Tag: FanDuel

Nov 30, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) looks for a receiver during the second half against Washington Huskies cornerback Jordan Shaw (3) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Top 10 player props for college football’s Championship Weekend

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There is extra electricity in the air for college football fans. If this weekend’s conference championship games live up to the hype, we are in for some epic football. Fans can turn that excitement up a notch by getting in on the action with some college football player props.

With fewer games, there aren’t as many options to review, but there are still hundreds of player props for your betting pleasure. But which ones should you go with? We’ve got a few ideas. Here’s our list of the top 10 player props for conference championship weekend.

Odds via FanDuel unless otherwise stated:

Big 12: Iowa State vs. Arizona State

Cam Skattebo, O/U 119.5 Rushing Yards at -114/-114; Alt Rushing Yards: 125+ at +102

Iowa State ranks 96th in run defense and has allowed a 100-yard rusher in four of its last six games. Skattebo has been impressive for most of the season, cracking 100+ rushing yards in six of 11 games, including his last two.

He has had 20+ carries in all but three games, and as long as he logs 20+ vs. Iowa State’s questionable run defense, he’ll go OVER his total.

If you aren’t a fan of minus-money odds, consider putting your money on one of his alternate markets. You’ll need to go with 125+ rushing yards to get to plus-money odds. Skattebo has gone over 125 yards six of the eight times he has tallied at least 20 carries. He also went for 150+ yards (+205 odds) in five games.

Rocco Becht, O/U 235.5 Passing Yards at -115/-115 (odds via BetMGM)

Iowa State does not have a good run defense, so the best way the Cyclones can neutralize Skattebo is by throwing their way to an early lead and forcing Arizona State to try to keep up via their own passing game.

Iowa State has been a solid passing team this season, averaging 258 yards per game, 36th in Division I.

Becht threw for OVER 235.5 yards in eight games this season, including six of the last eight. Arizona State has allowed 243.3 passing yards per game in its last three contests, and necessity will push Becht’s total OVER 235.5 yards.

Southeastern Conference: Georgia vs. Texas

Quinn Ewers, O/U 238.5 Passing Yards at -117/-117 (odds via Caesars)

Ewers is a capable passer and has some solid skill position players at his disposal, but he threw for just 211 yards against Georgia on Oct. 19. The last time he notched 238.5+ yards was against Florida on Nov. 9 (333). Of the 10 games he has played in, he went UNDER that mark in six.

Georgia has allowed 196.2 passing yards per game this season, and the Bulldogs have averaged UNDER 200 yards allowed against their last three opponents despite giving up 303 to Georgia Tech last weekend.

Texas will need to throw to beat Georgia, but don’t bank on Ewers going off. Take the UNDER.

Carson Beck, O/U .5 Interceptions at -148/+108 (odds via Caesars)

Beck went through a six-game span in the middle of the season where he struggled with turnovers, throwing all 12 of his interceptions during that stretch, including three picks against Texas.

He hasn’t thrown one in his last three games, but with the Texas pass rush keeping him off balance for most of the day, he’ll throw at least one.
Take the OVER.

Dominic Lovett, O/U 52.5 receiving yards at -114/-114

Texas has the No. 1 pass defense in the country, allowing just 143.7 yards per game. When these teams faced each other in October, the Longhorns held Beck to 175 yards through the air. Of that total, Lovett had 35. In 12 games this season, he’s gone OVER 52.5 just three times and once in his last eight games.

There is no reason to think he’ll do better against the Texas defense this time. Take the UNDER.

Big Ten: Penn State vs. Oregon

Dillon Gabriel, O/U 1.5 Passing Touchdowns at -114/-114

Gabriel has thrown a touchdown pass in 11 of 12 games this season and at least two in 10 of them. Penn State’s pass defense looks great on paper and has given up just 11 passing touchdowns this season, but Oregon has the 14th-best passing offense in the country at 277.6 yards per game.

Gabriel will toss at least two scores against the Nittany Lions. Take the OVER.

Tyler Warren, O/U 69.5 Receiving Yards at -117/-117

Penn State’s big tight end is arguably the best in the nation and is a solid receiver, with 69.5+ yards in three of his last four games and five overall this season. He will undoubtedly be one of Drew Allar’s top targets in this game, but stats for the Nittany Lions are somewhat inflated this year due to a relatively easy schedule.

