Chargers Cashing Unders, Book Preps for Tyson Fight

 The STN Sports Books have been floundering for weeks on the NFL front, but the Dolphins got them back on track Monday night. “We were big fish fans, and getting the under was also great for us,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Race and Sports Book Director. “There were just so many live bets on parlays and teasers going into that game, and most of them were on the Rams.”

In fact, 76% of the bets were on Los Angeles, and 65% were on the over. After the clock hit 0:00, the Dolphins beat the Rams 23-15. STN took in three massive bets on the game: one guest would have taken home $75,000 had the Rams covered, and another L.A. fan had a $40,000 moneyline wager. Those didn’t work out, but one guest had $75,000 on the under, which easily cashed.

In Week 10 of the season, underdogs went 11-3 with six outright wins, and unders went 9-4-1. Considering favorites and unders had been the norm for the past month, these results were funkier than the Art’s District. “When you can get arguably one of the biggest ‘dogs on the board to win outright, it really kind of changes the complexion of the day,” Esposito said.

With all that in mind, let’s quickly review the past week in sports and peek at what’s ahead on the STN Sports app and the STN Sports Books…

Charged Up

The Chargers continue to quietly win games, and they’re doing it with drives longer than the Nevada ballot curing process. On Sunday, the Los Angeles bested the Titans 27-17. It was only the second time this season that a game involving Jim Harbaugh’s squad had gone over the total. The Chargers have a 2-7 over/under record. Thus far, they’ve only given up 118 points, meaning teams are averaging 13.1 points a game. The next best defensive team by points allowed, the Steelers, give up a full field goal more!

“The Chargers are the slowest team in the league, meaning they literally milk the clock every single possession,” Esposito said. “They have a really good defense and Harbaugh knows it, but he’s even minimizing the time they’re on the field because he’s shortening the game on offense. They run just about more than any other team.”

They move slower than the process on the Tropicana exit. The Chargers’ wins haven’t exactly come against a murder’s row so far, but the quality of their competition is stepping up: their next four games are against the Bengals, Ravens, at Atlanta and at Kansas City. In one month, we’ll know how good L.A. is, but if history is any indication, bet the under.

Bear Down

It wasn’t that long ago that the Bears were 4-2 and on the upswing, but that Hail May loss late last month against the Commanders changed everything. The Bears are now a mess. After a three game losing streak in which Chicago averaged just nine points, the team fired its offensive coordinator.

The head coaching seat occupied by Matt Eberflus might have an ejection button, as his time in Chicago appears to be hotter than the El Molcajete meal at Leticia’s Cocina & Cantina. Eberflus seems to be a nice guy, but his days are numbered, and like the Vegas Mayor’s office, a “good man” is on the way out. It’s fair to say that the Bears have quit on their coach and are absolutely a team to bet against til next season.

“There’s a really good chance they don’t win another game this season. They play the Packers, Vikings, Lions, and then the other two are at Seattle and at home against San Francisco. They might lose them all,” Esposito said. “I think the system’s just broken. That Hail Mary changed everything. The coaches pointed at the players, the players pointed at the coaches and it took Eberflus forever to discipline the player.”

Last Man Standing

Only six entries remain active in the NFL Last Man Standing contest, a number down from 14. Similarly, five entries remain in the college football Last Man Standing contest, down from 12 that began last week. This upcoming week could determine who collects a six-figure check larger than a Costco.

Boxing

Iron Mike is back. On Friday, Mike Tyson, at 58, will step back into the ring to square off against Jake Paul. Did you think you’d ever read that sentence? The Netflix fight will be shown at STN Sports Books and wagers are being taken. Paul enters the bout as a pretty hefty favorite, but bettors are already backing the “Baddest Man on the Planet.” The line has dropped based on incoming Tyson money.

“It’s drawing a tremendous amount of attention, and the betting interest is starting to really intensify,” Esposito said. “Mike looks good. Jake Paul’s in great shape and he’s shown he can take a punch, but can he take a punch from Iron Mike? I think that’s what makes it so intriguing.”

STN Books will be cheering for a Paul win to manage liability. Thus far into Paul’s boxing career, he’s mainly only fought older UFC fighters,  and he lost the one time he faced a legitimate boxer, Tommy Fury. This weekend, Paul isn’t fighting some journeyman; he’s fighting Iron Mike. Is this a sideshow? Maybe. Is it intriguing? Absolutely. Netflix subscriptions could expand like Durango! Esposito added,

“I guess if you like Tyson, you should like him to win by knockout. I would think that one punch could do it, but I don’t know. It’s very intriguing, and I suspect we’ll have great crowds here.”