Now that LVIII is over and the Kansas City are Super Bowl champions (again), it’s time to think about who’s going to win the next one.

Luckily, our exclusive wagering partners over at FanDuel Sportsbook already have odds posted for who will win Super Bowl LIX. Here’s a look at the top 10:

Odds to Win Super Bowl LIX

San Francisco 49ers                +450

Kansas City Chiefs                   +750

Baltimore Ravens                    +900

Detroit Lions                           +1200

Buffalo Bills                             +1200

Dallas Cowboys                      +1500

Cincinnati Bengals                 +1500

Philadelphia Eagles               +1700

Miami Dolphins                      +2000

Houston Texans                     +2500

Green Bay Packers                +2500

Where are the Patriots, you ask?

They’re all the way at the bottom at +15000 (150/1), tied with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants for second-to-last.

New England has, of course, made wholesale changes to their franchise over the last several months – firing head coach Bill Belichick after 24 seasons and appointing Jerod Mayo as the next man in charge. Since the former linebacker’s hiring, they’ve made the following moves on their coaching staff:

Offense:

Offensive coordinator: Alex Van Pelt

Senior offensive assistant: Ben McAdoo

Quarterbacks: T.C. McCartney

Offensive line: Scott Peters

Asst. offensive line: Robert Kugler

Wide receivers: TBD

Running backs: TBD

Defense:

Defensive coordinator: DeMarcus Covington

Defensive line: Jerry Washington

Inside linebackers: Dont’a Hightower

Outside linebackers: Drew Wilkins

Cornerbacks: Mike Pellegrino

Safeties: Brian Belichick

Special teams: 

Special teams coordinator: Jeremy Springer

It was also reported on Sunday by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that quarterback Mac Jones is a “trade candidate in the coming weeks and most likely will end up elsewhere for the 2024 season.” He added that with the Patriots holding the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, “all indications are they’ll seriously explore taking one of the draft’s top [quarterbacks] as they move into the Jerod Mayo era.”

Many questions remain with New England heading into the 2024 season. The one thing we know? They’re longshots to win next season’s big game and the smart move is to avoid betting them to win it – for now.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Patriots Longshots to Win Super Bowl LIX appeared first on CLNS Media.

The Boston Bruins have had two of the best goaltenders in hockey over the last two seasons in Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman.

Despite a platooned effort in the regular season, Ullmark put together one of the most dominant seasons in Bruins goalie history. In his 49 starts, the Swede boasted a 40-6-1 record, a 1.89 goals-against-average, a .938 save percentage, and won the 2022-2023 Vezina Trophy given to the NHL’s top goaltender.

In 2023-24, it looks like it could be Swayman’s turn. The 25-year-old Alaskan has the third-shortest odds to win the award according to FanDuel Sportsbook behind only Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko. Here are the odds:

2023-24 Vezina Trophy Odds

Connor Hellebuyck                -115

Thatcher Demko                   +340

Jeremy Swayman                 +650

Jacob Markstrom               +2000

Sergei Bobrovsky               +2000

Swayman has put up a 16-3-7 record through his 26 starts in 2023-24. His 2.30 goals-against-average is good for third in the NHL and his .924 save percentage is tied for second. He was also named an All-Star for the first time in his career.

“After dealing with what I did this summer with arbitration,” Swayman explained following his All-Star selection. “Hearing things that a player should never hear, it feels pretty special to be in this situation.”

The goalie went to arbitration this past summer following a disagreement with the front office on compensation and was awarded a $3.475 million salary, essentially in the middle of his request for $4.8 million and the Bruins’ offer of $2 million.

Though Boston’s goalie situation, as mentioned above, is clearly one of the better in hockey given the sheer talent in the room, the way head coach Jim Montgomery will play the two into the postseason is often questioned. Following the platoon they put together last regular season (49 starts for Ullmark, 33 for Swayman), they went with Ullmark for the majority of their seven-game series against Florida that they ultimately lost. A decision that Montgomery a) regrets and b) doesn’t see himself moving forward with in 2024:

“For sure,” Boston’s head coach said back in November when asked if he’d be comfortable playing both goalies throughout the postseason.

