Gambling Corner - Week of 1/14

NFL Bets
Rams (+4) at Saints - Win
Chiefs (-3) vs. Patriots - Loss
Last Week: 0-4
Playoff Record: 3-6-1
2018 Record: 46-38-6 (+1.85 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 54.78% (+19.01 units)

NBA Bets
Rockets (-4) vs. Grizzlies - Win
Jazz (-6) vs. Pistons - Push
Pacers (-9) vs. Suns - Win
Pistons (-4) vs. Magic - Win
Rockets (-6) vs. Nets - Loss
Hornets (-2.5) vs. Kings - Win
Nuggets (-12) vs. Bulls - Win
Clippers (+7.5) vs. Warriors - Loss
Sixers (-1.5) vs. Thunder - Loss
Hornets (-7) vs. Suns - Win
Pacers (-6.5) vs. Mavs - Win
Pistons (+4) vs. Kings - Win
Grizzlies (+12.5) at Raptors - Loss
Last Week: 5-7
2018-19 Record: 61-51-1 (-2.54 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.4% (-24.36 units)

NCAA Basketball Bets
Wisconsin (+3.5) at Maryland - Loss
Baylor (+4.5) at Oklahoma State - Win
Kansas (-7) vs. Texas - Loss
Florida (+4.5) at Mississippi State - Win
Kentucky (-6) vs. Georgia - Win
TCU (-8) vs. West Virginia - Win
Marquette (-2.5) at Georgetown - Win
Creighton (+4.5) at St. John's - Loss
Auburn (-6) at Texas A&M - Win
Iowa (+3) at Penn State - Win
Oklahoma (-5.5) vs. Kansas State - Loss
Missouri (+2.5) vs. Alabama - Loss
Georgia Tech (+8) at Clemson - Loss
Houston (Pick) at SMU - Win
Texas Tech (-5) vs. Iowa State - Loss
Oregon (+7.5) at Arizona - Win
Maryland (+4.5) at Ohio State - Win
Villanova (-8) vs. Xavier - Win
Florida (-4.5) at Georgia - Win
North Carolina (-7) at Miami - Win
Tennessee (-12) vs. Alabama - Loss
Indiana (+9) at Purdue - Loss
Kansas (-4.5) at West Virginia - Loss
NC State (-2) at Notre Dame - Win
Syracuse (-6) vs. Pittsburgh - Win
Missouri (+5.5) at Texas A&M - Win
TCU (+4) at Kansas State - Loss
LSU (-9) vs. South Carolina - Win
Arizona (-4.5) vs. Oregon State - Win
Oklahoma (+5.5) at Texas - Win
Oregon (+5) at Arizona State - Loss
Marquette (-5.5) vs. Providence - Win
Iowa (-8) vs. Illinois - Win
Last Week: 14-12
2018-19 Record: 80-57-4 (+9.05 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 52.07% (-8.02 units)

EPL Bets (Spread)
Leicester City (+0.5) at Wolves - Loss
Crystal Palace (+2) at Liverpool - Win
Brighton (+1.5) at Manchester United - Win
Burnley (+1) at Watford - Win
Bournemouth (Pick) vs. West Ham - Win
Arsenal (Pick) vs. Chelsea - Win
Last Week: 2-0
2018-19 Spread Record: 34-22-6 (+5.58 units)
Historical Spread Win Percentage: 53.05% (-2.46 units)

EPL Bets (Moneyline)

Last Week: 0-5
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 11-19 (-3.35 units)
Historical Moneyline Win Percentage: 44.62% (-3.81 units)

Champions League (Spread)

Last Week: 2-3-1
2018-19 Spread Record: 18-12-4 (+1.47 units)

Champions League (Moneyline)

Last Week: 1-1
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 6-8 (-4.06 units)

Gambling Corner - Week of 1/7

NFL Bets
Colts (+5) at Chiefs - Loss
Cowboys (+7) at Rams - Loss
Chargers (+4) at Patriots - Loss
Saints (-8) vs. Eagles - Loss
Last Week: 2-1-1
Playoff Record: 2-5-1
2018 Record: 45-37-6 (+2.04 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 54.78% (+19.01 units)

NCAA Football Bets
Clemson (+6) vs. Alabama - Win
Last Week: 5-5-1
Bowl Record: 22-17-1
Final 2018 Record: 68-67-3 (-8.38 units)
Updated Historical Win Percentage: 50.33% (-24.90 units)

