Each Monday, our “What’s On Tap,” series will preview the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more. Also, check out our weekly review Get A Grip and Wide World of Gambling at US Bets for a look back at last week’s relevant news.
Monday, November 23
Brady faces Rams on Monday Night Football
As the NFL regular season nears its final month, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams will square off Monday in a pivotal showdown. Both teams enter Monday’s matchup with a strong probability of qualifying for the postseason. The Rams are coming off arguably their best win of the season, a 23-16 victory last week over Seattle, the NFC West leaders. Still, the Bucs are favored by 4.5 points, while the total hovered around 48 points over the weekend.
Wednesday, November 25
College basketball returns with a slew of Feast Week matchups
The 2020-21 college basketball season tips off on Wednesday with more than a dozen Top 25 teams in action. The status of one tournament, the 2K Empire Classic, is in flux due to COVID-19. A matchup between No. 2 Baylor and No. 18 Arizona State was delayed after Baylor coach Scott Drew tested positive. College hoops returns this week after the 2020 season screeched to an abrupt halt in March amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source tells The Athletic that Villanova is still weighing options for games this week after news of Baylor coach Scott Drew testing positive. Wildcats will open with Boston College Wednesday. With wins would have played Bears on Thanksgiving. Hope to have clarity by afternoon .
— Dana O'Neil😷 (@DanaONeilWriter) November 23, 2020
At DraftKings, Villanova (+700) is the favorite to win the NCAA Championship, followed by Gonzaga (+800), Baylor (+800), Iowa (+800), Kentucky (+900), and Virginia (+900). Iowa center Luka Garza (+400) is favored to win the Wooden Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate player.
Thursday, November 26
Ravens-Steelers nightcap highlights Thanksgiving Day slate
At 10-0, the Steelers are the only team left in the NFL without a defeat. With six games remaining, the Steelers arguably face their largest hurdle in finishing with a perfect season. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 28-24 in Week 8, withstanding a last-ditch effort by the Ravens to pull off a rally. Pittsburgh clinched the win when Lamar Jackson’s deep pass to Willie Snead in the end zone fell incomplete with no time left. Yesterday, the Steelers got win No. 10 when they defeated the (now) 1-9 Jaguars. Prior to Sunday’s game, the Steelers had odds of 8/1 at FanDuel to finish 16-0.
RT @KDKA: STILL UNDEFEATED: It's the first time in franchise history the Steelers have started a season 10-0. The unbeaten streak continued today with a 27-3 win over Jacksonville. #HereWeGo https://t.co/hXJ0pg6ooH
— Trixy (@itrixy) November 22, 2020
The Thanksgiving triple header begins at 12:30 p.m. EST in Detroit where the Lions host the Texans. Following a 1-6 start, the Texans have won two of their last three contests. DeShaun Watson passed for a season-high 344 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Patriots. At FanDuel, the Texans opened as a 1.5 point favorite over the Lions.
When Dallas hosts Washington at 4:30 p.m. EST on Thursday, the Cowboys will try to notch their ninth win in 10 Thanksgiving Day games against their arch rivals. Remarkably, both teams can still win the NFC East despite having records under .500. The Cowboys are 31-20-1 all-time on Thanksgiving.
Saturday, November 28
Crimson Tide massive favorites in Iron Bowl
Top-ranked Alabama enters Saturday’s Iron Bowl as 23.5-point favorites against No. 22 Auburn. The Crimson Tide, which received all 63 first-place votes in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, thrashed Kentucky 63-3 on Saturday to improve to 7-0. Alabama has averaged 50.6 points per game over its last three contests. Auburn, however, has allowed only 14 points per game over its last two wins. The total is 60.5.
Tyson returns to ring for the first time in more than a decade
Mike Tyson will make his triumphant return to the ring on Saturday in an eight-round exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in Los Angeles. Tyson, 54, is three years older than Jones, a three-time winner of Best Boxer of the Year at the ESPY Awards. While Tyson has dropped to 215 pounds, the lowest since the early stages of his career, he will still maintain a considerable weight advantage over Jones. Although Tyson opened as a heavy -350 favorite, a surge of late money came in on Jones. A week before the fight, Tyson’s odds fell to -200 in comparison with +160 for Jones.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. is a week from today.
— Triller paid $50M for media rights
— Tyson & Jones Jr. are GTD $10M each
— Could be $20M+ depending on PPV #'s
— Sponsorships will bring extra $$$
The craziest part?
Check out Mike Tyson at 20 vs 54. pic.twitter.com/YZhMfun0dO
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) November 21, 2020