Montgomery continued (via Boston.com): “I think it’s a comfort zone. I think as long as our lines of communication [are open] like when Goalie Bob and I met with the goalies at the start of this year. [Ullmark and Swayman are] a luxury that allows us to be an elite team. That’s why we, in my opinion, had such a great record last year. It’s surely why we’re having a great regular season this year. And we just tell them upfront that we’re going to be alternating. You guys are both integral parts of why our team can be really good, and it’s bearing out that way. And the fact that they support each other so well, really it’s the best outward example of why our culture is so good.”

“We can’t think about playoffs until we get there,” Swayman said about a potential platoon. “That’s the biggest thing — is just getting to the playoffs right now.”

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Jeremy Swayman’s Case to Win the 2023-24 Vezina Trophy appeared first on CLNS Media.

The Bruins have officially hit the NHL All-Star break following their 6-2 win over the Flyers on Saturday.

Boston (besides David Pastrnak and Jeremy Swayman who will participate in All-Star weekend in Toronto) now has a mini-vacation as they’re off until February 6th. Given the break, now’s the perfect time to assess where the city’s hockey club is at on their quest for another Stanley Cup championship.

The Bruins are 31-9-9 through their first 39 games are first in the Atlantic division with 71 points, five more than the second-place Florida Panthers. They’re the favorites to win the division at -170. Here are the odds, according to our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook:

2023-24 Atlantic Division Odds to Win

Boston Bruins                           -170

Florida Panthers                       +210

Toronto Maple Leafs             +1100

Tampa Bay Lightning            +2500

Detriot Red Wings               +10000

Boston also has a five-point lead in the entire Eastern Conference ahead of Florida (66 points) and New York (59 points). At the “halfway point” they’re tied with Florida and the Carolina Hurricanes the best odds to win the East and advance to the Stanley Cup according to FanDuel:

2023-24 Eastern Conference Finals Odds to Win

Boston Bruins                         +500

Carolina Hurricanes                +500

Florida Panthers                      +500

New York Rangers                   +550

Toronto Maple Leafs               +600

The Bruins’ 71 points also have them atop the entire NHL standings, tied with the Vancouver Canucks. According to the oddsmakers, they have the second-best odds to win the Stanley Cup according to FanDuel behind only the Colorado Avalanche:

2023-24 Stanley Cup Odds to Win

Colorado Avalanche               +800

Boston Bruins                         +900

Edmonton Oilers                     +900

Florida Panthers                     +950

Carolina Hurricanes            +1000

Boston entered the 2022-23 Stanley Cup playoffs as the odds-on favorites following their President’s Trophy win but, as you’re likely aware, fell well short of their goals with a first-round upset loss to the Florida Panthers.

They’ll look to avenge that this season – but not before finishing the second half strong. The Bruins have 33 games remaining on their 2023-24 schedule, returning to the ice on Tuesday, February 6th for a home matchup versus the Calgary Flames.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post A Look at the Bruins Betting Odds at the NHL All-Star Break appeared first on CLNS Media.

The Super Bowl LVIII matchup is officially set!

Following their victories on Championship Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will face off in Las Vegas on February 11th for a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and air on CBS.

Here’s the opening line for the contest, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:

Super Bowl LVIII Opening Line – Chiefs vs. 49ers

Spread: 49ers -2.5

Moneyline: 49ers -142/Chiefs +120

Total: O/U 47.5

Storylines

Here are some big-picture storylines ahead of the Super Bowl 54 rematch in Las Vegas:

Kansas City Chiefs

— For the second week in a row, the Chiefs went on the road to the higher seeds house and inched out an impressive win, beating the Ravens 17-10.

— Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo put together an extraordinary game plan, holding Baltimore to just 10 points and forcing them into three turnovers. Lamar Jackson ran for just 54 yards, threw a costly interception, and was sacked four times.

— After playing in his sixth conference championship in six seasons, Patrick Mahomes is now headed to his fourth Super Bowl.

— Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce broke 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice’s all-time record for most receptions in postseason history. He has 152 career catches in the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers

— After falling into a 24-7 hole at halftime, the 49ers picked themselves up by their bootstraps in the second half and mounted a massive comeback, winning 34-31 and advancing to the Super Bowl.

— The 49ers’ appearance in the NFC Championship was their fourth in the last five years. They’ll now go to their second Super Bowl in the Shanahan era.

— Their first? A 31-20 loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV in 2020.

— The Lions’ second-half implosion included a dropped pass on a fourth down by WR Josh Reynolds, a fumble by Jahmyr Gibbs, and another dropped pass on third down by Reynolds.

— Quarterback Brock Purdy silenced the haters once again on Sunday, throwing for 267 yards on 20 completions while adding 48 yards rushing.

— Christian McCaffrey was once again the star of the San Francisco offense, rushing for 90 yards on 20 attempts (4.5 YPC) and adding two rushing touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 42 yards.

— Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk made arguably the play of the game at the start of the 49ers’ momentum swing, hauling in this 51-yard pass from Purdy that set up a touchdown:

AIYUK UNBELIEVABLE!

: #DETvsSF on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gm8L5xwa9D

— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2024

We’ll have our preview and prediction for the game next week. For now? Make sure to follow along here at CLNSMedia.com for all of the latest odds around the big game, including game props, player props, and more.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Super Bowl LVIII Early Line: 49ers Open As 2.5-Point Favorites Over Chiefs appeared first on CLNS Media.

The NFL’s Championship Sunday is on the horizon this weekend as the Detroit Lions will travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers, and the Kansas City Chiefs will head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.

Not only can bet on the spread, total, and moneyline for each game over at FanDuel Sportsbook, but the exclusive wagering partners of the CLNS Media Network also have a ton of player props, game props, and weekend specials loaded up to make it even more fun to get in on the action.

Here’s a look:

Championship Sunday Specials

Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes to Combine for 100+ Rushing Yards +105

Jackson, Purdy, Goff, Mahomes to Each Complete 20+ passes +350

Either Sam LaPorta or George Kittle to Record 100+ Receiving Yards +360

Any Player to Rush for 150+ Rushing Yards +400

Christian McCaffrey and David Montgomery to Combine for 200+ Rushing Yards +550

A QB to Score 1+ Rushing TD in EACH Championship Game +800

Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta to Combine for 20+ Receptions +800

Either Josh Reynolds or Crain Reynolds to Score First Lions TD +850

75+ Yard Receiving TD to be Scored +1000

Nick Bosa, Aidan Hutchinson, Chris Jones, & Jadeveon Clowney to Each Record 0.5+ sacks +1100

Any Player to Record 200+ Receiving Yards +1500

Odell Beckham Jr. and Travis Kelce to Combine for 200+ Receiving Yards +2000

Travis Kelce to Score 1st and 2nd Chiefs touchdowns +2000

McCaffrey, Jackson, Gibbs, and Pacheco to Score 1+ Rushing TD Each +2100

Any non-QB to Record a Passing Touchdown +2200

60+ Yard Field Goal to be Scored +2200

McCaffrey and Gibbs to Both Score 1+ Receiving Touchdowns +2500

Any Two of Kyle Hamilton, Brian Branch, and Charvarius Ward to Record 1+ INT +3400

Pick 6 in Each Game +3700

Any Offensive Lineman to Score a TD +5000

Any QB to Score a Receiving Touchdown +8500

Either Opening Kickoff to be Returned for a Touchdown +15000

Any QB to Throw for 500+ Yards +15000

Isiah Pacheco & Gus Edwards to Both Score 1+ Receiving TD Each +20000

“Raven’s Flock” – L. Jackson, G. Edwards, J. Hill and D. Cook to All Score 1+ Rushing TD +22000

With plenty to choose from, here are my three favorites for Sunday:

Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes to Combine for 100+ Rushing Yards (+105)

Jackson went for 100 yards rushing on his own last weekend against the Texans and Patrick Mahomes is always run-happy in the postseason when everything is on the line.

