Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

sports betting:

Vegas Play of the Day: Hall of Fame Game

Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks to pass under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Cam Thomas (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, in Baltimore.

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have restarted with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

Pittsburgh Steelers plus-4 vs. Minnesota Vikings: $330 to win $300

These are two teams with a decent amount of young talent that I like going into the season. I probably would have leaned to backing whichever one was getting points in the preseason regardless, but at more than a field goal, Pittsburgh is a clear take.

In each of the past two years, the Hall of Fame Game has seen a similar line move with the Buffalo Bills last season and the Miami Dolphins in 2013 climbing to more than a 3-point favorite. The underdog, the New York Giants last year and the Dallas Cowboys two years ago, won outright on both occasions.

The reason for this year’s line move feels as frivolous as ever. The Steelers aren’t going to play almost all of their offensive stars, while many expect the Vikings to do the opposite.

But it’s all speculation, as Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer hasn’t announced one way or the other. The Vikings’ starters are just as likely to play one possession as they are a whole quarter, which could create no discernable advantage.

And, while we’re speculating, it certainly seems plausible that Pittsburgh will field its first- and second-team defenses longer. The Steelers were an embarrassment on that side of the ball last year, and many spots are up for grabs going into this season.

The Vikings have more defensive solidarity at this point, which can be a detriment in games that don’t count. There should be an obvious reason for any team laying more than a field goal in the preseason.

I don’t see that here.

Current Standings: (as of July 1): Current Standings (as of July 1): Bern (6-3, $11,390), Brewer (7-5, $10,700), Keefer (4-10, $6,546)

Lifetime Records: 2014-15 champion Bern (89-77-1), Keefer (88-94-2), Brewer (78-93-2)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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