But we do have one game we can use as a reference: Ohio State. Warren had four catches for 47 yards (31 coming on one reception) in that game. This game will be a lot like that one. Take the UNDER.

Atlantic Coast Conference: Clemson vs. SMU

Phil Mafah, O/U 82.5 Rushing Yards at -114/-114

Mafah had 17 yards on 17 carries against Pitt on Nov. 16 and tallied just 14 yards on three rushes against the Citadel the following week. In a must-win game last week, the Tigers’ lead back managed 66 yards on 20 carries. He’s a solid running back, but he’s been overworked and has hit a wall.

Don’t expect him to get past the wall against SMU’s No. 4 run defense, which allows just 95.8 yards per game. Take the UNDER.

Brashard Smith, 100+ Rushing Yards at +150 (odds via DraftKings)

Smith has carried the ball 193 times for the Mustangs this year, gaining 1,157 yards (96.4 per game) and scoring 14 touchdowns in the process. He failed to clear 70 in SMU’s last two games but has notched 100+ yards in six of 12 games this season.

Clemson does not have a bad defense, but it isn’t the dominant unit it was when the Tigers competed for national championships. It was gashed by the better-run teams it faced this season. Don’t count on them to slow Smith down.

Take Smith to run for 100+, but if you want to play it a little safer, the odds for Smith eclipsing 90 yards are +100.

–Travis Pulver, Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) runs the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Top 10 CFB Player Props For Rivalry Weekend

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It’s Saturday.

You have a big ol’ turkey sandwich in front of you.

You finished your Christmas shopping on Black Friday, and now you’re ready to win the money to pay for all those gifts by betting on a few college football player props from one of the many intense rivalry games on the schedule.

The million-dollar question is, of course, which ones do you bet on? To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorites for Rivalry Weekend.

Rivalry Weekend: CFB Player Props Odds via FanDuel unless otherwise stated:

–The Game: Michigan vs. Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State, O/U 49.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Michigan’s run defense is supposed to be decent, but it will be on the field so much that it won’t matter. The Wolverines’ defense might slow down Henderson in the first quarter/half, but it will tire out by the second half, and the run lanes will get nice and wide.

As a senior who has never beaten Michigan, Henderson will be motivated and could get more garbage time in the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State, O/U 251.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Howard has gone over 251.5 yards passing just once in his past five games (vs. Purdue). Last week, against Indiana, he only had 201 yards in a dominant Ohio State offensive performance. His total wasn’t that low because the Hoosiers defense was playing tough.

No, it was because the team didn’t need him to take to the air for prolonged drives. Four of the Buckeyes’ six scoring drives were shorter than 50 yards. A similar scenario could present itself this weekend. Take the UNDER.

–Palmetto Bowl: South Carolina vs. Clemson
Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 198.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Sellers had some struggles during the first month of the season, which is not unusual for a freshman quarterback. But when South Carolina played Alabama, things started to click. Since then, including the Alabama game, he has thrown for more than 198.5 yards in five of his past six.

Clemson’s pass defense is good but not great. It might slow Sellers down at first, but not for the entire game. He’ll clear 200 yards passing before the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 37.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

As for his rushing total, Sellers went over 37.5 yards in his past four. A legitimate dual threat, he averages 14 carries per game this season. Clemson allows 4.57 yards per carry, so as long as he gets nine carries and takes what the Tigers allow, he’ll have a nice day on the ground.

Take the OVER.

Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson, O/U 96.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Mafah has been a workhorse for Clemson this year in the backfield, running for 100-plus yards in six of his first nine games. He struggled against Pitt, gaining just 17 yards on 17 carries. He’ll likely get around 20 carries, and if he can match his season average (5.6 yards per carry), he’ll easily go OVER his total.

But the South Carolina run defense is pretty strong against the run (No. 12 in the country, allowing just over 100 yards per game). Since he’ll get the bulk of touches in the backfield, he’ll have a shot at going over the total. But the day will belong to South Carolina. Take the UNDER.

–Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh: Southern California vs. Notre Dame
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC, O/U 235.5 passing yards

Maiava has done a solid job in his two starts since taking over as QB1 for the Trojans, throwing for 259 yards and three touchdowns (and an interception) in one game and 221 yards and a touchdown in the other. But neither Nebraska nor UCLA have a strong pass defense.

