Following Tuesday’s NFL Trade Deadline, a slew of teams are welcoming new faces to new places, including the Commanders, Steelers, Cowboys and Lions.
“The two trades that really stood out for me are the Lions getting Za’Darius Smith and the Commanders getting Marshon Lattimore,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Race and Sports Book Director. “The Commanders made a huge splash and showed their team, their fan base, the football world that they’re all in. Mike Williams to the Steelers was good, but the Lions and Commanders really stood out.”
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…
Cowboys
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the Dallas Cowboys are one of the biggest disappointments of the NFL season, and they’re likely getting worse. On Monday, it was announced that Dak Prescott, the highest-paid player in NFL history, is injured and out for at least four weeks. The betting markets have reacted in kind, and the Cowboys are now more than a touchdown underdog at home against NFC East rival the Philadelphia Eagles, and the number has even gone up from its opening line. There’s also a chance that CeeDee Lamb, the team’s top receiver, doesn’t play.
“This is a Cowboys team that isn’t very good and not in good shape,” Esposito said. “They don’t have a lot of depth. They have no salary cap money. They don’t have a lot of assets. I think this Cowboys team, to be blunt, is a dumpster fire, and I don’t know what they do next. This spread on Sunday is a product of Dak being out.” Unlike all those marathoners on Charleston Boulevard last weekend, the ‘Boys are out of the running.
Raiders
Speaking of dumpster fires… Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders are more of a mess than a Chuck E. Cheese floor following a kid’s birthday party. The team is abysmal, having gotten blown out 41-24 by the Bengals last weekend. Afterward, three members of the offensive coaching staff were fired, and coach Antonio Pierce proceeded to get 72-year-old Norv Turner out of retirement to become an assistant head coach. Sure, that’ll solve it.
“I would make them one of the favorites right now to have the first pick in the draft,” Esposito said, implying that guests should avoid betting on the Raiders. “I think Shedeur Sanders has a genuine interest in the Raiders. They’re absolutely in a race to the bottom.” He added, “I know Antonio Pierce finished last year strong, and the players played well for him, but this team just looks ill-prepared to compete.” The good news for Raiders fans is they can rest easy this week, knowing their team can’t take another L. The silver and black are on a bye week.
In Command
All eyes are on Washington, but this has nothing to do with the ballot box. STN Sports Book guests are less interested in red or blue, instead opting for burgundy and gold in the form of the Commanders. On Sunday, Washington will likely enter its game as field goal favorites against the Steelers.
“We’ve seen really one-sided action so far on the Commanders,” Esposito said, noting that the line has increased since it was first posted. Guests are also dumping money on the Patriots to cover against the Bears. “In the Bears’ case, they just don’t win impressively when they do win, and I think the coach might have lost the locker room,” Esposito said. “They did not perform well against the Cardinals last weekend, and they’re playing against the Patriots team that’s probably playing better than they should be.”
Broncos are Fool’s Gold
The Broncos got bucked badly against the Ravens last Sunday, but they very quietly have a winning record and are fighting for 2nd place in the AFC West. However, Esposito thinks they’ve benefited from more smoke and mirrors than David Copperfield.
“Their strength of schedule is suspect, and I don’t think they’re a good team,” the oddsmaker said. The Broncos wins have come against the Jets, Raiders, Panthers, Saints (with a backup quarterback) and Buccaneers. “The Bucs would maybe be their only win against a decent team,” Esposito said. Their opponents so far have a combined record of 19-35, which is hardly impressive. Still, they’re playing the schedule they’ve been given, and Sean Payton is working wonders.
The oddsmaker added, “When you look at a coach like Sean Payton, and you look at a coach like Mike Tomlin, I think it speaks volumes that no matter what kind of team they have, somehow they figure out a way to win eight or nine games every year.”
Last Man Standing
Like Piff The Magic Dragon’s dog, the end is near! Only 14 entries remain active in the NFL contests, a number down from 21 — the Bills failing to cover against the Dolphins did in the majority of those seven poor souls. Similarly, 12 entries remain in the college contest, down from 22 that began last week.
VGK
Just like ole Dorothy Gale said while wearing those red slippers: “There’s no place like home.” The Golden Knights are the modern-day Jekyll and Hyde, but they’re easy to figure out. They’re good at T-Mobile but not great away from home. That’s the gist.
So far, the VGK are undefeated on home ice with an 8-0 record, and they’re yet to win on the road. “They’re a clear bet-on at home, and they’re kind of a bet-against on the road,” Esposito said. “Our guests are still backing them regardless, but from the business side of it, we love when they’re on the road. We’re not big fans when they’re at home.”
Bets To Know
College Basketball has tipped, which means hundreds of additional betting possibilities on any given night with the slew of games. Check the app and our books for the latest offerings.
Weekly Winners
$25 to win $4,912! Congrats to this STN Sports bettor, hitting an impressive 12-team parlay on Sunday:
-Bengals -340
-Titans -180
-Jets -130
-Commanders -210
-Chargers -120
-Falcons -155
-Bills -280
-Ravens -481
-Cardinals -120
-Rams -130
-Vikings -240
-Lions -155