NFL is here, MLB playoffs have started, the NHL is back, and the energy at STN Sports Books is unbeaten. Where are all those “Vegas is Dead” people??
This past weekend, the house had a Giant win that decimated tickets and parlays, but guests got some revenge Sunday night with a defenseless Packers-Cowboys game that saw more scoring than a chef cooking fish.
“Unfortunately, when it comes to the Cowboys now, it’s the lack of defense. We are rooting for the under as much as we’re rooting for the side,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Sports Book Director, “and everything live from Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, and Saturday was kind of dumping into the over in that game.” From the initial opening total, the line shot up a full field goal. Still, with the final of 40-40, the over was hardly ever in doubt. “Keeping it under would’ve been paramount.
It was more of a favorable outcome for the guests than for us because it went sailing over. There was not a premium on defense that night.”
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…
NFL Breakdown
In the early slate of games, guests pounded the Book in betting the Lions to cover against the dismal Browns, with 76% of the ticket count on Detroit. But, the recouped a chunk when the Giants bested the Chargers 21-18. Over 80% of the ticket count was on Los Angeles, particularly given that New York was playing a rookie quarterback making his first-ever NFL start. Guests wrongly assumed the Giants were more dead than a Primm casino.
“Getting that really kind of saved the morning,” Esposito said. “We were able to chop some stuff up good in the morning. Having the Jags beat the 49ers was good, and even the Bears beating the Raiders was good. So those really helped a lot from a win perspective, getting the ‘dog to win outright in those games.”
Dublin Matchup
Although the Vikings lost to the Steelers in the far-too-early game last week, which took place in Dublin, Esposito likes Minnesota to notch a win and cover this weekend in another international game.
“I do think Minnesota bounces back against the Browns,” he said. “It’s just odd that the number is so low.” The Browns are certainly a bottom dweller (again), and their offense is often shut down more than the U.S. government. And, although sharp money is already coming in on New England at Buffalo, Esposito leans toward a Bills cover. After Sunday, Buffalo plays three of its next four games on the road.
“This is that last kind of home game for a while,” he said. “I hate to lay big numbers, but I just don’t think anyone can muster enough offense to stay with the Bills.”
Injury Woes
We’re just a month into the NFL season, but injuries have already shaped the landscape of the NFL. Brock Purdy, Lamar Jackson and JJ McCarthy are dinged up. Joe Burrow and Tyreek Hill are out for the season. That all has betting ramifications.
“Cincinnati looks to be a must-bet against. Tennessee is a must-bet against,” Esposito said. There has been some early play on Seattle against Tampa this week, too, especially with the injury status of Mike Evans and Bucky Irving, coupled with the fact that they just had a very physical game against Philadelphia. Dallas, who takes on the Jets, is seeing early play.
“You can kind of put the Jets in that category of one of the really bad teams right now,” Esposito said. All that offseason hope that the Jets would be better has been postponed like a Dolly Parton concert.
MLB Playoffs
San Diego is known for its year-long perfect weather, and oddsmakers hope it stays that way. They are in bad, bad shape if the Padres win the World Series.
“That would be worst case. The Mariners also wouldn’t be good,” Esposito said. “We kind of break even a little bit with the Phillies and Cubs. But everybody else, we do really well to. We’re in phenomenal shape on the Blue Jays. Just a pure win-loss perspective, a World Series of the Blue Jays or Tigers against the Dodgers would probably be the best case.”
In baseball, wild things happen in October, and the playoffs are always more intriguing than a Dana White 60 Minutes interview.
Bets To Know
It’s not often that you can live in a city that has a team considered a “dynasty,” and many would argue the Las Vegas Aces already are one. And they could solidify their status at the top as the action tips off on the WNBA Finals this Friday. Bet the home team, or fade them against the Mercury.
Weekly Winners
Anytime, anywhere! And INCREDIBLE $5 parlay hits for $17,762 of all “Anytime Touchdown Scorers” this past weekend in the NFL.
-Drake London
-James Cook
-TreVeyon Henderson
-Emeka Egbuka
-Omarion Hampton
-Christian McCarffrey
-Rome Odunze
-Josh Jacobs
-Tyler Warren
-Justin Fields