Notre Dame has the No 1 pass defense in the country. Take the UNDER.

–Lonestar Showdown: Texas vs. Texas A&M
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U 180.5 passing yard at -114/-114

On paper, it doesn’t look like Texas A&M will move the ball at all, with Texas having the No. 2 pass defense and No. 13 run defense. But the Longhorns played the easiest schedule in the SEC, so you have to take those numbers with a grain of salt.

Since taking over as QB1 for the Aggies, Marcel Reed has been electric. He is a dual threat with a strong arm and quick feet. In his past three games, vs. South Carolina, New Mexico State and Auburn, Reed has passed for over 200 yards in each.

Texas might slow him down, but the Longhorns will not contain him for the whole game. Take the OVER.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U .5 passing touchdowns at -220/+162

If you think Texas will dominate this game, then take the UNDER. However, if you believe the Aggies will be competitive in this game, then take the OVER. We’re taking the OVER.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas, O/U 45.5 rushing yards -114/-114

The Texas A&M defense is good on paper, but the numbers are a little misleading. Often, the Aggies’ defense gets gashed by the running game in the first half and helps the opposing team get out to a nice lead. But then it makes some adjustments at halftime and controls the line of scrimmage in the second half.

Blue is good enough to go for 45 yards in the first half, even if he ends up splitting carries with Quintrevion Wisner. If he doesn’t, he’ll get close and then finish the job in the second half.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams dives into the end zone to celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.

Lions are Super Bowl favorites for first time ever

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs finally took their first loss of the season on Sunday, and while 9-1 is still a strong record to have, it caused a noteworthy shift in the NFL landscape.

The Detroit Lions surpassed the Chiefs to become the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl at several sportsbooks — for the first time in the woebegone franchise’s history.

The Chiefs were the unchallenged favorites to win Super Bowl LIX ever since notching their second straight championship last February. They remained atop odds boards despite several shaky performances and near-losses throughout their first nine games.

Before the Chiefs lost 30-21 to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the Lions steamrolled the Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6, scoring touchdowns on their first seven drives and never punting. Jared Goff had 412 passing yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ eighth straight victory.

That combination of events put Detroit, a franchise that had not won a playoff game between 1991 and 2023, over the top.

“For the first time in the history of the franchise, the Lions are now the favorites (+400) to win the Super Bowl,” Fanatics Sportsbook posted on social media Monday.

At BetMGM, the Lions are a mere +325 to win the Super Bowl, with the Chiefs at +450. They’re the +350 favorites at both Fanduel Sportsbook and DraftKings, with Kansas City running second (+500 at Fanduel, +450 at DraftKings).

The Bills, who improved to 9-2 by beating the rival Chiefs, sit third on the board at each of those sportsbooks — +600 at DraftKings, +650 at Fanduel and +700 at BetMGM.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers face long odds to keep season alive at K.C.

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Super Bowl defeat suffered by the Kansas City Chiefs last season provides motivation entering the playoffs but remains a setback that can be compartmentalized.

After all, considerable work remains for the two-time reigning AFC champion before booking a Super Bowl appearance in mid-February. The path begins to unravel Sunday when the Chiefs host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round at Kansas City, Mo.

The Chiefs are easily the biggest favorites of Wildcard Weekend, with the line at 12.5 points at BetMGM and FanDuel. That has led to split action, with Pittsburgh backed by 55 percent of the bets and 50 percent of the spread-line money at BetMGM while Kansas City has been supported by 55 percent of both markets at FanDuel.

“It’s in the back of my mind but for the most part it’s a new year,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said about the NFL’s ultimate prize. “You’ve got to focus on things that have happened this year. We’re on a goal to prove to ourselves who we think we are, and we know we are, and that’s Super Bowl champions.”

The Pittsburgh matchup will be a rematch of a Dec. 26 clash Kansas City dominated 36-10 with Kelce sidelined in COVID-19 protocol. The Chiefs went on to go 12-5 while winning nine of their final 10 games and claiming their sixth consecutive AFC West title.

Kansas City has reached the AFC championship game in each of the previous three seasons, primarily engineered by stalwart quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“When you get to that playoff game day, you have a little bit different intensity knowing that every play is critical and it could really end your season by making a mistake,” Mahomes said. “At the same time, you want to be loose, you want to have fun and you want to enjoy it.”

