Author: Lee Kostroski

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AFC Championship Bet | Cincinnati Bengals 9-1 odds | By Point Train

AFC Champions Longshot: Cincinnati Bengals +900 – By Point Train Consulting

Similar to our NFC prediction about the Falcons, scheduling plays a crucial role in our longshot pick for the AFC Champion, the Cincinnati Bengals. According to our metrics, the Bengals will face the 5th easiest schedule this season, a stark contrast to the tough schedule they had last year. Despite QB Joe Burrow being less than 100% for much of the season, the Bengals still managed to secure a 9-8 SU record. In 2023, they ranked 11th in total DVOA with an average point differential of -1.1 PPG.

We believe this season’s Bengals could resemble the 2022 team that went 12-4 SU in the regular season and narrowly lost to the Chiefs 20-23 in the AFC Championship game. That year, the Bengals were 4th in offensive DVOA and 7th in defensive DVOA. In today’s NFL, where offense reigns supreme, the Bengals have the firepower to challenge the Chiefs for the AFC title. With QB Burrow back from injury and two top-tier WRs in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals’ offense is a formidable force. Zack Moss, who rushed for 794 yards with the Colts last season, will take charge in the backfield.

While the Bengals’ defense regressed in 2023, much of that can be attributed to their tough schedule, with 11 of their 17 games against teams in the top half of the league in scoring. Despite this, they allowed just 22.6 PPG, below the combined average of 25.1 PPG of the league’s top 15 teams. Cincinnati made a few significant improvements on the defensive side of the football including a revamped secondary and should be a top 13 unit in 2024.

The Bengals’ primary challenge in winning the AFC North will be the Ravens, who won 13 games last season under John Harbaugh. However, within the division, both the Browns and Steelers have significant quarterback concerns and may struggle to maintain winning records. While the Chiefs, Bills, and Dolphins are serious contenders, the Bengals can match their offensive prowess if Burrow stays healthy. The Bengals have a legitimate shot at representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.

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FREE WNBA bet | Mercury vs Sky Prediction | 8-15-24

ASA’s FREE WNBA bet on Chicago Sky +2 vs. Phoenix Mercury, 8PM ET

Are you looking for a free WNBA bet today? We have you covered with a light bet on the Chicago Sky plus the points at home against Phoenix. The USA Olympic team featured three Mercury players, which means they could suffer from an emotional hangover against the Sky. Chicago was not represented in the Olympics, and their young roster has been home practicing since the break.

Only 3 wins separate these two teams with Chicago having the better overall Net Rating of -2.6 versus the Mercury’s -3.0. One glaring question here is why are the Mercury favored on the road vs. Chicago? Phoenix is the better overall offensive team, but the Sky hold the advantage defensively.

In a recent home game, the Sky were +3.5 points at home against a Liberty team that is one of the 4 best teams in the league. That makes this line high by that comparison.

We like Chicago to get this home win as our free WNBA bet on Thursday, August 15th. We won’t use this as a rated bet considering the Sky’s bad home underdog record and the Mercury’s strong road chalk numbers. It’s still worth a light play based on the circumstances though.

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NFL Free Bet | Bengals vs Buccaneers Prediction | Aug 10th

#126 ASA FREE PLAY ON Cincinnati Bengals -6 over Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday at 7 PM ET

This line has jumped from Cincinnati -3 to -6 this week and for good reason.  The Bengals are approaching this preseason much differently than they have the last few years. 

Head Coach Zac Taylor has seen his team struggle early in the regular season after he decided to sit most of his starters the last few years in the preseason.  Last year Cincy lost 3 of their first 4 regular season games and in 2022 they started 0-2.  Taylor has decided to take a different approach and his starters will all play on Saturday, including QB Burrow.

Once Burrow exits, the Bengals will go with Jake Browning who started 7 games last year and threw for 2,000 yards.  Tampa will sit all of their starters in this game according to head coach Todd Bowles. 

The Bucs will start Kyle Trask under center (10 career pass attempts) so big advantage to the Bengals in this game at QB.  While the Tampa starters will sit this one out, Bowles mentioned all of the rookies will play and potentially a lot. 

Reading between the lines this week, it sounds as if Cincinnati wants to win this game after winning just 1 preseason game the last 2 years.  We’ll call for the Bengals to win by at least a TD at home on Saturday.      

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WNBA Prediction | Sky vs Dream | 7/2/2024

WNBA Free Bet ASA play on Chicago Sky -1 at Atlanta Dream, 7PM ET

The Sky have been the more consistent team this season while the Dream have had their ups and downs, much of which is related to injuries. Atlanta was without Jordin Canada (ave’d 13.3PPG, 6.0APG last year) for most of the season but she has returned for 3 games but hasn’t been the same player. On the injured list now is Rhyne Howard who was averaging 15.4PPG, 4.5RPG and 3.4APG. After a 4-2 start to the season the Dream are now 3-8 SU their last eleven games. In this current 11-game stretch the Dream have the 3rd worst Net Rating in the league at -10.0. They have really struggled offensively with the worst Offensive Net rating of 92.2 and an EFG% of 42.7%. If we compare them to the Sky’s last eleven games we see a pretty stark contrast as the Sky have an overall Net Rating of minus -4.9. Chicago is 3-7 SU their last ten games but a look at who they’ve played says a lot with close losses to Minnesota, Las Vegas, Connecticut and New York who are some of the best teams in the league. On the season the Sky have a Net Point differential of minus -2.0PPG which is better than the Dream’s minus -4.5PPG. In a recent meeting the Dream beat the Sky by 9-points in Chicago but that was with Howard in the lineup who recorded a double-double in the game. We expect payback here with Chicago.

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WNBA Free Bet | Mercury at Storm | June 4th 2024

ASA’s WNBA play on OVER 166.5 Phoenix Mercury at Seattle Storm, 10PM ET

The Storm are the much better team when it comes to defense, ranking 3rd in defensive efficiency versus a Mercury team that ranks 11th. Offensively both teams average over 1.000-points per possession with the Storm averaging 84.5PPG, the Mercury score 80.4PPG.

A big influence for the Over wager on this game will be the pace of play as the Storm are the 2nd fastest paced team in the WNBA at 80.2 possessions per game, the Mercury are 3rd at 80.

Phoenix scores the majority of their points from beyond the 3-point line with 38.1 3PA per game, most in the league. Seattle does their offensive damage from inside the Arc with the 5th best 2PT% in the WNBA and also crash the O-boards hard with the 4th most OREB per game at 12.2. The Mercury allow 84.4PPG on the season, the Storm allow 80.3PPG.

The pace of play should be frenetic and the added scoring opportunities for both teams will make this a very high scoring game.  

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