We go again.
COINCIDENTAL STADIUM of the WEEK
A series depicting a stadium which corresponds to a play featured in The 7 Best and/or its auxiliary actions to open the show.
- Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
LAS VEGAS —Here it is. The 7 Best is back and I’m fired up to get down to business. Last week was satisfactory with a 4-3, 1-0 Top Choice ledger. But there’s no time for celebration as moves must be made to stay in the competition. It’s CUT season over at the CFFI, so when my Point total doesn’t meet their CUT line, well then, let’s just say it’s College Basketball season here.
Anywho, here are my T7 ATS/Total positions for this weekend throughout College Football and the National Football League.
The 7 Best Record: 30-33 (31.5 Points)
Top Choice Record: 3-6
Scoring: 1 point per win, half-point per push, 1.5 points per Top Choice win
— INDIANA (-14.5) at Penn State
KEY METRICS
- IU: TT-Ov satisfaction in 7 L8 (63% ROI). Hoosiers offense ranks 2nd nationally in QBR (186.1), 1st in Scoring Offense (46.4), 8th in Total Offense (504.9) & 7th in Yards Per Play (7.2). The Indiana defense is 3rd in the country in Scoring Defense (10.8), 7th in Total Defense (248.3) & 9th in Sacks (3.2 per).
- PSU: 1-7 ATS. The Nittany Lions offense ranks 107th nationally in YPG (335.6). The defense ranks 100th in the country in SCK/PG (1.8).
MY TAKE
It’s a play on the Indiana Hoosiers laying 14.5 points when it travels to Happy Valley to oppose the Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium. These are two football on different sides of the spectrum. The Nittany Lions have lost 5 straight. This season turned into a complete lost year. Indiana Football has never been better, is playing for things which matter and plays with a chip on its shoulder. What’s the angle for Penn State? It’s IU for me and I would lay to -15.5.
— OREGON/IOWA OVER 41.5 POINTS
KEY METRICS (which support the OVER citing clear advantages by each side)
- ORE: The offense ranks 33rd in Sacks Allowed (1.4), 20th nationally in 1Q scoring (9.0) & 7th nationally in 2Q scoring (13.4). The Special Teams unit ranks 33rd in the country in YDS/KR (22.8) & 75th in YDS/PR (7.6).
- IOWA: The Hawkeyes offense is 1st nationally in Offensive Penalties (2.4) & Off. Pen. Yardage (22.9). It ranks 51st nationally in 4Q scoring (7.8). The Special Teams unit ranks 2nd in the country in YDS/PR (25.7), 8th in YDS/KR (27.8) & 8th in FG/M (16).
- My xAAPT: 45
MY TAKE
It’s a play going over the total, at 41.5 points herein, when the Oregon Ducks square-off against the Iowa Hawkeyes in a pivotal B1G and CFB Playoff-relevant affair before a national television audience Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. I know Iowa is known for its defense and special teams but I think the offense can find a modicum of success here, in addition to the special teams units. I don’t feel like the Oregon offense will be shut-out by any means. Combined, these two teams are 11-8-1 O/U L20 (55%). 41.5 or 42 is very manageable. The total is low, so we can go high. Try and grab 41.5 if you can though.
— Washington at WISCONSIN (+11.5)
KEY METRICS
- WASH: 4-6 ATS L10. ATS coverage in just 1 L5 true, road games (-62% ROI). The Huskies offense is 71st nationally in Off. Pen. (6.2).
- WISC: Badgers defense ranks 14th nationally in Def. Pen. (4.6). The offense is 7th in the country in Off. Pen. (3.9) & 8th in Off. Pen. Yardage (34.0).
MY TAKE
It’s a play on the embattled Wisconsin Badgers when it hosts the Washington Huskies Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. I won’t BS-jive you, there isn’t much to sell On Wisconsin. But I’ll back them through 11 points here. I don’t know how good Washington is. The win two weeks ago versus Illinois was nice. Maybe this is a letdown spot even if off the bye? It has three should-win games before the showdown versus Oregon. For the Badgers, it’s about pride. I’ll try that angle here. What other angles are there? Have your parachute ready. Play to +11.
— New York (N) at BEARS (-4.5)
KEY METRICS
- CHI: 7-3 ATS L10. TT-Ov satisfaction in 14 L20 (32% ROI). The Chicago offense ranks 6th in the NFL in PPG (26.9), 4th in YPG (378.4) & 6th in YPP (6.1). The Bears defense is 1/32 in INT/GM (1.6), 5th in Def. Pen. (5.4) & 3rd in Def. Pen./YDS (37.9).
