Category: Patriots

NFL Win totals on the Move: Panthers Improve to 5.5, Patriots Fall to 4.5 at Bet MGM
13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

NFL Win totals on the Move: Panthers Improve to 5.5, Patriots Fall to 4.5 at Bet MGM

Significant shifts in the win totals for two NFL teams have occurred since their opening at BetMGM, indicating potential changes in the betting landscape.

The Panthers, who opened at 4.5, now have a new win total of 5.5 at BetMGM with the OVER -115 and the UNDER -105 in the odds.

Under the leadership of new head coach Dave Canales, there is a wave of optimism in Carolina.  Canales, known for his role in turning around Baker Mayfield's career in Tampa Bay, is now expected to guide Bryce Young to a step forward in his second season.  

The Panthers also made significant additions to their roster, including pass-catcher Diontae Johnson from the Steelers, linebacker Josey Jewell, edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum, guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, safety Jordan Fuller, defensive end A'Shawn Robinson and corner Dane Jackson. Texas running back Jonathan Brooks was also drafted to strengthen the team's running back room. 

Bryce Young has talent, but getting this team to six wins with Canales as a first-time coach is a big ask. If you aren't bullish on the Panthers, take advantage of this line more and grab the UNDER. 

Interestingly, most are bullish on Carolina. According to the latest data from BetMGM, the Panthers have the third-most OVER tickets at that 5.5 win total. 72% of bettors took the OVER, and the OVER also has 82% of the handle (money). Only the Steelers (7.5) and the Bears (8.5) have more tickets outstanding for the OVER. 

The Patriots have seen their opening line fall from 5.5 wins to 4.5 at BetMGM with the OVER -160 and the UNDER +130 in odds.

A combination of a new starting quarterback, a new head coach, and arguably the most challenging season schedule likely caused this shift. Whether Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett gets the start, there are plenty of concerns with an inexperienced offensive line and a less-than-exciting receiving corps. The Patriots are currently underdogs in every game this season, and they have just +1200 odds to win the AFC East at BetMGM.  

According to sources at Bet MGM, 61% of tickets are for the OVER on the 4.5 win totals for the Patriots. However, only 38% of the handle (money) is on the OVER, indicating sharp bettors are bearish on this season for New England. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

bryce young, NFL bets, NFL Futures, panthers, Patriots, Win totals
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Late-Round Rookies Who Could Be Steals of the 2024 NFL Draft
7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Late-Round Rookies Who Could Be Steals of the 2024 NFL Draft

The conversation around the NFL draft is always about the first few rounds.

Everyone knows about the star quarterbacks and the top players at the forefront of each position group’s depth chart. But each autumn, we learn about the biggest steals of the draft, young players who were selected on Day 3 and immediately became important players for their respective teams.

But who are those guys this time around? Who fits the bill in terms of talent, fit and opportunity? 

Here are five players to keep your eyes on as the 2024 season develops.

Will Shipley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

If there’s any position to bet on with late-round choices, it’s running back. And with as much as the Eagles are willing to pound the rock, Shipley is a logical choice. 

The fourth-rounder won’t see the majority of carries considering D’Andre Swift is the entrenched starter, but he was a three-year contributor at Clemson, running for 2,748 yards and 31 touchdowns. Look for him to play as a rotational back for Philadelphia.

Brenden Rice, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Rice was one of the draft’s stunning developments, falling to the seventh round before he was finally scooped up by the Chargers. Yet, considering Los Angeles’ receiver room, Rice might have a chance to play a ton of snaps.

The Chargers released Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen this offseason, replacing them with second-round pick Ladd McConkey and little else. At USC in 2023, Rice caught 45 passes for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns. The son of first-ballot Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, he has ample upside.

Rasheen Ali, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali

Ali combined for 2,536 rushing yards in his two best seasons.

HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA

Much like Shipley and the Eagles, we’re talking about a running back with a run-heavy team. Although Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell are ahead of the fifth-rounder on the depth chart, the Ravens run enough so Ali could see touches, especially if Henry is managed to an extent.

At Marshall, Ali was extremely productive when healthy. In his two best seasons of 2021 and ’23, Ali combined for 2,536 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns. At 206 pounds, he provides a bit of youth for Baltimore’s backfield.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers

There’s no reason to think Sanders won’t see starter-level snaps for the Panthers in 2024. While Tommy Tremble is a veteran ahead of Sanders on the depth chart, he’s long been a backup-level piece.

The fourth-rounder started two years for the Texas Longhorns, catching 99 passes for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns. At the scouting combine, Sanders ran a 4.69 40-yard dash time at 6'4" and 245 pounds. Expect the rookie to be a security blanket for second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

Javon Baker, WR, New England Patriots

New England Patriots receiver Javon Baker

Baker had 108 catches in his two seasons at UCF.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Baker might prove to be one of this draft’s steals. Projected as a Day 2 pick out of Central Florida, the Atlanta native was selected in the fourth round.

At UCF, the 6'1" and 202-pounder was a two-year starter after transferring from Alabama, catching 108 passes for 1,935 yards and 12 touchdowns. In New England, he’s going to have ample opportunity to play alongside fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk with No. 3 pick Drake Maye as his quarterback.

2024 NFL Draft, Baltimore Ravens, Brenden Rice, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, NFL, Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles
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A Hilarious Bill Belichick Was the Star of the Tom Brady Netflix Roast
6 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

A Hilarious Bill Belichick Was the Star of the Tom Brady Netflix Roast

Netflix's live roast of Tom Brady on Sunday night was surprisingly really funny, and entirely NSFW for most of the night, with the former QB getting crushed by former teammates and comedians during the almost three-hour long live show that tackled all the topics one could think of surrounding the seven-time Super Bowl champ.

The biggest star of the night, though, was Brady's former coach, Bill Belichick. He took a turn roasting Brady midway through the show and had a number of funny moments that had the crowd in Los Angeles laughing pretty hard.

Let's take a look at Belichick's best moments from the roast.

He started with this line about the Apple TV documentary on the Patriots:

He zinged Rob Gronkowski with this great line about Gronk's work on Fox's NFL studio show:

Belichick took a funny shot at Alex Guerrero, a co-founder of TB12 who was around the Patriots a lot during Brady's later years with the team.

Belichick later took a shot of booze with Brady and Gronk after Gronk said he had never had a drink with either of them during his playing days:

And then at the end of the night Belichick did a shot with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, which was amazing to see given their history together:

Belichick also loved Brady going at the NFL over deflategate:

What a wild night in L.A.

Bill Belichick, Netflix, Patriots, Tom Brady
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