Tag: updated

Vegas Watch: Lions open Week 6 as 3 1/2-point favorites over Jaguars

The Detroit Lions open Week 6 as 3 1/2-point favorites over the Jacksonville Jaguars according to Bet MGM.

With the Detroit Lions (1-3) coming off a bye, they have had an extra week to prepare for their Week 6 opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4). That additional preparation time, coupled with the Jaguars four-game losing streak and it’s not too hard to see why the Lions are 3 1/2-point favorites — according to BetMGM — despite being on the road.

Not only are the Jaguars on a tough losing streak, but their last three games have also all been losses to opponents who were previously winless — Week 3: 0-2 Dolphins, Week 4: 0-3 Bengals, and Week 5: 0-4 Texans. To make matters just a bit worse, they have struggled to score during that time as well, only putting up 13, 25, and 14 points, while surrendering at least 30 in each of those contests.

Meanwhile, the Lions haven’t been lighting up the score sheet either, but they have scored at least 21 points in every game. With an over/under of 54.5, it’s fair to assume the bettors are banking on each of these defenses giving up a lot of points — but neither offense has done enough this season to support that just yet.

BetMGM has a lot of various bet lines to wager on in this game, but here’s a look at the basic concepts most would be interested in, including the Moneyline, points spread, and over/under.

Moneyline

Lions -189
Jaguars +160

Spread

Lions -3.5 -110
Jaguars +3.5 -110

Over/Under

Total points scored Over Under
54.5 -110 -110

Lions total points scored

Lions total points Over Under
18.5 -715 +450
21.5 -358 +260
24.5 -200 +155
27.5 -129 100
30.5 +115 -150
33.5 +175 -228
36.5 +270 -385

There will also a considerable amount of player prop bets added throughout the week, including touchdowns scorers, the first player to score, quarterback passing props (yards, touchdowns, interceptions, attempts, completions, longest completion), running back props (rushing yards, attempts, rushing + receiving yards), and receiver props (receiving yards, receptions, longest reception).

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Updating Vegas Watch: Lions vs Saints in Week 4 sees late week shift

Updating the betting lines for the Week 4 Detroit Lions vs Saints game.

According to BetMGM, the Detroit Lions (1-2) opened Week 4 as 4-point underdogs but after the New Orleans Saints (1-2) ruled six if their starters OUT for this game, the betting line has shifted to Saints -3, while the over/under held at 54.5 points.

Betting lines were briefly suspended overnight, as a Saints’ player received a false-positive COVID-19 test result, but he has since been cleared and the betting lines have resumed.

BetMGM has a lot of various bet lines to wager on in this game, but here’s a look the basic concepts most would be interested in, including the Moneyline, points spread, and over/under.

Moneyline

Lions +135
Saints -162

Spread

Lions +3 -110
Saints -3 -110

Over/Under

Total points scored Over Under
54.5 -110 -110

Lions total points scored

Lions total points Over Under
16.5 -556 +375
19.5 -334 +240
22.5 -189 +145
25.5 -118 -110
28.5 +140 -182
31.5 +240 -334
34.5 +350 -527

There are also a considerable amount of player prop bets added, including touchdowns scorers, the first player to score, quarterback passing props (yards, touchdowns, interceptions, attempts, completions, longest completion), running back props (rushing yards, attempts, rushing + receiving yards), and receiver props (receiving yards, receptions, longest reception).

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Vegas Watch: Lions open as 4-point underdogs vs Saints in Week 4

Examining the open betting odds for the Detroit Lions (1-2) versus the New Orleans Saints (1-2) game in Week 4.

The Detroit Lions (1-2) are hosting the New Orleans Saints (1-2) in Week 4, and despite the teams having the same record and the game being at Ford Field, the Lions will open the week as 4-point underdogs, according to BetMGM.

The opening number shouldn’t be overly surprising, as the Lions looked terrible through the first two weeks of the season, but they are coming off an important road victory over the previously-undefeated Arizona Cardinals, while the Saints have dropped two in a row and have not looked like the team most expected entering the season.

BetMGM has a lot of various bet lines to wager on in this game, but here’s a look the basic concepts most would be interested in, including the Moneyline, points spread, and over/under.

Moneyline

Lions +170
Saints -200

Spread

Lions +4 -110
Saints -4 -110

Over/Under

Total points scored Over Under
54.5 -110 -110

Lions total points scored

Lions total points Over Under
16.5 -527 +350
19.5 -304 +225
22.5 -176 +135
25.5 -106 -121
28.5 +155 -200
31.5 +240 -334
34.5 +375 -556

There will also a considerable amount of player prop bets added throughout the week, including touchdowns scorers, first player to score, quarterback passing props (yards, touchdowns, interceptions, attempts, completions, longest completion), running back props (rushing yards, attempts, rushing + receiving yards), and receiver props (receiving yards, receptions, longest reception).

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Updating Vegas Watch: Lions hold steady as 5.5-point underdogs at Cardinals in Week 3

Updating the betting odds on the Detroit Lions versus Arizona Cardinals Week 3 game, with the Lions holding steady as 5.5-point underdogs.

