Will You Go To Heaven If You Bet On Your Favorite Team To Lose?

The Chicago Bears haven’t been good in years. They haven’t been really good since 1985 when Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, Wilbur Marshall and Otis Wilson led the best defense in NFL history to the Super Bowl title. This year they have a new coach, a new GM, an ascending second year QB and, by all accounts, one of the least talented rosters in the NFL. So what do you do when the team you love also represents a great gambling opportunity?

The over/under for the Chicago Bears season win total is 6 games. Will the Bears go 8-9, 7-10, 6-11 or 5-12? Who knows. They play in the same division as the Detroit Lions and play Houston, the NY Giants, Washington, Atlanta and the Jets this year, all seemingly winnable games. But the Bears won’t be good. I think there’s a good chance they win fewer than 6 games. I also think betting against your hometown team is one of the worst aspects of gambling. Who wants to root against the team they love all season long just to make a few extra bucks? That’s like shorting Greenpeace or investing in Halliburton even though you know it’s the wrong thing to do.

I believe there’s a gambling heaven. There has to be otherwise why would God make Lovie Smith the coach of the Houston Texans? In order to get into gambling heaven, you have to follow a few simple rules.

1. You can’t bet money you need to pay the mortgage.
2. You can’t bet teasers because everyone knows you can’t make real money betting teasers.
3. You can’t go under on a season win total for your favorite team.

Here are the NFL wagers I’m placing:

Season Win Totals

Raiders over 8.5 (-130)

Vikings over 9.5 (-110)

Eagles over 9.5 (-155)

Saints over 8.5 (-130)

Washington under 8 (-140)

Titans under 9 (-115)

Browns under 8.5 (-155)

Player Props

MVP Josh Allen (+500)

Defensive Player of the Year: Micah Parsons (+950)

Micah Parsons over 10.25 Sacks (-135)

Justin Jefferson over 1350.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Adam Thielen over 750.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

Kyle Pitts over 900.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Kyle Pitts over 4.5 Receiving TD’s

Futures

Bills to win the Super Bowl +500