Tag: wager

The Bills did the impossible. They demolished Bill Belichick and the spread.

The city of Buffalo finally gets one over when it matters most on Bill Belichick.

For years, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots made it their mission to embarrass the Buffalo Bills. Season after season, what was supposed to be a heated division “rivalry” in practice, turned out to be more of a relaxed tune-up for New England. In Belichick’s entire tenure (starting in 2000), he had only lost to the Bills five times. The Bills were his punching bag, and they could not punch back for the life of them.

With all that vital history laid out, Saturday night had to be cathartic for the greater Buffalo area.

The Bills beat the Patriots in the Wild Card Game. Okay, Josh Allen is a great quarterback. That’s not exactly surprising. Moving on. What’s next?

Wait, sorry. Scratch that. The Bills gave the Patriots an absolute beatdown in the Wild Card Game.

A 47-17 win. For the Buffalo Bills. On a Bill Belichick-coached team. In a playoff game. (Also, by far the worst postseason loss for the Patriots since a 46-10 thrashing in Super Bowl XX where the ’85 Bears scraped Tony Eason off the Superdome turf.)

It reads even crazier in text than seeing it happen live.

What might be even more insane, considering that whole Belichick context thing, is how the Bills smashed major pre-game bets. (Odds courtesy of Tipico.)

A -4.5 spread in favor of the Bills? Obliterated.

A pre-game Over/Under of 42.5? Well, the Bills kind of got there on their own, now didn’t they?

Again, in case it hasn’t been emphasized enough: This was the Buffalo Bills against Bill Belichick. It boggles the mind.

For more of a picture of how the Bills did whatever they wanted against one of their most famous, entrenched tormentors, take this tweet from ESPN Stats and Info.

The Bills were so dominant that they extended their own extremely new Super Bowl era record by scoring a touchdown on their first six possessions (!).

How about how the Bills faced only six proper third downs—meaning chunk play after chunk play came primarily on first and second down—against what was the NFL’s No. 4 defense?

There’s well-deserved vengeance, and there’s becoming an intimidating, unruly bully yourself.

Last but not least, to really drive the point home: With the blowout victory, the Bills not only handed Belichick his worst loss ever in January or otherwise, but it’s also worth noting they’ve always been the team to give him his worst, most cemented defeats as coach of the Patriots.

Bananas (or wings?) all around.

Buffalo celebrates and starts thinking Super Bowl while Belichick’s Patriots lick their wounds. Did you ever think you’d read a sentence like that?

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Congrats to the Lions, who now own the longest playoff drought with the Bengals’ win

The Bengals win and the Lions somehow keep losing even when they’re not playing.

There are no shortages of NFL fanbases who understand nothing but playoff pain. In a league where any opportunity at a postseason win can be very few and far between, the sting of a mid-January loss is a unique hurt.

It lingers.

Before Saturday afternoon, the Cincinnati Bengals and their poor fans were, quite frankly, unmatched in winter misery. Fortunately for everyone in southwestern Ohio, they can finally rip the collective monkey off their back.

Led by stellar performances from Joe Burrow in their first playoff game, the Bengals beat the Raiders, 26-19.

Here’s the glorious moment of euphoria, courtesy of linebacker Germaine Pratt.

Cincinnati now has its first playoff win in over three decades. That’s after seven straight losses (!) in the Wild Card round, from Carson Palmer to Andy Dalton. It is the first time that the Bengals advance further in the postseason since 1990.

More importantly, it ends the NFL’s longest playoff-win drought at 32 years. For a frame of reference, the last time the Bengals played on the second weekend of the playoffs, Back To The Future Part III was the top movie of the U.S. box office, and Phil Collins led the charts with his ever-smooth symphony, “Another Day in Paradise.” What a time to be alive.

Where it gets interesting is what the Bengals’ victory means for another perennially downtrodden franchise: The Detroit Lions.

With Cincinnati and their Golden Boy Quarterback no longer having to sweat big January wins, the spotlight centers on the Detroit faithful—now the leaders of the losers with pro football’s longest playoff-win drought at a frigid 31 years.

