April 8, 2022

Masters Betting Props

Professional golf is one of the most fun sports to bet on. There are many different golf props available to choose from that you won’t see in other sports. Here are a few of them that will spice up the Masters this weekend for you.

Matchup Winner

• Matchup props will pit two golfers up against each other for the day. It is essentially a moneyline head-to-head matchup bet between two golfers.

Nationality Props

• Golfers from all around the world participate in the Masters Tournament. Nationality props group players from different countries together and allow you to bet on which one will have the best finish.

Player To Record An Albatross

• An albatross is a score of three-under-par on a single hole (two shots on a Par 5 or hole-in-one on a Par 4). There have only been four albatrosses recorded in Masters history, with the last one coming from Louis Oosthuizen in 2012.

First-Time Winner

• Since 2015, six of the past seven Green Jacket winners have been first-time Masters champions. 48 players have won 84 of the total Masters titles since 1934.

The Outsider Tour

As part of a new series on golf culture in America, Only Players visited the mecca of golf during Masters week to get an outside look at Augusta. We have all heard grand tales from inside the hedges, but we got a chance to see what happens outside the gates with the fans before they become the “patrons”.

The true fan’s experience includes the strip of bars on Broad Street, a variety of country music shows, and yes, the ever-popular tourist destination otherwise known as Hooters. You read that right. Every year at the Augusta location, legendary golfer John Daly holds court in a massive tent selling his merchandise and signing autographs. Often with a beer and or cigarette in his hand. Not all day, but all week.

Stay tuned for more about our fun time in Augusta!

Betting

Let’s take a brief break from all this golf talk to share this week’s NHL betting wisdom from our in-house winners Chewy and Lewy.

Greetings fellow sports gamblers! As a gambler, having the refs determine a game’s outcome is quite simply the absolute worst thing that can happen. Remember when the NFL refs went on strike and they had a couple of weeks with the Replacements? I don’t know which was worse, the movie or the reality (they BOTH sucked, sorry Keanu). When the refs get involved to change the game’s outcome, I can tell you it makes my blood boil. Tennis moved to an electronic eye decades ago – even McEnroe can’t make an argument against a machine. So now there is very little human involvement in the calls of tennis and the sport is better (and faster) for it. The MLB should take note. Balls and strikes are literally the entire game, yet MLB management still doesn’t believe in technology to ensure proper calls. Hey, maybe call the Astros, they seem to have a good feel for tech to track not just the ball but a catcher’s fingernails. And the camera wouldn’t even have to be hidden in the stands…..

Unsurprisingly, the place where I find the refs the least intrusive is the wonderful sport of hockey. There was that one mini-scandal where the ref was overheard saying he was trying to make a makeup call, but in general, I think those guys are getting it right. It’s a little annoying that they often get in the way of plays, but until they learn how to fly, I guess that’s going to be part of the game. And while power plays obviously can lead to easier scores, short-handed goals are a constant threat (thus giving the penalized team a chance to score too), and for sure no team’s power play is so strong that it ensures a goal. Basically, hockey exemplifies the qualities I love in America, hard-working players (like our citizens) and pretty democratic penalties where the refs (the government) can’t really screw the outcome up unless they do something nuts (ha, ok that’s debatable in the real world). Well enough of my bitching about the refs, hey they are just people too and while it often seems in hindsight that they screw up, I really do think they are all trying their best.

Our picks this week are Calgary PL, Toronto PL, CBJ/Detroit over, and NY Rangers ML. We had an ok week last week but definitely room for improvement. Let’s stay off the positive parlay and still hedge with the Costanza small just in case me and Lewy pull a Hindenberg. Best of luck to you all in these and all your other bets. Let’s go get those ducats!

Click HERE for a detailed explanation on why we like the picks of the week.

Last week’s results = +$15 (Single game picks 3-2, Costanza 0-1)

(FLA ML +$100, COL ML +$100, BOS ML +$100, CAR ML -$160, CGY PL -$100, Costanza -$25)

Our overall record can be seen HERE.

Read Entire Article Here

The Sports Girl’s Take

A Tradition Like No Other

The Masters. The BIGGEST golf tournament in the world has an average ticket price of $2000 for Sunday’s final round, but you can buy a pimento cheese sandwich for $1.50. The Masters features concessions that exceed no more than six dollars. This is quite a departure from the status quo of other major sporting events, like the Super Bowl where the average price of a burger is $16.

The reason why, as Steve Salaga, sports economist and assistant professor of sport management and policy at the University of Georgia, told Fox Business, is due to simple economics.

“We have to remember, the total cost of event attendance includes travel and transaction costs, the cost of the ticket itself, as well as any parking, concessions, and souvenirs purchased,” Salaga explained.

The Masters provides light but delish options, each of which comes at a reduced price tag. YOU could order one of everything, and it would only cost $60. It is refreshing to see traditions being preserved given how much has changed in the world.

Something To Talk About …

• Arizona Diamondback’s Seth Beer Blasts Walk-Off Homer On National Beer Day

• Giants Legend Eli Manning Nominated For A Sports Emmy

• Will Smith Banned From Oscars For Ten Years

Follow Of The Week

Zire Golf

Can’t get enough golf? Zire Golf is a great account to follow. They post multiple times a day on anything golf-related. The content depicts the funny side of golf culture and will make you feel better about your below-par skills. If you have a funny golf video, Zire Golf takes user submissions and will feature it on their page. You may just become viral in the golf world and beyond.

April 1, 2022

Final 4 Betting Preview

The NCAA Men’s Final Four is filled with blue bloods and storylines. Here is what to know and the spreads for each game.

2 Seed Villanova Wildcats vs 1 Seed Kansas Jayhawks (Kansas -4.5)

The first game of the day starts with the only remaining one seed in Kansas facing off against the Big East tournament champion Villanova Wildcats. Injuries are playing a part in the line here. Villanova’s second-leading scorer Justin Moore suffered a season-ending achilles injury late in a win against Houston.

8 Seed North Carolina Tar Heels vs 2 Seed Duke Blue Devils (Duke -4)

The next chapter in an iconic rivalry between North Carolina and Duke will take place in the final four. This is the first time the two have played in the tournament. Just under a month ago, the Tar Heels spoiled Mike Krzyzewski’s final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, so the Blue Devils will be looking for revenge in this matchup.

Read Entire Article Here

Betting

That One Time MJ Won $5 On A Golf Bet

Everyone knows that Michael Jordan likes to wager on pretty much anything. In an Only Players sit-down interview with NFL star Patrick Peterson, he told us the story of when he and his Wilson rep went golfing with the GOAT at an event in Florida.

Peterson explained, “MJ didn’t even ask (Wilson rep) name, he was like, what you playing for? So the guy was like, five dollars.” In typical MJ fashion, he responded, “I want it”.

Peterson continues, “(MJ) just like that walked off. And so now, in my guy’s head, he’s like, shaking the whole time. There was a hole on a par 3. I kid you not. He teed his ball up. Practice swung. His ball fell off the tee but he thought his ball was still on the tee. Obviously, I can’t say nothing there’s money on the line”.

It would certainly be rattling if the fiercest competitor in sports and billionaire came at you for a mere $5. With Patrick Peterson’s new $4 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, he better look over his shoulder.

Betting

Sports fans! I’m back baby. I just returned from a 12-day wolf hunting trip in Alaska where I froze my d**k off riding around on a snowmobile looking for wolves to shoot. Didn’t see a single one, however, I did manage to bag a wolverine, which was awesome and of course harkened me back to everyone’s favorite 1980 anti-Russian film, Red Dawn. For those of you too young to remember it, well it was the first time my boy Pat Swayze and Jen Grey (pre nose job) got together in a Hollywood hit, where they portray some high school kids who smoke Russians and write “Wolverines!” everywhere in red paint to strike fear in their enemies. Let’s hope this Russian war finishes with the same storybook ending and the Ukrainians dirty dance all over their invaders.

Now, we get to our last week’s picks where we finished 3-2. Well like Lewy said, no one is 100% (but being at least 50% is f**king nice). It’s not easy picking games as we all know and we had a decent run going. That being said, anyone can see winning the parlays is basically impossible so we are going to leave off the positive parlay and only stick with the small Costanza hedge parlay moving forward. This week’s picks are listed below.

Now lets f**king go and do what we do best: trying to fleece our bookies one bet at a time. Best of luck to you all this week on these hockey picks and any of your other bets. And remember, you can’t spend closing line value so get your bets in before you get too drunk (this is experience talking!).

Picks for this week: Florida ML, Colorado ML, Boston ML, Carolina ML, Calgary PL

Click HERE for a detailed explanation on why we like the below picks of the week.

Last week’s results = +$25 (Single game picks 3-2, parlay pick 0-1, Costanza 0-1)

(FLA +$100, MIN +$100, CBJ/MIN Over -$100, VAN/DAL Over -$100, NJD/WASH O +$100, Parlay -$50, Costanza -$25)

Our overall record can be seen HERE.

Read Entire Article Here

The Sports Girl’s Take

A New Gen Of Men’s Soccer

Sting and shame. That’s what the United States men’s national soccer team has felt for four years since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Eight years of waiting. The United States knew it could qualify with a win or loss by less than six goals, and though they lost to Costa Rica 2-0, they secured a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.  “I’m extremely proud of this group,” US star Christian Pulisic said. “It’s a bit of a weird feeling right now because I hate to lose so much, but I’m really proud, and I can’t wait to go to the World Cup.”

Redemption. How sweet it must feel for the USMNT. It was a watershed moment and they have lived with the humiliation of that loss ever since. The USMNT can dream again and we as a country can feel proud of our men’s squad.

Read Entire Article Here

Something To Talk About …

• 2022 Grammy Awards Betting Odds, and Predictions

• Formula 1 makes a comeback in Las Vegas with a 2023 night race

• Bruce Willis Retiring From Acting Due to Brain Disease Aphasia

• House Votes to Decriminalize Cannabis

Follow Of The Week

Danielle Kamela

Danielle Kamela does it all. The host/actress/model has worked for Fox Sports Arizona as on-air talent, the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals as a dancer and cheerleader, and was a wrestler for the WWE. Danielle also knows the crypto/NFT space and her sports betting picks alone are a reason to follow. She will be working with Only Players to provide exciting and fun content, so be on the lookout!

March 26, 2022

March Madness Update: The Elite 8

By now most of your brackets have been busted and your office pool buy-in is down the drain. Fear not as there are opportunities to earn it back with sports betting. The anticipated Elite 8 games will be played out on Saturday and Sunday. Here are some historical trends you might want to keep in the back of your head while picking winners.

• 21 of the last 23 NCAA champs have come from the Eastern Time Zone.
• Since 2012, only one Final Four team has ranked outside the top 40 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Notable teams outside: Purdue, Duke, UNC
• In 14 of the last 19 years, a 1 seed has made it to the championship. Kansas is the only 1 seed remaining.
• Since 1996, 91.67% of tournament winners have been a top-three seed.
• 50% of the teams that were in the Championship game won their conference tournament (Houston, Villanova, Kansas)
• 23 of the last 36 champions were a 1 seed, 5 were a 2 seed, and 4 were a 3 seed. No other seed has more than one.

But hey, who really knows? It is called March Madness for a reason.

Betting

Well apparently I did well enough to deserve another week, and we did go 4-1 with our picks last week, so here it goes! I’m watching March Madness as I write this article and I have to be honest, I don’t watch basketball, no really, I hate basketball. But there is something about March Madness that makes me tolerate the sport.

Let’s transition to what transpired this week in the NHL. The trade deadline brought us some really good stuff for the race down the stretch. Giroux, Chiarot and Hagg to Florida! Florida’s first two lines are Verhaeghe-Barkov-Giroux and Huberdeau-Bennett-Duclair. Reinhart on the 3rd line and Acciari and Hornqvist on the 4th. Good lord! Their defense is just as ridiculous. Chiarot-Weegar, Forsling-Gudas and Hagg-Montour. Let the engraving on Lord Stanley begin. NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND! Colorado also did some fine-tuning by adding Lehkonen, Cogliano, Sturm, and Manson. Colorado’s first two lines look like this Nichushkin-MacKinnon-Rantanen and Burakovsky-Kadri-Lehkonen. And Colorado’s defense may be even more potent with Toews-Makar, Johnson-Manson, and MacDermid-Johnson. Colorado and Florida are the top two in NHL Futures at +400 and +550. Finishing up the top 10 are Tampa, Calgary, Carolina, Toronto, Pittsburgh. Vegas, Boston, and Rangers. Goaltending is factoring in for Minnesota at 11th but if the Flower can show that he still has it, the Wild are a great dark horse at +2000. Boston is also a good bid at +1600. Go ahead and fade Vegas and St. Louis. Tampa’s last 10 hasn’t been a team that is ready to battle in the playoffs but they are Tampa. Nashville is the other team to beware of in the West at +4000.

Picks for this week: Florida ML, Minnesota ML, CBJ/MIN Over, VAN/DAL Over, NJ/WASH Under *If you’re feeling lucky and NJ is getting good Dog odds, put a little on NJ ML

Last week’s results = +$275 (Single game picks 4-1, parlay pick 0-1, Costanza 0-1) 

*Running dollar total assuming $100 bet on single games, $50 on the positive parlay, and $25 on the Costanza

Click HERE for a detailed explanation of why we like the picks of the week. There’s a TON of information for you to digest.

Our overall record can be seen HERE.

Read Entire Article Here

The War In Ukraine And Sports

• Russian, Belarus swimmers banned from World Championships over Ukraine War
• Russia launching bid to host 2028, 2032 Euros amid Ukraine war, FIFA ban
• ‘I am on the side of Russia’: Chess champion banned for supporting Ukraine invasion

The Sports Girl’s Take

The NIL Sounds Good, But Is It?

It seems like the acronym NIL is all we hear about in college sports right now – besides March Madness! But NIL is even being tied to the madness. Remember Doug Edert, the guy with the legendary mustache that came off the bench to score 20 points in No. 15-seeded Saint Peter’s upset of No. 2-seeded Kentucky? He just got a NIL deal with Buffalo Wild Wings. Edert is a busy man in the NIL world. He’s also launched a “Dougie Buckets” apparel collection with Barstool Sports. Edert – the man – getting his dough while he can.

Whether you’re for or against NIL, there’s no doubt that it completely changes the landscape of college sports, impacting everything from recruiting to marketing to media. There are differing opinions. One being – damn straight, collegiate athletes should be paid for the amount of money universities make off them. Versus – no way, these kids are amateurs, students first. They don’t need to be paid for their performance. Interestingly, 63 percent of college sports fans said they supported NIL, proving that the most passionate fans are in support of the NCAA’s rule changes (college athletes can profit from their own Name, Image, and Likeness).

Read Entire Article Here

Technology

Apple Takes A Bite

In an effort to warn you about your bills increasing, another big tech company is looking to reel in extra profit. Apple is reportedly planning to launch an iPhone subscription service as soon as this year. iPhone users will have to pay a monthly fee and have the chance to receive updated devices. The company believes that it will encourage people who don’t usually upgrade to do so more often.

I mean, it already annoyingly seems that Apple products are designed to stop working after a few years. Even with this new program, many people will still stay loyal as they do not want their text messages to be green. So now they are going to bank in on people whose phones have a slight glitch or problem.

Something To Talk About …

• Jorge Masvidal pleads not guilty to charges in alleged assault on Colby Covington
• Ron DeSantis declares the 500-yard freestyle runner-up the rightful victor over Lia Thomas
• NYC expanding vaccine exemption to city-based entertainers, clearing Kyrie Irving and unvaccinated Yankees and Mets to play at home

Follow Of The Week

Jocko Willink

Jocko Willink will make you want to run through a wall. He is a retired Navy SEAL officer and was the commander of SEAL Team 3 in the Iraq War. Willink was honored with the Silver and Bronze Star Medals. After his service, he co-authored Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership. He also co-founded a leadership consulting firm, Echelon Front, and has his own weekly podcast called The Jocko Podcast. If you are looking to increase your leadership skills, Jocko is a great person to learn from.

March 18, 2022

One And Done Is No Fun

Kentucky basketball has been a powerhouse in college basketball for years. John Calipari has established a one-and-done 5-star recruit factory. Student loaners have made him the second-highest-paid college basketball coach in the country at $8.6 million a year.

As most of you saw last night, 2nd seeded Kentucky fell victim to 15th seeded Saint Peters. Last year, the Wildcats didn’t even make the tournament. Many are beginning to wonder why the NBA-ready roster is not performing. One reason might be the transfer portal, which is adding more chaos to Cal’s yearly chemistry experiment. This year’s roster featured 6 transfers, most playing significant minutes. Putting them in a petri dish with a bunch of soon-to-be millionaires doesn’t seem to be working.

As Coach Cal probably knows, there are many temptations in college basketball. Perhaps the transfer portal is best left to teams who aren’t already loaded with entitled studs.

Betting

Chewy is away this week, so Lewy here to share some of my thoughts on hockey and trying to figure out this crazy thing called sports predictions.

The first rule of thumb is…nobody and I mean nobody (and I mean nobody) picks all winners. And I’m not saying that to make excuses for our picks that don’t pay off. All I’m saying is, it’s just not possible to go 100%. But if you listen to these guys on YouTube or on the radio who tout their winning strategies, their win streaks, or their “Stone Cold Locks” of the night, you’d think that the money is pouring in. Well, that ain’t happening. Here are a handful of “Things to Consider” when deciding on a team.

Picks for this week: Minnesota ML, Dallas/NYI Under, Edmonton ML, Columbus ML, St. Louis/Columbus Over. We recommend a small parlay bet as well (like half a unit) on all three and never ever forget the Costanza for a quarter unit. Good luck and let’s get some W’s! Click HERE for a detailed explanation on why we like these picks.