Mahomes passed for 258 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting with the Steelers. The Chiefs also forced three turnovers and limited Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to 159 yards passing.

The Chiefs’ defensive intensity that day followed a trend that began after acquiring a longtime Steeler, Melvin Ingram. Ingram proved instrumental a week ago when he crashed into the backfield to generate a bone-jarring strip the Chiefs converted into a late touchdown return in a 28-24 win at Denver.

“He’s the swag champ,” Kelce said, adding that “you saw how much more fun people were having” after Ingram joined the defensive front.

At times, Mahomes has struggled with his accuracy, but he overcame an early-season rash of mistakes to lead the Chiefs to the league’s third-best production, 396.8 yards on average.

He passed for 4,839 yards while counting on Kelce and Tyreek Hill as 1,000-yard receivers. The committee approach to the backfield could continue with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) ruled out and Darrel Williams (toe) listed as questionable.

Second-seeded Kansas City, a two-time Super Bowl champion, will make its seventh consecutive postseason appearance and last faced Pittsburgh in the playoffs in 2016. The Steelers won 18-16. Pittsburgh, a six-time Super Bowl champion, reached the playoffs for the second straight season but last won a postseason game in 2016.

Roethlisberger, whose career could end with the Steelers’ next loss as he considers retiring from football, lamented the long odds his team faces after going 9-7-1 and drawing the No. 7 seed.

“I would assume, as a group, you understand that we probably aren’t supposed to be here,” said Roethlisberger, who is dealing with a strained pectoral and shoulder.

“We probably are not a very good football team. Out of 14 teams I think are in, we’re probably number 14. We’re double-digit underdogs in the playoffs. So, let’s just go play, have fun and see what happens.”

Tongue in cheek? Probably. A dose of realism? Yes, that too.

Still, Pittsburgh got in by defeating Baltimore in the season finale and getting help from Jacksonville beating Indianapolis and Las Vegas beating the Los Angeles Chargers in overtime.

Running back Najee Harris (elbow) was deemed good to go on Saturday. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster also is expected to be activated from injured reserve, where he’s been since sustaining a shoulder injury in October. Cornerback Arthur Maulet (concussion) also has been cleared to play against the Chiefs.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gained some satisfaction getting to restrict the all-out aggression of Harris, a 1,200-yard rusher as a rookie.

“It’s a good issue and problem to have,” Tomlin said, “when you have a guy that’s wired the way that he’s wired.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys slight home favorite ahead of 49ers showdown

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys have Super Bowl dreams but perhaps the toughest matchup of all the home teams in the NFL Wild Card round.

That’s because the NFC’s third seed drew the sixth-seeded San Francisco 49ers in the late-afternoon window on Sunday.

The Cowboys opened as 3.0-point favorites at BetMGM and FanDuel.

The line has moved to 2.5 at the former, with the 49ers backed by 54 percent of the bets and 51 percent of the spread-line money. The action has favored Dallas more at FanDuel, where the team is being backed by 55 percent of the bets and 67 percent of the money.

San Francisco boasts a strong running game and a stronger run defense. It enters with momentum after finishing a 10-7 season with seven wins in their last nine games.

“We know we have a chance to do something special,” 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said. “You don’t get that opportunity every year. I’ve been on a number of teams that went to the Super Bowl… there’s a feeling and you want to make them count as long as you have them.”

Some believe the 49ers’ chances of making a deep postseason run hinge on what Garoppolo does. The version of him that led a rally from a 17-0 second quarter deficit in a 27-24 overtime win at the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday can help San Francisco win multiple playoff games.

Garoppolo connected on 23 of 32 passes for 316 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, spearheading an 88-yard touchdown drive in the final 90 seconds that forced overtime. And he did that with a thumb injury suffered in a Dec. 23 loss at Tennessee that will require surgery when the season ends.

When asked about the thumb on Wednesday, Garoppolo said, “It was a little sore after the (Rams) game, but it’s feeling great right now.”

The 49ers are seventh in the league in rushing at 127.4 yards per-game despite losing Raheem Mostert after two carries in the season opener with a knee injury. Rookie Elijah Mitchell returned from a December injury to average 102 yards per-game over his last two outings.