For a frame of reference, the last time the Lions won a playoff game, the No. 1 movie of the box office was Hook, not exactly Robin Williams’ magnum opus, and the top song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White.” Woof. (To be clear, both being decidedly less cool than Michael J. Fox and Mr. Collins, near their respective peaks.)

Time will tell whether the Lions can exorcise their demons in the coming years. After a 3-13-1 season under first-year head coach Dan Campbell, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen any time soon.

We can assure you, everyone’s knee caps are safe.

Suffice to say: Barry Sanders is not walking through that door, and Calvin Johnson is not walking through that door. And if the Lions expect them to walk through that door, well, they’ve got bigger issues than we all thought. That would be quite the accomplishment for the already hapless Lions.

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Erroneous whistle on Bengals touchdown sparks controversy in NFL wild card game

The Bengals got a touchdown despite an early whistle, the Raiders fumed, and a playoff game may have shifted in the balance.

The NFL playoffs kicked off on Saturday afternoon with the Bengals and Raiders leading off the festivities. And so far, it really couldn’t be going any better for Cincy, a franchise notorious for postseason failure. A sterling first half—where the Bengals scored on each of their first four possessions—seemed as if they wanted to exorcise all the demons of Dalton, Palmer, and Esiason’s past.

And they appeared to have a little help from the referees, too.

With Cincy looking to pad a lead during a two-minute drill, Burrow rolled to his right and fired a dart to Tyler Boyd in the end zone. There was just one problem: An official on the sideline blew his whistle early because he thought Burrow stepped out of bounds before he threw the ball.

Oops.

Here’s another angle, in slo-mo glory (or agony, if you’re a Raiders fan).

While the replay shows that Burrow was clearly in-bounds, and thus the play (and touchdown) would count under normal circumstances, the rules are not as kind. And rules are rules.

As dug up by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the official NFL rulebook states that if a pass is in the air and a whistle happens to go off, the play should be blown dead, no questions asked. NBC’s Mike Tirico also confirmed on air that “by rule, they cannot have a touchdown on that play.”

Uh, that did not happen. While there may have been a second or third thought about the decision, the officiating crew gave the Bengals the touchdown anyway. A ruling that might prove to be pivotal in a neck-and-neck game.

With the touchdown, the Bengals’ spread moved to -16.5, and their moneyline jumped to -2500, at Tipico Sportsbook .

While there’s still a lot of ballgame to go, relevant bettors, and Raiders fans everywhere, have a bone to pick with the officials. Especially as the Over/Under 48.5 comes into play.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

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NFL Wild Card: From the Chiefs’ generosity to Jimmy G., every team’s fatal flaw

The Chiefs are very generous with the ball, the Rams need Robert Woods, and other reasons why this year’s Wild Card teams aren’t playing deep into January.

As much as we can learn to appreciate every NFL team playing every weekend throughout the fall, there’s something different about playoff football. Aside from the obvious aspects of sudden death glory (ho-hum), January is where every team thinks they have a shot at winning the Super Bowl. Of course, most of those teams’ aspirations will prove to be delusional and utterly misguided in due time. Reality is often disappointing.

But the social media hype videos, the “nobody believes in us” speeches (even when you’ve won your gauntlet of a division)—they all last forever. That’s the magic of the postseason: Truly anything can happen. Plus, you can make up critics who don’t exist—what a dream.

With Wild Card Weekend on the very near horizon, let’s examine the most significant reason, the fatal flaw, that may prevent each of the 12 teams from making a deep playoff run.

Wild Card odds, courtesy of Tipico.

NBA spread outlook: The Grizzlies are streaking. Who can trip them up?

The only thing more impressive than the Grizzles’ winning streak is their run against the spread

No NBA team is hotter than the Memphis Grizzlies right now. Amid an impressive 11-game winning streak—featuring victories over heavyweights like the Suns, Nets, and Warriors—Memphis is doing it all. Ja Morant looks like the NBA’s next great superstar while a third-ranked offense (112.3 points per game) is humming along, unimpeded.

Morant knows his team has got something special cooking.

