

Sia Nejad
Counselor of Cash
Sia Nejad is a trial attorney turned analyst who specializes in the PGA, NFL and college basketball. He further specializes in the DFS and prop markets. Sia's golf plays -- matchups, first-round leaders, tournament outrights -- have achieved legendary status, but he's also coming off three highly successful NFL seasons. Since he began posting NFL prop bets on SportsLine in 2023, Sia is 139-102-1 (plus $1,818 for $100 bettors). Sia hosts The Early Edge at 10 a.m. ET every weekday on SportsLine's YouTube page, plus he hosts EE on CBS Sports Network as well as Fantasy Football Today DFS. For Sia Nejad media inquiries, contact SportsLine@CBSInteractive.com.
@SiaNejadGet Access ToALL PICKS FROM SIA & THE REST OF OUR EXPERTS
Sia's Picks
4 Live PicksWill Bucky get it going at home versus the Browns?...
Is George Pickens set for a big bounce back?...
Will Jayden Daniels rebound in Dallas?...
Will Omarion Hampton and the Chargers rebound in Week 2?...
It's a pretty big number for a WR2 who is also contending with pass catchers at the TE and RB position, but the Lions will be chasing points and they're likely to feed their big gamebreaker Jameson Williams. It was a pedestrian box score for Williams last week, but that was mostly due to inefficiency on plenty of targets (caught 4 of 9 for 45 yards). Look for him to bounce back with another big target share and air yard share in an anticipated shootout. Notable that I don't mind his over receptions (4.5) at plus money or his longest reception of 24.5.
It's always tough to go into Arrowhead and grab a win (or a cover getting less than 3 points), but the conditions seem ripe to pounce here. The Chiefs come into the season with big questions along the offensive line, secondary and even the QB position with Mahomes coming off a major injury. The Broncos have some questions as well, but they still have a Top 3 defense and an excellent offensive line. Ultimately, I think both interiors control this game and we see a win from the Broncos, but I'll take the points (I don't mind paying for the +3).
I've made it pretty clear that I think the stock is too low on Marvin Harrison. He gets a solid situation this week with a likely negative game script and I expect him to get plenty of targets (he did just fine in the target share department last year when he was on the field with Wilson and McBride). The Chargers defense is by no means a lockdown unit and I think Brissett will be able to find all three of his favorite targets, with an extra emphasis on getting Harrison extra looks early in the season and that begins this Sunday.
It looks like Keaton Mitchell is going to play after missing some time and that may cut into Omarion Hampton's workload, but Hampton will be the featured RB in what should be a great situation and game script. The Chargers are expected to play from ahead during most of this game and Hampton gets a relatively healthy offensive line and a bad Arizona rush defense. Look for a vanilla gameplan from Mike McDaniel and 15-17 rushing attempts en route to an over on rushing yards.
It's an ideal situation for Devaughn Vele in Detroit this week as he'll likely be operating from a negative game script during portions of the game and he's up against an average Lions secondary. Vele steps in as the WR2 due to the Jordyn Tyson injury, but he's already built some trust with QB Tyler Shough. After the Rashid Shaheed trade last year, Vele had a 4 game stint of 37, 93, 40 and 69 yards (on 26 total targets) before a shoulder injury ended his season. I expect him to be leaned upon in the pass game along with Olave and Juwan Johnson and to clear this receiving total. You can get the 38.5 over at BetMGM.
It's not often I'm in the college football streets, but after watching both UNLV games, I can't help but target them in a game that I think North Texas can win. UNLV lost to Memphis Week 1 and appeared to bounce back against Hawaii, but the scoreboard doesn't really tell the story there. Hawaii moved the ball drive after drive in the 2nd half and continuously shot themselves in the foot while in scoring position. I expect North Texas to fare better near the red zone and I expect them to be able to run the ball and outgain UNLV (much like they did against Indiana). Notable that it's a tough travel spot for UNLV as well.
The short area pass game is likely to be the chain mover for the 49ers as I don't see a vast improvement from their rushing attack against this Rams front. While this is a great Rams defense, Kyle Shanahan shouldn't have big problems scheming his WR group in space and that should lead to Purdy piling up completions. The main issue with this play is that the 49ers defense may not be able to get off the field and that could limit possessions. Utlimately, I think the offensive firepower and short area chain moving will be enough to hit this number.
Seattle certainly made a big investment in Jadarian Price, but I question how much he will be untilized in his first NFL game. Price did not play at all in the preseason, and while he will be the clear starter tonight, I think the experience of George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will be leaned upon just enough to limit Price's carries. This is also a great Patriot run defense and the Patriot offense may do a better job keeping possession, all of which could limit the work on the other side of the ball for Jadarian Price.
The Patriot preference is to run the ball when possible, but this is a matchup that may force Maye into more passing volume. The Seahawks defense is strong at all levels, but their biggest questions are in a partially revamped secondary (which also has some injury concerns). Whether the game script is trailing or neutral, I think Maye will look to move the ball through the air. His efficiency in doing so is a different matter, which is why I'm choosing the attempts over the completions. This number is at Fanduel. If 32.5 is the only option at your book, I'd actually switch over to taking the over 19.5 Completions.
This is very much a fade of Bryce Miller who has been atrocious lately. Red Sox starter Patrick Sandoval hasn't been much better, but at least he's limiting runs and has an offense behind him that I trust far more than the Mariners offense. The criticisms for Sandoval are all valid and he's likely to give up some production in the first five, but he'll outduel Bryce Miller for a first five win.
A great bounce back spot for the Cubs who have lost 5 of 7 and get Rhett Lowder after a day off on Thursday. It's never ideal to be laying the run line with David Peterson on the mound, but he's been serviceable lately and I like the Cubs bats far more than the Reds. Cubs have the bullpen edge as well. Look for the Cubs to win comfortably this afternoon.