According to BetMGM, the Detroit Lions (0-2) opened Week 3 as 5.5 point underdogs to the Arizona Cardinals (2-0), and that line has held steady throughout the week. One noticeable change is the over/under number has seen some growth, increasing up to 55.5 points.

BetMGM has a lot of various bet lines to wager on in this game, but here’s a look the basic concepts most would be interested in, including the Moneyline, points spread, and over/under.

Moneyline

Lions +210
Cardinals -250

Spread

Lions +5.5 -110
Cardinals -5.5 -110

Over/Under

Total points scored Over Under
55.5 -110 -110

Lions total points scored

Lions total points Over Under
14.5 -625 +400
17.5 -334 +240
20.5 -200 +155
23.5 -134 +105
26.5 +120 -154
29.5 +190 -250
32.5 +310 -455

There are also a considerable amount of player prop bets, including touchdowns scorers, first player to score, quarterback passing props (yards, touchdowns, interceptions, attempts, completions, longest completion), running back props (rushing yards, attempts, rushing + receiving yards), and receiver props (receiving yards, receptions, longest reception).

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

ESPN’s updated College Football Playoff predictions leave out Florida

On Sunday, ESPN released updated playoff and New Year’s Six Bowl predictions to reflect the Big Ten’s return leaving Florida out of the race

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The Big Ten came back into the fold this week, as it reversed its decision to postpone the fall college football season. Now, the league is eying a start date of Oct. 24, with the conference championship game scheduled for Dec. 19.

Presumably, this would be in time for the conference’s champion to be considered for a position in the College Football Playoff.

On Sunday, ESPN released updated playoff and New Year’s Six Bowl predictions to reflect the Big Ten’s return.

With the league back in contention, ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach no longer are predicting a Florida run to the playoffs. Now, though their seeding is different, they agree on a CFP field consisting of Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma and Ohio State, each the favorite to win their respective conference.

College Football Playoff

College Football Playoff National Championship
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Jan. 11, ESPN
Bonagura: Clemson vs. Alabama
Schlabach: Clemson vs. Alabama

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Jan. 1, ESPN
Bonagura: Alabama vs. Ohio State
Schlabach: Clemson vs. Oklahoma

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
Jan. 1, ESPN
Bonagura: Clemson vs. Oklahoma
Schlabach: Alabama vs. Ohio State

They also both agree on the Gators’ new postseason destination: a return trip to the Orange Bowl to face off against Notre Dame, who is competing in the ACC this year. UF defeated Virginia in 2019’s Orange Bowl 36-28.

Here are the full New Year’s Six predictions.

Cotton, Peach, Fiesta and Orange Bowls

Goodyear Cotton Bowl
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Bonagura: Penn State vs. Texas A&M
Schlabach: Texas vs. Texas A&M

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Bonagura: UCF vs. Wisconsin
Schlabach: Georgia vs. Wisconsin

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Bonagura: Georgia vs. Texas
Schlabach: Penn State vs. Cincinnati

Capital One Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Bonagura: Notre Dame vs. Florida
Schlabach: Notre Dame vs. Florida

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Updated Vegas Watch: Lions now 6 point underdogs at Packers in Week 2

Updated Vegas Watch: Detroit Lions now 6 point underdogs at Green Bay Packers in Week 2

According to BetMGM, after opening up Week 2 as 5.5 point underdogs, the Detroit Lions (0-1) at Green Bay Bay Packers (1-0) line has moved to the Lions getting +6 points. The over/under line has also risen from 47.5 up to 50.5 points scored.

BetMGM has a lot of various bet lines to wager on in this game, but here’s a look the basic concepts most would be interested in, including the Moneyline, points spread, over/under, and total Lions points scored

Moneyline

Lions +225
Packers -278

Spread

Lions +6 -110
Packers -6 -110

Over/Under

Total points scored Over Under
50.5 -110 -110

Lions points scored

Lions points scored Over Under
19.5 -176 +135
20.5 -134 +105
21.5 -112 -115
22.5 -106 -121

There are also a considerable amount of player prop bets, including touchdowns scorers, first player to score, quarterback passing props (yards, touchdowns, interceptions, attempts, completions, longest completion), running back props (rushing yards, attempts, rushing + receiving yards), and receiver props (receiving yards, receptions, longest reception).

[Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.]

Updated football practice schedule announced by Southeastern Conference

The revised calendar provides student-athletes with more days off and fewer practices than required by the NCAA.

The Southeastern Conference announced on Tuesday its adjusted dates for preseason football activities for its member schools with the first allowable practice now updated to August 17.

The press release includes the following.

The new preseason calendar was developed based on recommendations of the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force.

Last week the SEC announced its intention to begin the 2020 season on September 26 as it continues to monitor developments around COVID-19. The original start date of September 5 would have allowed for preseason football practice to begin August 7.

In the revised SEC preseason football calendar, from August 7-16 schools are permitted to conduct up to 14 hours per week of strength and conditioning, meetings and walkthroughs.