However, an old adage remains true: Good teams win, but great teams cover. And that’s a test a young Memphis team has also passed with flying colors of late.

In addition to that glowing winning streak, the Grizzlies have covered the spread in eight straight games against the Spurs, Nets, Cavaliers, Pistons, Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, and Timberwolves. It’s actually been so long that Memphis has not failed to cover a spread since last year (get it?).

What’s been particularly eye-opening is how few and far between the close calls have been. Save for a narrow 110-106 road win over the Cavaliers where they just barely covered a +3.5 spread; the Grizzlies have paced themselves so far ahead of everyone else. Even big underdog bets like +6.5 on the road against Brooklyn simply haven’t mattered.

But, as they tend to do, all good things must eventually end. There will come a time in the coming days where the Grizzlies, as good as they are, do fail to cover the spread. Morant might have an off night. An opposing sixth man might go nuclear. It happens, especially in a night-to-night league like the NBA. And while the Grizzlies will still undoubtedly be a good team, we might have to, at least temporarily, revoke that coveted “great” label.

Such is the nature of the sports betting beast.

The main reason the Grizzlies’ exceptional eight-game cover streak might soon come to an end? A daunting upcoming schedule. It starts tonight at home against Luka Doncic’s Mavericks (-2.5 at Tipico.)

At 22-19, Dallas has been far from what anyone would call a juggernaut this season. But the Mavs are always dangerous as long as they have a talent like Doncic at the helm. With more of a mediocre defense compared to their high-powered offense, it’s quite possible the creative Doncic alone drives a dagger into the Grizzlies’ streak.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier after Doncic and company leave Memphis because the East-leading Bulls come to town on Monday. Guards DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine are playing like sure All-Stars, if not potential starters in the All-Star Game. Factor in an otherwise deep lineup centering around big man Nikola Vucevic, point guard Lonzo Ball, and microwave scorer Coby White, and Memphis should have its hands full there, too.

Two days later, on Wednesday, the Grizzlies go to Milwaukee to play the defending NBA champion Bucks. Now, there are litmus tests and benchmarks to surpass, and then there’s covering a spread against the last team to win the final game of the entire season. Call it a hunch, but one has to think reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will want to send a message in what could certainly prove to be a Finals preview when all is said and done.

Ja Morant’s Grizzlies have arrived, and then some. If they can somehow continue to cover the spread against one of the league’s best players and two Eastern Conference heavyweights, then they deserve even more shine.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

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On Site: Tom Brady is back to torment the Jets again

Brady enters Week 17 looking for his 30th career win against the Jets

Andy Vasquez of NorthJersey.com stops by On Site to give a look at how the New York Jets are preparing for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. Brady is 29-7 against the Jets for his career and is likely to notch his 30th victory against New York on Sunday.

Odds by Tipico Sportsbook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
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9 movie scenes that best capture the highs and lows of gambling

Poker, blackjack and a surprising amount of Keanu Reeves top the list.

Gambling is meant to be simple. Pick a side, put your money down and hope for the best. It rarely works out that way.

Instead what you get is a convoluted mess of math, emotion and money that tends to send bettors spiraling into elation or delirium. Many times it’s both.

Anyone who’s gambled on sports, a table game or in a casino knows just how quickly things can escalate. Before you can catch your breath it’s midnight and Hawaii football is your best chance to break even. Hollywood certainly knows this as well as any industry outside of gaming and it’s led us to these perfect scenes that bettors have found themselves in all too often.

 

Eagles will start QB Jalen Hurts against Cowboys, open as 1.5-point favorites

Doug Pederson says Jalen Hurts will start at QB Week 16 for the Eagles. – Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 21, 2020 The Dallas Cowboys (5-9) couldn’t beat Carson Wentz earlier in the season, now they’ll get a chance to take down his …

The Dallas Cowboys (5-9) couldn’t beat Carson Wentz earlier in the season, now they’ll get a chance to take down his replacement. As all expected, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson ended his coy routine on Monday and announced that second-round rookie Jalen Hurts would get his third consecutive start in Week 16. Hurts won his first game and played extremely well in Week 15’s road loss to the Arizona Cardinals that dropped the Eagles record to 4-9-1 and moved them into the NFC East basement.

