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STN Sports Weekly Rundown

August 23, 2023

AFC Sleeper Getting Love, Bettors Likely To Fade Young Quarterbacks, and More

The “pre” is nearly complete. NFL teams will have one final chance to capture a win in the preseason this week, but all eyes are already on the main show, otherwise known as the regular season. Although NFL regular season wagering far outweighs the preseason handle, the past few weeks have generated an impressive handle and are responsible for more shocking results than an at-home pregnancy test. With all that in mind, let’s quickly look back at the past week in sports and peek at what’s ahead on the STN Sports App and at the Station Casinos Race and Sports Books…

Ravens Flight Grounded

It finally happened. For the first time since 2015, the Baltimore Ravens lost a preseason football game, and the STN Sports Books rejoiced. “It’s always good for us when a streak’s broken like that,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos’ Race and Sports Book Director. “They were backed pretty good.”

The Washington Commanders did get some considerable play in the game, especially after the team announced it would play some starters. But, after winning 24 preseason games in a row, Baltimore was playing for pride, and the guests rode with them. “As the streak went on, there was more and more interest and chatter about them. Everyone knew it was the longest streak by a long shot,” Esposito said. Like the Henderson All Stars Little League team, the Ravens streak was a nice story that ultimately ended with sadness.

Beware of Young QBs?

In the 2023 NFL Draft, three quarterbacks were taken within the first four picks, and all three (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson) are slated to begin Week 1 under center. Is this going to be a buyer beware situation for the Panthers, Texans and Colts, or is our view of them more obscured than a Las Vegas F1 track? All three are currently underdogs of more than a field goal. “None of them have really blown me away so far with what I’ve seen in the preseason to be perfectly honest,” Esposito said. “These coaches keep saying those guys will be ready to go, but they’re going to be getting their reps in under fire Week 1 against a way different defense that they’ve ever seen before.”

Who has impressed so far? The answers might be more surprising than finding a live bat in your strip hotel room. Browns 5th Round quarterback (and Las Vegas product) Dorian Thompson Robinson has fared really well in game action, as has Bears undrafted quarterback Tyson Bagent. While at Shepherd University, Bagent was a stud, but he was hardly on the national radar. Maybe he should have been. In his 53 games in college, he attempted 2,040 passes. That’s nearly as many collegiate-level throws as Young, Stroud and Richardson combined!

“In Week 1, I think we are going to be Panthers, Texans and Colt fans because the public will probably view them as bet against’s,” Esposito said. “If the Colts ultimately lose Jonathan Taylor, I think they’re definitely a bet against because he was by far their most skilled positioned player.”

“Still” The One

Although teams like the Jets, Lions and Broncos have been vogue picks among bettors in the 2024 future’s market, one of the most public teams in the NFL might be getting slept on, and that team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Stillers (as the yinzer’s call them) have a budding superstar in George Pickens to complement fellow wideouts Allen Bernard Robinson and Diontae Johnson. Plus, Kenny Pickett was highly effective and borderline really good late in the 2022 season after learning the NFL game. And then there’s head coach Mike Tomlin, who has never had a losing season in 16 years at the helm.

“I think the Steelers are kind of a sneaky good team in the AFC North that is kind of under the radar a little bit,” Esposito said. “The Steelers are kind of that sneaky, vogue team that is getting a lot of love right now from the bettors.” While many outsiders might view Pittsburgh as a long shot, there’s concern about the health of Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, and there are question marks surrounding the effectiveness of Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson. Pittsburgh has the highest divisional odds of all the AFC North teams, so they might present nearly as much value as Boulder Station’s new Game On sports bar.

Last Man Standing

There’s still time to enter! The Last Man Standing competitions in both the NFL and college football are in full swing. 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.

Bets To Know

Christmas come early? Actually, yes. The STN Sports Books are already getting ready for the NBA season, as they’ve posted lines for the slate of games on opening night… they’ve posted lines for the Christmas games, too. See, you can stop procrastinating and already do some Christmas, uh, shopping on the STN Sports App today.

Weekly Winners

$20 parlay turned to $1,826 for this bettor on August 19 between baseball and a “Sugar” Sean O’Malley W! The 6 legs:

– DODGERS -1.5 +110

– RAYS +1.5 +125

– ORIOLES -1.5 -120

– WHITE SOX OV 11.5 -115

– REDS UN 10 -115

– S O’MALLEY +205