100+ from the two QBs on Sunday feels like a safe bet to make.

Any player to Record 200+ Yards Receiving (+1500)

The player pool on Sunday is filled with mega-talented pass catchers. Travis Kelce, Deebo Samuel, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brandon Aiyuk, and Odell Beckham Jr. to name a few.

All four offenses can score at will and, if someone starts to get hot, they’ll feed them. I like someone to go for over 200 yards at +1500 odds.

60+ Yard Field Goal to be Scored (+2200)

Not only are Jake Moody, Michael Badgley, and Harrison Butker all quality kickers who are trusted by their team, but arguably the greatest of all time at the position plays this weekend in Justin Tucker.

60+ at +2200 feels like a good value bet.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post NFL Championship Sunday Betting Props and Predictions appeared first on CLNS Media.

Both the Patriots’ 2023-24 season finale and potentially Bill Belichick’s final game as head coach of the club are set to take place this Sunday afternoon from snowy Foxborough.

New England will welcome the Jets to Gillette Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff and, as you know, you can bet the spread, money line, and total every week at FanDuel Sportsbook, but there are also plenty of exotics and props to wager on as well to try and get your money’s worth.

Here are my three favorites for this weekend’s game:

Ezekiel Elliott Rushing Yards

The Pick: OVER

Sunday’s forecast in Foxborough projects to be a snowy one with a high of 34 degrees. The Patriots, who didn’t have much success throwing the football in last weekend’s loss to the Bills, will likely look to pound the rock in their final game of the season.

Enter Ezekiel Elliott, the 28-year-old running back who has been New England’s best free agency signing from this offseason. After signing a one-year deal in August, the former Dallas Cowboy has rushed for 588 yards on 171 carries (3.4 YPC) in 2023-24.

Since taking over for Rhamondre Stevenson, Elliott has ran for under three yards per carry over the last three weeks, but I’m going with him to carry the load on Sunday and go OVER his rushing yards total.

Jets Total Points

OVER 14.5           -110

UNDER 14.5        -110

The Pick: UNDER 14.5

The weather and both Bill Belichick and his team’s hatred for the Jets will make it very unlikely that New York will score a lot of points this Sunday.

I’m not going to overthink this. The greatest coach of all time shuts down his former team in what could potentially be his last game coaching the Patriots.

Anytime Touchdown

The Pick: DeMario Douglas +450

2023 sixth-round pick DeMario Douglas broke the Patriots’ franchise record for receptions by a rookie this season with 47. On Sunday against the Jets, he’ll have the opportunity to surpass 50 catches.

“I’m learning as I go,” Douglas said on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the final game of his rookie season. “As I go, I’m getting better. I’m working to become one of the greats.”

He certainly is, but what he still hasn’t done in the NFL is score a touchdown. That changes on Sunday. I like Pop +450.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Three Best Bets for Sunday: Patriots vs. Jets Props appeared first on CLNS Media.

The Patriots enter their final game of the 2023-24 NFL season with a 4-12 record, already on track to be the worst finish of the Bill Belichick era, and amid speculation of said head coach’s job status moving forward.

We’ll get to all of the rumors, news, and notes in a minute, but first, let’s take a look at the betting odds for their Week 18 contest versus the division rival New York Jets at Gillette Stadium.

As always, these odds are brought to you by our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook:

Odds – Patriots vs. Jets

Spread: Patriots -1.5

Moneyline: Patriots -126/Jets +108

Total: O/U 30.5

Storylines

We’re once again going to take a page out of Sports Illustrated’s Peter King for this one, going with some bold-faced notes and quick hitter to take us through the storylines for this Sunday’s game:

— With the game-time weather report looking like a snowstorm is going to rummage through the Foxborough area, the point total has dropped to an insanely low 30.5 according to FanDuel.

