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STN Sports Weekly Rundown
October 26, 2022
Raiders Deliver Big Payday For Guests And More Sports News and Tidbits
Betting on a Tom Brady or an Aaron Rodgers-led team has been a breeze over the years. But, like Las Vegas last Saturday, the winds of change might be upon us. With outright losses, the two legendary quarterbacks were blowing guest’s chances at a winning NFL weekend.
“The public did really well on some of the early NFL games, but some of the bigger games of the weekend went our way,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Race and Sports Book Director. “The Raiders game was huge for the guests. You had them winning, covering and going over. It was the biggest bet game of the day and probably the best all around Raiders game for the bettors so far this season.”
With all that in mind, let’s quickly look back over the sports landscape and dish out some insight on what’s ahead on the field, on the diamond, on the ice, on the STN Sports App and at the Station Casinos Race and Sports Book.
Monday Night Surprises
The Monday Night Football game wasn’t supposed to be any good, as the Patriots were big favorites at home against the Bears. And, the game wasn’t any good, but not for the reason you would think. “The Bears saved us with them winning outright, which isn’t something we didn’t see coming,” Esposito said. “There was a lot of in-play money dumping on the Patriots, especially early. The only way we were going to make any money was with a Bears win outright, which I don’t think any of us thought that was realistic.”
Station was home to not one, not two, not three, but four $50,000 bets on Sunday. The end result was similar to that of a coffee creamer, half and half. A guest plopped down 50 large on the Lions +7, which missed. Another guest bet $50,000 on the Broncos -1, which was a losing ticket. But, another guest bet the Browns +6.5, which cleared, and another lucky soul brought home the bacon after betting $50,000 on the Seahawks +5.5.
Aaron Rodgers finds himself in unfamiliar territory this weekend… ya know, like a barber’s chair. Facing the Bills in Buffalo, Green Bay comes in as a double-digit favorite for the first time in Rodgers’ career. For perspective, the Packers QB has started 213 regular-season games in his career, but never as an underdog like this. “They’re stumbling. They’ve lost three in a row and could lose their fourth game in a row here,” Esposito said. However, don’t bury the Packers just yet. It seems probable that they could get be getting Mr. Discount Double Check some weapons via the trade market. We see you, Chase Claypool and Brandon Cooks.
Fresh Face In San Francisco
Move over Rice-A-Roni, Christian McCaffrey is the new San Fransisco treat. The 49ers stunned the league when it traded for the former Pro Bowler. After just one week of on-field play, the return on investment wasn’t good, and fans were more emo than those people at the We Were Young festival.
“The 49ers went from 18-to-1 odds to win the Super Bowl to 14-to-1 odds,” Esposito said. “It did have somewhat of an impact.” The star running back had little-to-no time to practice with his new team, but the Niners still fell to the Chiefs on Sunday in a bad loss. Having said that, they are a small favorite against the Rams in Los Angeles this week. If they were to lose to L.A., they could find themselves in last place in the division.
Last Man Standing Update
Now we’re into the nitty gritty! Through seven weeks of the NFL schedule, only 39 entrees remain active in Station Casinos’ Last Man Standing competition (The contest began with 6,284 entrees.) Prior to the past weekend of football, 104 entrees here still valid, so a lot of guests were KO’d like an East Las Vegas power line in a storm. Over in the college version of the Last Man Standing competition, 10 entrees were knocked out last weekend, leaving only 30 active participants. That contest started with 2,908 hopeful entrees.
A New Mr. October?
The Philadelphia Phillies fired their manager this year after a 22–29 start, but they now find themselves in the World Series. That’s the good news. That bad news: They’re nearly 1-to-2 underdogs in the Fall Classic as they take on the Houston Astros. “Philadelphia really caught fire at the right time,” Esposito said, noting that the team, much like Philly’s favorite son Will Smith, can hit. “They definitely hit and can score some runs. Game 1 is by far going to be the lowest run total that you see in this series. I think you’re going to see some runs scored in this year’s World Series.” The top oddsmaker’s tip: If you like Philly, lean toward the overs.
There’s no doubt that the Astros have the advantage in pitching, but Philly can score, and they’re going to need to manufacture some runs to beat the ‘Stros. Houston, of course, was one of the preseason favorites to win the World Series, so there’s very little liability on them from the Book end. Houston’s odds were always low all year. Philadelphia was different, as the squad was 50-to-1 at one point this season. It seems that almost no one jumped on those odds. “Philly just didn’t get that respect down the stretch because of some of the hitting and fielding problems that they had,” Esposito said. “Most people didn’t think that they’d be able to beat the teams that they beat and be playing in late October and early November.”
The hometown boy is getting all the 702 love. As soon as Station and the STN App posted World Series MVP numbers, the public pounced on Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper. In theory, it’s not a bad bet. “There’s more Astros who could win it, but I think as hot as Harper’s been, if a Phillies player wins it, there’s a real good chance MVP will be him,” Esposito said. “You’re already seeing a lot of ticket dumps on Harper.” Local boy Harper is currently the World Series MVP co-favorite with Houston’s Yordan Álvarez.
High On Ice
Like Diddy, can’t nobody hold down the NHL totals so far. “Scoring has been up early so far this year,” Esposito said. “You’ve really seen a trend of late. You’ve seen higher totals in hockey last year, too.” In certain high-scoring teams like Florida, Toronto and even Vegas, guests have going heavy on the side, puck line and over.
Bets To Know
STN Sports Weekly Winners
- – COMMANDERS +5 -110
- – JETS -2 -110
- – CHIEFS -1.5 -110
- – SEAHAWKS +5 -110
- – STEELERS +7.5 -110
- – BEARS +8 -110
- – GIANTS +3 -110
- – TITANS -2.5 -110