- NYG: 4-6 ATS L10. M/L conversion in just 1 L10 road games (-81% ROI). The Giants offense is 30th in Penalties (7.7) & Penalty Yardage (64.8). The New York defense is 32/32 in YPG/A (382.1).
MY TAKE
It’s a play on the Chicago Bears laying four-and-a-half points when it hosts the New York Football Giants Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Back-to-back weeks on Chicago, this. As I said in fading NYG last week with San Francisco, the Giants have to be in Next-Season Mode. The Bears have found its groove and deserve some respect. I’ll show it here. What is the angle for New York? No tricks, lay to -6.
— JAGUARS (PK) at Houston
KEY METRICS
- JAX: The Jaguars defense ranks 2nd in INT/GM (1.4) & 17th in PPG/A (23.0). It ranks 3/32 in Rushing Defense (86.9).
- HOU: M/L conversion in just 10 L21 games (-13% ROI). The Texans offense ranks 27th in the NFL in YPP (5.2).
MY TAKE
It’s a play backing the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars at a pick’em when it opposes the Houston Texans away Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium. Both teams have injuries. It’s a rugged spot which Jacksonville over the years has shown it can’t handle. But maybe it’s a new day after all and w/out Stroud I want no part of Houston. I acknowledge there isn’t much metrics to back the Jaguars with. Sometimes it goes that way. Play to -1.
— PATRIOTS/BUCCANEERS UNDER 48.5 POINTS
KEY METRICS
- NE: Patriots defense is 6/32 in PPG/A (18.8) & 9th in YPG/A (299.0). It’s best-in-league versus the run (75.4 yards allowed per game).
- TB: Defense ranks 6th in the NFL in SCK/GM (3.1) & 7th in RY/A (92.6).
- My xAAPT: 47
MY TAKE
It’s a play going under the total, at 48.5 points herein, when the New England Patriots head south to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium. I just think the total is a bit inflated here based on the expectation of a Maye/Mayfield QB super show. Both QB’s are excellent. But these defenses have something to offer too and at this number? It’s a try going Under for me. Play to 48.
TOP CHOICE
— EAGLES (+2.5) at Green Bay
KEY METRICS
- PHI: 7-3 ATS L10. ATS coverage in 7 L9 road games (49% ROI) & TT-Ov satisfaction in 7 L9 road games (42% ROI). The Eagles offense ranks 5/32 in CMP% (70.2) & 1/32 in INT/GM (0.1). The PHI defense is 8/32 in Def. Pen (5.9).
- GB: 3-7 ATS L10. Packers rank 27/32 in Off. Pen. (7.8) & 24/32 in Off. Pen./YDS (58.5). The Green Bay defense is 17/32 in CMP%/A (66.7%) & 27/32 in INT/GM (0.4).
MY TAKE
It’s a play on the visiting Philadelphia Eagles in reception of two-and-a-half points when it opposes the Green Bay Packers at venerable Lambeau Field on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. I can’t get there with Green Bay. You can’t sell me on the home field when Carolina just went in there and won. Its best offensive player (Kraft) is hurt. The Eagles run a cleaner, better operation and are more consistent. Dare I say tougher and grittier. And, I think PHI has something to prove here in the aftermath of the Tush Push offseason controversy, initiated by the Packers. So, the better team? The defending Super Bowl Champions? Getting points? No Kraft? Off the Bye? Ok, sure. Let’s not overthink or sensationalize this. It’s the Philadelphia Eagles +2.5 for me as the Top Choice pursuant to The 7 Best v10.0.
T7B First Cut Record: 5-4
— Oregon at IOWA (+6.5).
I passed on Iowa to focus on other positions. I liked the OVER more (see above).
CFB/NFL TV MAPS
SURVIVOR UPDATE
I was in several low-profile survivor contests. I am not anymore. Week 5 was an unsuccessful Survivor market entry with the Arizona Cardinals disgracing themselves, the organization in-total, its former players and staff and its fans by losing to the Tennessee Titans and cowering-out of Survival markets in shocking, abysmal fashion. This concludes my business making market predictions for others in this portfolio.
I shared my “Would-be Survivor” selection before kickoff on Sundays and said I would do the same until a 2nd, final exclusion. The series of posts was exclusive to my X page. Sadly, said final ending came last week.
The WBS play last week was unsuccessful with Detroit. This concludes my Survivor Market contents for the 2025-26 NFL season.