NBA Bets
Pistons (+4.5) vs. Spurs - Loss
Raptors (-14) vs. Hawks - Loss
Nuggets (+3) at Heat - Win
Rockets (+2.5) vs. Bucks - Loss
Blazers (-9.5) vs. Bulls - Win
Sixers (-10.5) vs. Hawks - Loss
Rockets (-14) vs. Cavs - Win
Hornets (+8) at Blazers - Loss
Warriors (-15.5) vs. Bulls - Win
Grizzlies (+6) at Heat - Win
Jazz (-11) vs. Bulls - Loss
Lakers (-8) vs. Cavs - Loss
Last Week: 4-4
2018-19 Record: 53-47 (-5.20 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.4% (-24.36 units)

NCAA Basketball Bets
Iowa State (-2.5) at Baylor - Loss
Maryland (+3) at Minnesota - Win
North Carolina (+2) at NC State - Win
Michigan State (-7) vs. Purdue - Win
Vanderbilt (+3) at Georgia - Loss
Houston (-1.5) at Temple - Loss
Virginia Tech (-6) at Georgia Tech - Loss
Syracuse (-3) vs. Clemson - Win
Iowa (+4.5) at Northwestern - Win
Kansas (-5.5) vs. TCU - Win
Nebraska (-10) vs. Penn State - Loss
Oregon (-3.5) vs. UCLA - Loss
Indiana (+5) at Maryland - Win
NC State (-9.5) vs. Pittsburgh - Loss
Providence (+4) at Georgetown - Loss
Virginia (-5.5) at Clemson - Win
Rutgers (+9.5) at Minnesota - Loss
Duke (-7.5) at Florida State - Loss
Texas Tech (+2.5) at Texas - Win
Ohio State (+3.5) at Iowa - Loss
Kansas (-3.5) at Baylor - Win
Washington (+3.5) at Colorado - Win
Creighton (+3) vs. Villanova - Loss
Michigan State (-8) at Penn State - Win
Michigan (-10.5) vs. Northwestern - Win
Oregon (-5) vs. USC - Win
Last Week: 13-8-2
2018-19 Record: 60-45-4 (+3.90 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 52.07% (-8.02 units)

EPL Bets (Spread)
Burnley (Pick) vs. Fulham - Win
Brighton (+1.5) vs. Liverpool - Win
Last Week: 1-0
2018-19 Spread Record: 29-21-6 (+2.09 units)
Historical Spread Win Percentage: 53.05% (-2.46 units)

EPL Bets (Moneyline)
Arsenal (+100) at West Ham - Loss
Crystal Palace (+125) vs. Watford - Loss
Leicester City  (-105) vs. Southampton - Loss
Cardiff (+125) vs. Huddersfield - Loss
Tottenham (+110) vs. Manchester United - Loss
Last Week: 0-1
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 11-14 (-3.35 units)
Historical Moneyline Win Percentage: 44.62% (-3.81 units)

Champions League (Spread)

Last Week: 2-3-1
2018-19 Spread Record: 18-12-4 (+1.47 units)

Champions League (Moneyline)

Last Week: 1-1
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 6-8 (-4.06 units)

Gambling Corner - Week of 12/31

NFL Bets
Colts (+1) at Texans - Win
Seahawks (+2) at Cowboys - Push
Chargers (+3) at Ravens - Win
Bears (-6) vs. Eagles - Loss
Last Week: 2-2
Playoff Record: 2-1-1
2018 Record: 45-33-6 (+5.38 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 54.78% (+19.01 units)

NFL Prop Bets Check-In
Wins
Panthers under 9 wins
Browns over 5.5 wins
Packers under 10 wins
Colts over 6.5 wins
Jaguars under 9 wins
Dolphins over 6.5 wins
Saints over 9.5 wins
Giants under 7 wins
Raiders under 7.5 wins
49ers under 8.5 wins
Titans over 8 wins
Losses
Cardinals over 5.5 wins
Chargers under 9.5 wins
Jimmy G most passing yards
Jay Ajayi most rushing yards
Antonio Brown most receiving yards
Falcons to win Super Bowl
Panthers to win NFC
Eagles to win NFC East
Push
Patriots over 11 wins
Still In Play
Texans to win Super Bowl
Chiefs to win Super Bowl
Bears to win NFC

Overall win total projections went 18-12-2, with my bets going 11-2-1.