Both teams have distant playoff chances, and it will be a battle of the backups as Andy Dalton looks to give the Cowboys their first three-game winning streak since the opening three weeks of the 2019 season. Dalton himself hasn’t won three straight games since Week 2 of the 2018 season and in three consecutive weeks since the Cincinnati Bengals opened the 2015 season 8-0. BetMGM has the Eagles as 1.5-point road favorites in this contest.

In the first matchup between the clubs, Dallas started rookie Ben DiNucci after Dalton was knocked out of the previous contest with a concussion against Washington. DiNucci looked completely lost under center in a 23-9 defeat that saw rookie corner Trevon Diggs, drafted ahead of Hurts in Round 2, intercept Wentz twice in the end zone.

The Cowboys are now 3-4 with Dalton starting, and the QB has thrown for 11 touchdowns against six interceptions though he’s throwing for the lowest yards-per-attempt number (6.1) in his entire career.

Hurts meanwhile has taken over for an inept Wentz and injected life into a listless Eagles offense that was a sack and turnover factory. Hurts has thrown for over 500 yards with four scores and no picks in two games, and also ran for 169 yards and another score. He has fumbled four times, which could bode well for a Dallas defense that all of a sudden are turnover machines, forcing seven in the last two games including five recovered fumbles.

The two teams will match up in the late afternoon game on FOX.

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Against The Spread: Cowboys 3-point home dogs to 49ers

For NFL fans of a certain age group, a game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers is as good as it gets. Two teams with pasts so intertwined with one another it’s impossible to separate. It’s this line of thought that had Roger Goodell …

For NFL fans of a certain age group, a game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers is as good as it gets. Two teams with pasts so intertwined with one another it’s impossible to separate. It’s this line of thought that had Roger Goodell and the league salivating over a Week 15 Sunday Night battle between two teams on the precipice of big things in 2020.

Whoops. Like all things in this cursed year, it was derailed. Both teams have suffered too many injuries to list here without eating up a month’s worth of bandwidth. Still, the show must go on, though this time at an earlier and less relevant time slot. The Cowboys will play host to their longtime rivals and will be 3-point underdogs according to BETMGM.

Neither of these two have been good against the spread this year. Dallas remains the worst in the league while the 49ers have covered just five times. The problem for the home team here lies in the scheme. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has a way of making linebackers look silly by combining a playaction passing game with a diverse running game and despite the injuries on the defensive side of the ball they still rank No. 10 by DVOA.

The Verdict: The Cowboys fail to cover again but the over (44.5) comes through. 

On the year: 5-7 against the spread, 8-4 over/under

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Chase Young’s NFL debut causes major shift in Defensive POY, Rookie of Year betting odds

A stellar debut has caused Chase Young’s betting odds to drop in Vegas for both Defensive Rookie of Year and Defensive Player of Year.

He may not have even been the best player on his own defensive line during Washington’s Week 1 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, but Chase Young did enough in his first career NFL game to impress the public, and more importantly, impress the oddsmakers in Las Vegas.

If you were to take a look at the updated betting odds for not only Defensive Rookie of the Year, but Defensive PLAYER of the Year as well after the first week of NFL action, you’ll see that Young’s odds to win significantly decreased. That can only mean one thing: Sportsbooks are worried about losing money on Chase Young.

Here is how the lines changed at BetMGM for bettors who are looking to wager on Washington’s young start to win a major award this season:

Chase Young Defensive Player of Year

Before Week 1: +5000
After Week 1: +2000

Chase Young Defensive Rookie of Year

Before Week 1: +220
After Week 1: +130

Against the Eagles, Young only had four tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits, and one forced fumble. To the average fan, that’s a great day on the field. In Washington, it wasn’t even the top performance on the defensive line — that belongs to Ryan Kerrigan.

This seems to be only the beginning for Young, who has a high ceiling and an impressive motor. If you like to take part in a sports wager every now and then, you might want to consider cashing in while you can, because this is the highest that either of these lines will likely be this season.

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

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