San Francisco also expanded Deebo Samuel’s role when necessary, using him like Atlanta used Cordarrelle Patterson. In addition to his 1,405 receiving yards, Samuel rushed for 365 yards this season — good enough for second on the team — and led the club with eight rushing scores.

But the game’s most intriguing portion figures to occur when Dallas (12-5) owns the ball. That’s because its high-powered offense must cope with a defense ranked second in the league against the rush and fifth in the league in sacks with 48.

The good news for the Cowboys is that left tackle Tyron Smith has been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and is expected to start. That should ease the mind of quarterback Dak Prescott, who will lean on Smith to keep the likes of Nick Bosa from disrupting his pocket.

Prescott is coming off a highly efficient, highly productive performance in Dallas’ final regular season game. In a 51-26 road rout of Philadelphia on Jan. 8, Prescott completed 21 of 27 attempts for 295 yards and five touchdowns in three quarters and 22 seconds of action.

The Cowboys finished the season as the NFL’s top-scoring team at 31.2 points per game and set a franchise record with 22 different players scoring at least one touchdown.

Prescott spread the wealth around, with CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz and Amari Cooper each catching at least 68 passes. Four other players caught between 35 and 47 balls, and Ezekiel Elliott squeaked out a 1,000-yard season on the ground with 87 yards at Philadelphia, giving him 1,002 in the regular season.

The matchup also features a reunion of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. They were together in Atlanta when the Falcons made Super Bowl 51 with Quinn as the head coach, only to infamously blow a 28-3 lead and lose in overtime to the New England Patriots.

Quinn invoked the memories of some early 90s playoff showdowns between these franchises when asked about this game.

“I can hear (John) Madden and (Pat) Summerall talking it through,” Quinn said. “My first Dallas and Niner playoff game — I’m pretty fired up to do it, man.”

The 49ers and the Cowboys have met in the playoffs seven previous times, but this will be their first postseason matchup since Jan. 15, 1995, a 38-28 49ers win.

Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal was ruled out with a biceps injury along with backup running back Tony Pollard (foot). Backups Luke Gifford and Francis Bernard are expected to be called upon to play more significant roles with Neal out.

The 49ers listed four players as questionable on their final injury report: linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Marcell Harris (Achilles), punter Mitch Wishnowsky (concussion) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee).

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NFL announces partnership with Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The National Football League named Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel as its first-ever U.S. betting partners on Thursday night.

Specific terms of the agreements were not announced, but the negotiations reportedly involve five-year deals that will pay the league just shy of $1 billion. The NFL has opt-out clauses it can invoke toward the end of the deals if desired.

The NFL could sign additional operator partnerships at a lower tier going forward, according to reports.

“As the sports betting landscape has continued to evolve in the United States, we have been thoughtful with our strategy and are excited to announce three partners who share the NFL’s vision and goals,” said Renie Anderson, NFL chief revenue officer and executive vice president of NFL partnerships in a release. “Working closely with Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel, we will provide fans new and different ways of interacting and engaging with the sport they love.”

Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel will have permission to use the NFL logo and team marks on their platforms. Additionally, the three companies receive the right to integrate sports betting content directly into NFL Media properties, including NFL.com and the NFL app.

Previously, the NFL had partnered with sportsbooks in Australia and Latin America.

–Field Level Media

Dec 14, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with tight end Luke Willson (82) after he scored a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Bettor loses $40k wager on Ravens’ final-play safety

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A bettor lost a $40,000 wager when the Baltimore Ravens scored a safety on the final play of Monday night’s game, FanDuel confirmed to Field Level Media.

The bettor placed the wager on the Cleveland Browns +4.5 points on an alternate spread offered by FanDuel at -130. Kicker Justin Tucker put the Ravens up 45-42 when he connected on a 55-yard field goal with two seconds remaining.

After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, Cleveland attempted a desperation play with two seconds on the clock. A short completion to Kareem Hunt led to a half dozen laterals, with a pair of fumbles recovered by the Browns in between. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry ultimately was pushed out of the back of the end zone by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey for the final two points.

The 47-42 victory by Baltimore turned what appeared to be the winning ticket into a massive losing wager that had the potential to earn a net profit of $30,769.23.

–Field Level Media