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STN Sports Weekly Rundown

February 2, 2021

With the exception of the G.O.A.T. finally hanging up his cleats, the NFL Gods have been way too generous over the past several weeks. Not only did we have another overtime game in which the Chiefs won the coin toss, but we had an NFC nail biter (and 10-point comeback) in the final game of the weekend. With both games going under the total and with both underdogs covering the spread, the Station Casinos Sports Book had a big day. “Based on the fact that we were able to win the Bengals game and keep the game under, that was a huge part of the puzzle for our side of the counter,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Sports Book Director. “The over in that game was the worst case for us. That final score set up the rest of the day for us.” With all that in mind, let’s quickly review the past week in the sports world and take a peek at what’s ahead on the field, on the STN App and at the Station Casinos Sports Book.

Bankin’ on Burrow
There’s a new Joe Cool in town, and he hails from Cincinnati. The Bengals, who were 200-to-1 long shots to win the Super Bowl at one point early in the season, continued to defy expectations, besting the behemoth that is Kansas City 27-24 in overtime. The game had more turns than a roulette wheel, as the Chiefs took an early 21-3 lead AT HOME! Hell, late in the second quarter Andy Reid’s squad had a win probability of nearly 95 percent. But, like every “wing man” in every bar in America, Patrick Mahomes would struggle to score. Joe Burrow, America’s newest cigar-smoking obsession, managed to lead the Bengals back and take the lead. Joe, who seems unflappable, was spraying that ball all over the place — sort of like Brittany Mahomes’ ill-conceived champagne celebration in the division round. In the fourth quarter, Kansas City seemed prime to score a touchdown and win with little time remaining. That didn’t happen. K.C. ended up kicking a field goal to force overtime. When they won the coin toss, a win seemed inevitable (Drink up, Buffalo). This time, though, Cincy’s defense stepped up to force a punt, giving way for Smokin’ Joe and a rookie kicker to do the rest. “That total was initially posted at 51 and it was bet up to 54 and even to 55 at some point,” Esposito said. “Bettors clearly backed the over in that game.”

Ramification
The Rams finally slayed the beast! After losing six straight to the 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams got a 20-17 win on Jan. 30 — a win that sent them to the Super Bowl. In a reverse of the Week 18 matchup between these teams, the Rams were down this time and had to stage a Reggie Miller vs. New York Knicks type of comeback. “The Rams are built to win the Super Bowl now. With what they’re paying these guys and with all the trades and draft picks they’ve given up, it’s kind of like boom or bust,” Esposito said. “They’ve kind of mortgaged everything to have a chance.” Because of the salary cap and those traded draft picks, this is easily L.A.’s best chance to win the chip. As Eminem says, “You only get one shot… this opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” Although the Bengals were significant long shots to win the big dance (they were fourth lowest to begin the season), the Rams were in a different boat, as L.A. had the 10th-highest odds to win the Lombardi Trophy. With Matt Stafford leading the Rams and Eminem performing at halftime, this is the closest Detroit’s ever come to the Super Bowl.

Bet On It
Some bettors are just dogs… and it’s paid off! Five of the last six NFL games have seen the underdog cover the spread or win outright. “We’ve had some betters that have done really well playing predominantly dogs in the postseason,” Esposito said. “One guest was 11-0-1 in the postseason. They bet a lot of the favorites in the first week, but dogs after that.” While that person is happier than Maury Povich during a paternity reveal, others didn’t find much joy in Sunday results. “We had a couple of huge bets on [the Rams and Chiefs] the day after the championship game lines were posted,” Esposito said. “They weren’t quite six figure bets, but they were in the high five figures. As we know, one favorite lost outright, and the other didn’t cover.”

Handle This
The 2018 Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles remains the most-bet game in NFL history. Nevada Sports Books generated a handle of $158.6 million from that matchup. Super Bowl LVI has a chance at breaking that record. Last year’s handle of $136 million was hampered by COVID, which isn’t expected to play much of a factor this year. “It doesn’t matter what the teams are,” Esposito said. “You’ve got a prolific offense against defense in this one, and I think it may be close to the record just because everybody’s at full capacity.” The Station Casinos Sports Books and the STN App have already begun hauling in hoards of bets on the Rams, Bengals and the total. “We’ve seen such an increase in sports and mobile betting, especially out here in Vegas and throughout the country. This is going to have an opportunity for a record Super Bowl,” Esposito said. One thing is certain: this one is going to be a d-RAM-atic win or a CIN-derella season.

Prop ‘Em Up!
Like the Wright brothers in 1903, we’ve never met a prop we didn’t like! And Station Casinos is the spot for props. Not long after the Super Bowl LVI lineup was set, Station Casinos Sports Books and the STN App began posting a slew of prop bets related to the game… and the oddsmakers aren’t done. “There’s probably going to be over a thousand different ways to bet the game when everything is said and done,” Esposito said. Bets available on the STN App will, as always, include things like the coin toss or MVP odds. There will also be bets tied to other sports, as well as some throwback bets. “You name it, it’s gonna be on the board,” Esposito said. “And I think that’s what makes it so fun.” Props to you!

End of an Era
On Feb. 1, the news became official: the GOAT will no longer graze grace the field. Tom Brady formally announced his retirement — a declaration that came a few days after ESPN reported the news, somewhat ruining the fanfare. While the Bucs came into the 2021-2022 season as one of the top favorites, their odds have dropped in regards to next season. Brady’s retirement is just one of many, many notable changes in the league. “It’s not just Tom,” Esposito said of the shakeup of the league. “I think it’s the Ben Roethlisberger retirement. I think it’s the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rogers. It’s the Sean Payton retirement.” On the coaching side of things, nine teams will have new coaches heading into next year, and some of them haven’t ever been a head coach in the NFL. “The entire landscape to some degree is in flux, and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Going into next year, we know about the Bills, Chiefs, Rams, and Bengals, but there are question marks across the board after those teams.” The 49ers, for instance, came a dropped interception away from being in the Super Bowl with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm. Jimmy G will be wearing another uniform next season. Will Trey Lance continued the winning ways? “There are a good 10 teams that don’t really have a quarterback right now,” Esposito said. “So I think it’s gonna be an interesting offseason, and I really think the landscape has changed to some degree.”

Bets To Know

STN Sports Weekly Winners

This bettor put down $1,000 on the Bengals to win the 2022 Pro Football Championship back in September.

They could collect $100,000 if they win!