Each week, 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.
Tuesday, December 13
Leafs’ Marner eyes 23-game point streak
Mitch Marner scored 43 seconds into overtime Saturday night to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 5-4 win over the Calgary Flames. Marner had a goal and an assist in the win to extend his franchise-record point streak to 22 games. Marner must sustain the point streak into 2023 to break into the NHL’s all-time top five in the category. The Leafs will host Anaheim Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Marner still has a ways to go before approaching Wayne Gretzky’s remarkable NHL record of 51 consecutive games with a point. Marner has odds of 25/1 at DraftKings to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. The Leafs are the third choice to win the Stanley Cup at +800. Toronto has earned a point in 14 straight games since Nov. 11.
Mitch Marner wins it for the @MapleLeafs (-175 ML)! 😤
Marner point streak – 22 games 📈
Leafs point streak – 14 games 📈#LeafsForever
pic.twitter.com/li8OcTSN36— SNBets (@SNBets) December 11, 2022
Wednesday, December 14
Morocco looks to extend miracle run in the World Cup
When the 2022 FIFA World Cup began in mid-November, Morocco entered as a massive underdog with odds of 200/1 at Caesars Sportsbook. Caesars gave 22 of the 32 nations in the tournament a better chance of winning it. While teams representing 28 countries have been sent home from Qatar, Morocco is one of four that reached the semifinals. Morocco has notched two thrilling wins in the knockout stage while eliminating Spain and Portugal.
On Wednesday, Morocco faces another daunting challenge against defending champion France. Morocco is a +300 ‘dog at Caesars to stun France (-450). The winner will face Argentina or Croatia in Sunday’s final. Argentina has odds of -333 to defeat Croatia (+450), which is looking for its second straight trip to the World Cup finals.
Updated World Cup odds:
France: +120
Argentina: +155
Croatia: +650
Morocco: +1000 pic.twitter.com/Seccl3yzLr— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) December 10, 2022
Oral arguments in Florida sports betting case
The immediate future of legal sports betting in Florida may be at stake Wednesday in a federal appellate court hearing. Last month, the Seminole Tribe of Florida filed an appellant brief seeking to overturn a November 2021 federal court decision that invalidated a compact between the Seminoles and the state of Florida and forced the tribe to shut down its online sports wagering.
Following Wednesday’s oral arguments in Washington, D.C., a decision is expected to be rendered at some point next year. If the Seminoles do not win a favorable court ruling, sports wagering apparently will remain off limits in Florida until at least 2024, which is the earliest it’s possible for a referendum on the issue to be put to the state’s voters.
Friday, December 16
College bowl season begins with Bahamas Bowl
There are 43 games on this year’s NCAA bowl schedule, starting Friday when Miami (Ohio) takes on UAB in the Bahamas Bowl. Both teams enter the matchup with a 6-6 record. UAB is an 11-point favorite at PointsBet.
In total, there are eight bowl games on the weekend. On Saturday, No. 14 Oregon State will face Florida in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. Oregon State is a 10.5-point favorite at PlayUp Sportsbook; the total is 53. The College Football Playoff semifinals will be held on Dec. 31. Georgia remains the overwhelming favorite to win the national title.
With Army and Navy giving us one of the best games this year, that's a fitting way to conclude one of the better regular season of college football in recent years.
Now? Bowl season and the College Football Playoff. It starts with the Bahamas Bowl next Friday!
— Owen (@Alakazam_428) December 10, 2022
Saturday, December 17
Bills face Dolphins in critical AFC East showdown
There are three games on the NFL slate on Saturday, highlighted by a matchup between the Bills and Dolphins in Buffalo. The Bills retained the AFC’s top seed on Sunday with a 20-12 win over the Jets. Winners of four straight, Buffalo remains the favorite (+375) to win the Super Bowl at BetMGM. The Eagles and Chiefs are the co-second choice at +450.
The Vikings will open the triple-header Saturday in a home game against the Colts. Minnesota dropped two games behind Philadelphia for the top seed in the NFC by losing to the Lions in Detroit Sunday. The Vikings are 4.5-point favorites against the Colts at SI Sportsbook; the total is 47.5. Also, Cleveland will host Baltimore with the Browns a 2.5-point favorite at Circa Sports; the total is 38.
Sunday, December 18
Will Messi end World Cup career with elusive title?
Lionel Messi of Argentina has captured nearly every major award in his illustrious career, most namely a record seventh Ballon d’Or trophy in November. The award is bestowed annually to the world’s top player. Despite capturing four UEFA Champions League titles and the Copa America championship in 2021, Messi has never won the World Cup. Messi, who is expected to end his World Cup career in Qatar, could win an elusive title in Sunday’s final.
Oddsmakers largely expect Argentina and France to square off in Sunday’s final. There are odds of +220 at FanDuel for France to defeat Argentina, while the odds are +250 for Argentina to prevail over France. Croatia, however, could set up a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final with a win over Argentina on Tuesday.
Exact finals result at FanDuel
- France over Argentina — +220
- Argentina over France — +250
- France over Croatia — +430
- Argentina over Morocco — +600
- Croatia over France — +1100
- Morocco over Argentina — +1800
- Croatia over Morocco — +2100
- Morocco over Croatia — +2300
French striker Kylian Mbappe holds the tournament lead with five goals, one more than Messi and Olivier Giroud. Mbappe has odds of -210 to win the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top goal scorer. Messi and Giroud are next at +300 and +650, respectively. Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco needs three more goals to tie Mbappe and is a considerable longshot at +7000.
Major playoff implications in Giants-Commanders rematch
The Giants are sputtering after a blowout loss to the Eagles in Week 14 dropped Brian Daboll’s team to 7-5-1. If the playoffs began today, however, the Giants and Commanders would both earn wild card spots with identical 7-5-1 records. The NFC East rivals will meet Sunday in a game that was flexed to the national telecast of Sunday Night Football. The Commanders are 4.5-point favorites at Bet365; the total is 40 points. When the teams met in Week 13, the game ended in a 20-all tie.
Key injuries and lineup uncertainties heading into Week 15:
- The Ravens spent a good portion of Sunday’s win over the Steelers with third-string quarterback Anthony Brown under center after Tyler Huntley left the game with a third-quarter head injury. Baltimore entered the game without former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who has been sidelined an expected one to three weeks with a knee injury. Coach John Harbaugh said that if Huntley clears concussion protocols, he will likely be the starter in Week 15 against Cleveland.
- Jets quarterback Mike White underwent tests at a Buffalo-area hospital Sunday after suffering a rib injury in the loss to the Bills. If White is healthy to return in Week 15, he will start against the Lions, according to Jets coach Robert Saleh. Detroit is a 1-point favorite at BetRivers; the total is 45.
- 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel left Sunday’s win over the Bucs on a cart with an ankle injury. Samuel likely suffered a high-ankle sprain, according to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. In their next game, the 49ers are 3.5-point favorites over the Seahawks at WynnBET; the total is 44.