Last week’s results: Single game picks 2-1, parlay pick 0-1, Costanza parlay 0-1. 

Our overall record can be seen here.

Read Entire Article Here

The War In Ukraine And Sports

• French Open does not plan on excluding Russians from the event
• Russian request to freeze UEFA ban on its teams denied
• Sports stars who are fighting on the front line in Ukraine, from heavyweight champ Usyk to an ex-Arsenal star

The Sports Girl’s Take

The Wild QB Carousel

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

The QB is – the star, the nucleus of the team, the leader, the good-looking guy that all the boys want to be like and the girls want to date. The quarterback is arguably the most important position in all of sports. The performance of your team’s QB is the biggest factor in whether you win or lose. Bottom line. This is why the current QB situation in the NFL is a legit mess. Quality QBs are in demand, and at one point, it seemed like half the league was in need of a QB and there were just not enough solid ones to go around.

To make matters worse, the 2022 NFL draft pool is severely lacking in the QB position, which is really scary for needy teams. Going even deeper, this was one of the worst QB classes we have seen since 2014, which left many NFL teams, already on unstable ground, into panic mode, grabbing any veteran they could find. Teams are so desperate, they’re paying QBs hundreds of millions of dollars for mediocrity, a la Kirk Cousins.

Read Entire Article Here

Technology

Netflix And Bill

For years, it seemed like everyone and their mother (who is most likely paying the bill) knew that people share Netflix passwords with their friends. And for some reason, the streaming service did not care about it. In fact, co-founder Reed Hastings said it was a positive thing. The game is changing. Netflix recently announced that it is testing an anti-password-sharing software to prevent this from happening. You may want to think twice before you give someone your account information because if they get caught, it is going to come back to you in the form of an upcharge.

So, what caused the change of heart? The catalyst is that their subscriber growth has plateaued. It seems people are starting to get back outside rather than staying in their homes binge-watching Ozark. Netflix stock is down almost 50% from the November 2021 high of $700.

Something To Talk About …

• Carson Wentz gets roasted for Commanders-inspired wardrobe
• Martina Navratilova comes out suggesting that Lia Thomas should have an ‘asterisk’ next to her name
• Maserati will offer electric versions of all its cars by 2025

Follow Of The Week

Andrew Schulz

Andrew Schulz is an absolute comedic genius. His intelligence on a variety of topics and current events mixed with his witty and unfiltered jokes will make you lmao as the kids say. Given his understanding of what is going on in the world, he somehow positions his jokes in a non-offensive way. A rarity in today’s age. In addition to the clips he posts on social media, you can catch his stand-up on the “Infamous Tour” or listen to the two podcasts he co-hosts, Flagrant 2 and The Brilliant Idiots.

February 25, 2022

Freedom Fighters

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shaken the world. Sanctions and boycotts are being laid down on Mother Russia for their terrible acts of violence, and deservedly so. Less importantly, the invasion has also impacted the world of sports. F1 has canceled the Russian Grand Prix and UEFA announced they are moving the Champions League final from Saint Petersberg to Paris. On the other hand, a pair of Ukrainian sports legends are taking matters into their own hands.

The man above is the mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine. Just another politician right? Not even close. He is also former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko. The 50-year-old Hall of Famer was elected mayor of Ukraine’s capital in 2014 and has actively protested against Russia in the past. He plans to take up arms and defend his city from the invasion. His brother Wladimir, also a former heavyweight boxing champion and Hall of Famer, plans to fight alongside him.

Russians who come face to face with these men in hand-to-hand combat on the battlefield will get what they deserve. The Klitschko brothers are certified bad-asses.

Betting

Push One’s Luck

A lucky SOB decided he would throw away $1.10 on a 23 leg parlay on the FanDuel Sportsbook only to win a whopping $532,478. The odds of winning that bad boy were +90869356. One of the legs was a push due to a buzzer-beater three-pointer, which would have won the bettor another $462,000. Of course, when you win the government wins. Around $127,000 went to federal taxes. At that point, would you really care though?

Your social feed may be full of these wild wins, but let us remind you that there is a better chance that these things happen:

• Struck by lightning (+1101000)
• Becoming a movie star (+1505000)
• Bitten by a shark (+3500000)
• Getting murdered during a trip to the Grand Canyon (+8156000)
• Becoming the US President (+10000000)
• Dallas Cowboys winning the Super Bowl (Impossible)

If you decide to cook up this type of parlay, make sure to throw a small fraction of your units. Be smart with your plays.

Also In Betting:

• New York mobile sports betting operators have lost $200M
• Churchill Downs to Exit Online Casino, Sports-Betting Business

Something To Talk About …

• Goldman Sachs says oil could soar 27% to $125 a barrel by May as the Russia-Ukraine conflict triggers a ‘supply shock’

• Mercedes could have level 3 automated tech in the US this year

• Dave Grohl releases a new limited edition beer with Coors Light

Sports

Baseball’s Blatant Blindness

So it looks like the start of the Major League Baseball season will be delayed or worse. It’s hard to understand why anyone in baseball would think that they have any goodwill with their dwindling fan base.

There are so many things wrong at the same time that this could be a book instead of an article. The game takes way too long. The stat nerds have taken over and made everything either strikeout or a home run.

Baseball has reached an existential moment and no one inside the game seems to realize it. Just drive around on a spring or summer afternoon in your town and see how many people are actually playing this game. Youth baseball is down. The most famous baseball player in the world is? An amazing two-way player who is much more famous outside the US than inside. Arguably, the best baseball player in the world is his teammate but how many sports fans would possibly recognize him in anything other than his uniform at the half-filled stadium they play in. These guys play in the second-largest media market in the world yet they have almost no national exposure or endorsements. Do you even know who we are talking about? See. If you’re looking for fresh paint on the other side of this picture, it isn’t going to happen. Before you think this is just alarmist fodder, consider these alarming stats.

• Baseball attendance went down 13% between 2009-2019 (and that is before Covid, which should be expected to hack off more fans even if the city’s controlling such things finally and rightfully open the ballparks fully)
• Games have bloated to 3:10, fifteen minutes longer than they were 10 years earlier
• According to Forbes TV ratings were down even when the majority of the country was sheltering in place or watching alone wearing masks.
• In case you are wondering why you keep seeing Frank Thomas pitching Nugenix between every inning, the average age of a baseball fan is 57 which is 15 years older than the average NFL fan, not kidding.

What is this fight that almost nobody cares about even about?

Read the entire article on OnlyPlayers.com.

The Sports Girl’s Take

Tony Romo Money

It was announced today that ESPN is set to offer Fox Sports broadcaster Troy Aikman, Tony Romo money. The sports world was startled when CBS gave Romo a 10-year contract worth $180 million as John Madden’s $8 million per year with Fox was the previous top salary. Further, NFL players sounded off saying there is no way an announcer should be making more than 90% of NFL players. Can you blame them? As an announcer, Romo will likely surpass his earnings as an NFL player, and if Aikman inks this deal, he will be the highest-paid NFL broadcaster and will earn what he did with the Cowboys in just about a quarter of the time with ESPN. Just wow. Goodbye football, my boys are enrolling in broadcasting school.

​​This leads to a couple of questions. Are network sports announcers worth the multi-millions they’re paid? Do they affect ratings? My answer – NO and NO. I do not tune into a game because of broadcasters. I tune into a game because of the players and the teams. Nobody tunes into a game for the announcers and nobody shuts a game off because of them. Announcers can add to your viewing experience, but there are more important reasons to watch for instance the second half moneyline.

Read the entire article on OnlyPlayers.com.

Follow Of The Week

Supercar Blondie

Alex Hirschi, otherwise known as Supercar Blondie, is an Australian vlogger and automobile presenter. Supercar Blondie finds and covers the coolest cars, tech, luxury, and gaming in the world. Alex founded the company in 2017 while working as a broadcast journalist in Dubai. Since then, the company has grown into a team of over 25 people and produces content that is featured on all social media platforms to an audience of over 70 million.

Health And Fitness

Frozen Ski Pole

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics had some drama, but nothing tops the story of Finnish Skier Remi Lindholm’s experience in China. Officials decided to shrink the distance of the men’s 50 km freestyle mass start event to 30 km due to cold weather and worries of frostbite. But that did not help Remi as he suffered a frozen penis. Hopefully, his ski pole makes a full recovery.

February 18, 2022

Tales Of The Crown

Selection Sunday is set to take place in just a couple of weeks and soon the field of 68 teams is going to become official. If you are confident in your fortune teller skills, here are a couple of teams’ championship odds that you might want to look into. Odds are according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

The Favorite Gonzaga Bulldogs (+400)

– No surprise here. Will they ever actually win the dance though?

Under The Radar Texas Tech Red Raiders (+3500)

– Impressive resume so far. 6 Quad 1 wins and 0 Quad 2-4 losses.

Long Shot Michigan Wolverines (+8000)

– Getting hot at the right moment.

Fairytale Ending Duke Blue Devils (+1300)

– Coach K’s final season.

Proceed With Caution Purdue Boilermakers (+1000)

– Historic choke artists.

Also:

• Projecting the 2022 March Madness men’s field

Sports

Cleveland All-Stars

Cleveland is known for its rock stars, but this weekend the city will be filled with NBA All-Stars. Kevin Durant and Lebron James drafted their teams last week, both rosters loaded with studs. In a funny moment, Durant awkwardly passed over former Nets teammate James Harden on the same day of the blockbuster trade for Ben Simmons.

The high-scoring exhibition game will no doubt feature an abundance of jaw-dropping dunks, assists, and three-pointers with virtually no defense. An over bettors dream. There is a whole slate of other events that you can tune into all weekend before Sunday’s main event.

On Saturday, the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest will kick off on TNT at 8 PM ET. What used to be the most exciting part of the all-star weekend, the Slam Dunk Contest, will start after those competitions are complete. It will feature Cole Anthony, Jalen Green, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and “Ain’t No Stoppin” Obi Toppin.

Also:

• Check out the full NBA All-Star 2022 schedule of events
• 2022 NBA All-Star Game props and predictions

Trivia question:

Which NBA player holds the record for most points scored in an NBA All-Star game?

Something To Talk About …

• Roger Goodell is negotiating another contract to remain as the NFL’s commissioner
• Mike Tyson says he ‘pretty much dies’ every time he meditates
• Watch Stephen A. Smith’s rant on the New York Knicks
• Chet Hanks says he didn’t have a ‘strong male role model’ growing up
• First-ever flight subscription service launched by Alaska Airways

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Super Celebs

The 2021-2022 NFL season – done and dusted. Say it ain’t so – I hate when football ends. It was a storybook ending for the Rams, who took home the crown jewel, the Lombardi Trophy, with a 23-20 win over the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Aaron Donald wreaked havoc and Cooper Kupp dropped the MVP. It was a gut-wrenching ending for #whodeynation.

But, whatever side you were on, the setting for Super Bowl LVI did not disappoint. SoFi Stadium was rockin’ temps in the 80s and a sea of celebs, including:

• JAY-Z and Blue Ivy on a father-daughter date.
• Drake who put down $1.3M worth of bitcoin across three bets.
• 2 Chainz, Tyga, YG, Antonio Brown, and Kanye West with his two oldest kids — North and Saint.
• Shawn Mendes and Niall Horan were just some of the musicians there.
• The Weeknd, who was last year’s Halftime Show.
• Kevin Hart attended Dr. Dre’s after-party.
• TV host Ellen DeGeneres & actress Portia de Rossi
• Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, who wore an Eminem t-shirt.
• Charlize Theron was greeted by Matt Damon & Luciana Barroso.
• Prince Harry and his cousin, Princess Eugenie, reunited at the Super Bowl.
• Bennifer 2.0 who were in the Meta suite with Cardi B, Offset, Olivia Rodrigo, Becky G, Keke Palmer, Storm Reid, Demi Lovato, Taraji P. Henson, and Bella Poarch.
• Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hyped it up.
• Funnymen Will Ferrell and actor Ryan Reynolds.
• Tennis icon Billie Jean King for the coin toss.
• Mark Wahlberg and his handlebar mustache.
• Food icons Martha Stewart and Guy Fieri.
• LeBron James broke into dance. 
• Christina Aguilera hangs out with Megan Thee Stallion

It was a star-studded scene. We are talking about the biggest event in all of the sports in the entertainment capital of the world. Wherever you sat, a celebrity sighting was possible because the stars legit took over the stadium. 

Tech & Gear

It’s A Bird… It’s A Plane…

It’s a flying taxi. Start-up company Joby Aviation Inc. is competing in a race to create the world’s first-ever flying electric air taxi. The vehicle can travel a maximum distance of 150 miles and a top speed of 200 MPH. Joby expects to receive authorization to fly commercially by 2024. However, a recent experimental test flight that went sideways sent shares down at least 6% and likely caused a delay in approval. It’s only a matter of time until we live in a world like Blade Runner.

Health & Fitness

A Good Sole

Sneakers are expensive. After all, who wants to spend upwards of $100 on a pair that won’t last? A solid pair of running shoes can lessen the impact of your step, cushion your foot from heavy landings, and even improve your performance. To say it’s a worthy investment is an understatement. Here are the shoe brands that will endure your workouts.

Trivia answer:

In 2017, Anthony Davis went 26-39 from the field and scored 52 points. He represented the New Orleans Pelicans on his home court and won MVP of the game.

February 11, 2022

Lombardi In LA

The Lombardi Trophy has made its way to Los Angeles and with it follows big money. With over half of the states in the US legalizing sports betting, 31.4 Americans are estimated to lay down around $7.6 billion in bets on the 56th edition of the game. That is one in ten Americans. More if you take out the underage group. Sure, many college bros will be betting on illegal books, but still. Let’s take a look at the actual game lines.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Los Angles Rams

Spread: Rams -4

Over/Under: 48.5

The Bengals have been the road dogs for the AFC Divisional and Championship rounds. Joe Burrow is determined to squash the underdog narrative for his team.

Who Dey Nation believes in them and possibly the whole NFL will too. The franchise has made two Super Bowl appearances, 1981 and 1988, but lost both times to the 49ers.

The Rams will be playing a de facto home game as many true fans can not afford the ticket prices. After years of being essentially exiled in Detroit, Matt Stafford has a chance to win the Lombardi trophy in his first year with the Rams. With Cooper Kupp and OBJ as his weapons, he could have a monster day.

Some interesting same game parlays being offered on Draftkings Sportsbook have odds boosts you might want to check out.

• Rams SGP: Matt Stafford 290+ passing yards, OBJ anytime TD score, Rams ML (+600)

• Bengals SGP: Joe Burrow 260+ passing yards, Ja’Marr Chase anytime TD score, Bengals ML (+750)

A Super Bowl tradition is for sportsbooks to offer fun exotic bets. If you have no idea what to bet on, take a look at these props that have nothing to do with the game itself. Odds and bets may vary per sportsbook.

• Mickey Guyton National Anthem Length over/under 95 seconds (Both -120)

• Coin Toss heads or tails (Both -103)

• Gatorade Bath Color (Orange +225, Blue +375, Yellow +450, Clear +500, Red +550, Purple +1300)

• Will There Be An Octopus Thrown On The Field? (Yes +1400, No -2500)

Also:

• Photoshopped meme from ‘The Simpsons’ influenced the Super Bowl betting market
• Best player props to target for Super Bowl 56

Trivia question:

How many times have the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl?

Betting

Value Hunting

Figuring out what sportsbook to sign up for before the big game? There are websites out there that take the hard work out for you and compare odds/promotions across the available sportsbooks in your state. It is a good way to maximize your value and get the best bang for your buck. Check out this review on two of the most popular odds comparison websites.

Also:

• Fubo Gaming secures market access for mobile sports betting in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Missouri
• Milwaukee Bucks sign a partnership with online betting firm Betway
• Buzzer adds FanDuel as first sports betting partner

Something To Talk About …

• Super Bowl food like wings, guacamole, and beer cost more thanks to inflation
• The NFL is reportedly considering an overseas Super Bowl, Tottenham Hotspur considering a bid for 2026
• Snoop Dogg acquires his old label Death Row Records
• Security guard draws eyes on $1M painting, says he was ‘bored’
• Pelosi supports proposals of banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks

The Sportsgirl’s Take

California Love

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl.

This is a halftime show you do not want to miss. It is going to be a monumental performance of legends – Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Dr. Dre will grace the stage together in the City of Angels. This is a big moment for Los Angeles. It has been nearly 30 years since the city has hosted a Super Bowl, and Dre, Snoop, and Lamar are all LA natives. We are all gonna be jammin – from coast to coast!

A new area of music for the NFL, Snoop Dogg explained, “This is what it’s about. This is what hip hop and the NFL is supposed to be about: representing about a change, about moving forward, so we appreciate the NFL for even entertaining hip hop.”

Dr. Dre reiterated the importance of the historic show, “We’re gonna open more doors for hip hop artists in the future and making sure that the NFL understands this is what it should have been a long time ago.” Hip hop will forever have a spot in the NFL Super Bowl halftime show.

Life

Alove And Well

PSA: Valentine’s Day is the day after the Super Bowl. Get ahead of the curve and buy or plan something nice for your significant other before the big game. You do not want to be scrambling all over the place when you are hungover on Monday. Check out these Valentine’s Day gift and date ideas.

Food And Drink

Wing’in It

Hosting a Super Bowl party and want to cook up some delicious eats? Here are the tried and true classics and some new ideas for you that are sure to be crowd-pleasers – and make you look like the amazing culinary artist that you are.

Trailer Of The Week

“Bel Air”

The popular NBC 90’s show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is getting a reboot. The show’s creator, Morgan Cooper, was inspired to make a more dramatic and darker adaptation and even got Will Smith on board as an executive producer, who also had an interest in making a reboot. Set in modern-day America, the show will portray the problems that black youth undertake today. Jordan Banks will star as Will and take you through the complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. The premiere will be available on Peacock on February 13th.