AUXILIARIES
*The following Teasers were played at various points throughout the week when at my point of numeric satisfaction. Teasers are 8-11 this term.*
Three teasers this week.
*2TM 7PT CFB SGT*
IOWA +13.5
ORE/IOWA OVER 34.5
Another dip into CFB for the Teaser of the Week honors. If I like the over at 41.5, I like it 34.5. +6.5 to +13.5 means you clear 5 key numbers, including one foundational number.
*2TM 6PT TSR*
PATRIOTS +8.5
EAGLES +8.5
As for the NFL Teaser for this week, it’s Pretty Straightforward. I’ll move New England and Philadelphia up.
*3TM 7PT TSR*
NO/CAR UNDER 46.5
BAL/MIN OVER 41.5
LIONS -1
I’ll move Detroit down meaning I win on 5 key numbers including two foundational numbers. The totals traded here clear 10 (maybe 11 depending on your view) key numbers between them.
FUTURISTICS REVISITED
- NFL Season Win Totals
— ARIZONA CARDINALS OVER 8.5 WINS (-25)
📚: FanDuel
UPDATE: This franchise made a lifetime enemy in me back in Week 5. That’s all I’ll say.
— LAS VEGAS RAIDERS OVER 6.5 WINS (-40)
📚: FanDuel
*NFC Championship*
— GREEN BAY PACKERS (9.5, 7:1)
UPDATE: It’s over. At least this happened early enough in the portfolio timeline where I can make corresponding “hedge” investments. Stay positive, right?
Follow me on X for legit, objective and non-cookie-cutter analysis on the Green Bay Packers.
REFERENCES
- X
- Various individual and entity social media accounts on X as cited in usage of this work
- Grok
- Google Gemini
- Pro Football Reference
- CFB Reference
- Team Rankings
- Covers
- NFL+
- NFL Pro
- Riddell Sports
- Schutt Sports
- 506 Sports
- Fox Sports
- CBS Sports
- CBS Sports App
- Real Sports App
- Circa Sports
- FanDuel Sports
- STN Sports
- Oddschecker US
- Getty Images
- Darkseid Sports Intellectual Properties
CREATOR’S NOTE: This week’s 7 Best used odds from Circa Sports on the day of publish (today) and via FanDuel. The whole premise behind this arduous challenge is to play with Friday numbers. In the opinion of this author, Circa Sports serves as the premier destination in the brick-and-mortar Sportsbook genre in American Gaming and is a certain travel destination for tourists who visit the great city of Las Vegas. FanDuel has a sensational overall betting menu and is at the top echelon of soccer betting in the American market. I have no current association with either entity.
This competition was built to mirror the CFFI contest. Some weeks ago, I caught the host the program use BS lines for the Miami – Florida game. And sadly it’s not the first or second time the network— well known for plagiarism and cooking books (fabricating results) for its talent — have done something like this before. It’s how they operate over there. Therefore, my focus is on Friday numbers, regardless of book. Unlike others in the EPL space, I will only share numbers and bets which are widely available to you. If they won’t be professional enough to stick to the 10 a.m./Friday jive, why should I?
DISCLAIMER: Darkseid Sports has no affiliation, whatsoever, with the NCAA and/or any of the programs, athletes, social media accounts, sports betting entities, universities, football programs or corporate entities digitally written about or depicted in corresponding images. The author of this writing is an ardent and serious College Football and Miami Hurricanes fan since the Jimmy Johnson regime.
DISCLAIMER: Darkseid Sports has no affiliation, whatsoever, with the National Football League, the Green Bay Packers, its players, social media presences, sports betting entities and/or corporate entities associated with the team(s) either in written form or depicted in corresponding images. There is no association with any other person, social media account, media entity, corporate entity, etc. The author of this writing is a third-generation Packers fan, a former credentialed-media member covering the franchise, an amateur historian focused on the franchise and is +EV career betting the franchise lifetime. He is a passionate and very serious Packers and National Football League fan. His next game at Lambeau Field will be his 56th.
BEYOND THE ACTION
SATURDAY SUPER 5
With the College Basketball season now here, get to know the Super 5. It’s back for yet another term as is other featured plays in the market such as the Teaser Special and the world-famous Potency Play. It’s a fluid situation with its debut. I’m thinking sometime around the time T7B would be eliminated pursuant to the CFFI or when the CFB regular season ends. TBD.
TOTALLY RANDOM SPORTS PHOTO
Darkseid Sports 
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