The first NFL Sunday slate is right around the corner and you know what that means … I'm back with a subpar article that no one asked for!
You're welcome.
As usual, the Walsh household is hosting its annual NFL Week 1 Sunday Funday party, and, as usual, I am woefully unprepared to host a group of 30+ people in my home.
There's a smell coming from my kitchen sink, and all I have planned so far is a bounce house (for the kids) and alcohol (for us, of course).
That's fine, right? RIGHT?
I'm obviously playing the procrastination game, but at least I have some bets prepped — though that's also why I already have my alcohol planned.
Obviously.
Nothing slaps quite like drinking your bad beats away and waking up to find out you "accidentally" bet a six-leg MLB SGP in a late-night attempt to win your money back.
I am certain that a few of these bets will end in tragic fashion, causing me to dramatically express that I'm never betting again, only to turn around and do the exact same thing next Sunday.
Alright, enough of all that.
Let's get to the part where I pretend I actually know what I'm doing.
Here are my three favorite bets of the week.
NFL Picks & Cocktail Pairings for Week 1
*Odds as of Saturday afternoon
Bills -1.5 (-105) vs. Texans — FanDuel
I could go into detail about how Texans' starting right tackle Braden Smith is out against a Buffalo defense that can create pressure and blah blah freaking blah.
But, let's be honest with ourselves, I'm only here for Josh Allen (quietly whispers "I love you" into the void).
My cocktail for this game is going to be the Michelada.
Our house almost always has a Mexican lager in the fridge.
Currently, we have Modelo, so Modelo we will use.
Michelada Recipe:
- 1 bottle of Modelo or another light Mexican beer
- 2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp. hot sauce
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Tajin or other chili-salt blend for glass rim
Directions:
- Fill a glass with lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt
- Add ice and pour in beer
- Stir gently.
Enjoy with your favorite snack … or Prilosec.
Tyler Shough Over 16.5 Rushing Yards (-114) — FanDuel
Statistically speaking, Tyler Shough ended up having a solid 2025 season after he took over as the Saints' starting quarterback in Week 9.
He led all rookies in pass yards per game and had the second-most rushing touchdowns.
In addition, Shough averaged 19.3 rushing yards per game in those starts, which is why I'm betting over 16 rushing yards Sunday against Detroit.
LOL, just kidding. That's not why I'm betting the over.
I'm actually betting this over because of Action PRO's NFL player prop projections, which are powered by Sean Koerner and the Action Analytics team, which project Shough with 18 yards on the ground, good for a 4.9% edge.
And if you've ever been here before, you know how I feel about Koerner.
I wouldn't say I'm a stalker, but I am about one article away from receiving a restraining order.
If I'm ever invited back to one of the Action Network's meetups, things may get awkward.
Speaking of inappropriate obsessions …
It looks like I have another quarterback to obsess over. OMG.
I'm the Dianna Russini of NFL quarterbacks, but without the extra stuff we aren't supposed to talk about anymore.
Here's my favorite cocktail of the season: It's a spin-off of the original New Orleans Ramos Gin Fizz.
To make a short story way too long:
A couple of months ago, a friend, while traveling across the pond, found a bottle of Opihr gin that I've been searching for and brought it back.
He's my favorite friend right now. (Hi Brett!)
While searching for a fun cocktail, I came across Rory Sorrell's Ramos Gin fizz recipe, which features Opihr gin.
Sorrell is a globally recognized London bartender, known for his cocktails and achievements, so I trusted the process.
It's called the Rory's Ramos Gin Fizz, but for consistency's sake, I'm going to call it: Vrabel's Gin Fizz.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Opihr Gin
- 1 oz. heavy cream
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- 3-4 drops of orange flower water
- Soda water
- Orange peel
Directions:
- WITHOUT ice, combine everything except the soda water in a shaker.
- Shake forever.
- Shake what your momma gave you.
- Shake till you can't shake anymore.
- Add ice, cry a little, shake again, then strain into a glass of your choosing.
- Pour one ounce of soda water into the shaker to get the remaining froth out, and gently pour onto the top of the drink.
- Throw an orange peel twist on top. TA-DAAAA
I know, it seems like a lot of work. It's totally worth it.
Packers +2.5 (-115) vs. Vikings — DraftKings
This is one of my favorite divisional games to watch every season, and I expect it to be close.
It also helps that we're getting a good team, with a good quarterback, and 2.5 points.
If I am going to take a side, I'm going to take Jordan Love with a team and an offense he already knows.
Do I think Kyler Murray is going to do well in Kevin O'Connell's offense? Possibly.
But I certainly don't want to bank on it in the first game of his first season with the Vikings.
As the late, great Dolly Parton once said, "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap." That doesn't really fit in this scenario, but it's a good quote nonetheless.
And with that, I end this article with an all-time favorite: The Dirty Martini.
Ingredients:
- Start with a chilled martini glass — this is a must (I put mine in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before I pour).
- 3 oz. Tito's vodka
- 1.5 oz. olive brine
- 3 BLUE-CHEESE STUFFED green olives. I yelled because it's important, not because I don't love you.
Directions:
- Combine ice, vodka, and olive brine in a shaker.
- Gently shake until mixed, then strain into a cold martini glass.
- Garnish with olives.
Author's notes (a bit presumptuous if we are being honest): You can buy pre-made blue cheese stuffed olives or make your own with a creamy mild blue cheese.
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