Trivia answer:

0 Super Bowl wins. While in Los Angeles, the Rams reached the championship game in the 1979 season and 2018 season but went home without the hardware. However, they did win the Super Bowl in 1999 when the franchise was in St. Louis.

February 4, 2022

Betting

Mattress Money

It is Pro Bowl week in the NFL, but many people are getting a head start on betting the Super Bowl. Bedroom accessory mogul and well-known whale bettor Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale laid a whopping $4.5 million on the Cincinnati Bengals moneyline on the Caesars Sportsbook app. The wager is reportedly the biggest single mobile bet of all time. Mattress Mack regularly appears in headlines for placing major bets on championship games like the World Series and College Football Playoff Championship.

You may be thinking, “Why the hell would a mattress guy bet all this money?” Well, it is all a part of his master plan to boost his sales. If his bet wins, customers who recently made a purchase will be refunded up to $3,000. Even if he loses, his sales will increase due to the promotion. Tread lightly if you are going to tail him as he has lost big bets in the past.

On another note, here are some interesting game/player props for the Super Bowl.

• Cincinnati Bengals over/under 2.5 team total TD’s (Over +100, Under -140)
• Ja’Marr Chase anytime TD scorer (Yes +100)
• Cooper Kupp over/under 104.5 receiving yards (Both -115)
• Jersey number of first TD scorer over/under 23.5 (Over 23.5, Under +115)

Also:

• Betswap.gg launches a decentralized sports betting marketplace
• What is a same-game parlay bet?

Sports

Beijing Boycott?

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics torch was lit today at the opening ceremony. But does anyone care? Recently, it feels like the Olympics have been an afterthought to many. That thought can be backed up by the viewership ratings. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were the least-watched Olympics ever. Why are we seeing a downward trend?

There are definitely a couple of factors that are contributing to the decline of the Olympics. The most obvious one is the effects of the pandemic. This year’s Olympic organizers are hoping for just 30 percent capacity.

Lower athletic star power might also be contributing to the downward trend. This year, the NHL announced that players will not participate in the Olympics due to COVID-19. Less exciting athletes = fewer fans interested.

And then of course there is the political side of things. President Biden and his administration announced a diplomatic boycott on the 2022 Beijing Olympics for China’s human rights abuses. Around half of American adults support the boycott. This year has a good chance at breaking the record for least-watched Olympics ever.

If you are into the Olympics, Team USA athletes to be on the lookout for include 2018 halfpipe gold medalist Chloe Kim, second overall pick in the NHL Draft Matty Beniers, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, and men’s figure skater Nathan Chen. Most notably, legendary snowboarder Shaun “The Flying Tomato” White will compete in his last Olympics.

Also:

• Full Beijing Winter Olympics schedule & results

Trivia question:

Which country has won the most gold medals in the history of the Winter Olympics?

Something To Talk About …

• Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher sounds off on Nick Saban for claiming the program is ‘buying’ recruits with NIL deals; Fisher brought in this year’s number one recruiting class
• Rudy Giuliani makes an appearance on ‘The Masked Singer’, judges walk out in outrage
• Phil Mickelson considering other playing opportunities due to PGA Tour’s ‘obnoxious greed’
• Mark Zuckerberg’s wealth plunges by $31 billion after Meta stock crashes
• International Space Station to crash into the Pacific in 2031, NASA says

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Naming Rights

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

Renaming a historic sports franchise is a daunting and rather dangerous task. This was the job asked of the Washington Football Team. Co-owners Dan and Tanya Synder finally revealed the new name after 18 months – the Commanders – and people immediately hated it. The backlash began on Twitter. One tweet stated, “Hell nah,” and one simply said ‘Ewww.’ Bleacher Report’s Tyler Conway pointed out that it’s a name that can be shortened to Commies.

It’s just a name after all, so why does it take so long? There’s a laundry list of to-dos. Narrowing it down to a manageable few names, grading the names, designing the logo, wordmarks, uniforms, field designs, merchandise concepts, how the logo looks on TV, and much more. Then, there’s trademarking. Lawyers conduct a thorough search on the name. Nearly every word in the English language has been trademarked, like “Washington Redhawks.” That name couldn’t even be considered.

We name dogs and kids. “This should be fun” – it’s not. It’s a grueling exercise, and whatever you choose, you’re going to rally haters. Everybody has an opinion. Some franchises come up with a name that will instill fear, and others try to pay homage to the team’s hometown. It doesn’t always go well and some teams end with regrettable names – The New Orleans Pelicans, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Wizards, Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes, Long Beach State Dirt Bags (Why?), University of Santa Cruz Banana Slugs (What?), University of California-Irvine Anteaters, Utah Jazz, TCU Horned Frogs – to name a few. It took Washington 18 months, because a new name for a sports team, with a few exceptions, is eternal.

Health And Fitness

I Prefer “Father Figure”

As you get a little older, there’s a good chance the rigors of the “real world” have wreaked havoc on your ability to maintain that fit physique you had in the past. But fear not, there are a few small things you can squeeze into your routine to prevent things from completely falling apart. Here are a few daily tips to help lose that Dad Bod.

Travel And Outdoors

Pro Acting

With the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am teeing off yesterday, the golf bug will soon sweep across the country. PGA Tour courses are some of the nicest courses in the world. While many country clubs won’t allow you to play without a membership, some PGA courses will. Here are some PGA Tour courses that you can actually play and channel your inner Tiger Woods.

Trailer Of The Week

“Moonfall”

In Moonfall, an unusual force sends the Moon off its orbit and on a collision course with Earth, threatening human existence. With limited time, NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler (Halle Berry) believes she has the answer to saving the world. An astronaut from her past, Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson), and conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman (John Bradley) are the only people who believe her. These unlikely heroes will attempt a last-minute mission into space. The film was released in theatres today.

Trivia answer:

Norway has won 132 gold medals and 368 total medals, both are the most all-time in the Winter Olympics. The United States comes in at number two with 105 gold medals and 305 total medals.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

January 28, 2022

Draymond Dynamite

Turner Network Television (TNT) and Draymond Green made a historic one-of-a-kind deal yesterday. The veteran Golden State Warrior will join the network’s broadcasting team, becoming the first active player to do so in the NBA.

He will most likely be joining Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson Jr., and Charles Barkley on “Inside The NBA” and make appearances on Bleacher Report shows. It will not be the first time on TV for the three-time NBA champion and All-star defender. Green was a guest analyst on TNT’s show during the 2020 and 2021 NBA playoffs.

It is not unusual to see a former athlete on a sports broadcast, but it will be interesting to see if more active athletes get similar deals and this becomes a trend.

Also:

• Sean Payton is already a top target for a ‘lucrative’ television gig
• Former professional athletes that turned to broadcasting

Betting

The Calm Before The Score

It can’t possibly get better than last week, right? Bettors and fans alike were on the edge of their seats all weekend as every single game came down to the last play. On top of that, all four road teams in the Divisional Round were victorious, the first time in NFL history. Conference Championship week has a lot to live up to. Let’s get into the games.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs

Spread: Chiefs -7

Over/Under: 54.5

Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase made history once again in their win against the Titans. Chase became the first rookie to have multiple 100+ receiving yards in the postseason while Burrow is the first number one overall pick to lead his team to the Conference Championship in his first two seasons. Can these emerging superstars take down the Chiefs’ juggernaut offense?

San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams

Spread: Rams -3.5

Over/Under: 45.5

Jimmy G extends his time in the Bay for at least one more game after the 49ers beat the Packers in a wild game. Both teams seemed to be allergic to offense. On the other hand, the Rams flirted with a Tom Brady comeback but Cooper Kupp saved the day. The last time these two teams met in the NFC Championship game was in 1989, a 30-3 victory for the 49ers. The state of California has a lot to look forward to in this game.

Here are some player props to look at for the NFL Conference Championship games.

• Cam Akers over/under 63.5 rushing yards (Both -115)
• Ja’Marr Chase over/under 87.5 receiving yards (Both -115)
• Deebo Samuel anytime TD scorer (Yes -110)
• Patrick Mahomes over/under 293.5 passing yards (Both -115)

Also:

• Bally Sports Launches Sports Betting Show, “Live on the Line
• Mobile sports betting goes live today in Louisiana
• Wynn Resorts is looking to sell their sportsbook WynnBet on the cheap

Trivia question:

Which NFL team was the first to play in the Super Bowl at their home stadium?

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Are Fans Out Of Control?

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

Last night, with seven minutes left between the Lakers and the Sixers, Carmelo took exception with fans who were heckling him. They referred to him as a ‘boy’ amongst other things. “There’s just certain things you don’t say to anybody. If I was outside and I bumped into you and you said those things to me, then it would be a totally different story,” Anthony said. I am all for fandom, but you gotta have respect. These players are human.

Fans have been pretty shameful this year. A Knicks fan spit on Trae Young. A 76ers fan dumped popcorn on Russell Westbrook while he limped off the court with an injury. A Celtics fan threw a bottle at Kyrie Irving. A Yankee fan threw a baseball that struck Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo in the back. I mean throwing popcorn at an injured player? Sadly, having fans back post covid is somewhat scary. Come on, man!

Fans have always been rowdy, but it’s happening more and more and our response to it is changing. No one knows exactly why fans become belligerent – a few too many beers, frustrated with calls, or insane love of the team. Sport has so many social benefits, but it’s always been a boiling pot of competition, adrenaline, and alcohol. So, in many ways, it’s a perfect storm, but with social media and cell phones, I think athletes are going to continue to speak out and there will be greater punishments for the out-of-control fans. You can’t behave yourself, you’re out!

Health And Fitness

Silent Progress

Are you not seeing any weight loss from your workout routine? Don’t get discouraged and start eating a box of cookies. Sometimes it takes a while for you to see progress. There are other signs you can look for that tell you your routine is working. Here are 19 signs your fitness routine is ‘working’ that have nothing to do with weight loss. Stay strong out there.

Travel And Outdoors

Just Go With The Snow

During the winter, people flock to locations such as Jackson Hole or the Green Mountains of Vermont to ski and snowboard. Skiers and snowboarders get to enjoy the breathtaking, snow-covered natural landscape while simultaneously getting an adrenaline rush. The other way that people can experience both the adrenaline rush and nature’s beauty, however, is through snowmobiling. Here is where you can go on an epic snowmobile vacation.

Trailer Of The Week

“Death On The Nile”

Death on the Nile is directed by Kenneth Branagh who also stars in the movie as detective Hercule Poirot with a majestical mustache. The film is set in an epic landscape of the Egyptian desert and the mystical Giza pyramids. While on vacation on a riverboat, Poirot turns his attention to a murder of a young heiress. Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Gal Gadot, Ali Fazal, Armie Hammer, and others round up the cast. The big-budget film will be released in theatres on February 11th.

Something To Talk About …

• Spotify to remove all of Neil Young’s music from the platform after his Joe Rogan ultimatum
• China releases an alternate ending to the popular movie Fight Club
• Big Ben officially retires from the NFL after 18 years in this announcement video
• Men concerned about fertility should limit cell phone use to protect sperm quality, study says
• SpaceX is planning to launch up to 52 missions in 2022, a new record

Trivia answer:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the first-ever team to play in the Super Bowl at their home stadium. In Super Bowl LV last year, Tom Brady led the Bucs to a 31-9 victory against the Chiefs in front of a home crowd. The Los Angeles Rams have a chance to play at home in the Super Bowl if they win this weekend.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

January 21, 2022

Chalk Talk

NFL Wildcard Weekend ended up being a chalk bettor’s dream. The favorites were 5-1 against the spread with the 49ers being the only underdog to win. And even the 49ers had fans sweating it out until Kellen Moore’s QB draw play call in the final seconds of the game that even your typical beer belly youth football coach would not make. Look out for the underdogs this weekend as Vegas may make an adjustment.

There are 4 games in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs to bet on.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans

Spread: Titans -3.5

Over/Under: 47.5

The king is back. After being sidelined the last 9 games due to a foot injury, Derrick Henry returns to the Titans lineup. It will be interesting to see if Mike Vrabel will task him with his normal payload.

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers

Spread: Packers -5.5

Over/Under: 47

The Packers are notorious for choking in the playoffs as the top seed. In what might be Aaron Rodgers’s last season with the Packers, he needs to get a couple of Ws in order to put the notion to bed. However, the rumors of him leaving the Packers this offseason are trending towards staying with the team.

Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Spread: Buccaneers -2.5

Over/Under: 48.5

44-year-old Tom Brady has shown no signs of aging. Even with multiple key injuries on offense, he easily dismantled the Eagles in the first round and got his revenge for Super Bowl LII. Bruce Arians expects that at least some of their star players will return for this matchup.

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

Spread: Chiefs -2

Over/Under: 54

Debatably the most exciting matchup of the playoffs so far, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen will battle it out in a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game. Bills vs Chiefs is the most bet on Divisional Round game.

Also:

• How To Bet On This Weekend’s NFL Divisional Round Matchups
• Mel Kiper 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: ESPN Guru Gives Early Look Ahead Of Full Release

Trivia question:

When was the last time the Buffalo Bills made it to the Super Bowl?

Betting

Prop Star

If you are unsure of how to bet the game lines in this weekend’s games, try exploring the player props to feed your hunger. Here is one player prop in each game to look at for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

• Joe Burrow over/under 277.5 passing yards (Both -115)
• Cooper Kupp over/under 100.5 receiving yards (Both -115)
• Aaron Jones anytime TD scorer (Yes +100)
• Josh Allen over/under 50.5 rushing yards (Over -110, Under -120)

Also:

• Sports Betting App Wagr Gets Funding From Kraft Group, HBSE Ventures
• Houston Dynamo, Fubo Gaming Ink MLS-Record Sports Betting Deal

The Sportsgirl’s Take

The Sixers Have A Ben Simmons Problem

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

What a genuine mess. Ben Simmons was going to be the Philadelphia 76ers next big thing – drafted number 1 overall in 2016. Now, the 2018 rookie of the year is in an ongoing beef with the Sixers organization, and it all started with James Harden. In 2020, the Sixers toyed with the idea of trading Simmons for Harden. Harden ended up with the Nets, however, the fact the Sixers were willing to move him didn’t sit well with Simmons, and so the saga began.

Reports continued to indicate that he was unhappy with the lack of support from the Sixers and the fans. The media also criticized deficiencies in his game. Last July, the Sixers opened up trade talks surrounding Simmons, but with a very high asking price. Talks stalled, but reports indicated that Simmons asked for a trade and that he wouldn’t report to training camp. It started to get ugly. Simmons missed media day and training camp. Then, friction between Simmons and the team’s more popular superstar, Joel Embiid, began. So, the Sixers decided to withhold $8.25 million from Simmons until he suited up.

Simmons has yet to play this season and the standoff continues. He says he’s fine sitting all season if the Sixers can’t find him a new team. Simmons’ fines are exceeding the $10 million mark. He’s been fined 28 times thus far this season, but he doesn’t seem to care. The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, but the 76ers’ have a steep asking price and want an All-Star-caliber player in exchange for Simmons. Looks like they may have to wait until 2022 to offload him. What a disaster.

Health And Fitness

Eat The Rainbow

There are opinions galore when it comes to what you should eat before a workout. Some believe in intermediate fasting or prefer to chug an energy drink, while others fill their bellies to fuel their bodies for a workout. Here are foods you should eat before a workout so you don’t end up passing out at the gym and looking like a novice.

Travel And Outdoors

Secret Agent

Many people have been itching to get away to a sandy beach with a cocktail in hand after hibernating during the pandemic. Planning a trip can be tiresome and time-consuming. Now there are more inconveniences with various protocols to being allowed to travel. Here is why you should engage a travel agent to make the booking process easier.

Also:

• The Best Islands To Charter A Boat

Trailer Of The Week

“Uncharted”

Uncharted is a treasure hunt/heist movie directed by Ruben Fleischer. A young thief, Nathan Drake (Tom Holland), is recruited by veteran treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to find the lost fortune of explorer Ferdinand Magellan. In a race around the globe against their rival Moncada (Antonio Banderas), they must decipher clues and learn to work together to uncover the $5 billion worth of treasure. The film will be released in theatres on February 18th.

Something To Talk About …

• Hulu Premiered How I Met Your Father,A Spin-Off Of The Popular TV ShowHow I Met Your Mother
• Twitter Introduces NFT Profile Pictures In The Shape Of A Hexagon
• Peloton Denies Report It’s Halting Bike, Treadmill Production As Shares Plunge
• Arbitrator Rules UConn Improperly Fired Huskies Men’s Basketball Coach Kevin Ollie
• Kidneys From A Genetically Altered Pig Are Implanted In A Brain-Dead Patient

Trivia answer:

The Buffalo Bills last made it to the big game in 1994. Jim Kelly led them to a record 4 straight trips to the Super Bowl (1991-1994), losing in all 4 appearences.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

January 14, 2022

Riding The Coaching Carousel

The NFL regular season has come to a close leaving 14 teams in contention for the Super Bowl. The other 18 teams? Well, they have to evaluate and prepare for the future.

The carnage of Black Monday has the Bears, Broncos, Dolphins, Giants, Texans, and Vikings searching for new leadership. The Raiders and Jaguars will also be looking to replace their interim head coaches.

Some of the firings were clear as day, others not so much. The Dolphins questionably fired Brian Flores after going 9-8 this season. Flores posted a 19-14 record the past two seasons and won 8 of his last 9 games. He is expected to be a top target for many teams to fill their head coach position. On the flip side, ex-Giants coach Joe Judge sealed his fate after this horrendous series of play calls.

