Up Pick: WASHINGTON
ATS Pick: WASHINGTON -6
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

O/U Pick: OVER 40.5
O/U Confidence: 5 STARS

I like what I see from Eagles' quarterback Tanner McKee. I think there can be some points put up in this one.

Score: Washington 27, Philadelphia 17

Monday Night Football – November 2, 2026

Chicago Bears (5-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3) – 8:15 PM (ESPN)

Straight-Up Pick: SEATTLE
ATS Pick: SEATTLE -3
ATS Confidence: 4 STARS

O/U Pick: OVER 46.5
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

Let's see if Caleb Williams can do what Patrick Mahomes couldn't last week.

Score: Seattle 27, Chicago 23

5 BEST BETS

Against the Spread

Pick: JACKSONVILLE -10

Over/Under

Pick: CAROLINA/GREEN BAY over 46.5

Pick: WASHINGTON/PHILADELPHIA over 40.5

Week 8 byes: Houston Texans (2-5), New Orleans Saints (2-5), New York Giants (4-2-1), San Francisco 49ers (6-1).