Double-digit favorites went 4-1 against the spread in the NFL on Sunday, which had STN Sports Books licking their wounds. “The only morning games that went our way were the Chargers beating the Chiefs and the Commanders beating the Giants,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Sports Book Director.
After guests took in more money than an Arts District parking lot, the afternoon session of the NFL was better for oddsmakers, as the Colts covered against the Seahawks and the Saints won outright against the Panthers. The Vikings’ win over the Cowboys “really saved the day,” Esposito added.
Still, Week 15 will likely be remembered more for the high-profile players sustaining injuries. 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…
Packers Woes
The Green Bay Packers lost a big, big piece of the team on Sunday when Micah Parsons went down with a season-ending torn ACL (they also then lost to the Broncos). After both losses, the Packers’ division odds, conference odds and Super Bowl odds were all raised.
“He was the missing piece for the Packers and providing that pass rush,” Esposito said of Parsons. Because of how strong the NFC is, it’s conceivable they could miss the playoffs altogether. Then again, they could also make some noise in the playoffs.
Lions Prowl
One of the teams that could keep the Packers out of the postseason is the division rival Lions. On Sunday, Detroit was bested by the Los Angeles Rams in a game that saw the scoreboard more lit up than your neighbor’s Christmas tree. Still, one guest won big on the game, placing an $80,000 in-play wager on Detroit +7.5. The game finished with the Rams winning 41-34.
Coming off the loss, Esposito likes the Lions to win and cover this weekend at home again the Steelers, who sit in first place in the AFC North following a MNF win. In order to make the playoffs, Detroit needs more magic than an NBA Cup semifinal.
“Every week, after a loss, they bounce back with a win,” Esposito said of Detroit. “Pittsburgh plays on the short week. They played against Miami, and now they have to travel and play at Detroit. Detroit knows Aaron Rodgers really well, and I think Detroit’s going to be an angry bunch. They have to win out, so I like Detroit a little bit in this game.”
Chiefs No More
The Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday after a 16-13 loss to the Chargers, but they also lost their leader. Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the fourth quarter of the game, and he’s already undergone surgery. Like all teams, the Chiefs still have three games remaining to finish out a disappointing season, but their spreads will be vastly different without No. 15 under center.
The difference in having Mahomes vs. not having Mahomes is “at least a touchdown,” Esposito said. Kansas City enters this weekend’s game against the lowly Titans as favorites of about a field goal, but they would have opened as double-digit favorites if the former league MVP were still playing.
Bets To Know
The College Football Playoffs begin this weekend, and you can bet there will be plenty of menu options available on the STN Sports App.
And, as expected, two of the most-bet non-CFP bowl games are the Frisco Bowl (UNLV vs. Ohio) and the Vegas Bowl (Utah vs. Nebraska). Plenty of college action still to come as we head into the holidays.
Weekly Winners
We have an official winner in the NFL’s Last Man Standing Competition. The contestant, who hailed from Santa Fe Station, beat out 7,140 other entries to take home the $150,000 prize.
The Rams -8.5 over the Cardinals in Week 14 was the guest’s final winning pick (the other guest had Baltimore -5.5 against the Steelers that same week – Baltimore lost outright).