— The latest reports surrounding Bill Belichick’s future in Foxborough are a doozy. In a tell-all piece written by the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed, the two reported several interesting nuggets from this disastrous season, including:

• After Matt Patricia and Joe Judge ran the Patriot’s offense last season, Bill Belichick reportedly still wanted to keep Patricia on staff to call the offense. He ultimately relented to Kraft’s decision for a search for an offensive coordinator.
• Now-OC Bill O’Brien reportedly wanted to clean house and build his own offensive staff, but Belichick denied him. O’Brien was allowed only one hire in tight ends coach Will Lawing. A team source reportedly called the Patriots’ staff dynamic “completely f–ed.”
• Offensive line coach Adrian Klemm reportedly “confronted Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh early in the season in a loud exchange that reverberated through the organization,” about the lack of talent on the team’s roster.
• A team source said the Patriots “had no chance to win with Mac [Jones] at quarterback.”

— The Jets enter Sunday’s game without quarterback Zach Wilson, who didn’t clear concussion protocol. His season is over.

— According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, several members of the Jets are motivated to end their 15-game losing streak versus the Patriots and give Bill Belichick “a going away loss.”

Predictions and Picks

Ultimately, I’m going with the Patriots in this one to send Belichick off with a victory in what could be his final game in Foxborough.

With the impending storm, I think it’s a tight, low-scoring contest at a snowy Gillette Stadium that ends with, ironically, a Chad Ryland game-winning kick.

Score: Patriots 9 – Jets 7

Side: Patriots -1.5

Total: UNDER 30.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Patriots vs. Jets Week 18 Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction appeared first on CLNS Media.

Saturday’s College Football Playoff was all about Michael Penix Jr.

The Washington quarterback, a sixth-year senior due to an injury-riddled stint at the University of Indiana from 2018-2021, shined in Monday night’s Sugar Bowl Semi-Final en route to earning his Huskies a berth in the 2023-24 CFP National Championship Game.

What his performance also did is improve his odds to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He now has the fifth-shortest odds to be selected first according to FanDuel Sportsbook:

Odds to be No. 1 Overall Pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Caleb Williams                         -500

Drake Maye                              +400

Marvin Harrison Jr.              +1500

Jayden Daniels                     +3500

Michael Penix Jr.                  +6000

Penix completed 29 of his 38 pass attempts for 430 yards and two touchdowns in Washington’s 37-31 win over Texas and registered an 87.7 quarterback rating, a season-high.

“The guy was on a mission,” Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer said of his quarterback’s performance on Monday night. “He was on a mission. The last month, just since the PAC-12 championship, realizing that it’s right there in front of us. Right there in front of him. Maybe even being No. 2 in the whole [Heisman] voting thing and some of that put a chip on his shoulder too.”

Penix finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting last month to LSU Jayden Daniels, who has +3500 odds to be the No. 1 pick at FanDuel. Daniels’ LSU Tigers, without him at the helm as he already opted out for the NFL Draft, won the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday afternoon.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Penix said of his reaction to watching his team’s defense hold Texas at the end of Monday night’s victory. “The defense, they hold themselves to a high standard and they hold themselves accountable in every situation. They wouldn’t have wanted it to be that close, but as a whole team, on the sideline, just everybody believing, everybody just trusting that they were going to come up with that big-time stop. They’ve done it all throughout the year.”

As mentioned above, Penix’s path to the doorstep of a national title has been an up-and-down one. During his first college football stop with the Indiana Hoosiers, he tore his ACL twice and also suffered a collarbone injury. He never finished a season before transferring to Washington prior to last season.

“First of all imma say I’m not no quitter,” Penix said when asked about his journey and the thought of quitting football. “I wouldn’t say I was going to quit. It did get hard for me at times but I had to lean on the ones that I love the most. But it means a lot to be here. I’m super blessed and I’ve got to thank the man above. I’ve got to thank God for everything that he’s put me through to get to this point. It’s been a blessing and I’ve been enjoying the journey.”

He now has the chance to not only be a National Champion, but a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Michael Penix Jr. Makes Push to be Top Draft Pick After Dominant Sugar Bowl Performance appeared first on CLNS Media.

