The Hustle is a PointsBet publication that features our biggest bets, juiciest boosts and strongest insights to prepare you for the best betting stretch of your life.
Chicago Bears running back De'Montre Tuggle runs through the defense during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Seattle. The Bears won 27-11. (AP Photo/Caean Couto)
KEY DATA: Seattle QB Drew Lock is out (COVID), giving Geno Smith a shot at QB1. Chicago’s Justin Fields played three series in coach Matt Eberflus’ preseason debut.
INSIGHT: With early action tilting toward Chicago (80% of bets, 65% of spread handle), the line has shrunk from 5.
EXPERT PICKS
Last week Teddy nailed his prediction of a Top 10 for Tony Finau (+225). And since Jay sselected George Pickens for NF: Offensive Rookie of the Year, his odds have plummeted from +2500 + 750. Whose predictions on the BMW Championship and an NFL Future will be sharpest?
THE BOOK
Top 10: Rory McIlroy (+110)
"Last week was an outlier. Rory's recent form. still makes him the world's best."
AFC Winner: Chiefs (+550)
"They're still the most talented and their division rivals are more flawed than people think."
THE BETTOR
Top 5: Cam Young (+480)
"He excels in every key stat needed at this U.S. Open-style layout."
Under 10.5 wins: Chiefs (+110)
"With no Tyreek Hill and a roug shcedule, KC could start 3-4 for a second straight season."
FILE - Alabama's James Burnip warms up before the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. The university presidents who oversee the College Football Playoff are scheduled to meet Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, to discuss expanding the four-team format, re-opening the possibility that a new model for crowning a champion could be implemented as soon as the 2024 season. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
WISCONSIN Over 8.5 (-160): If the forward pass had never been invented, the Badgers would be national title contenders every year.
UTAH Over 8.5 (-150): Utah is a road favorite against Florida to open the season. Repeat: Utah is a road favorite against Florida to open the season.
CLEMSON Over 10.5 (+105): Even if the passing game fails to improve, opponents will struggle to reach double digits against this ‘D’.
GEORGIA Under 11.5 (-175): Lots of juice but a need to replace tons of talent (15 draft picks).
OKLAHOMA Under 9.5 (-130): Lincoln Riley took off for SoCal, bringing a star quarterback with him to navigate.
HUSTLE BOOST
This Week's Boost
Will 34+ points be scored in all three Friday NFL preseason games? Boosted from +125➡️+150
Patrick Cantlay celebra después de ganar el Campeonato BMW en Wilmington Country Club, el domingo 21 de agosto de 2022, en Wilmington, Del. (AP Foto/Nick Wass)
WHY WE’LL WATCH: To see which of the 70 players will advance to the 30-man Tour Championship. And to find out: Is Will Zalatoris a runaway train? Will Scottie Scheffler rebound after missing the cut?
COURSE INFO: At 7,534 yards, the par-71 course in Delaware is one of the beefiest around. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design features elevation changes, uneven lies, huge greens and doglegs protected by bunkers.
THE FAVS: A week after missing the cut, Rory McIlroy is again +1000. Jon Rahm (+1200) quietly broke 70 in every round last week.
INSIGHT: Rahm is getting the most handle at 16%, while Collin Morikawa (+2000) is dominating in bet count. His 13% dwarfs Cam Young’s 6.6%.
BIG PICTURE: While Scheffler (+250) remains the favorite to win the FedEx Cup, Zalatoris is now second at +375.
DAILY POWER HOUR
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander checks the runner at first during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Justin Verlander (-155): The Astros star would be a three-time winner, and Kate Upton clearly has a thing for Cy Young awards.
Dylan Cease (+150): The White Sox pitcher allowed fewer than 2 runs in 14 consecutive starters before giving up three against the Astros in his last time out.
Shane McClanahan (+1200): He has a 1.79 ERA in nine divisional starts, and the Rays face AL East opponents 24 more times.
Shohei Ohtani (+3300): The Angels star leads the team in wins, strikeouts, IPs, home runs, RBI, hits, runs, walks…
WIN A $500 FREE BET
We’ve doubled the Free Bet prize to $500. To be eligible, you must place a $10+ wager on this week’s Hustle Boost, listed above. You’ll find it on our Booster Odds page. Screenshot your ticket. The first 25 clients who email the screenshot to PointsBetHustle@pointsbet.com will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Free Bet. Joe from IL won the Free Bet last week.
Teddy G
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