The Raiders situation is a little more unique. After overcoming adversity all season long, the silver and black made the playoffs under interim head coach Rich Bisaccia. Upper management will have to decide whether to keep him or look to the carousel of head coaches.

Also:

• Top head coach and coordinator candidates entering 2022
• Texans fire David Culley after just one season in Houston

Betting

NFL Wildcard Weekend

Sportsbooks love this time of year as big games equal big $$$. Even the most casual of bettors like to throw a little money on the NFL playoffs. With the legalization of sports betting spreading across the USA like wildfire, the industry is booming.

Wildcard weekend has a total of 6 games split up between 3 days to keep everyone’s eyes glued to the TV. Saturday’s slate features the Raiders vs Bengals and Patriots vs Bills as the night game. Sunday’s showing will have the Eagles vs Buccaneers, 49ers vs Cowboys, and Steelers vs Chiefs. The lone Monday game is a heavyweight matchup between the Cardinals and Rams at Sofi Stadium, the host venue for the Super Bowl.

Here are some interesting prop bets to look at for the first round of the NFL playoffs.

• Tom Brady over/under 273.5 passing yards (Both -115)
• George Kittle over/under 51.5 receiving yards (Both -115)
• Damien Harris anytime TD scorer (Yes +110)
• Joe Burrow over/under 1.5 passing TDs (Over -155, Under +120)

Also:

• NFL Playoff Schedule 2022: Date, Start Time, Live Stream, TV Channel
• Best Bets to Make Ahead of NFL Playoffs
• 50 cent parlay turns into $130k windfall for 3 different bettors

Trivia question:

The Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans are the #1 seeds coming into the 2022 NFL Playoffs. How many times has a #1 seed won the Super Bowl?

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Nobody Likes Playing In Arctic Conditions

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl.

No football player likes playing in freezing temps, but when you sign up to play in northern cities like Buffalo, Minnesota, and Green Bay, it’s just part of the deal. When the Bills play the Patriots this Sunday night in the AFC wild-card game, temperatures are expected to be in the single digits. That’s not your normal cold, that’s January in Buffalo I’m-literally-freezing-my-you-know-what-off cold.

There are heaters, heavy jackets, and hand warmers, but they don’t last long. However, these players have to tough it out – that’s why they get paid millions. “It’s just going to be so cold, bro. My fingers get cold, toes get cold,” Bill’s wide receiver Stefon Diggs said. His QB Josh Allen said, “My toes get really cold and they go numb a little bit.” I’d get real close to that heater when my defense was out on the field, Josh.

The frigid temps are going to affect many parts of the game. First, the air pressure of a football is reduced by 20% in cold weather. A player’s grip strength can be cut in half in as little as 15 minutes of being exposed to freezing temperatures. Cold air affects the respiratory system, making it more difficult for a player to catch his breath. Kicks and punts don’t travel as far. Finally, you can expect a low-scoring game folks because there will be a lot of running and solid defensive stops. The Pats have been practicing outdoors this week with temperatures in the high 30s and the Bills have been using frozen footballs, but in the end, it will be a bitter frost-biting battle in Buffalo.

Health And Fitness

Pursuit Of Happiness

Today’s fitness world has changed dramatically over the years due to technological advancement. There are many fitness devices out there that can help you reach your goals. From tracking how many steps you take throughout the day to measuring your heart rate, it is amazing what these little contraptions can do. And it will only get better. New technologies are being created to track hydration, measure blood glucose, and even collect dental data with the aim to boost health and happiness. Say no more to annual check-ups as you will eventually have everything you need at your fingertips.

Travel And Outdoors

Rise And Glide

It took a while, but the powder has finally made an appearance at ski resorts across the USA. From the Green Mountains in the east to the Wasatch Range in the west, here are some of the best ski vacations to go on. And always remember, if you aren’t crashing, you aren’t skiing.

Also:

• What Color Trail Should You Ski On The Mountain?

Trailer Of The Week

“The Northman”

Directed by Robert Eggers, The Northman is an epic historical film set at the turn of the tenth century in Iceland. The film stars Alexander Skarsgard as Amleth, a Viking prince who seeks revenge after his father is murdered by his uncle. Ethan Hawke, Nicole Kidman, William Defoe, and Anya Taylor-Joy appear in supporting roles. Production took place in Northern Ireland, where Game of Thrones has also notably filmed. The movie will release in theatres on April 22.

Something To Talk About …

• Former Jets star and ESPN personality Bart Scott suggests Josh Allen take Viagra for playoff games
• Coinbase will shut down for 4 weeks this year to allow their employees to recharge
• Novak Djokovic is facing deportation after Austalia cancels his visa for a second time right before the Australian Open
• Planet Fitness is buying its biggest franchisee, Sunshine Fitness, for $800 million
• Coachella revealed their star-studded lineup for 2022

Trivia answer:

Since 1975, when the NFL implemented the seeding system, the number one seed has won the Super Bowl 25 times (out of a total of 46 Super Bowls). The #1 seed in the NFC has won 15 times, while the #1 seed in the AFC has won 10 times.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

January 7, 2022

Overtime in the NFL

The NFL and NFLPA agreed to implement a 17th game into the schedule this year, which to say the least, affects many things. The league, teams, fans, and even players all benefit.

Some of the players have expressed that the addition of a game only benefits the greedy owners; a somewhat valid argument as teams will pull in more money while players risk injury for another week. However, the 17th game of the season also provides opportunities for the athletes as well. Many NFL players, like Tom Brady, have performance-based incentives written in their contracts.

Not only can players make more money, but the extra game inherently allows them to add to their statistics. Players like Cooper Kupp, TJ Watt, and Ja’Marr Chase may break longstanding NFL records and etch their name in NFL history.

The new schedule also affects the NFL playoff race. With a 16 game schedule, the New Orleans Saints would be SOL and going on their offseason golf trips. But now the 17th game gives them a shot to make the playoffs. A San Francisco 49ers (9-7) loss and Saints (8-8) win will be enough to steal the last spot in the NFC.

In the unlikely circumstance that the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the LA Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders theoretically could kneel every play and both clinch a playoff spot with a tie.

How do the fans benefit? Well, we have another lazy weekend excuse to sink into the couch and enjoy an extra week of football.

Also:

• Playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 18 of 2021 NFL season
• Is your favorite team out of contention? Current 2022 NFL Draft order
• 2021-2022 NFL Awards odds

Betting

Championship Monday

Sports bettors will not have to worry that there is no Monday night action in the NFL. The 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship showdown between Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs will be more than enough to stimulate even the most degenerate bettors. Heisman winner Bryce Young will look to dismantle the skillful Georgia defense as he did in the SEC Championship. Although anyone could have predicted this championship matchup, college football and bowl season will go out with a bang between these two powerhouses.

Here are some interesting prop bets for the big game to make your Monday a little bit more exciting.

• Bryce Young over/under 314.5 passing yards (Both -115)

• Brock Bowers over/under 66.5 receiving yards (Both -115)

• Jameson Williams anytime TD scorer (Yes -155)

• Bryce Young over 2.5 passing TDs (Over +130, Under -170)

Also:

• What to know about the College Football Playoff championship game
• Nick Saban’s thoughts on expanding the College Football Playoff

Trivia question: The College Football Playoff is now in its eighth year. How many different colleges have made it to the championship game?

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Thumbs down for Julius Randle

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

New York Knicks fans are tough. In fact, a recent study by BetUS, revealed that the Knicks have one of the most die-hard fan bases, coming in a close second behind the Boston Celtics. The Knicks don’t have bandwagon fans, and loyalty to their team is almost unmatched. These long-suffering fans have been waiting…and waiting for a resurgence. Over 20 seasons, the Knicks had an abysmal .402 winning percentage. Until last season when Julius Randle led the Knicks above .500 after 35 games for just the third time in the past 20 years and led them to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Knicks fans had hope and all the feels for Randle. 
Fast Forward to January 2022. The relationship between Randle and fans has been strained for a while. Randle didn’t fare well in the playoffs and he has been struggling this season after signing a huge contract extension. Last night, Knicks fans booed their home team when it trailed by 25 in the second, and Randle didn’t take it so well. So, Randle took a page from the New York Mets players and gave a thumbs down to the crowd after a bucket. He explained to an ESPN reporter what it meant: “Shut the f— up,” he said.
It’s brutal, Randle, but this is New York. Nah, you shouldn’t get booed by your own fans, but in the city that will eat you up, this is what they do. You play well, they cheer you on, you play crappy, they boo you. In the words of the great Johnny Cash, “Son, this world is rough..and if a man’s gonna make it, he’s gotta be tough.”

Health and Fitness

New Year New Me

New year’s resolutions. How many of us actually follow through with them? One of the most common resolutions is to start hitting the gym, and many fail. Starting an exercise routine can feel overwhelming. Here is some advice to begin that daunting step to changing your lifestyle.

Travel and Outdoors

Hidden in Train Sight

Most people view train rides as the mundane process of getting from one place to another. However, some train rides offer more than what meets the eye. Here are some scenic train rides you can explore while traveling between destinations.

Trailer of the Week

“Home Team”

In Home Team, Kevin James stars as New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who was suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season after the infamous Bountygate scandal. During the suspension, Payton switched from coaching NFL professionals to coaching his son’s 6th-grade football team. In this feel-good comedy, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, and Jackie Sandler co-star. The film is produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions and is set to debut on Netflix on January 28th.

Something to Talk About…

• The Antonio Brown Saga continues as his lawyer released a lengthy statement making accusations against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Fanatics acquires trading cards and collectibles business, Topps, for $500 million after beating them out for MLB’s exclusive licensing rights.
• Taco Bell is rolling out a nationwide taco subscription.
• Chevy revealed their new Silverado EV and sold out in 12 minutes.
• Current world #1 disc golfer Ricky Wysocki has signed a four-year, $4 million endorsement deal with Dynamic Discs, matching the largest amount in disc golf history.

Trivia answer: Six different colleges have made it to the College Football Playoff (Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and Oregon). Four of them have gone on to win it all (Alabama, Clemson, LSU, and Ohio State).

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

December 31, 2021

The final four for 2021

With bowl games getting canceled all over the place this week due to the sharp uptick in Covid cases nationwide, players, fans, organizers and ESPN are hoping and praying Friday’s College Football Playoff semifinals go off smoothly in the final hours of 2021.

After all, there are already contingency plans in place for who would advance to, and potentially win, the title game should the pandemic knock out one of four teams.

But let’s take a closer look at the two big games Friday and not worry about that Covid thing for a little while at least.

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Cincinnati

Cotton Bowl, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Spread: Alabama -13.5

Over/under: 57

Moneyline: Alabama -550, Cincinnati +400

• Heisman winner Bryce Young proved in his last two games why he’s having a season for the ages for Alabama, but Cincy’s secondary will pose a much tougher test than he might be used to.
• Cincinnati’s top running back Jerome Ford used to play for Alabama, but he sure is tired of talking about that …
• Alabama’s assistant coaches under Nick Saban have always been a big deal, and this year two are former NFL head coaches. Cincinnati’s coaches also have a pedigree, but that’s mostly from Ohio State.
• Alabama is somehow trying to tell folks it’s an underdog, but should Cincinnati somehow pull off the upset, it would be unlike anything college football has seen before.

No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Georgia

Orange Bowl, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Spread: Georgia -7.5

Over/under: 45

Moneyline: Georgia -300, Michigan +235

• Michigan and Georgia have a lot of similarities: team strengths, ravenous fan bases and long national title droughts, but the biggest difference is the Wolverines enter the game as the hottest team in the country and the Bulldogs are trying to prove their last game (a crushing loss) was just a blip.
• Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson could be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, and his epic season has been at the heart of the Wolverines’ path from being unranked in the preseason to their first College Football Playoff berth.
• Defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is entering what could be his last game at Georgia before he becomes the Oregon coach, but he knows his vaunted defense needs to showcase what it had all season (before that last game, that is).
• And Michigan might be missing one of its defensive stars for the game.

Also:

• Bettors put their money on Alabama and Michigan
• The 25 best players in the college football playoff
• Previewing the New Year’s Six bowl games

Trivia question:

Ohio State (along with Alabama and Clemson) has been a College Football Playoff regular since it started, but before Michigan arrived this season, only one other Big Ten team besides the Buckeyes ever made the playoff. Can you name which team that was?

Betting

Super-sized Sunday

For the first time this season, almost all of the NFL games this weekend are Sunday, with the exception of Monday night’s Browns-Steelers game (which is likely Ben Roethlisberger’s last home game).

The two biggest matchups Sunday are Chiefs-Bengals and Cardinals-Cowboys, so with that in mind, let’s look at a few prop bets you can make to help raise the excitement level on the games.

• Patrick Mahomes + Joe Burrow over 599.5 combined passing yards (Yes +100)
• Over 349.5 combined Dak Prescott passing yards + Kyler Murray rushing yards (Yes +100)
• Nick Chubb + Najee Harris over 174.5 combined rush yards (Yes +100)

Also:

• NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 17
• Who to start and sit in this week’s fantasy playoffs

The Sportsgirl’s Take

The sad farewell of Big Ben

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

“All the signs are pointing to this could be it,” Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, 39, told the media, admitting that Monday night against the Browns could be his final home game in Pittsburgh. Whether you love him or hate him, Roethlisberger’s resignation would be the end of an era for the Steelers as he will go down as one the best quarterbacks in their storied history.

That being said, Roethlisberger, nicknamed Big Ben due to an imposing build that was unusual for quarterbacks, has spent much of his career being hated. His impressive playing career will forever be linked with suspect off-the-field exploits that range from multiple sexual assault accusations to being labeled a problem in the locker room.

Big Ben has worked hard to clean up his personal act, becoming a family man with a namesake charity foundation that supports first responders, and whether you like him or not, you can’t argue that he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

And here we come to the end of his career, and he won’t be going out as a champion. He’s played his final season with four rookie starters, a bunch of young guys and a lot of moving parts. It’s a somewhat sad farewell for a two-time Super Bowl Champion and one of the best quarterbacks in the league and of his generation.

Partner

PropSwap before you cash out

Do you ever feel like the sportsbook’s cash-out option is scheming you out of bigger returns? PropSwap is an app that allows you to sell your ticket for a higher price than you can get from the sportsbooks. Tons of tickets are available for sale on their platform, and sports bettors can buy them outright or bid for them in an auction. Prices can range from a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. PropSwap is the place to cash out your ticket or even buy a future winner.

Health and Fitness

Why do you get a stitch in your side?

That stabbing side pain you get when you run actually has an official name: exercise-related transient abdominal pain (or ETAP for short). And while it has a medical term, it doesn’t have a medical solution. In fact, there’s not even official advice for how to prevent a side stitch, and doctors still aren’t sure exactly what causes it.

Travel and Outdoors

Inside Mexico City’s high-end sex hotels

Mexico City has seen a boom in “love” hotels, which are the types of spots where guests don’t necessarily plan to spend the entire evening. And whereas in some cities these types of hotels aren’t exactly high-end, Mexico City has gone the other way, catering to an elite clientele, with boutique and custom room options for a discerning crowd.

Trailer of the Week

‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’

Nicolas Cage stars as … Nicolas Cage in the new film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. The film follows a debt-ridden Cage as he accepts a $1 million offer to attend a wealthy fan’s birthday party in Spain. When he’s recruited by the CIA to help execute a mission, Cage must embody his most iconic on-screen characters to save himself and his family. It debuts in theaters April 22, 2022.

Something to talk about …

• There are a lot of ideas coming in for how the NFL should pay tribute to John Madden and creating a lasting legacy.
• The most anticipated movies and shows of 2022.
• The Tokyo Olympics ended up costing almost $2 billion less than expected.
• The cocktail recipe for New Year’s Eve that will make you the hit of the party.
• Peloton had a wild 2021, and things aren’t really looking up for 2022 right now.

Trivia answer:

Michigan State made the playoff in 2015, but was shut out by Alabama 38-0 in one of the semifinal games.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

December 24, 2021

The Christmas gift of games

The NFL owns Thanksgiving and the NBA staked its claim on Christmas, including some very memorable matchups like the first Shaq-Kobe showdown after Shaq left the Lakers. 

But while the NFL has typically tried to avoid Christmas Day games in the past, the way the schedule has fallen the last few years has led to a few Dec. 25 matchups. Last year, Alvin Kamara had a monstrous six-touchdown game on Christmas, and this year, there will be two games on Saturday: Cleveland at Green Bay, and Indianapolis at Arizona.

(There’s even one minor college bowl game on Christmas this year: The TaxAct Camellia Bowl between Georgia State and Ball State.) 

The other wrinkle along with all these games this year is, of course, Covid and the onslaught of the omicron variant which has forced all the major sports leagues to scramble to some degree.

• The NFL has instituted amended protocols, but players are still getting sidelined all over the place and games have already been rescheduled a few times.
• The NBA vowed it will not shut down, but had to postpone two games already Thursday when the Nets and Raptors didn’t have enough healthy players available to play. It has also alerted teams that the Christmas Day schedule may change a bit due to teams’ availability.
• The NHL was the first major North American league to shut down fully when it announced it was starting its annual holiday break two days earlier than scheduled and have it run through Saturday.
• The Premier League in England is also facing a rash of postponements due to Covid, and its traditional Boxing Day (Dec. 26) schedule full of games is in jeopardy.

But there will still certainly be some games on Christmas, so be thankful for that. And if you are placing a few bets down on those games, make sure you follow the lines closely, because with all these Covid-induced roster changes, the oddsmakers are struggling to keep up and lines are changing rapidly.

Also:

• Inside the NBA’s race to outlast the omicron surge
• The NBA’s history on Christmas Day
• NBA’s Christmas push at the heart of global growth

Trivia question:

Which NBA team has played the most Christmas Day games, and can you also name the player from that team who had the highest-scoring game in the NBA’s Christmas history?

