We are back for another week of Best Bets from our TSN Betting team.
After going 2-2 in Week 1, the guys are looking to find their first winning week of the season.
So let’s get right to the action.
Domenic Padula: YourWay Parlay: Montgomery 32+ rushing, Gibbs 3+ receptions -112
The Lions’ offence is the focus in Detroit this week. Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is back. Current OC John Morton is under fire after this unit’s terrible Week 1 performance. How will the Lions respond? Well, after Thursday Night Football, we know the Green Bay Packers front-seven is for real. We also know Chicago’s defence isn’t nearly as dominant. Head coach Dan Campbell said the main area of improvement will be raising the team’s yards per carry after Detroit was held to 2.1 yards per carry at Lambeau Stadium. At home, in front of their fans, coming off an ugly loss, I expect the Lions to pound the rock against the Bears. Despite the negative game script, David Montgomery had 11 rushing attempts in last week’s loss to the Packers. I’ll lock in Montgomery over 10.5 rushing attempts as a FanDuel Best Bet. As for a YourWay best bet, I’ll go with Montgomery 32+ rushing yards and Gibbs 3+ receptions at -112 odds. Enjoy the games, everyone!
Drew Morrison: Isiah Pacheco under 33.5 rushing yards
The Chiefs’ running game wasn’t exactly a consistent threat even before Isiah Pacheco was hurt in week 2 last season. Kareem Hunt filled in admirably while Pacheco recovered from his broken leg and is still effective in spurts, but I think Andy Reid would like to use him as a handcuff rather than a bell cow back. Interestingly, the Chiefs acquired Tank Bigsby this week which confirms what I’ve been thinking about this backfield. Pacheco had just five carries for 25 yards in week 1. Facing Philly, with Jalen Carter for more than a few snaps, I don’t see Pacheco’s production improving, even if his usage does.
Connor Ford: Elic Ayomanor 35 or more Receiving Yards (-109)
It’s still very early, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Elic Ayomanor is recognized as one of the best young Canadian players in the NFL by the end of this season. The Titans’ rookie wide receiver jumped out of the gate with encouraging usage in his NFL debut, despite finishing with a pedestrian stat line.
Ayomanor had 120 air yards in Week 1 against the Broncos, which was the seventh most among all wide receivers. He was also targeted on 26 percent of his routes while boasting a 17.1 aDOT (Average Depth of Target). These numbers suggest that Ayomanor is running legitimate routes down the field, and Cam Ward is looking his way.
Despite the impressive peripherals, Ayomanor finished with just 13 yards on two catches against the Broncos’ stingy defence. While this week’s matchup against the Rams is no cakewalk, Cam Ward should be slightly more comfortable in his second NFL start. Ayomanor looks fully entrenched as a starting wide receiver, and I expect him to make the most of his opportunities this week.
Luke Bellus: Colston Loveland at least 15 receiving yards
Two of my best friends got married last night. A true love story come to life.
It feels like just yesterday that Steve and Amalia were just two crazy kids going to prom together. And now, 10 years later, they are another reason to believe that love always wins.
“Love always wins” would be a good way to summarize the opening few weeks of this NFL season, with Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers currently rocking and rolling to a 2-0 start after trading for one of the best pass rushers in football.
But the Packers aren’t in action today, and I’m still chasing that high of busting a groove on the dance floor. So let’s take a trip to Loveland and do it Your Way.
The Chicago Bears surprised many at the 2025 NFL Draft by taking Coltson Loveland as the first tight end off the board with the 10th pick of the night.
Not long after the Indianapolis Colts used the 14th pick to select Tyler Warren, the winner of the 2024 John Mackey Award as the best tight end in college football.
Warren made an instant impact with seven catches for 76 yards in a Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, Loveland was targeted twice on Monday Night Football, ending the night with two catches for 12 yards in a loss.
This brings me back to Steve and Amalia.
Amalia has a great story about their first date, and it’s her’s to tell. But long story short, Steve basically didn’t seem to know that this girl was going to the movies with him on a date. In his mind, these were just two kids in high school going to see a motion picture together because they… were bored?
Not the ideal start to a relationship, but neither is only targeting your new tight end twice in his rookie debut.
Steve managed to get his head out of the sand, and 10 years later, he’s found a lifetime of happiness with a partner who truly makes him whole.
I’m hoping this week the Bears take a page out of his book and show up to the second date with an actual game plan so we can start a long and beautiful relationship with Loveland in Chicago.
The Lions were one of the best teams in the league last year at stopping tight ends, and in Week 1, they gave up just 22 yards on six targets to Packers’ tight ends.
So I like that we’re zagging against a solid unit with a rookie looking to prove he belongs.
I’ll lock in Colston Loveland to get at least 15 receiving yards or more against the Lions this afternoon.