The Patriots enter Week 15 coming off of a 21-18 win vs. the Steelers, and, as 8.5-point underdogs, will look to make it two in a row this Sunday vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

As you know, you can bet the spread, money line, and total every week at FanDuel Sportsbook, but there are also plenty of exotics and props to wager on as well to try and get your money’s worth.

Here are my three favorites for this weekend’s game:

Anytime Touchdown

The Pick: Rashee Rice +185

Outside of tight end Travis Kelce, rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice has been Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ favorite weapon in this Chiefs offense.

A second-round pick out of SMU, the 6-foot-1 speedster has hauled in 59 passes for 663 yards and a team-high six touchdowns this season and has been a lightning rod in an otherwise pretty stagnant Kansas City offense.

I like their leading scorer, at plus-money, to get in the endzone on Sunday.

Ezekiel Elliott Rushing Yards

OVER 62.5            -114

UNDER 62.5        -114

The Pick: OVER 62.5

Ezekiel Elliott turned into the Zeke of old last week in Pittsburgh with Rhamondre Stevenson out, tallying a season-high 29 touches (22 carries and 7 catches), 140 total yards, and a touchdown. 

“I feel good,” the running back said following the win.

68 of Zeke’s 140 yards were on the ground, a number I think he can not only match, but surpass that, against this Chiefs run defense on Sunday.

Patrick Mahomes Alt. Passing Yards

The Pick: 300+ yards +320

Patrick Mahomes has started four games versus the Patriots in his already legendary career, and has thrown for over for 300 yards just once. I think he bucks that trend on Sunday.

While Belichick has seemingly had the two-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champions numbers, the Chiefs have their backs against the wall this weekend having lost their last two games and four of their last six. Mahomes does everything he can this weekend to get Kansas City back to their winning ways, and that includes a 300+ yard performance.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Three Best Bets for Sunday: Patriots vs. Chiefs Props appeared first on CLNS Media.

The NCAA’s annual Army vs. Navy game is headed to Massachusetts this Saturday as the 5-6 Black Nights will take on the 5-6 Midshipmen from Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium.

Here are the betting odds for the game, according to our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook:

Odds – Army vs. Navy

Spread: Army -2.5

Moneyline: Army -152/Navy +126

Total: O/U 28.5

Storylines

Saturday’s Army/Navy game in Foxborough is going to be an incredible environment. Not only is it a) a standalone game and b) the home of ESPN’s College Game Day this weekend, but it’s one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports. Don’t believe me? Just ask Army head coach Jeff Monken:

“I don’t think there’s a better rivalry in sports, to be honest with you,” the Black Knights head coach said at last week’s Army/Navy media day from Gillette Stadium. “There’ll be conference championships next week, the National Championship Game is coming up, rivalry weekend in college football last Saturday, and those are great games. But I don’t think any of them compare to the Army-Navy Game.”

“…Every competitor on the field next weekend,” Monken continued. “And every one of their classmates sitting in the stands made a pledge to serve our country. They’re willing to pay the ultimate price for everybody that watches the game.”

“It’s really difficult to describe,” Navy head coach Brian Newberry when speaking on the rivalry. “Just the the scene, the energy, the pageantry, just the pride that you have being a part of the game. There’s nothing like it… All 11 guys playing as hard as they do, and the pride they play with and playing for each other, it’s a special day and there’s really nothing like it.”

Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, a Navy alum and current Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve, said on Tuesday that playing in this game is on par with the Super Bowl as the biggest game he’s ever played in. He confirmed he’ll be in attendance on Saturday.

It’s going to be quite the day.

Predictions and Picks

As for the game itself, the UNDER hit in 16 (!!) straight contests before last year’s overtime thriller in Philly. An incredible feat that I believe will hit again on Saturday in Foxborough.

I like Navy to not only cover the 2.5-point spread, but win outright in yet another historic matchup with Army.

Score: Navy 13 – Army 10

Side: Navy +2.5

Total: UNDER 28.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Gillette Stadium to Host 124th Army vs. Navy Game – Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction appeared first on CLNS Media.