Betting

Something else to celebrate on Dec. 25

Thanks to Christmas falling on a weekend this year, we will be treated to NFL action on Dec. 25 for the second consecutive year. While Alvin Kamara’s monster game certainly won some key fantasy games for folks last year, this year there are a number of marquee players in action, including MVP contenders Aaron Rodgers and Jonathan Taylor (and Kyler Murray too for good measure).

So here are a few prop bets you can make on the two Christmas Day games (Browns-Packers and Colts-Cardinals) while you hunker down amid all the piles of unwrapped presents and discarded wrapping paper.

• Jonathan Taylor rush yards + Kyler Murray passing yards over 349.5 yards combined (Yes -130)
• Aaron Rodgers over/under 258.5 passing yards (Both -115)
• Davante Adams over/under 80.5 receiving yards (Over -125, Under -110)
• Jonathan Taylor over/under 105.5 rushing yards (Both -115)

Also:

• NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 16
• Who to start and sit in this week’s fantasy playoffs

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Is Tom Brady a sore loser?

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

The GOAT doesn’t like to lose and can be very petulant when he does. The Saints shut out the Bucs 9-0 Sunday night. It was the first time Brady had been shut out in 15 years, and he was not happy, throwing a temper tantrum. Brady was seen and heard yelling obscenities at the officials and the Saints’ coaches, and he destroyed a Microsoft tablet in frustration. Critics are blasting Brady as a sore loser, but his faithful want to dismiss it as a byproduct of his greatness and desire to win. But which is it?

I’m all about giving the GOAT of the NFL the credit he deserves — the man has won seven Super Bowls. However, this isn’t the first time Brady has acted like a child when things didn’t go his way. When he lost to the Eagles in Super Bowl 52, he didn’t shake hands with QB Nick Foles after the game. He did the same thing to QB Jared Goff after the Buccaneers lost to the Rams in 2020. But shaking hands with the other team is what you do in the NFL; it’s a tradition because that’s the way it’s done.

Should we excuse Brady’s behavior? What if it was a different QB? It’s hard to feel sorry for a man who has enjoyed 22 great seasons in the NFL. Once in a while, you lose. That’s just a part of it and that’s what we teach our kids. TB, you are idolized by millions of children who want to be you, and you need to calm down when things don’t go your way.

Also:

Microsoft, Saints player poke fun at Brady after his tablet tantrum

Partner

Better betting?

The sports betting world is full of social media handicappers who give out picks for free, or even sell them in some cases. And an average sports bettor might turn to one of these “sharps” to try and get an edge. The big question everyone should ask is “Are they legit?” Some handicappers simply can’t be trusted as they hide their true record and profits. 

If you are looking to find the right handicapper to follow, SharpRank might just be the place to vet them. SharpRank is the first independent cross-sport ratings agency for sports personalities, bettors, algorithms and the general public. The app gives you full access to picks made by industry experts. You can even record the bets you make and see how you compare with some of the best sharps in the world. Take a look for yourself and maybe you will find yourself betting better. SharpRank can be downloaded on the Apple store and Google Play store for free.

Health and Fitness

Time to HIIT it!

If you’ve been anywhere near a Peloton or a gym lately, you’ve probably seen plenty of mention of HIIT, which stands for High Intensity Interval Training. It’s a style of workout that requires participants to perform exercises with as much effort as possible for short bursts, then rest for quick recovery periods. 

The term is bandied about so much that many people who have taken a HIIT class might not totally understand why they’re pushing so hard through the stop-and-start nature of the protocol, either. But the benefits of HIIT can be substantial, and here are 14 HIIT workouts that will have you leaving boring cardio behind for good.

Also:

What is HIIT exactly?

Gear and Tech

The best tech of 2021

It might be too late to give some of these as Christmas gifts this year, but it’s never too late to treat yourself to some of the best tech gadgets available right now. And from giant TVs to the best electric vehicle chargers to the best way to clean your keyboard, here are the best tech products a panel of experts purchased in 2021.

Trailer of the Week

‘Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber’

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick in a new limited series from the creators of the Showtime hit Billions. The show, called Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber, also features Kyle Chandler (as Uber co-founder Bill Gurley), Hank Azaria (as Apple CEO Tim Cook) and Uma Thurman (as Ariana Huffington). It is set to debut on Showtime on Feb. 27.

Something to talk about …

• The NHL has pulled out of the upcoming Beijing Olympics, so what will the Olympic hockey rosters look like now?
• Jared Bernhardt might be college football’s best two-sport athlete that you’ve never heard of.
• Why did the Women’s Tennis Association risk everything for Peng Shuai?
• A serious review of Lay’s new potato chip vodka.

Trivia answer:

The Knicks, who are slated to play the opening game this Christmas, lead the way with 53 total games played on Christmas. And Bernard King holds the all-time record for points in a game on Christmas after he scored 60 against the Nets in 1984.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

December 17, 2021

Big, beautiful bowl season begins

As much as it might seem like there is usually a big gap in the schedule before the college football bowls begin, that just isn’t the case anymore.

Bowl season starts Friday night, a mere six days after the Heisman ceremony.

But don’t worry, there are 42 bowl games in the next few weeks before the national championship game on Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.

And there are plenty of storylines to track and keep us entertained after we run out of things to talk about with our families.

• There are 84 bowl-eligible teams; so many that the NCAA had to add an extra bowl game so that all bowl-eligible teams could play in the postseason.
• Not surprisingly, the SEC leads the way with 13 bowl-eligible teams. In fact, only one SEC team won’t be playing in a bowl this season.
• Trivia question: Can you name which team it is? (The answer is at the bottom of this email.)
• There are two new bowl games this season, the Fenway Bowl (can you guess where that one will be played?) and the LA Bowl (which will be in the new SoFi Stadium). Both of those were supposed to debut last season but were scrapped due to Covid.
• There are interim coaches at big schools everywhere, from Bob Stoops, who is returning to Oklahoma to coach one more game (for a reported $325K), to Oregon, Florida, Miami and LSU. But before you get excited and think it’s a safe bet to go against an interim coach, think again.
• But a number of big-name players will be sitting out bowl season too, including likely Top 10 picks in the upcoming NFL draft Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon) and Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), as well as Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh) and the nation’s top running back, Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III.
• And finally, what would bowl season be without a number of nutty-sounding sponsorships? This year we have the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl, the Wasabi Fenway Bowl (which isn’t named after the condiment), the Cheez-It Bowl and Duke’s Mayo Bowl. There’s also the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl and the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl. And even Kimmel has hard time figuring out which bowl games are real.

Also:

• Five intriguing bowl games, and the bets to make on each one
• Ranking the watchability of every bowl game
• Ten biggest questions for bowl season

The Sportsgirl’s Take

A big win for HBCUs

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl.

Boom. The No. 1 high school player in America, Travis Hunter, stunned the world this week. His decision to flip his commitment from Florida State, a Division I FBS powerhouse, to Jackson State, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), could be a catalyst for other players to follow suit. This is huge not only for Jackson, Miss., but also for all of HBCU athletics. “Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich history in football. I want to be part of that history,” Hunter tweeted. I commend Hunter for having the courage to follow his heart.

There have been earth-shaking, monumental events for Black Americans in the last few years — the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the racial tension across the globe have caused many Black athletes to rethink how they use their public platforms on social issues, and more and more athletes like Hunter are using their voices and actions to try and help the Black community not only survive, but thrive.

Moreover, five- and four-star recruits are commonly transferring from Power Five schools to HBCUs, often getting a fresh start in the process. These athletes can also generate millions of dollars for HBCUs instead of being a smaller part of the bigger machinery at a major-conference school. I guarantee you there will be more Hunters coming down the pike.

Also:

How Deion Sanders turned Jackson State into the best story in college football

Betting

Saturday night’s all right

Not only does college football bowl season start Friday, but this weekend marks the return of Saturday games on the NFL schedule. The Raiders and Browns meet in the first game Saturday, and then the Colts and Patriots square off in a big AFC showdown in the night game.

So let’s look at a few prop bets you can make to enhance your Saturday night viewing experience:

• Jonathan Taylor over/under 93.5 rushing yards (Both -115)
• Mac Jones + Carson Wentz to combine for over 49.5 completions (Yes +150)
• Josh Jacobs + Nick Chubb over 149.5 combined rush yards (Yes +110)
• Mac Jones or Carson Wentz over/under 226.5 passing yards (All -115)

Also:

• Covid outbreak is wreaking havoc on the Browns
• Who to start and sit for the Fantasy playoffs

Health and Fitness

Learning the ropes: How to start rock climbing

Whether you’re getting bored of your local climbing wall or simply curious about climbing on real rock, taking your rock climbing practice outdoors is a worthy goal. Outdoor climbing lets you marry your love of climbing with spending time in nature, after all, and it’s often more thrilling and unpredictable than climbing in a gym. If you’re ready to make the transition from wall to crag, read on for tips on how to start climbing outdoors.

Travel and Outdoors

The best hotels and resorts for ’22

Hopefully, traveling in 2022 will require a lot less planning, swabbing and soul-searching. And with that in mind, here are Conde Nast Traveler’s choices for the best hotels and resorts in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

Trailer of the Week

‘American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story’

If you watched “The Greatest Show on Turf” during the Rams’ NFC reign around the turn of the century, then you certainly heard about Kurt Warner’s Cinderella story of how he went from stocking grocery store shelves to the Arena League to starting at QB for the most explosive offense in the NFL. Well now that story has been made into a movie called American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story, and it debuts in theaters this week. It stars Zachary Levi as Warner, Anna Paquin as his wife and Dennis Quaid as coach Dick Vermeil.

Something to talk about …

• Video: College football’s top 21 moments of the 2021 regular season.
• Illustrating the greatness of the NBA’s new 3-point king, Steph Curry.
• The 10 moments that defined Urban Meyer’s disastrous NFL tenure.
• The Super Bowl is heading to Las Vegas in 2024.

Trivia answer:

In the SEC, only Vanderbilt, which finished 2-10 overall, failed to reach the six-win threshold necessary to become bowl-eligible.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

December 10, 2021

E-bikes for everyone!

The bicycle boom (and the struggle to get one) during the pandemic was well-documented, but it wasn’t just traditional bikes that got a big boost.

E-bike sales jumped 240 percent between July 2020 and July 2021. And now thanks to some big tax incentives in the recently passed $1.75 trillion Build Back Better bill, buying an e-bike is about to become much more accessible for many people.

E-bike buyers can get up to a $900 tax credit as part of the incentives in the recent social safety net and climate bill because e-bikes are being promoted as a low-carbon transportation option that can replace some car trips. And that will help buyers, since most e-bikes are still more expensive (and often considerably more expensive) than traditional bikes.

The boom in e-bikes is primarily due to three things:

1. Lithium-ion batteries have become smaller, cheaper and more efficient, making their use on things like bicycles a lot easier.
2. The worldwide resurgence of urban bicycling, including the expansion of bike lanes and routes.
3. And finally, urban bike-sharing programs like New York’s Citi Bikes, which allows users to test e-bikes out without having to purchase one.

E-bikes typically also fall into one of three categories:

1. Pedal-assist: Where riders get a boost when they pedal, almost like someone is pushing them along.
2. Throttle: This allows riders to zoom along at close to 20 mph without pedaling.
3. A faster pedal-assist: This allows riders to get up to 28 mph.

Now there are some bumps coming along with the boom too. But the next time you do a double-take when you see a bicycle zooming by and the rider isn’t even pedaling, get used to it, because you’ll soon be seeing it a lot more.

Also:

• The best e-bikes to buy right now
• Best bike trails in the U.S.A.

Betting

NFC’s turn in the spotlight

For the second consecutive week, the Monday Night matchup might be the best of the week. One week after Bill Belichick’s run-at-all-costs gameplan sank the Bills in a matchup of the AFC’s elite, the Cardinals and Rams clash in a heavyweight NFC showdown this Monday night.

But there’s also an intriguing Bucs-Bills matchup on Sunday as Tom Brady tries to follow Belichick in dropping an ‘L’ on Buffalo.

So let’s look at a few prop bets you can make to add a little more action to watching those games this week:

• Tom Brady + Josh Allen over 4.5 combined passing TDs (Yes +115)
• Chris Godwin + Stefon Diggs over 174.5 combined receiving yards (Yes +120)
• Kyler Murray over 300.5 combined passing + rushing yards & Cardinals to win (Yes +155)
• Which team will score first? (Rams -105, Cardinals -125)

Also:

• Tom Brady emerges as strong MVP favorite
• Things to consider before placing a prop bet

Trivia question:

Tom Brady is already the oldest player ever to win the NFL MVP award when he won the 2017 award at age 40. But who are the next two oldest players to win the award (hint: they’re both QBs)?

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Don’t bet against Belichick

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

Here’s a sports betting tip: Don’t bet against Bill Belichick. He’s an evil genius I tell you! Belichick has that look in his eye like he knows something you don’t — and he usually does. He’s always one step ahead of the league, and once again, he’s outsmarted everyone. Belichick is riding out the rest of his career on the fifth quarterback taken in last year’s NFL Draft, Mac Jones.

Belichick and the Patriots landed a star who was in plain sight — a national-championship winning, All-America QB at the nation’s most successful college football program, Alabama. A star that 14 other teams passed up, and there’s no question through all of their rookie seasons, the Patriots’ No. 15 overall pick has been the best of the QB bunch. The Patriots and Jones have moved to 9-4 on the season, have a seven-game winning streak and are the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

It’s a symbiotic relationship — Jones has landed a quality organization, great players and gets to play for the best coach of all time (yep, I said it). It’s been the perfect environment for him to thrive, and not only has he made an immediate impact as a rookie, now there’s Tom Brady vs. Bill Belichick Super Bowl talk. It’s not crazy. In fact, Bucs-Pats is now the most likely Super Bowl LVI matchup, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). Wouldn’t that be the ultimate showdown?

Health and Fitness

How to guarantee a regular workout habit

A recent study revealed the best way to get people to stick to a gym routine is as simple as “plan, remind, reward.”

The experiment involved more than 60,000 U.S. gym-goers with the goal: Get people who are already gym members to go regularly. And the behavioral intervention programs that worked best included text messages, emails and e-gift cards. For more on what gets people to get to gym, check out the full results here.

Also:

What should I eat before a workout?

Food and Drink

Gifts for whiskey lovers (that aren’t actual whiskey)

It’s actually pretty easy to get a gift for a whiskey lover since you can always just get … more whiskey. But going beyond the liquid present can be a bit tougher, so here are some great gifts to get that don’t involve actual bottles of the obvious stuff.

Trailer of the Week

‘Winning Time’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYOlUZrHRT8

The first trailer dropped this week for one of the most talked-about upcoming shows (and not just because it was at the heart of the breakup of the legendary Adam McKay-Will Ferrell comedy pairing.) Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty features a star-studded cast (from John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss to Adrian Brody as Pat Riley), has McKay as an executive producer (and he also directs the pilot, like he did with Succession) and promises a no-holds-barred look at the Showtime Lakers and everything that went on behind the scenes. (And the NBA has already come out against the show, which should tell you plenty.) The show premieres on HBO and HBO Max in March 2022.

Something to talk about …

• Video: Top highlights of the Heisman finalists
• The sudden death of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has placed horse racing under an intense microscope once again.
• UFC owner Endeavor purchased nine minor-league baseball teams this week.
• Peloton has added boxing to its fitness programs.

Trivia answer:

Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning both won the NFL MVP award when they were 37 years old.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

December 3rd, 2021

November nightmare

After a notable hot streak in October, bettors were sitting pretty heading into November. But it turns out the betting public was just getting fattened up for a Thanksgiving slaughter.

Thanks to a big run of NFL underdogs covering the spread, November turned out to be one of the worst months ever for bettors. Underdogs covered the spread nearly 60 percent of the time in November, several big underdogs won outright, and heavily bet primetime favorites also lost a bunch. And all that spelled doom for a betting public that always leans heavily toward favorites.

The most costly games for bettors in the month included the Jaguars over the Bills in Week 9; the Dolphins beating the Ravens in Week 10; and the Texans beating the Titans in Week 11.

“We did have big wins, yes, but the number of wins, percentage-wise for us, was unbelievable,” said Jeff Stoneback, a Las Vegas bookmaker who oversees BetMGM’s sportsbook in Nevada. “I was shocked.”

Also:

• Current NFL playoff picture
• When should you bet on NFL games?

Betting

Game of the year on tap?

Some analysts are calling Monday night’s Patriots-Bills showdown the “game of the year.” And with good reason: the Bills were picked by many to go to the Super Bowl this year, but now Mac Jones and the surging Patriots look like they might be the favorites in the AFC. And Bill Belichick might prove he too can reach the Super Bowl without being part of the Brady-Belichick combo anymore.

So with all that said, let’s look at a few prop bets you can make to add a little more action to watching that game on Monday night:

• The longest touchdown of the game over/under 40.5 yards (Both -115)
• Mac Jones passing yards + Josh Allen rushing yards over 299.5 (Yes +100)
• Which team will have the longest field goal? (Patriots -130, Bills +120)
• Will the first score happen in the first 6:00 of the game? (Yes -105, No -125)
• Will the game ever be tied again after 0-0? (Yes -115, No -110)

Trivia question:

Mac Jones is looking to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl as a rookie this season. How many rookie quarterbacks have ever won the Super Bowl?

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

College coaching carousel chaos

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos.

What a week in college football. I’m worn out. When Oklahoma coach and offensive genius Lincoln Riley announced he was leaving for the shores of Southern California, my blood was boiling. I thought it was fake news, but my phone kept dinging, and I realized Riley had pulled a fast one over on #SoonerNation. After Riley’s shocker, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly broke up with his football team after 12 years — over text!

