Sports Betting Weekly Wrap: NFL Playoff Race, Big Bets, and NCAA Bowl Games
As we head into the new year, the world of sports betting is buzzing with excitement. From the NFL playoff race heating up to big bets cashed and NCAA bowl games, there is plenty to keep sports bettors entertained. Let’s take a closer look at the top stories for the week and what’s next in the world of sports betting.
NFL Playoff Race Heats Up
With NFL Week 17 underway, all 32 teams are playing, and several playoff spots are still up for grabs. The Cleveland Browns kicked off the week with a win in the Thursday Night Football matchup, securing their spot in the NFL Playoffs. As of now, seven teams have secured their playoff positions, including the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers. However, there are still seven more spots yet to be determined, making for an exciting final week of the regular season.
Sportsbooks Clean Up in NFL Week 16
In NFL Week 16, sportsbooks like DraftKings had a strong showing. Analyst Bernie McTernan noted that DraftKings and other sportsbooks likely saw a boost in revenue thanks to the underdogs winning and top favorites failing to cover their spreads. Additionally, the DraftKings app ranked third in the sports category on the iOS app store, beating out rival FanDuel. It’s clear that sports betting continues to gain momentum and popularity among fans.
Big Bet Pays Off
In a remarkable turn of events, an NFL bettor won nearly $500,000 on a $5 bet. The bettor placed a parlay bet with DraftKings, which included 14 NFL players scoring touchdowns in Week 16. The odds for this bet were +9,787,560, and it paid out an impressive $489,383.01. This win showcases the potential for big payouts in sports betting, especially with creative and strategic betting strategies.
NCAA Football Bowl Games
The New Year’s holiday brings with it the excitement of the New Year’s Six Bowl Games in NCAA football. These games will be aired on ESPN and available for streaming on ESPN+. The lineup includes matchups such as #9 Missouri vs. #7 Ohio State, #11 Ole Miss vs. #10 Penn State, #6 Georgia vs. #5 Florida State, #23 Liberty vs. #8 Oregon, #4 Alabama vs. #1 Michigan, and #3 Texas vs. #2 Washington. The winners of the last two games on January 1 will face off in the 2023 NCAA Football Championship game on January 8.
Detroit Pistons Streak
While the NBA season has been filled with exciting storylines, the Detroit Pistons have made headlines for their record-breaking losing streak. The team recently broke the previous single-season record of 27 consecutive losses and marked their 28th consecutive defeat. Despite being underdogs in each game, the Pistons nearly achieved an upset before ultimately extending their losing streak. Bettors have been intrigued by this streak, with opportunities to bet on which game the Pistons will win next.
As we move into the new year, the world of sports betting continues to provide thrilling moments and opportunities for bettors. From the NFL playoff race to big bets and NCAA bowl games, there is plenty to keep fans and bettors engaged. Whether it’s placing a strategic parlay bet or predicting the outcome of a game, sports betting offers a unique and exciting way to enjoy sports.
