Each Monday, our “What’s on Tap” series previews 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 for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Monday, September 20
Packers look to bounce back on MNF against Lions
Embarrassed in a Week 1 opener against the New Orleans Saints, the Green Bay Packers look to even their record on Monday night against the Detroit Lions. As of Monday morning, the Packers remained an 11.5-point favorite over the Lions at FanDuel. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is coming off a dreadful performance, by his own admission, going 15-28 for 133 yards with two interceptions in a 38-3 defeat to the Saints. FanDuel lists Rodgers’ passing yard total against the Lions at 277.5 yards. Meanwhile, Lions quarterback Jared Goff has an over/under total of 257.5 yards in the NFC North matchup. Goff finished 38-57 for 338 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Goff accumulated most of the yards, however, when the Lions fell behind by three touchdowns in the defeat. Lions running back D’Andre Swift (groin) is expected to play, barring a setback.
Tuesday, September 21
Deadline in Florida Department of Interior lawsuit
Weeks before the possible launch of retail sports betting in Florida, the rollout could be slowed by a closely watched lawsuit. Last month, the U.S. Department of the Interior gave a green light to the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Class III gaming compact with the state, when the federal agency ruled that the compact complies with existing federal law and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). But two plaintiffs, the West Flagler Associates (Magic City Casino) and Bonita-Fort Meyers Corp. (Bonita Springs Poker Room), have filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department on the grounds that the compact is “contrary to law, arbitrary, and capricious.” Plaintiffs in the case must file a motion for summary judgment or preliminary injunction by Sept. 21 in order to request a decision by Nov. 15.
Seton Hall law bootcamp
A bevy of industry stakeholders will converge in New Jersey for the three-day Gaming Law, Compliance, and Integrity Program Bootcamp at the Seton Hall Law School. The comprehensive program will cover a wide range of gaming issues, including AML compliance, responsible gambling, cybersecurity, corruption prevention, sports integrity, and corporate ethics, among others. On Tuesday, a panel will tackle issues related to sports integrity. The panel features appearances from NFL Chief Compliance Officer Sabrina Perel, Big Ten Associate Commissioner Chad Hawley, and New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Michael Golub. Former New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer will also provide viewpoints from a player perspective on the panel. Another panel at the conference will feature a keynote luncheon address from New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck. Earlier this month, Rebuck urged sportsbooks to avoid “overaggressive tactics” in marketing their products through excessive commercials.
Friday, September 24
Ryder Cup begins at Whistling Straits
Europe enters the 43rd edition of the Ryder Cup on Friday with four victories in the last five editions, including a dominating performance in 2018, when the U.S. fell by a 17.5-10.5 margin. But Europe is a heavy +200 underdog in the Ryder Cup, which was postponed one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. (-200) boasts a deep, talented squad with eight of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Rankings. Dustin Johnson returns to the links-style course at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Sheboygan, Wis., where he nearly won the 2010 PGA Championship. Johnson held a one-shot lead on the 18th fairway before he was assessed a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in an unmarked bunker. Jordan Spieth, Johnson’s teammate, finished second in the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits behind Jason Day. At DraftKings, there are odds of 12/1 on a tie between the two teams. One angle to watch is whether U.S. captain Steve Stricker will pair Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau at some point during the three-day event.
"Guys, I want you to suck it up and go win a damn point. This isn’t about you; this is about the Ryder Cup."
Butch Harmon's wild Ryder Cup idea: Pair Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau: https://t.co/wmsPEOjv6G pic.twitter.com/KoAX5bb7wi
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) September 18, 2021
Braves take on Padres in key doubleheader
The San Diego Padres are reeling. Since returning from the All-Star Break with a 53-40 record, the Pads own a mediocre 23-33 record, including a mark of 2-8 over their last 10 games. The Padres will meet the Atlanta Braves on Friday in a critical doubleheader for both teams. In the opener, the teams will resume a suspended game from July that was postponed with San Diego leading 5-4 in the middle of the fifth inning. The Padres now trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 3.5 games for the second National League wild card spot. The sizzling Cardinals have won eight straight. The Braves, meanwhile, are clinging to a two-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East. The Braves are -245 favorites to win the NL East at PointsBet, followed by the Phils (+175) and the Mets at 40/1. Once a top choice to win the NL pennant earlier in the season, the Padres now have odds of 28/1 to make the World Series.
Saturday, September 25
Notre Dame and Wisconsin face off in Chicago
Despite three close games to open the season, Notre Dame still heads into a marquee matchup on Saturday against Wisconsin as one of 32 undefeated teams left in FBS college football. Wisconsin opened as a 6.5-point favorite at Circa Sports. Wisconsin followed a season-opening loss to Penn State with a 34-7 win over Eastern Michigan. Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan, a Wisconsin transfer, will look to stick it to his old team. Coan passed for 2,727 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2019, his final season at Wisconsin. Coan has eight touchdowns in his first three games for Notre Dame. The two Midwest powers last met in 1964. In other action, seventh-ranked Texas A&M will face 16th-ranked Arkansas at AT&T Stadium in a battle of unbeaten SEC teams. The Aggies are 5-point favorites. No. 4 Oklahoma will also host West Virginia in Norman, where the Mountaineers hope to knock off a Top 25 team for the second consecutive week. Oklahoma is a 17-point favorite.
“I went against the defense in practice for four years, so I have a general sense of what they like to do.” — ND QB Jack Coan on Wisconsinhttps://t.co/LSviCSwIoy
— Eric Hansen (@EHansenNDI) September 19, 2021
Sunday, September 26
Bucs-Rams matchup highlights Week 3 slate
After two weeks in the NFL, a handful of teams remain undefeated. Two will face off on Sunday, when the Los Angeles Rams host the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a potential NFC Championship preview. The vaunted Rams defense will need to cool off Tom Brady, who tossed five touchdowns in a Week 2 win over the Falcons. Tampa has scored at least 30 points in nine straight games. The Rams are 1.5-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook, where the total is 54.5 points. Also, two of the league’s top young quarterbacks will meet when the Los Angeles Chargers travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs. The week’s only double-digit spread is in Denver, where the Broncos opened as 11-point favorites over the winless Jets.
Dating back to Week 16 of the 2020 season, Tom Brady now has thrown at least four TD passes in four consecutive regular-season games, tied with Dan Marino for the second-longest such streak in NFL history. Only Peyton Manning with five straight games in 2004 has a longer streak.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2021