These shocking exits have me baffled. Two coaches leaving storied programs, stunning the world. The last time an Oklahoma coach left willingly for another college football job was in 1947. Kelly had the Fighting Irish in contention for a spot in the playoffs and recently said he couldn’t see himself leaving South Bend. Football coaches leave teams often, but these two cases are extremely rare. Oklahoma and Notre Dame are destination jobs. Why go?

Let me look at Riley’s departure objectively. In July, Oklahoma and Texas announced they would join the SEC in 2025. This will be a seismic shift for the Big 12 and college football, making the SEC almost too powerful. Riley has a better opportunity for longer-term, sustainable success in the Pac-12 as opposed to the SEC where Oklahoma’s competition will be fierce. But further, the terms of his deal are rumored to be INSANE: $110M contract (and it’s safe to assume Riley will eclipse the $9.7 million per year that Nick Saban makes at Alabama), plus real estate deals and unlimited use of the Trojan private jet. Oh, and the weather doesn’t suck. Pretty hard to pass up.

Also:

• Hear leaked audio of Brian Kelly’s speech to his team
• Breaking down championship week in college football

Gear and Tech

‘Watch’ men

Michael Jordan and reigning NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo recently joined a list of athletes investing in WatchBox, a site that allows people to buy, sell, and trade luxury watches. WatchBox said the company is on pace for $300 million in net revenue this year and is said to have an overall valuation of close to $1 billion now. And the secondary luxury watch market is booming as top makers like Rolex and Richard Mille avoid increasing supply to protect scarcity around collections. 

Also:

Best sneakerhead accounts to follow

Travel and Outdoors

The big mistake to avoid while sleeping on a plane

If it’s a cross-country trip or even just a quick connecting leg, most people have fallen asleep on a plane for some period of time. But there’s one big thing to make sure you avoid if you do nod off: Never lean against the window or hull of the plane. And here’s why.

Trailer of the Week

‘National Champions’

Tackling a topic that has been in the headlines all season for college football, the new film National Champions addresses the disparity between how much money college football players can earn and how much revenue they generate for everyone else around them. This film is about how a star quarterback (Stephan James) ignites a players strike right before the biggest game of the year while his coach (J.K. Simmons) and everyone else around the game tries to figure out what to do.

Something to talk about …

• Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue isn’t nicknamed “The Monster” for nothing. And he might be the next big thing in boxing.
• The Oakland A’s are reportedly thinking about building their new stadium on the Las Vegas strip.
• The WTA has suspended tournaments in China over the bizarre case of Peng Shuai.
• If you care, here’s everything to know about MLB’s lockout.
• UConn star Paige Bueckers just signed a huge endorsement deal with Gatorade.

Trivia answer:

Zero. No rookie quarterback has even ever reached the Super Bowl, let alone win it. Several rookie QBs have reached the conference championship game, but they’ve never made it past that game.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

November 26th, 2021

Florida football follies

There was a time, not too long ago, when a Florida-Florida State showdown would be a Top 5 showdown with national championship implications. But when they meet Saturday, the biggest thing the two 5-6 teams are fighting for is bowl eligibility (and not to have a losing record on the season).

Such is the state of college football in the Sunshine State this season. After decades of producing national championships and Heisman winners and just generally being the capital of college football, the teams in Florida are going through their roughest stretch in more than 40 years.

Florida fired its coach this week, Florida State has been in shambles since Jimbo Fisher bolted for Texas A&M several years ago, and Miami was a preseason Top 25 team this year but struggled. And now the three powerhouses face the likelihood that none of them will finish ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 1978.

Even UCF, the cinderella team that had a run of 35-4 over a few seasons a little while ago, has struggled to keep up with its recent success. Even then, at 7-4, the Knights are the strongest Florida team this season so far.

So what has changed? Perhaps the biggest change in the last 25 years is in recruiting. Florida still produces more top-tier players than almost any other state, but now recruiting has become less regional, and more national, meaning it’s harder for the power programs in Florida to keep top players in-state. In fact, in recent years, only a handful of the Top 20 recruits in the state have stayed in Florida, with most bolting for places like Alabama, Georgia and LSU.

And Florida’s power programs may just be in a down cycle, but in any case, this season is still a far cry from the glory days of a generation ago.

Also:

• Everything at stake in Rivalry Week
• Contenders’ paths to the College Football Playoff

Trivia question:

True or false: Since the onset of the College Football Playoff in 2014, no team from Florida has ever been selected for the final four teams.

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

Betting

The feast after the feast

Hopefully you were able to enjoy the football on Thanksgiving, or at least pretend to so you could get a break from family craziness. But Sunday has a few big matchups in store (Packers-Rams and Titans-Patriots, for example), so let’s look at a few intriguing prop bets that could make those games a little more interesting:

• Davante Adams + Cooper Kupp over 17.5 receptions (Yes +150)
• Tom Brady over 299.5 passing yards + Jonathan Taylor over 79.5 rushing yards (Yes +280)
• Matthew Stafford over/under 276.5 yards passing (Both -115)

Also:

When should you bet on NFL games?

Travel and Outdoors

Weed lounges are on the way

So far, no major U.S. city in any weed-legal state has emerged as an Amsterdam-like destination where consumers can freely light up in cannabis cafes. But Las Vegas is looking to change that. You can buy recreational marijuana in Las Vegas right now no problem, but finding a place to smoke it? Good luck, given it’s prohibited in casinos, hotel rooms and anywhere in public. But the politics of pot lounges are changing too, and Las Vegas may soon have smoking lounges on a massive scale.

Also:

THC: Is it legal?

Gear and Tech

Return of a ‘wired’ world? Not quite

You might have seen a few headlines recently declaring that “wired” headphones are back and the ubiquitous AirPods might be on the way out. But it turns out this is really just a trendy “retro” novelty movement that gained momentum thanks to a few influential Gen-Z celebrities. And while anyone who has dropped or lost an AirPod in an inconvenient place might wish it was part of a bigger move toward “wired,” it doesn’t look like AirPods are going anywhere.

Trailer of the Week

‘Jurassic World Dominion’

This one isn’t a trailer, so much as a prologue to the next Jurassic World film, which is due out next summer. The five minutes of footage of Jurassic World Dominion (which will not be part of the film) goes 65 million years into the past and then connects to the present day where it picks up after the events of the last film, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Directed by Colin Trevorrow, the film was originally slated to be released in the summer of 2021 but was pushed to June 2022 by the pandemic.

Something to talk about …

• Friday night’s Duke vs. Gonzaga showdown is also a matchup of the two players who are likely going to be the top two NBA draft picks next spring.
• In defense of Thanksgiving leftovers.
• Turner Sports is betting big on a big Black Friday showdown between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
• In case you haven’t noticed, there are big, big problems at Manchester United (even with Cristiano Ronaldo on the team).

Trivia answer:

False. Florida State made the final four in the initial season of 2014, before losing to Oregon in the semifinals.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

November 19th, 2021

Relishing pickleball

Pickleball is no longer just the game you tried once when you ran out of things to do at your in-laws’ condo in Florida. The paddle sport that’s somewhere between tennis, badminton and ping-pong was another pandemic success story and is now showing up on ESPN and The Today Show.

The sport has exploded across the country and across demographics, becoming an obsession in some corners of Hollywood (Leonardo DiCaprio is said to play everyday) and even prompting noise complaints in small towns in Maine.

The Economist recently labeled it “the fastest growing sport in America,” with many private clubs rushing to replace tennis courts with pickleball courts and schools adding it to physical education classes.

And as for the pickleball pros (yes, they exist), the world’s top player, Ben Johns, hauls in roughly $250,000 a year, but prize money for the big events is still pretty small. The sport’s backers are banking on that to change soon as more attention, participation and sponsors could bring bigger bucks.

Also:

• USA Pickeball Association
• Pickleball Central blog
• The fastest growing sport you’ve never heard of

How to play pickleball:

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Things are better with Steph

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

“MVP! MVP!” Golden State’s Stephen Curry actually got MVP chants at a Nets game – yep, in Barclays Center, Kevin Durant’s home arena. Not only were Nets fans cheering for Curry, who dropped 37 points, with seven rebounds and five assists, the Nets’ players had to be in awe too as he took over their arena.

Look, Steph has to be the greatest shooter in NBA history. All he does is hit 3’s and shatter records, just like he did against the Nets this week. He upstaged Durant, one of the best players on the planet, in a battle of early MVP favorites. Curry hit nine 3’s for an NBA-record 37th time. Think about that: 37 times Curry has made nine or more 3-pointers in a game! And these are not just regular 3-pointers, they’re often logo 3’s. 

The NBA’s just more fun with Steph. He’s not only the most exciting player in the NBA, he’s one of the most entertaining athletes in the world. 

We suffered through a no-season Steph after he missed nearly all of the 2019-20 season due to injury. It didn’t just suck for #dubnation, it sucked for the entire basketball world. You want to watch Steph, see what he’s going to do next. He’s become a cultural icon, changing the game, sprinting across the hardwood and making the 3-point line his own personal play space.

Also:

How to bet on the NBA

Trivia question:

Curry is on pace to break the all-time record for career 3-pointers during this season. Can you name whose record he’s going to break? (Bonus: Can you also name the two other active players in the Top 10 in career 3-pointers made?)

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

Betting

Cowboys-Chiefs is the one to watch

Sure there’s a few decent games on Sunday (Colts-Bills, Packers-Vikings and Steelers-Chargers), but the monster matchup of the day is clearly Cowboys-Chiefs.

So let’s look at a few intriguing prop bets that could make that game a little more interesting:

• Dak Prescott + Patrick Mahomes over 624.5 combined passing yards (Yes +110)
• Dak Prescott over/under 299.5 yards passing (Both -115)
• Patrick Mahomes over/under 312.5 yards passing (Both -115)
• Will the Chiefs be the highest-scoring team Sunday? (Yes +600)
• Will the Cowboys be the highest-scoring team Sunday? (Yes +1000)

Also:

Prescott pulling away in Comeback Player of the Year odds

Travel and Outdoors

The best ways to do Vegas right now

If you haven’t gotten your Las Vegas fix in since the pandemic, you should know there are a number of things that have changed in the last two years. But fear not, here’s a list of the best hotels in Vegas for any occasion. From the best place to have a bachelor party to the best boutique hotel and the best hotel pool, this list has you covered.

Also:

What are the best new casinos to visit?

Food and Drink

The worth of wood in whiskey

Maturation is a key step in the process of making whiskey. Time spent resting in oak allows the transfer of sugars from the wood into the spirit that helps create many of the flavors in whiskey. It is a lot more complicated than that, but here’s more detail on how some of the great whiskeys depend a lot on the judicious use of toasted and charred oak.

Trailer of the Week

‘Pam and Tommy’

Chronicling the events that brought the term “sextape” to the masses, Hulu’s Pam and Tommy miniseries dropped its first trailer this week. Starring Lily James as Pamela Anderson and Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee, the eight-part series documents the couple’s courtship, honeymoon (where the tape was made) and the subsequent path the video took to reach the masses. Seth Rogen (who also executive produced the series) and Nick Offerman also star. The series premieres on Hulu on Feb. 2.

Something to talk about …

• College football in Florida is worse this season than it has been in more than 40 years.
• The frightening case of the missing Chinese tennis star took a big turn this week with the WTA threatening to strip China of events if the player’s safety isn’t confirmed.
• Everything you need to know about Facebook and the Metaverse.
• The United States is considering a “diplomatic” boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, but would still allow U.S. athletes to compete.

Trivia answer:

After the win over the Nets, Curry trails Ray Allen by only 65 3-pointers for the top spot on the all-time list. And the Nets’ James Harden and the Blazers’ Damian Lillard are also in the Top 10 for career 3-pointers made.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

November 12th, 2021

Big Apple betting on the horizon

While New Jersey has been climbing to the top of the sports betting world, New Yorkers have been quietly waiting for their chance (or riding bikes across the George Washington Bridge to bet in Jersey themselves).

Well, the wait is almost over after the big announcement this week that two licenses for mobile sports betting in New York have been approved. The licenses went to groups comprised of the big names in sports betting (like FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars) but bypassed some big names as well (like Jay-Z and Barstool).

The announcement doesn’t mean mobile sports betting will be immediately available, but expectations are that you’ll be able to place bets by the Super Bowl on Feb. 13. And once the floodgates are open, New York officials expect the state to surpass New Jersey’s record levels very quickly.

“Once we enter the arena, we’ll eclipse New Jersey.” New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo said.

The revenue implications for the state could be significant as well, with the groups winning the licenses due to pay a 51 percent tax on profits, as well as a $200 million one-time fee to the state.

Also:

• Common mistakes sports bettors make
• Data to use when betting on sports

Betting

Lots to watch for in Week 10

There was a fair amount of player movement the last few weeks (with most of the movement heading toward Los Angeles), plus that little Aaron Rodgers brouhaha you might have heard about …

But a number of those players might, or might not, play for their new teams in this week’s games, and Rodgers’ status remains uncertain, but he has suggested he’ll play Sunday against the Seahawks.

This all means you should play close attention to the key games with player changes possible, especially Seattle vs. Green Bay, and Rams vs. 49ers on Monday night.

In the meantime, here are some intriguing prop bets to think about while awaiting those inactives lists.

• Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson over 4.5 combined passing touchdowns (Yes +150)

• Matt Ryan + Dak Prescott over 599.5 combined passing yards (Yes +115)

• Travis Kelce + Darren Waller over 149.5 combined receiving yards (Yes +110)

NFL trivia:

In 2011, Cam Newton, who returned to the Panthers this week (but isn’t expected to play Sunday), became a member of a rare “triple crown” group of players who won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship, and then were drafted No. 1 overall a few months later. Another SEC quarterback accomplished the feat less than 10 years later, can you name him?

(The answer is at the bottom of this email.)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Pippen’s aim at Jordan comes at a cost

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

You can’t talk about Pippen without Jordan. Not even to this day. In Scottie Pippen’s new book, Unguarded, he is very candid and bitter about Michael Jordan’s documentary, The Last Dance, which was sucked up by the sports world while the country was in Covid lockdown.

Pippen feels Jordan used the documentary as personal propaganda, writing “Michael was determined to prove to the current generation of fans that he was larger-than-life during his day.” Pippen even weaves LeBron James into this seemingly spiteful web, claiming Jordan felt he was “still larger than LeBron James, the player many consider his equal, if not superior.” BOOM.

Pippen’s cathartic narrative may leave him feeling redeemed, but at what cost? It sounds as though some of his griefs are petty and childish. One being how Jordan made $10 million off The Last Dance, ignoring the fact Jordan donated $2 million from his docuseries to local food banks.

Pippen is widely regarded as one of the best defenders ever. Wouldn’t he rather be remembered this way instead of as Michael Jordan’s envious former teammate? There is a shadow of hypocrisy in it all. Just a decade ago, Pippen asked Jordan to be his presenter at the 2010 Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony saying, “MJ, you have touched so many people’s lives, but none like mine. Thank you for being the best teammate.” Hmmm — not a good look.

Travel and Outdoors

Uninviting destinations

“Dark tourism” is a real thing, and if you’re looking for pretty much the exact opposite of Disney World, then this is a list for you. Here are 16 sites that showcase some of mankind’s darkest chapters. From environmental disaster sites to man-made destruction, these destinations are not for the faint of heart but are still drawing larger and larger crowds each year.

Health and Fitness

The stretch for the laptop slouches

Hunched over a computer all day? It might be time to try and morph your body into the “dancer pose” (pictured above). This one stretch could prevent the kind of issues that can arise from sitting at your keyboard four hours on end. And don’t worry, the link has a few easier versions of the stretch to do too.

Trailer of the Week

‘Citizen Ashe’

Fresh off getting strong reviews at the Telluride Film Festival, Citizen Ashe presents a look at the life of trail-blazing tennis pioneer and Wimbledon champion Arthur Ashe. The film is set to debut on HBO Max in early 2022.

Something to talk about …

• Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn is the first big-name player suspended by the NCAA for violating the new NIL rules.
• Peloton has launched “Guide” – a camera system for strength training.
• Former NASCAR star Jeff Gordon is selling his Florida home for $42 million.
• A look at the biggest college football games this week.

NFL trivia answer:

LSU’s Joe Burrow accomplished the same feat: winning the Heisman Trophy and a national championship, and then becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

November 5th, 2021

Sorry, Cincy

There was a thought that maybe, just maybe — thanks to a No. 2 ranking in the AP poll, a win at No. 10 Notre Dame, and a bunch of elite teams with one loss already — that Cincinnati might finally be the team that breaks the Power 5 stranglehold when the initial College Football Playoff rankings were released this week.

But when they came out, the Bearcats were ranked … sixth.

Sure, that’s still the highest-ever ranking for a Group of 5 team, but it’s still out of the top four spots … and that’s all that really matters in these rankings.

Clearly, Cincinnati was punished for having the worst strength of schedule (94th) of any team in the Top 10. And while these rankings will certainly change as the season goes on, it’s already clear that even if they win out, the Bearcats will need a lot of help to break into the final four playoff spots.

All of this didn’t sit well with AAC commissioner Mike Aresco, who continues to call the CFP a “Power 5 invitational”. But at least Cincinnati won’t have to deal with that much longer, given the Bearcats are due to become a Power 5 team when they join the Big 12 no later than 2024.

Also:

• Full College Football Playoff rankings
• Top takeaways from the first playoff rankings of the season

Trivia question: This season marks the eighth season of the College Football Playoff. The two teams that have dominated the first seven seasons are clearly Alabama and Clemson, with each making six playoff appearances and even meeting in the final three separate times. Alabama has won three playoff titles and Clemson has won two. Can you name the only two teams besides Alabama or Clemson to win the playoff crown?

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

OBJ gets his freedom

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

Odell Beckham Jr. was released by the Cleveland Browns on Friday, and it was time.

