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STN Sports Weekly Rundown
August 24, 2022
The UFC gave us a rise-from-dead-ending, the WNBA could set a wagering record, the NBA’s most-dramatic storyline is over, and, oh yeah, the countdown to meaningful football is officially on. Like Manti Te’o’s “girlfriend” probably said in 2009: What a time to be alive!
“You can just tell that there’s an added kind of buzz, an electricity in the Sport Books,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Race and Sports Book Director. Speaking specifically about the approaching NFL season, he added, “Even as we get deeper into preseason football, guests are getting louderand more energetic.” With all that in mind, let’s quickly look back over the sport’s landscape and take a peek at what’s ahead on the field, on the court, on the STN Sports App and at the Station Casinos Race and Sports Books.
MMA Upset Alert!
Oddsmakers and analysts had all but written Leon Edwards’ obituary in his UFC welterweight fight against Kamaru Usman. With about a minute left in the final round of the fight, Usman was winning big on every scorecard. But, with about a minute to go, Edwards unleashed a massive head kick that knocked Usman out. That kick — which could make some NFL punters jealous — swayed a whole lot of money in the favor of the Station Sports Book. It was a massive upset, as Usman was almost a four-to-one favorite.
“The handle was tremendous, and we were definitely on the right side,” Esposito said, admitting he had written Edwards off before the new UFC champion connected on “arguably the greatest kick ever in UFC.” Like the Book, the public never saw that kick coming. “Sometimes there’s good value on the underdogs,” Esposito said. “This happened to be a UFC fight where the guests backed the favorite. It worked out well, but for 90% of that fight that, we were going to lose.” Ever since The Undertaker retired from WWE, we needed someone who could rise from the dead.
The Latest in the NFL
Death, taxes and the Ravens winning in the preseason. Three things you can alway rely on. For the 11th straight time, Baltimore covered the spread in a preseason game. Not only that, but with Sunday’s win they have now won 22 consecutive preseason games. “The guests are so educated and they’re following some of those trends, but that definitely is a big one, no question,” Esposito said. Baltimore hasn’t lost a preseason game since 2015. Crab cakes and football, that’s what Maryland does.
Cleveland Unpredictability?
The Browns are on the board. While Deshaun Watson’s situation played out, Cleveland was almost totally absent from the STN App. Now that we know Watson will be out for 11 games, not six, the oddsmakers have spoken. Cleveland’s win total was put up at eight, and the squad’s Super Bowl and conference odds nearly doubled. Cleveland is a really good team, and trades are not out of the question.
“They have two really good running backs, good wide receivers, an outstanding offense offensive line and a really good defense,” Esposito said of the Browns. “So it’s not going to really surprise me if they win the division or they finish fourth.” Cleveland’s season could be as unsatisfying as the Rio’s restaurant lineup.
Sneaky Pittsburgh Love
Staying with the AFC North… Although Esposito sees value in Baltimore winning the division, guests are rooting for their rival. “Pittsburgh seems to be that kind of sneaky, vogue pick that everybody is looking at right now,” Esposito said. “We’re seeing money come in on them to win the conference, to win the super bowl, to go over the win total.” Of course, coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, so there’s that.
“I think that that whole team might be a sneaky, good, a team that people are kind of overlooking a little bit. You’re seeing the sharp guys bet them for the value of winning that division, winning the conference and potentially winning the Super Bowl,” Esposito said. That will certainly be an uphill climb, but the Steelers seem to always be competitive, which makes the relatively long odds enticing. “I know we talk about the AFC West being the toughest and maybe best division, but from a competitive standpoint, I think the AFC North is really kind of a competitive, tough division, as well,” Esposito opined.
How To Win Six Figures in Last Man Standing
The Last Man Standing competitions in both the NFL and college football are still open for business. Station Casinos Race and Sports Books are currently accepting signups for the annual competition. Guests can sign up in person at any Station Casinos Sports Book, and the cost is $25 per entry.
Each contestant that purchases four entries will receive a fifth free. While still active in the competition, guests must turn in weekly picks in person. Active participants are required to select one game against the spread for each entry. For reference, the Last Man Standing competition in the college field will win a guaranteed minimum of $100,000, and the NFL’s Last Man Standing will take home a guaranteed minimum of $150,000.
Underclassmen Return To The Field
Who’s got school spirit! College football — yes, actual college football – returns this weekend with what’s being dubbed “weekend zero.” The opening game of the season between Northwestern and Nebraska takes place Saturday in Dublin, Ireland, and begins during breakfast hours when your hangover is most intense. Based on the line, Northwestern fans could be in for another headache, too. With games sporadically laid out, football will go on all day and night, ending with the Vanderbilt taking on Hawaii in the Aloha State. “Hawaii has been a real bet against so far,” Esposito said. “Vandy has moved the line up a few points, so the guests have been backing Vandy heavy in that one.” Wow, the Commodores didn’t even get this much love when Lionel Richie was in the band.
Records Are Made To Be Broken
As far as WNBA hype goes, it doesn’t get much bigger than the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm matchup. The two teams played an epic series in last year’s playoffs, which will only add to the anticipation and handle. “I expect to see a huge handle on this series. I think you can easily make a case that this will be the largest handle we’ll ever seen in a WNBA series,” Esposito said, adding that he expects most the money to come in on the hometown Aces. “If the Aces get to the Finals, I would say that you’ll see even a larger handle once that happens.” Like the QAnon folks say, the Storm is coming. Only this Storm will focus on points, not pizza.
It’s A Net Win
Expect anything different? The Brooklyn boys are back. After a topsy-turvy summer in Brooklyn, the Nets announced that both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant would be back with the squad, something that seemed unheard of just a month ago. For oddsmakers, the news didn’t change much on the future’s board. Over time, the Nets’ odds on the STN App and at Station Books moved down as the market for Irving and Durant cooled, all but increasing the chances they’d stay in BK. Phoenix was initially linked to Durant, but they couldn’t offer what Brooklyn wanted. So, although Irving and KD seemed to hold the NBA hostage for months, this became much ado about nothing… which is similar to Ben Simmons’ production last year.
“It’s not surprising at all,” Esposito said. “Now, could something change? Absolutely, but as of now, there’s no huge, real adjustment based on the KD and Kyrie news.”
Bets To Know
Currently available on the app are futures for Regular Season Wins, Rookie of the Year, Divisions, Conference, Championship Winner, and much more.
STN Sports Weekly Winners
- – Marlins -140
- – Dodgers -155
- – Mariners -285
- – Guardians +129
- – Phillies -210
- – Giants -220