I took a crash course in ridiculously large NFL betting lines Monday, some of which I shared in my Tuesday newspaper column and some of which I will share with you now:
In addition to the people quoted in the article, I also spoke to Gary Pasquale, general manager of Don Best Sports in Vegas. He cautioned that even if the Pats win big and the Dolphins lose big Sunday, next week's spread might not reach a record-breaking 30.
That's because with home field wrapped up and no Spygate revenge in play, it's quite possible Bill Belichick will call off the dogs and bench starters in the second half.
It's that kind of thing that makes setting Week 16 and even more so Week 17 lines a nightmare for bookmakers. Each team brings its own motivations (or lack thereof) based on numerous variables.
Another interesting thing I heard from the experts is that even though the legal betting line in Las Vegas for Jets-Pats is hovering around 24, it could well be several points higher with illegal bookies in New England, where rabid fans surely are betting the number upward.
I asked Jay Kornegay, director of the sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton, whether setting Pats lines has been a challenge.
"I don't know if you want to call it a challenge or a headache,'' he said, indicating both descriptions fit nicely.
Comments (3)
I thought the NFL didn't like this subject legitimized by such extensive coverage. You trying to prove you're no Lap Dog?
I'm wondering what this has to do with the sports media?
I see Breen mentioned in the newspaper column. He called in to the Imus program this morning as "Bill from White Plains".
Very funny.
My column is supposed to be about sports media, business and fans, so it's a wide net. Basically it's about everything not on the field.