The best week of the year for sports bettors kicks off tonight, and the excitement to go full degeneracy mode for the next 6 nights is through the roof.
As I have learned the hard way in years past, just because you are home for the holidays, does not mean gambling losses are forgotten. So don’t get carried away by the wall to wall multi-sport coverage, bet responsibly, and enjoy the action. With more insight to come throughout the week, let’s take a lot at some of the early action I am most excited about.
Monday:
Super Bowl Rematch
Eagles @ Chiefs
To cap off week 11, we are blessed with a rematch of Super Bowl LVII and the most anticipated game of the season. In a rare occurrence this late in the year, last years two Super Bowl teams are right back at the top of the entire league, and could be on a collision course to meet again in Vegas. This week, revenge is squarely on the mind of Jalen Hurts and his Eagles, who gave a valiant effort only to fall short last February. With both teams coming off a bye, they should be healthy and ready to get after it tonight. An absolute GEM of a primetime game for a change, and one that is hard to imagine disappointing. While it has been the Chiefs defense leading the way for them this year, they have not seen a team like PHL who hung 30+ on them in the Supey. I am far less confident in the weapons surrounding Mahomes, than I am in what Jalen Hurts has around him. With AJ Brown and Smith getting a week off, I think the Eagles come out firing. Not that Mahomes and Andy Reid have any issue rising to the occasion in big games, but I think the Super Bowl L adds a whole different motivation factor. This game will mean so much to Siriani and the Eagles, that he will not only empty the playbook on offense, but also his chamber of tears in the pregame ceremonies.
In case my betting preview wasn’t good enough, I promise to be the one person who writes about this game without mentioning the girlfriend of the KC Chiefs Tight End.I like the Eagles to win outright, but will take the +3 in case they choke down the stretch.
Eagles +3
Maui Invitational
#3 Purdue vs #11 Gonzaga
For most people who have been focused on football, this week is usually a reminder that the hoops season is underway as well. Feast week brings electric tournament action, and perfect gambling activities for when you are out of the office and back home on your family's couch. There are a few matchups that have that NCAA Elite 8 feel, and Maui is usually responsible for a couple of them. This year it is Purdue and Gonzaga tipping things off from Hawaii, in a game that will be played at a fast clip if nothing else. The Boilermakers are #1 in Kenpom’s adjusted offense, while the Zags come in number 3. For that reason alone, I expect them to shoot past the 154, and play this game in the 80’s. In the interest of rooting for some excitement, I’ll also take the Zags to keep it close, and cover the 4.5.
Gonzaga +4.5
Over 154
MSG Tip off Tournament
#5 UCONN vs #15 Texas
Uconn rolled through the college basketball world last year, on their way to a historic national title. While they naturally lost some talent from that roster, Danny Hurley brought back some horses, and reloaded for another run this year. They are still big, experienced, and talented all over the floor, and I think will be too much for Texas. The Horns are coming off a buzzer beating win last night, which sets up perfectly for a letdown spot against a far superior UCONN team. With the MSG crowd squarely behind them, I think the Huskies roll to a double digit win.