NCAA Football Bets
Military Bowl: Virginia Tech (+6) vs. Cincinnati - Win
Sun Bowl: Stanford (-5) vs. Pittsburgh - Loss
Redbox Bowl: Michigan State (+2) vs. Oregon - Win
Liberty Bowl: Oklahoma State (+9) vs. Missouri - Win
Holiday Bowl: Utah (-7) vs. Northwestern - Loss
Gator Bowl: NC State (+7) vs. Texas A&M - Loss
Outback Bowl: Iowa (+7) vs. Mississippi State - Win
Citrus Bowl: Penn State (-6) vs. Kentucky - Loss
Fiesta Bowl: Central Florida (+8) vs. LSU - Push
Rose Bowl: Washington (+7) vs. Ohio State - Win
Sugar Bowl: Georgia (-12) vs. Texas - Loss
Last Week: 6-5
Bowl Record: 21-17-1
2018 Record: 67-67-3 (-9.21 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.31% (-16.52 units)

NBA Bets
Pacers (-11.5) vs. Hawks - Loss
Rockets (-4.5) vs. Grizzlies - Win
Kings (+3) vs. Blazers - Loss
Bulls (+3) vs. Magic - Loss
Bucks (-13.5) vs. Hawks - Win
Thunder (+2.5) at Blazers - Win
Raptors (+6) at Bucks - Win
Suns (+4) vs. Hornets - Loss
Last Week: 3-3
2018-19 Record: 48-41 (-2.38 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.4% (-24.36 units)

NCAA Basketball Bets
Creighton (+4) at Providence - Win
Virginia Tech (-9.5) vs. Notre Dame - Win
Nebraska (+2) at Maryland - Push
Seton Hall (+5) at Xavier - Win
Texas Tech (-4.5) at West Virginia - Loss
Michigan State (-11.5) vs. Northwestern - Win
Iowa State (-4) at Oklahoma State - Win
Kansas State (-2) vs. Texas - Loss
Nevada (-7.5) vs. Utah State - Win
Iowa (+10) at Purdue - Loss
NC State (-2) at Miami - Win
Michigan (-10) vs. Penn State - Win
Creighton (+6.5) at Butler - Loss
Michigan State (-2) at Ohio State - Win
Maryland (-3.5) at Rutgers - Win
Oklahoma (-10) vs. Oklahoma State - Push
Virginia (-7) vs. Florida State - Win
TCU (-7.5) vs Baylor - Loss
Kansas (+2) at Iowa State - Loss
Colorado (+7.5) at Arizona State - Loss
Duke (-15.5) vs. Clemson - Win
Nebraska (-3.5) at Iowa - Loss
Wisconsin (-1.5) at Penn State - Win
Last Week: 4-2
2018-19 Record: 46-33-4 (+4.35 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 52.07% (-8.02 units)

EPL Bets (Spread)
Burnley (+0.5) at Huddersfield - Win
Last Week: 2-0
2018-19 Spread Record: 27-21-6 (+0.61 units)
Historical Spread Win Percentage: 53.05% (-2.46 units)

EPL Bets (Moneyline)
Bournemouth (+165) vs. Watford - Loss
Last Week: 1-1
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 11-12 (+1.65 units)
Historical Moneyline Win Percentage: 44.62% (-3.81 units)

Champions League (Spread)

Last Week: 2-3-1
2018-19 Spread Record: 18-12-4 (+1.47 units)

Champions League (Moneyline)

Last Week: 1-1
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 6-8 (-4.06 units)

Stevens Bowl Recap/Offseason Preview

Congrats to Fireball Dan on bringing home his first Chef's Coat and preventing a repeat for Levine. It was a huge oversight on my part to not hype this up as a potential revenge match after Weissbard maliciously dumped a beer on Levine's laptop during the draft.

Weissbard's win was even more impressive after he lost Gurley and had no auction money left for C.J. Anderson after blowing it all on Robby Anderson. The Anderson debacle ended up working out in his favor, as Robby tore up and Levine couldn't wait for the Gurley decision to decide on starting his other RBs. The end result was close as expected, but the journey there was anything but conventional.

On a side note, Zacherman and I can take solace in the fact that we would have lost the Stevens Bowl to Weissbard and Levine respectively, so the heartbreak of the semi-finals doesn't hurt quite so much. Additionally, I think we need some league rule to cover what happens when the Stevens Bowl champ has Robert Woods on their team. My initial idea is that they need to share a bed with Rob Woods at the next draft, but I'm open to other ideas.

2018 Biggest Matchup Record: 18-9

As we know, there is no real offseason in this league, so here is the tentative schedule for the next few months:
- January: Season recap posts (pending my available free time)
- February: Winter Meetings
- March: Draft Location Madness
- June: Rivalry Week
- July: Draft Weekend Room Draft

All dates subject to change at my discretion.