If you look at the OBJ situation in its totality — from the day Beckham was acquired by the Browns — it never really worked. When a team acquires a superstar, that team has to feed that star’s ego constantly. People wanted it to work. OBJ was flashy and fun. He also made the famous one-handed catch that my boys still try to emulate in the backyard.

This week, Beckham’s father drove the relationship with the Browns into the proverbial ground. He posted a video on social media highlighting the times when Browns QB Baker Mayfield didn’t throw the ball to Beckham. To make matters worse, Beckham commented with green checks under another user’s comment that said Mayfield was “either hating on Odell or he just doesn’t want him shining.”

It’s obvious the three-time Pro Bowler wanted out of Cleveland, and it was too late to sit down and solve things. The relationship was no longer productive. The seeds for Friday’s move might have even been sowed last season when the Browns were one game away from the AFC championship without Beckham even playing. Both parties are certainly better served now by cutting the cord. OBJ can find a better situation, and maybe we can get another chance to see the one-handed-catch OBJ that we all know and loved to watch.

Betting

Super Bowl rematches all over the place

Week 9 in the NFL features five Super Bowl rematches (including Thursday night’s Colts win over the Jets), which is two more than any other week in NFL history. The other four are below, with an intriguing prop bet for each game included to help make it a little more interesting.

• Broncos vs. Cowboys (rematch of Super Bowl XII)
• Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy combine for over 199.5 receiving yards and over 1.5 TDs (Yes +600)
• Patriots vs. Panthers (rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII)
• Will this game be the lowest-scoring matchup on Sunday (Yes +400)
• Packers vs. Chiefs (rematch of Super Bowl I)
• Jordan Love over/under 232.5 passing yards (Both -115)
• Titans vs. Rams (rematch of Super Bowl XXXIV)
• Will Cooper Kupp have more receiving yards than any other NFL player Sunday? (Yes +750)

Also:

Data to use when betting on sports

Gear and Tech

Nike wants to sell you virtual shoes

This week, Nike filed trademark applications indicating it wanted to sell digital versions of its sneakers, clothing and other goods that would carry its signature swoosh. Those items could live in virtual spaces, like video games or other platforms. 

It also comes on the heels of another digital innovation Nike has been working on called “Cryptokicks,” which are blockchain-compatible sneakers that give buyers a unique digital asset in addition to the shoes.

Also:

Explaining blockchain in case you’re still in the dark

Health and Fitness

Peloton in the sky?

No, they’re not lugging the giant stationary bikes onto planes, but Delta is partnering with Peloton to bring some of its classes to the airline’s in-flight entertainment system.

Five stretching and meditation classes will be available on planes with seat-back screens, and the collaboration marks the first time Peloton’s classes are available to stream outside of its app or hardware, such as its treadmill and stationary bike.

And Peloton needs all the help it can get these days since its stock has been getting hammered lately.

Also:

• Who are the best Peloton instructors?
• Lower-cost alternatives to Peloton

Trailer of the Week

‘The Power of the Dog’

In a role that many are predicting will net him an Oscar nomination for best actor, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as a bullying, angry cattle rancher in director Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog.” The film premieres Dec. 1 on Netflix.

Something to talk about …

• Greg Norman is creating quite a stir (and backlash) with his new Saudi-backed golf league that may, or may not, be a direct attack on the PGA Tour.
• MGM is selling the Mirage casino after owning it for 21 years.
• NFL-branded slot machines (with teams and logos) are coming soon.
• The Sabres traded star Jack Eichel to Las Vegas to end a pretty bizarre saga of the former No. 2 overall pick.

College Football Playoff answer:

Ohio State beat Oregon to win the first CFP title in 2015, and LSU beat Clemson in 2020 to win it all.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

October 29, 2021

Is New Jersey the new Nevada?

In the short time since sports betting became legal in New Jersey, the Garden State has established itself as the new behemoth in the space.

Not only did New Jersey quickly pass Nevada as the No. 1 state for sports betting, in September it became the first state ever to have a $1 billion handle in a month.

Now, this also isn’t a huge surprise given that most experts expected New Jersey to become the sports betting big dog once online betting became available. In fact, more than 90 percent of the record $1 billion was wagered online ($918.4 million) in September. (And Nevada had a record of its own in September too.)

New Jersey’s proximity to the major sports markets of New York and Philadelphia also plays a huge role. And in fact, a few savvy NYC bettors have taken to biking across the George Washington Bridge on weekends in order to reach New Jersey and place their bets.

And October is slated to be another banner month, but the books can’t be happy about how well the public has been doing the last few weeks.

Also:

• The truth about mobile sports betting apps

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Kyler Murray ‘was born a football player’

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

The Arizona Cardinals (7-1 after suffering their first loss of the season Thursday night), led by their sensational QB Kyler Murray, are so darn fun to watch. And the Cardinals were never really a team you sought out to watch until Murray came along. Now, I find myself looking for their games so I can watch Murray run and scramble away from defenses.

Murray, a former Sooner and the 2018 Heisman winner is a heck of an athlete, playing both baseball and football in college. The Oakland A’s first-round draft pick had the NFL world speculating whether he would choose baseball over football, especially since many believed his 5-foot-10 frame would limit him as a NFL QB. Boy, were they wrong. He came out for the NFL Draft in 2019, emphasizing his decision at the NFL Combine, “Yes, it’s a final decision,” Murray said. “I’m ready to go, I was born a football player.”

Now, he’s leading the Cardinals to the spotlight, helping to make their case as the best team in the NFL. They scored more than 30 points in six of their last eight games, they bullied a very tough Rams team, and Murray is a solid MVP candidate. He’s a force to be reckoned with, and he has made Cardinals games must-see TV. Plus, he’s got that #OUDNA (wink wink).

Trivia question: When Murray won the Heisman Trophy in 2018, he was the seventh player from Oklahoma to win the Heisman, tying a record held by two other schools. Can you name the other two schools beside the Sooners that have produced seven Heisman Trophy winners?

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

Betting

Propping up Week 8

While the marquee matchup of this NFL week was certainly Thursday night’s Packers victory over the previously undefeated Cardinals, there are still a few intriguing matchups Sunday (like Steelers-Browns, Patriots-Chargers, Buccaneers-Saints and Cowboys-Vikings).

And there are a few prop bets you could place to help make those games a little more interesting too:

• Ben Roethlisberger over/under 254.5 passing yards (Both -115)
• Ezekiel Elliott + Dalvin Cook over 199.5 combined rushing yards (Yes +225)
• Tom Brady + Jameis Winston over 4.5 combined passing TDs (Yes +190)
• Justin Herbert over/under 305.5 passing yards (Both -115)

Food and Drink

The smash burger is taking over

You’ve probably been enjoying “smash” hamburgers for years without really knowing it, thanks to what you’ve been eating at Shake Shack or Five Guys. But now since the pandemic, the thinner burgers are showing up everywhere in cities like New York.

Health and Fitness

So how much water are you supposed to drink?

It turns out, the tried-and-true eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day rule might not be as universal as we’ve been led to believe. Runner’s World dug into the new research surrounding the hydration question and came up with a number of new, more nuanced answers.

Trailer of the Week

‘Being the Ricardos’

Nicole Kidman takes on the role of the iconic Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos. Javier Bardem plays Ball’s husband, Desi Arnaz, in the film written and directed by Sorkin. The film will be released in theaters on Dec. 10 and on Amazon Prime on Dec. 21.

Something to talk about …

• The biggest questions heading into Game 3 of the World Series.
• Michael Jordan’s game-worn rookie sneakers sold for a record $1.47 million.
• Why are NFL players so obsessed with The Dark Knight?

Heisman Trophy answer:

Notre Dame and Ohio State have also each produced seven Heisman Trophy winners.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

October 22, 2021

Hoop themes

Thursday was the rare day on the sports calendar when there were games in all four major pro sports (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA).

And that was ultimately made possible by the tipoff of the NBA’s 75th anniversary season this week. 

But beyond the pomp and pageantry of the NBA’s milestone season (like the list of the top 75 players of all-time), some gnarly storylines continue to cloud the season.

First there’s the Ben Simmons ugliness in Philadelphia, which somehow remains unresolved and continues to get worse. And then there’s the Kyrie Irving vaccine craziness in Brooklyn.

But the wildest thing might be that both of those teams are still contenders even without those all-stars, thanks to Joel Embiid in Philly and Kevin Durant and James Harden with the Nets.

As for some on-court angles to watch:

• Can the Bucks repeat?: Milwaukee is coming off the shortest off-season (70 days) for a champion in NBA history. But it’s also not wise to bet against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
• Are the Lakers too old?: After adding Carmelo Anthony, 37, Trevor Ariza, 36, and Dwight Howard, 35, the Lakers have an average age of 31.4 years, making them the oldest in the NBA. But LeBron and Anthony Davis are still around too, and it’s the Lakers, after all.
• Can Golden State get its mojo back?: Steph Curry signed a mega-extension, but the Warriors’ hopes likely rest on how quickly (and well) Klay Thompson returns from a brutal stretch of injuries.

Also:

• Early look at MVP favorites
• Season picks and predictions

Trivia question: Only four players have been named to all four NBA Anniversary Teams: the 25th Anniversary Team, 35th Anniversary Team, 50th Anniversary Team and 75th Anniversary Team. Can you name two of them? (Hint: It’s three big men and a guard, including two Celtics legends.)

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

Where does Russ fit in?

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

It’s no secret that Russell Westbrook is full of passion and fire. You can always expect him to come into a game with guns blazing, like the world is about to end. NBA fans were amped to see the new big three: LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. What we saw were two super stars and a new guy who was frustrated and out of sorts during the Lakers home opener Tuesday night.

It was no fun for a Sooner girl and long time Westbrook and Oklahoma City Thunder fan. My guy was loyal to the Thunder for 11 years, and he recently surpassed Oscar Robertson’s all-time career triple-double record.

Tuesday marked the first time Westbrook hasn’t scored at least 10 points in a game since Jan. 24 against the San Antonio Spurs.

LeBron is always going to be the star and the guy with the ball. Anthony Davis is second in line. So, for a ball-dominant guy like Russ, where will the triple-double machine fit in?

James said before the season, ”It’s our job to all help him feel comfortable in our system, and he’s going to be as dynamic as he’s always been. We need Russ to be Russ.” This girl agrees: Just be your polarizing and electric self, Russ, and you’ll figure it out.

Betting

Mega MVP-type matchup

Patrick Mahomes has been the human highlight reel in the NFL recently (and a regular-season and Super Bowl MVP too). But Derrick Henry is having a magical season of his own so far, and could even challenge Eric Dickerson’s all-time single-season rushing record (even without that extra 17th game that will likely lead to all kinds of “season” records falling).

Sunday the two studs square off in the marquee matchup of Week 7, and here are a few interesting bets you can place to help make that matchup a little more interesting:

• Patrick Mahomes + Derrick Henry over 449.5 combined passing + rushing yards (Yes +100)
• Henry over/under 123.5 rushing yards (Both -115)
• Mahomes over/under 18.5 rushing yards (Over -120, Under -110)
• Mahomes over/under 325.5 passing yards (Both -115)

Also:

Under-the-radar NFL MVP candidates

Travel and Outdoors

Dreamy island destinations, no passport required

If you’re ready to just get away but don’t want to deal with the lingering pandemic hassles of international travel, we’ve got some ideas for you. Here are 10 island destinations that don’t require a passport for U.S. travelers.

Gear and Tech

The only knives you need

If there’s one must-have in your kitchen, it’s good, sharp knives. The best knives are sharp knives, and if you want to remove the guesswork out of what you need to buy, a knife set can help make the decision an easier one. Here are 15 of the best knife sets to have in your kitchen, as recommended by top chefs who know a thing or two about knives.

Trailer of the Week

‘Ambulance’ arrives

Director Michael Bay and actor Jake Gyllenhaal team up in Ambulance, a remake of a 2005 Danish film of the same name. But ultimately, as you can see in the trailer, it kind of feels like Bay’s version of Michael Mann’s Heat, which should make this one entertaining at least.

Something to talk about …

• The NBA’s new group of female referees are changing the game for good.
• Gonzaga and UCLA are 1-2 in the preseason AP Top 25 college basketball poll.
• How the FBI discovered a real-life Indiana Jones in, of all places, rural Indiana.

NBA answer:

The four players named to all four NBA Anniversary Teams are Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Bob Pettit and George Mikan.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

October 15, 2021

The Kraken (and the NHL) have been released

The puck dropped on the 2021-22 NHL season this week, and with it came a number of big changes.

The biggest is the addition of the Seattle Kraken as the 32nd team. The Kraken are already shattering merchandise records, and when official gear went on sale, they instantly became the top-selling team across the four major U.S. sports.

The other big change is that the league left behind longtime broadcast partner NBC after 16 years and will now be seen on Turner and ESPN. 

But the storyline that will potentially receive the most attention over the next few seasons is Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s once-thought-unbreakable all-time goal-scoring record.

Ovechkin scored twice in the Capitals’ opener on Wednesday night, moving him to fifth on the all-time scoring list with 732 career goals, 162 behind Gretzky’s record of 894.

The 36-year-old Ovechkin, who signed a five-year extension with Washington this summer, needs to average 33 goals a season over the course of that extension to break the Great One’s record. Ovechkin has never scored fewer than 33 goals in a full season. 

And as for the contenders this season, here are the favorites for the Stanley Cup:

• Colorado Avalanche (+475)
• Las Vegas Golden Knights (+700)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (+900)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (+900)
• Boston Bruins (+1300)

Trivia question: Gretzky is first on the all-time scoring list and Ovechkin is now fifth. Can you identify the other three top scorers in the top five?

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

The Astros are making everyone mad

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

The Astros keep winning, and nobody’s happy about it, except of course, #StrosNation. The remaining majority view the Astros as the team who cheated its way to a World Series in 2017. Signs like “Trash-Stros,” were displayed all season by fans expressing their displeasure. Dodgers fans played toss with large inflatable trash cans when the Astros came to town. One fan held a “Fire Manfred” umbrella, alluding to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who many believe was too light on the Astros for their cheating.

Fans want the Astros to pay, not win. The MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted: “The Astros beat the A’s and are back in the ALCS. Everybody is happy for Dusty, nobody outside of Houston is happy about anything else about this.” Another headline read “Houston’s explosive offense is one step closer to the World Series. Whether we like it or not,” after the Astros sealed a trip to their fifth consecutive ALCS.  

Did the Astros have to prove it to themselves or has all the hate fueled their fire? The fans were relentless in 2021 as no one got to boo the Astros last season during the pandemic. Whatever the case, they dominated the White Sox in the ALDS, scoring 31 runs in four games with a combo of players, and they are a consistent force when October arrives. Whether we like it or not.

Also:

Cheaters vs. Cheaters in the ALCS

Betting

Lamar Jackson vs. Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert is getting all kinds of hype after the Chargers’ strong 4-1 start. In fact, it’s hype reminiscent of another young QB who powered his team to a hot start a few years ago. That QB? Lamar Jackson, and that’s who Herbert will be facing Sunday in a big AFC matchup.

And here are a few interesting bets you can place to help make that Ravens-Chargers matchup a little more interesting:

• Justin Herbert over/under 293.5 passing yards (both -115)
• Lamar Jackson over 74.5 rushing yards + Justin Herbert over 299.5 passing yards (Yes +275)

Gear and Tech

AirPods of the future?

Apple is studying ways to make AirPods into a health device, including enhancing hearing, reading body temperature and monitoring posture, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Food and Drink

The sandwiches to seek out in every state

What is the signature sandwich in each state? Well, in Alaska, for starters, it’s a reindeer sausage sandwich. Not every state is as exotic as that, but we do have a list of the classic sandwiches to order in all 50 states.

Trailer of the Week

Halle Berry’s ‘Rocky’ moment

This week, Netflix dropped the first trailer for Bruised, a new mixed-martial arts drama which stars Halle Berry in full-on underdog Rocky mode. The film also marks Berry’s directorial debut and premieres on Netflix on Nov. 24.

Something to talk about …

• Preview of the future? Drones are already delivering sushi and ice cream in Israel.
• ESPN will broadcast an NFL wild-card game on Monday nights starting this January.
• Paul McCartney is still setting the record straight about why the Beatles broke up.
• What happens with Jon Gruden’s contract now?
• Another big SEC showdown marks this week in college football.

NHL answer:

Gretzky is first with 894 career goals, Gordie Howe is second with 801, Jaromir Jagr is third with 766, Brett Hull is fourth with 741 and Ovechkin is fifth with 732.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

OCTOBER 8, 2021

We’re all in on october

October is that rarefied month where it feels like every sport is in season. NFL and college football are in full swing, NHL and NBA are just around the corner and “October baseball” is on a level of its own.

This week marked the start of the baseball postseason, and the first one with fans in the stands in two years. It got off to a sizzling start with the Red Sox powering past the Yankees in the first wild-card game, and the Dodgers beating the Cardinals with a thrilling walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth.

But now we’re on to the real series with lots of plots, subplots and more:

Dodgers (-170) vs. Giants (+145): If you go by regular-season records alone, this is the greatest playoff matchup ever. And then add in the fact that these two bitter rivals have never met in the postseason before, and you can understand why this is the most-anticipated series in the divisional round.

Braves (+120) vs. Brewers (-140): It’s the Brewers’ stellar rotation vs. the Braves’ potent bats in a matchup between two teams that used late additions to roar into the playoffs behind strong second-half surges.

White Sox (+220) vs. Astros (-265): A matchup of two old-school managers (Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa) trying to prove there’s still a need for them amid the laptop-driven decision making of modern baseball. Oh, and the Astros are trying to prove they don’t need to bang trash cans to win another title.

