Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week and much more.
Thursday, Sept. 5
Chiefs Open Super Bowl Title Defense Against Ravens
In the annals of NFL history, seven teams have won the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons, with the Patriots last to accomplish the feat in 2005. No team, however, has captured the Vince Lombardi trophy in three straight years. On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs will begin their quest to become the first.
The Chiefs, the two-time defending NFL champions, will face the Ravens in a rematch of the AFC Championship. A stifling Chiefs defense forced three turnovers in the 17-10 victory, giving Lamar Jackson fits inside the red zone. Jackson, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, has not reached the Super Bowl in his first six seasons in the league.
The Chiefs are a 3-point favorite at Bally Bet, where the total is 46. Both teams are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Kansas City remains the top choice at FanDuel with odds of +550, while the Ravens are third at +1100. Baltimore is one spot ahead of the Lions, who are the fourth choice at +1200.
Friday, Sept. 6
Eagles–Packers Meet in São Paulo
When the Eagles take on the Packers on Friday night, the NFL will hold a regular-season game in Brazil for the first time in league history. Earlier this year, Brazil's Ministry of Finance outlined a set of ordinances ahead of a proposed sports betting launch on January 1. It is unclear if the game will attract heavy wagering activity on the nation's illegal markets.
Initially, the NFL planned a press conference ahead of Friday's matchup to discuss the league's international expansion. Genius Sports, the league's provider for official sports betting data, planned to partake in the event. But Friday's game will be held amid a dispute between social-media platform X and the federal government.
On Monday, Brazil's Supreme Court upheld a ban against X after the website failed to appoint a new legal representative in the country. In response, a member of Brazil's National Congress has called for a series of national protests on Saturday to dispute the ban.
"To me, this is the most important game of the NFL season for Week 1." 🍿
—@JeffDarlington on the Eagles vs. Packers matchup in Brazil. pic.twitter.com/vTpoDGuKZc
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 2, 2024
The NFL also issued a security alert to the teams, advising them to remain in their hotels before Friday's game. As a result, Eagles cornerback Darius Slay told his family not to attend the game due to the nation's high crime rate.
While both teams made the playoffs last year, the Eagles won just one of their final seven games after opening 10-1. The Eagles are 3-point favorites at BetRivers; the total is 49.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Wolverines Face Horns in Top 10 Showdown
Michigan began its defense of its national championship Saturday with an easy 30-10 win over Fresno State.
Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2019, Michigan quarterback Davis Warren underwent months of treatment in a Los Angeles hospital that summer. Warren, who lost 35 pounds during the process, beat Alex Orji in camp for the starters' job. In Saturday's win over the Bulldogs, Warren went 15-25 for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Warren will need to deliver another efficient performance in Week 2 when the Wolverines face No. 4 Texas. Quinn Ewers threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-0 win over Colorado State. The Longhorns opened as 6.5-point favorites at ESPN BET; the total is 44.5. Ewers has odds of 12-1 at Bet365 to win the Heisman Trophy, slightly behind Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, the favorite at 7-1.
WOW! Checkout this no look pass by Texas Quarterback, Quinn Ewers 🔥🔥
1st round pick stuff right here, shades of Matthew Stafford in the Super Bowl vs the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/O3RqA3tDfm
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 31, 2024
Gabriel and the Ducks will face Boise State on Saturday in a tough nonconference matchup. Third-ranked Oregon opened as a 19.5-point favorite. Also on Saturday, No. 15 Tennessee is favored by seven against No. 24 N.C. State in the Duke's Mayo Classic.
Finally, Deion Sanders will look to open 2-0 for the second straight season as Colorado travels to Lincoln to face Nebraska. Shedeur Sanders, the son of Coach Prime, passed for 445 yards and four touchdowns in a win over North Dakota State. Sanders has odds of 30-1 to win the Heisman.
White Sox on Pace for MLB Record of Futility
The Orioles clobbered the White Sox 13-3 on Monday, handing Chicago its 11th straight defeat. The White Sox (31-108) have already set a franchise record for most losses in a single season. With 23 games left in their season, the White Sox are on pace to break an MLB record for most losses in a campaign.
The 1962 Mets hold the modern-era record for defeats in a season with 120. In order to avoid a tie with the Mets, the White Sox need to go at least 12-11 down the stretch. The White Sox are on pace to finish the season with a record of 26-126.
Chicago will face Boston on Saturday Night at Fenway Park. A bettor who has wagered against the White Sox in every game this season has likely produced a considerable return on investment.
Well, after 62 years the 1962 Mets are off the hook. They would absolutely beat this year’s White Sox. Today. With their 9 surviving players. Nothing going on with Chisox. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Full marks for the @Mets, though. Good 7-3 trip. Right there. Should be a fun September.
— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) September 1, 2024
Sunday, Sept. 8
Underdogs Lurk as U.S. Open Concludes
Both Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic bowed out of the U.S. Open in the opening week, as the former champions suffered stunning defeats in the early rounds. Their absence created a wide-open draw ahead of Sunday's men's final. Top seed Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals on Monday with a win over Tommy Paul. Sinner remains the heavy favorite to capture his second grand slam of 2024.
At DraftKings, Sinner is the +120 favorite to win Sunday's final in Queens. Two others, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, have single-digit odds. The remaining five players in the field are veritable longshots. Frances Tiafoe, one of two Americans left, has odds of +2200, while countryman Taylor Fritz is the fourth choice at +1100.
American Frances Tiafoe earns 3rd consecutive US Open quarterfinals berth with victory over Alexei Popyrin https://t.co/SvGYP2bO9O
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 2, 2024
On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka remains the +145 favorite. Sabalenka must defeat Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals and the winner of Emma Navarro-Paula Badosa to earn a spot in the finals.
Iga Swiatek, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, is the second choice at +200. Swiatek needs to beat Jessica Pegula in the quarters then the winner of Karolina Muchova-Beatriz Haddad Maia to return to the finals.
Cousins, Richardson Return After Lengthy Absences
A host of starting quarterbacks return Sunday after experiencing severe injuries that prematurely ended their seasons in 2023. Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will start in Week 1 after recovering from serious ailments.
Cousins, who signed a lucrative deal with the Falcons in the offseason, will join an explosive offense that features Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts. The Falcons are 3-point home favorites over the Steelers at BetMGM.
Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, went on the season-ending injury list in October after suffering a shoulder sprain. At the time of his injury, the former University of Florida standout showed glimpses of becoming a potent dual threat. In four starts, Richardson rushed for four touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. The Colts are 2.5-point home 'dogs against the Texans.
Richardson props at DraftKings —
- Comeback Player of the Year: +700
- NFL Most Valuable Player: +3500
- Regular Season Passing Yards of 4,000 or more: +1000
- Regular Season Passing Touchdowns of 25 or more: +550
- Colts to Make the Playoffs: +140
Appearing in only 10 games, Burrow went out for the season last November after suffering a wrist injury. With Burrow now healthy, the Bengals are one of the top choices on the Super Bowl futures market. The Bengals are heavy favorites in Sunday’s opener vs. the Pats, laying 8.5 at the Hard Rock and 9 at ESPN BET.
Jones, meanwhile, appeared in even fewer games than Burrow last year, making just six starts for the Giants. In Jones’ return on Sunday against the Vikings, the Giants are a 1-point underdog at Caesars, where the total is 41.5 points.
Have a good week, everyone!