Beginning August 17 and until the opening game, schools are allowed 25 practices with a limit of 20 hours per week of practice time. A five-day acclimatization period is required, with two days in helmets only, two days in shells and the fifth day in full pads.

Schools will be required to provide student-athletes a minimum of two days off each week until the week before the first game of the season.

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Tracking every Saints undrafted free agent report, with instant analysis

The New Orleans Saints moved quickly to add undrafted free agents following the 2020 NFL Draft, plugging roster holes and getting better.

Our tracker for the newest crop of New Orleans Saints undrafted free agents is live. Reports will be flying fast and furious now that the 2020 NFL Draft is in rearview, so keep in mind that these are all preliminary deals and nothing is official until the team says so.

With that said: here’s the list of college free agents who have earned a shot with the Saints during training camp later this summer.

  • WR Marquez Callaway, Tennessee. Callaway has a ways to go as a receiver, having caught just 92 passes in 42 games, but his abilities on punt returns should help his odds. He averaged 13.6 yards per return and scored three touchdowns for the Vols. Per Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio.
  • OL Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon. Throckmorton might project best to a backup role at guard and center due to strength and length issues, but he’s started 45 games at tackle (40 of them on the right side). Per Katherine Terrell of The Athletic. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported that Throckmorton will receive a fully-guaranteed base salary of $110,000 and a $12,500 signing bonus.
  • OL Jordan Steckler, Northern Illinois. Steckler has played games at both tackle and guard, and offers nice depth for training camp. Per his agent Brett Tessler of Tessler Sports.
  • DT Malcolm Roach, Texas. Roach needs to be coached up quite a bit, but his natural athleticism is nice — not many athletes can measure in at 6-foot-2, 297 pounds and then time the 40 yard dash in 4.84 seconds. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
  • OT Darrin Paulo, Utah. Paulo is a huge prospect at 6-foot-5 with 34 7/8-inch arms, and quick feet for a bigger blocker. But the downside to that height is a struggle to get low, and he needs work. Per the Utah football program’s Twitter account.
  • RB Tony Jones Jr., Notre Dame. Jones didn’t start until 2019, but he averaged more than 6 yards per rushing attempt on 144 carries and caught 27 passes last season. Per Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Driskell.

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List of Big 12 players that have declared for the 2020 NFL draft

As the CFB season comes to an end, players will be declaring for the draft. We will be updating this list as players start to declare.

As the college football season comes to an end, a lot of players will be declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft. We will be updating this list all the way until the deadline for underclassmen to declare which is January 20.

The Big 12 historically full of talent and this year is no different. Talented players will come throughout the entire league. Texas is expected to have a few names on this list, but nothing is official as of yet.

Here are the Big 12 players that have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft:

(updated as of Dec. 29)

Ross Blacklock: Defensive Tackle, TCU

Jalen Reagor: Wide Receiver, TCU

CeeDee Lamb: Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

Saints rise in latest NFL power rankings, but still trail the best in the NFC West

The New Orleans Saints surpassed the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots in the latest NFL power rankings, but they aren’t on top.

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The New Orleans Saints demolished the Atlanta Falcons without putting up gaudy numbers on offense, instead relying on their defense to make life hard for Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and his supporting cast on Thanksgiving. That victory was a prelude for other big wins around the NFL, ranging from the Baltimore Ravens’ takedown of the San Francisco 49ers to the Houston Texans’ shocking win over the New England Patriots. A final shakeup to the standings came from the Seattle Seahawks’ homestand against the Minnesota Vikings.

According to the latest NFL power rankings from Doug Farrar over at Touchdown Wire, those performances were substantial enough to life the Saints to the No. 3 spot. Here’s some of what he wrote to justify that jump up from No. 5:

It says a lot for a team’s balance when it can beat the daylights out of an opponent without any of its biggest offensive names putting up huge performances. That was the case for the Saints in their 26-18 win over the Falcons. Drew Brees completed just 18 of 30 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. Alvin Kamara gained 61 yards on 11 carries. Michael Thomas caught six passes for just 48 yards.

None of that mattered, though, because New Orleans’ defense went nuts on Matt Ryan, sacking him nine times, hitting him 13 more times, and making his day even worse with this extremely ill-advised tackle attempt and against defensive lineman Shy Tuttle.

Backup quarterback/Swiss Army knife Taysom Hill blocked a punt, ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass. Cameron Jordan had four sacks, and edge bookend Marcus Davenport had two of his own.

The Saints earned their third straight NFC South title with this win, and they’re right to want more. When you have depth and breadth along the roster like this, you are going to be a very tough out in the postseason.

The Saints still trail two other teams for the top spot, including the red-hot Ravens (at No. 1) and the upstart Seahawks (at No. 2), despite New Orleans’ dismantling of Seattle earlier this season. The Seahawks’ serenity-in-chaos style of play has worked well for them this year, especially on the biggest stages in prime-time, but for now they trail the Saints in the only ranking that really matters: playoff positioning. If the playoffs started today, the road to Super Bowl LIV would run through New Orleans, with the Seahawks in second-place.

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