Red Sox (+145) vs. Rays (-145): The Rays are looking to add another title to Champa Bay after falling just short in the World Series last season. The Red Sox are in the playoffs for the first time since winning the Series in 2018 and are on a roll after cruising past the hated Yankees.

Also:

• Everything you need to know about this year’s playoffs
• How technology has changed baseball

Trivia question: Can you name the MLB team which holds the longest active postseason drought in North American pro sports? Their streak of missing the playoffs reached 20 seasons last week.

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

The Sportsgirl’s fave players in the postseason

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl.

I love October baseball. It’s just different. It’s baseball turned up. It’s win or go home. Here are a few players I can’t wait to watch:

Trea Turner (Dodgers 2B): The fastest kid alive. He’s got defensive prowess, and he can run. For the first time in 58 years, the Dodgers have the NL batting title winner in Turner. And he also brings World Series experience, having played a huge role in the Nationals’ title two years ago.

Brandon Crawford (Giants SS): Defensive wizard. He’s coming off one of his best seasons. His stats are ridiculous, batting .298/.373/.522 in 138 games, and he’s garnered lots of “M-V-P” chants.

Max Scherzer (Dodgers SP): Mad Max. He’s on the back end of his career, but he’s never been better. His unique delivery and heater are unparalleled. This season, he became the 19th pitcher in MLB history to record 3,000 career strikeouts.

Wander Franco (Rays SS): El Patrón (Boss man). At 20, he’s MLB’s next mega-star and already looks like one of the best.

Lance Lynn (White Sox SP): The “Tonka Truck.” Since Lynn signed with the Rangers in 2019, he’s fifth overall in WAR. The only pitchers with better results: Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer.

Betting

Updated Super Bowl, MVP odds

With a month of games in hand, it’s time to look at how the odds have shifted for this year’s Super Bowl, as well as the league MVP.

Super Bowl odds: The Chiefs have spent most of the season hanging on to the “Super Bowl favorites” label, but the Buccaneers have sporadically bumped them out of the top spot. And right now, the Chiefs and Bucs are pretty neck-and-neck in the latest odds.

Current:

• Chiefs (+550)
• Buccaneers (+600)
• Bills (+850)
• Rams (+1000)
• Packers, Browns, Ravens (+1200)

MVP odds: After Patrick Mahomes (understandably) opened the season as the MVP favorite, Kyler Murray has emerged as the favorite after Week 4.

Current:

• Kyler Murray (+450)
• Josh Allen (+600)
• Patrick Mahomes (+800)
• Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers (+900)

Also:

• Dark horse contenders for the college football playoff
• Heisman odds update after the early season games

Health and Fitness

The vitamin to help with travel troubles

A self-described “concierge wellness doctor” from Los Angeles says there’s one vitamin he prescribes for all his high-profile clients across the sports and entertainment world when they travel. Jonathan Leary of Remedy Place says magnesium is one thing that can make a big difference in how you feel after a long flight.

Food and Drink

The world’s best restaurants

After taking a year off for the pandemic (which was smart considering most folks went about that long without dining out), the World’s 50 Best Restaurants revealed its list for 2021, with two restaurants in Copenhagen taking the top spots.

Trailer of the Week

‘House of the Dragon’

If the last few episodes of the heavily hyped, but ultimately disappointing, final season of Game of Thrones didn’t put you off the franchise for good, then get ready for House of the Dragon which is the first of many discussed prequel projects to actually hit the screen. It’s set to debut on HBO Max in 2022.

Something to talk about …

• No. 3 Iowa and No. 4 Penn State clash in a huge matchup with playoff implications Saturday.
• Meet the electrician who was responsible for those Urban Meyer “dancing” videos setting the internet ablaze this week.
• 18 former NBA players have been arrested in an alleged health care scam.
• Did you know there could be a $1 trillion coin?
• The very Korean background of Netflix’s new global mega-hit Squid Game.

Postseason drought answer:

• The Seattle Mariners have not reached the playoffs since 2001, marking the longest such streak in all of North American pro sports.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

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October 1, 2021

Here come the NFL NFTs

If you heard all the buzz surrounding NBA Top Shot during the pandemic, but were waiting to take the plunge into the NFT world until something bigger came along … well, you’re in luck. 

This week, the NFL and Dapper Labs (the company behind NBA Top Shot) announced a partnership that should bring NFL NFTs to the marketplace before the end of this season.

NBA Top Shot was a big benefactor of the increased interest in sports collectibles during the pandemic, sparking $700 million in transactions from October 2020 through May of this year (but volume has dropped quite a bit since then). And there are more than one million registered users on the Top Shot platform right now. Both the NFL Players Association and the NFL will get equity in Dapper Labs as part of the deal.

Also:

• What is an NFT?
• Company vows NFL NFTs will be very different than NBA ones
• The 10 most expensive Top Shot moments right now

Betting

All eyes on New England …

This week in the NFL, there’s a little game Sunday night where this Tom Brady guy is going back to New England to face the coach and the team he dramatically departed just over a season ago.

And if the Brady vs. Bill Belichick showdown wasn’t enough, Brady needs just 68 yards to pass Drew Brees and set the NFL’s all-time passing yardage record.

NBC’s promos for the game have been great (as is the backstory of how NBC landed the most high-profile game in years), and even ex-Patriot Julian Edelman has chimed in with an unbelievable meme of his own.

While the ratings for the game should be monstrous, we thought it might be helpful to provide a few betting options to consider to make the game even more entertaining than all the mega-subplots already involved.

• Tom Brady vs. Mac Jones most TD passes (Brady -170, Jones +370, Tie +300)
• Will Brady break the passing record in the first quarter (Yes -200, No +150)
• Tom Brady over 443.5 passing yards – his career high at Foxboro (+1200)

Trivia question: Most people know Tom Brady holds the record for most Super Bowl appearances by a quarterback with 10 (which is also the most by any player at any position), but which quarterback is in second place? (Hint: He has five Super Bowl appearances)

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

The Sportsgirl’s Take

The weight (and expectations) of Sooner nation

I’m Rhonda, a Sooner girl from Oklahoma. This is my first addition to this newsletter, and I’m excited to get started. I’ll be here once a week with some fun sports takes and even some videos. You can find me on Instagram @the_sportsgirl. 

When you grow up in Oklahoma, the love affair with the Sooners starts early. Sooner lore runs deep: Billy Simms, the Boz, Barry Switzer, seven Heisman trophy winners. The OU fight song declares, “I’m a Sooner born and a Sooner bred, and when I die, I’ll be Sooner dead.” 

Sooner fandom is magical, but also unforgiving, and at times, unbearable. When I was a little girl, former OU coach Gary Gibbs was run out of town. Gibbs inherited a scandal-ridden program and though he cleaned it up and led the Sooners to six straight winning seasons, it wasn’t enough. It’s a ring or nothing.

Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, who was highly touted, and the preseason Heisman favorite, was booed by his own fans last Saturday after an underwhelming performance. The hype hasn’t matched his play, but did he deserve that? The expectations are high, the history of this program is deep, and Rattler must get tough or he’s going to need a shield. 

Gear And Tech

The global rolex shortage

Rolex, which commands 25 percent of the global luxury watch market, is legendary for its secrecy and lack of public relations. And thanks to supply shortages and the usual wacky supply-and-demand trends of the pandemic, it’s been almost impossible to land one of the luxury timepieces.

But recently, in a very uncharacteristic public statement, the company denied a big report that the recent scarcity was an intentional strategy.

Health And Fitness

Bubble trouble

The benefits of drinking water are way beyond well-documented at this point (it is a $4 billion industry now after all). But if you find drinking still water as boring as watching paint dry and have switched to sparkling (or seltzer) water to jazz it up, you should know that carbonated water has some slight downsides, especially if you drink a lot.

Travel And Outdoors

The next national park?

Ocmulgee Mounds, a forested park in Macon, Georgia, with 17,000 years of human history, is well on its way to becoming the country’s next national park — and the first one in Georgia.

The area contains massive archaeological collections with thousands of ancient finds dating back to the area’s earliest inhabitants of the last Ice Age, millennia before Egyptians erected the Giza pyramids.

Also:

Best national parks for hiking and camping

Food And Drink

To Spoon Or Not To Spoon?

Watching someone deftly use a spoon to twirl their pasta *might give the impression it’s the proper way … but is it really? Well, we have the answer for how you’re supposed to twirl your pasta and whether or not the spoon should really be part of the process.

Trailer Of The Week

Licorice Pizza

The latest film from Paul Thomas Anderson goes back to the San Fernando Valley of the 1970s where he made his mark with his breakthrough film Boogie Nights nearly 25 years ago.

The film stars Cooper Hoffman (son of the late actor, and frequent Anderson collaborator, Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Alana Haim (from the rock group Haim) in the lead roles and also features Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn.

Something To Talk About…

• The NCAA is considering holding the men’s and women’s basketball Final Fours in the same city.
• Why is every young person in America watchingThe Sopranos?
• Step inside America’s most unusual marijuana farms.
• The Bears might be leaving Soldier Field soon.
• There’s a lot riding on the release of the new James Bond film this weekend.

Super Bowl QB answer:

• Broncos quarterback John Elway appeared in five Super Bowls and held the record for most appearances until Brady broke it in 2015. Elway lost his first three Super Bowl appearances before winning his final two.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

September 24, 2021

Ryders on the storm

The United States’ bumpy history in the Ryder Cup is well-documented, but that’s to be expected when you’ve only won the event three times in the last 25 years.

The U.S. has trotted out all-star team after all-star team only to watch the Europeans boozily celebrate time and again in front of their equally ebullient fans. But (and please don’t stop us if you’ve heard it before), could this year’s American team actually be … different?

With six Ryder Cup rookies and an average age of 29 creating the youngest U.S. team ever, the Americans are banking on new blood changing their losing ways once and for all (and they’re actually pretty heavy betting favorites too). And with travel restrictions meaning that few European fans will actually be in attendance at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, the U.S. team should really have a home-course advantage.

But so far, it seems the only sure thing you can count on is drama in the world of Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

Also:

• All 24 Ryder Cup players ranked
• Everything the Americans need to know to beat the Euros
• A full breakdown of each U.S. player’s strengths and weaknesses

Trivia question: The last time the United States won a Ryder Cup played outside the United States was 1993. Can you name the course it was played on (hint: it’s a famous Ryder Cup course) or any of the top three point scorers for the U.S. team?

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

Betting

Looking Good For Week 3

There’s one mega-matchup of undefeated teams this week (the 2-0 Bucs vs. the 2-0 Rams) and only one game between winless teams (the 0-2 Falcons vs. the 0-2 Giants), but in between there’s plenty of intriguing matchups (Eagles-Cowboys, Chargers-Chiefs, Saints-Patriots) and interesting prop bets to consider:

• Tom Brady + Matthew Stafford to combine for over 599.5 passing yards (+105)
• Dak Prescott + Jalen Hurts each with a rushing touchdown (+500)
• Chargers vs. Chiefs will be the highest-scoring game on Sunday (+450)

Also:

How to bet the 0-2 teams this week

Food And Drink

How To Start A Whiskey Collection

There’s been an explosion of whiskey aficionados lately, and not just because the pandemic drove everyone to drink. But if you are one and aren’t quite sure how to start a legit collection, here are a few suggestions and things to consider.

Also:

Four bourbons you need to try

Gear And Tech

The End Of Cord Clutter?

The European Union has announced plans to force smartphone and other electronics manufacturers to use a common USB-C charging port on their devices. The biggest impact of that will likely be on Apple devices, which still use a proprietary Lightning connector. 

The rule, which still has a number of hurdles to clear before becoming official, is intended to cut down on electronic waste (and hopefully help end that crazy cord clutter that fills every corner of every house now).

Travel And Outdoors

The New Way To Do Disney

If you’re a Disney park regular, or just bracing for the day for when your Disney-obsessed kids force you to take them, you should know that a lot of the park experience is changing.

One of the biggest changes is that FastPasses (which let you cut down your wait time for big attractions) are gone in favor of a new tool in the Disney app called “Disney Genie.” The new feature is meant to be family-friendly algorithm that takes your preferences and mashes them up with a real-time traffic feature to minimize your time in line.

And then, of course, you can pay a little extra for “Disney Genie+” which will let you cut the lines via a “Lightning Line” too.

(Photo courtesy of Disney)

Health And Fitness

What Is Running Cadence, And Does It Matter

Cadence, or the number of steps runners take per minute, is a data point calculated on many GPS watches, but most runners don’t quite know what to do with it.

For decades, the message had been that 180 steps per minute should be the goal, but it turns out that’s rather outdated and the ideal number really depends on the individual than some magic target.

Also:

Marathons you should run

Trailer Of The Week

Post-Apocalyptic Hanks

In Finch, Tom Hanks plays the lone survivor of a global apocalypse who embarks on a dangerous journey to find a new home for his unlikely family — his dog and a newly created robot. Finch, which will debut on Apple TV+ on Nov. 5, is directed by Emmy winner Miguel Sapochnik, who helmed several pivotal episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Something To Talk About…

• Sopranos creator David Chase (and creator of the upcoming prequel The Many Saints of Newark) is “extremely angry” with HBO Max.
• Netflix has opened the door to the possibility of having live sports.
• There could be a huge strike coming that would shut down Hollywood productions.
• Tracking the Heisman Trophy odds so far this season

Ryder Cup answer:

• The U.S. won the 1993 Ryder Cup at The Belfry in England (which has hosted the event four times, more than any other course in the world), and the Americans were led by Payne Stewart, Corey Pavin and Raymond Floyd, who all had three points in leading the U.S. to a 15-13 victory.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.

September 17, 2021

Is Las Vegas a sports town now?

The first Raiders game with fans in Las Vegas was definitely worth waiting for, and it might have kicked off a new era in the city: one where Las Vegas can actually be considered a sports town.

In the past, sure there would be the occasional prize fight or UFC event, but with the NHL’s Golden Knights already in place and now the ultimate trophy sport in town with the Raiders, Las Vegas is no longer just the place you go just to bet on sports.

The Golden Knights and Raiders aren’t all the city can boast about, the WNBA’s Aces call Vegas home and the city is likely to land the 30th MLS franchise soon. And if that’s not enough, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred recently floated the city as a possible destination for the A’s if they don’t figure out their stadium situation in Oakland, and the city is regularly mentioned as a possible NBA home in the not-too-distant future as well.

And with sports betting now being legal in so many places beyond just Las Vegas, maybe it’s about time sports fans have a few more options when visiting Sin City.

Also:

• New stadiums worth visiting
• Why Las Vegas is an underrated sports town
• Las Vegas sports calendar

Trivia question: There was a time when UNLV basketball was the only real game in town in Las Vegas. And the marquee event for that team was when the Runnin’ Rebels beat Duke to win the 1990 NCAA title. Can you name three of the five starters on that team? Hint: Three of them were NBA lottery picks together in 1991.

(The answer is at the bottom of this email)

Betting

Wild Props For Week 2

Now that we’re on to Week 2 in the NFL, there is another slate of intriguing prop bets to consider, especially if you think some big names who struggled in Week 1 might have a bounce-back week.

Here are a few interesting ones:

• Combined Patrick Mahomes passing yards + Lamar Jackson rushing yards over 365.5 (-110)
• Aaron Rodgers over 300.5 Passing Yards (+125)
• Kyler Murray 5 or more combined passing touchdowns + rushing touchdowns (+500)
• Ezekiel Elliott most rushing yards Sunday (+2200)
• Any team to score a safety on Sunday (Yes -250, No +185)

Food And Drink

How To Order Wine Without Getting Ripped Off

Did you know many restaurants mark up the second-cheapest bottle of wine on the menu deliberately, playing off of the instinct of diners wanting to avoid the cheapest one on the list. But there’s actually a pretty simple way to order and not get ripped off.

Also:

Four bourbons you need to try

Gear And Tech

Cool and … Kind Of Creepy?

You can now get Facebook, well, on your face, since the first pair of smart glasses made by Facebook and Ray-Ban are now on sale for $299. They’re called Ray-Ban Stories, and early reviews are a lot better than when Snapchat debuted those other glasses that quickly fizzled.

(Photo courtesy of Ray-Ban)

Health And Fitness

Learn To Lose The Love Handles

Even if all your measurements are within “healthy” ranges, you can still get those annoying love handles around your midsection. But there’s a pretty obvious cause for them and several ways you can work on getting rid of them.

Also:

How to lose that dad bod

Travel And Outdoors

They Call It ‘Rusticating’

The last 18 months have led a lot of Americans to really seek out nature, tranquility and even isolation after the chaos and cabin fever of the pandemic.

One place they can do that is up in Maine at Acadia National Park. And there you can partake in something called “rusticating” which is essentially the 19th-century version of going country. Think: picnics by rowboat, plein-air painting or day-long hikes along mountain trails.

Also:

Best national parks for hiking and camping

Trailer Of The Week

Don’t Look Up

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett and oh yeah, Meryl Streep all star in Adam McKay’s latest film, Don’t Look Up. DiCaprio and Lawrence star as two astronomers who go on a media tour to warn everyone of an approaching comet that will destroy Earth. The film debuts in select theaters Dec. 10 and on Netflix Dec. 24.

Something To Talk About…

• Apple had one of its big events this week. Here are the eight biggest announcements they made.
• Brooks Koepka was making headlines before the Ryder Cup, and for all the wrong reasons again.
• The largest cruise ship in the world is set to launch.
• The Urban Meyer-to-USC memes had a field day after the week both of those programs had.
• Emma Raducanu’s amazing, out-of-nowhere win at the U.S. Open is going to pay off quite handsomely for her now.

UNLV starting five answer:

• Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony were all lottery picks in 1991 after leading UNLV to the national title in 1990. Anderson Hunt and David Butler joined them in the starting five.

All photos courtesy of Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.