Gambling Corner - Week of 12/24

NFL Bets
Ravens (-6) vs. Browns - Loss
Chiefs (-13) vs. Raiders - Win
Rams (-10) vs. 49ers - Win
Titans (+4) vs. Colts - Loss
Last Week: 3-2
2018 Record: 43-32-5 (+4.75 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 54.78% (+19.01 units)

NCAA Football Bets
Independence Bowl: Duke (+4) vs. Temple - Win
Pinstripe Bowl: Wisconsin (+3) vs. Miami - Win
Texas Bowl: Baylor (+4) vs. Vanderbilt - Win
Music City Bowl: Auburn (-3) vs. Purdue - Win
Camping World Bowl: West Virginia (+2) vs. Syracuse - Loss
Alamo Bowl: Washington State (-3) vs. Iowa State - Loss
Peach Bowl: Michigan (-6) vs. Florida - Loss
Belk Bowl: Virginia (+6) vs. South Carolina - Win
Arizona Bowl: Arkansas State (-1) vs. Nevada - Loss
Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame (+13) vs. Clemson - Loss
Orange Bowl: Oklahoma (+14) vs. Alabama - Win
Last Week: 5-6
Bowl Record: 16-12
2018 Record: 62-62-2 (-8.71 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.31% (-16.52 units)

NBA Bets

Last Week: 3-3
2018-19 Record: 44-37 (-1.66 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.4% (-24.36 units)

NCAA Basketball Bets

Last Week: 4-2
2018-19 Record: 33-25-2 (+1.84 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 52.07% (-8.02 units)

EPL Bets (Spread)
Brighton (+0.5) vs. Everton - Win
Burnley (+0.5) vs. West Ham - Win
Last Week: 0-2-1
2018-19 Spread Record: 26-21-6 (-0.16 units)
Historical Spread Win Percentage: 53.05% (-2.46 units)

EPL Bets (Moneyline)
Southampton (+130) vs. West Ham - Loss
Fulham (+110) vs. Huddersfield - Win
Last Week: 1-0
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 11-11 (+2.65 units)
Historical Moneyline Win Percentage: 44.62% (-3.81 units)

Champions League (Spread)

Last Week: 2-3-1
2018-19 Spread Record: 18-12-4 (+1.47 units)

Champions League (Moneyline)

Last Week: 1-1
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 6-8 (-4.06 units)

Stevens Bowl Preview

Not gonna lie, that one hurt. After getting the benefit of Saquon's first real dud of the season and getting a big day from my Mack attack, all I needed was a 25th percentile performance from Cam to win my first playoff game and make the Stevens Bowl. Instead I got a 5th percentile performance, and I wasted likely the best team I'll have in the next decade.

Things were even worse for Zacherman, who had the most electric QB/WR combination since Brady and Moss in 2007, and still couldn't make the Stevens Bowl.

This leaves us Weissbard vs. Levine.

Weissbard is trying to complete the classic worst-to-first storyline in the vein of the 2018 Bears, 2017 Jaguars, and 2001 Rams. Some of those teams fell short, but they were all feel-good stories in the moment.

Levine is the Patriots personified. Starting the year below the radar, he slowly but surely made his way into the playoffs, and is poised to be our first repeat champion. If he wins again, we may need to add an apostrophe to our title game and start calling it Steven's Bowl.

While Zacherman and I may go down as the two best teams to not even make the finals, we still have two very worthy contenders facing off through Christmas Eve.

Weissbard! Levine! Saquon! Dakota! It's The Stevens Bowl!

(Note that while we are certainly not the tallest league as a whole, this is the first time where the annual Stevens Bowl Elf Yourself video isn't as funny as it should be. Z and I would have been waaaay more enjoyable and you all know it. I swear I'm not bitter.)

Stevens Bowl Preview

3. Weissbard vs. 4. Levine

Quarterback
The Dak roller coaster is due for a peak based on its every other week pace for the last couple months. On cue, he gets to face a terrible Tampa defense, at home, with a lot to prove. I see a big day coming for the Cowboys in general, so the only question is whether Dak or Zeke benefits more. That question doesn't exist for DeShaun, who is the engine that is driving Houston towards a potential bye. The Eagles D has been terrible all year, and while they had a resurgence last week, they still let up a ton of points. Both of these guys are easy top ten plays this week, but it's too close to call for me.
Edge: Even

Runningbacks
Weissbard's dynamic duo get some pretty easy matchups, which as always will be the primary focus of his week. Levine has a much more complicated situation. Mixon and Coleman led him to the Stevens Bowl, but McGuire and Jamaal are above average plays this week too. If Levine's three guys can outscore Weissbard's two, this should be a wrap. I don't think it comes to that, but this isn't as much in Weissbard's favor as it usually is.
Slight Edge: Weissbard

Wide Receivers
This is weirdly a mirror image of the RB situation. Levine has the studs this time, but Weissbard's depth and flex option could make it interesting. The major wild card here is if Aaron Rodgers isn't himself, which would pretty much tank Levine's chances.
Slight Edge: Levine

Tight End
Vance McDonald was a huge part of getting Levine to the Stevens Bowl. I don't think history repeats itself, and I really like Cook's matchup.
Edge: Weissbard

D/ST
Weissbard has a clear matchup advantage here, with a solid Cowboys D getting a turnover-prone Bucs team at home. Levine has the more talented option in Baltimore, but they travel to LA to play an explosive Chargers offense. He also has the Eagles as a potential Deshaun counterpoint as an option. Whoever he goes with will have a lower ceiling than Dallas.
Edge: Weissbard

Pick
This is super close, and should make for an entertaining Stevens Bowl. The only "clear" advantages are both to Weissbard, but also are at the fickle positions of tight end and defense. I have a weird feeling that the Rams will continue to struggle against Arizona, enough to crack the door open for Levine, but if Rodgers is limited and Adams is not effective, I can't confidently pick my rival. When it's this close, I'll go with Gurley, Barkley, and the immortal Jared Cook getting last licks.
Pick: Weissbard

2018 Biggest Matchup Record: 17-9

Gambling Corner - Week of 12/17

NFL Bets
Bengals (+9) at Browns - Win
Jaguars (+5) at Dolphins - Win
Bears (-4) at 49ers - Win
Saints (-6) vs. Steelers - Loss
Broncos (-2) at Raiders - Loss
Last Week: 3-3
2018 Record: 41-30-5 (+4.96 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 54.78% (+19.01 units)

NCAA Football Bets
Boca Raton Bowl - Northern Illinois (+3) vs. UAB - Loss
Frisco Bowl - Ohio (-3) vs. San Diego State - Win
Gasparilla Bowl - South Florida (+4) vs. Marshall - Loss
Bahamas Bowl - Toledo (+0.5) vs. Florida International - Loss
Potato Bowl - Western Michigan (+12) vs. BYU - Loss
Birmingham Bowl - Memphis (-3) vs. Wake Forest - Loss
Armed Forces Bowl - Houston (+5) vs. Army - Loss
Dollar General Bowl - Troy (+1) vs. Buffalo - Win
Hawaii Bowl - Louisiana Tech (+1) vs. Hawaii - Win
Quick Lane Bowl - Minnesota (+6) vs. Georgia Tech - Win
Cheez-It Bowl - TCU (+1) vs. California - Win
Last Week: 5-1
Bowl Record: 10-7
2018 Record: 56-57-2 (-8.70 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.31% (-16.52 units)

NBA Bets
Thunder (-12.5) vs. Bulls - Win
76ers (+3) at Spurs - Loss
Blazers (+3) at Clippers - Win
Pacers (-12) vs. Cavs - Loss
Celtics (-12) vs. Suns - Loss
Jazz (+4) vs. Warriors - Win
Last Week: 7-2
2018-19 Record: 44-37 (-1.66 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 50.4% (-24.36 units)

NCAA Basketball Bets
Vanderbilt (+3) vs. Arizona State - Win
Missouri (+4.5) vs. Xavier - Win
NC State (+3) vs. Auburn - Loss
UCLA (+9) at Cincinnati - Win
Texas Tech (+10.5) vs. Duke (Neutral Site) - Loss
Houston (-4) vs. Utah State - Win
Last Week: 4-8
2018-19 Record: 33-25-2 (+1.84 units)
Historical Win Percentage: 52.07% (-8.02 units)

EPL Bets (Spread)
Burnley (+2) at Arsenal - Push
West Ham (Pick) vs. Watford - Loss
Huddersfield (Pick) vs. Southampton - Loss
Last Week: 2-0
2018-19 Spread Record: 24-21-7 (+1.51 units)
Historical Spread Win Percentage: 53.05% (-2.46 units)

EPL Bets (Moneyline)
Spurs (+125) at Everton - Win
Last Week: 0-0
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 10-10 (+2.55 units)
Historical Moneyline Win Percentage: 44.62% (-3.81 units)

Champions League (Spread)

Last Week: 2-3-1
2018-19 Spread Record: 18-12-4 (+1.47 units)

Champions League (Moneyline)

Last Week: 1-1
2018-19 Moneyline Record: 6-8 (-4.06 units)