Each day, one of our experts will offer up a best bet (or two or three) that mobile sportsbooks are offering. It might be a traditional spread bet, a player prop or one of the various odds boosts that books offer.
Here are our best bets for Monday, Oct. 17:
TOP PLAY
The play: NFL, Broncos at Chargers UNDER 45.5 points
The odds/bet: -110 ($33 to win $30)
The book: Caesars Sportsbook
Time/TV: 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Our take: This Monday Night Football matchup doesn’t look nearly as appealing as it did before the season, and that’s because both the Chargers and Broncos offenses haven’t lived up to expectations.
Injuries have played a large part in that, as Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has been banged up on top of the fact that they lost starting running back Javonte Williams for the season, and the Chargers will once again be without No. 1 receiver Keenan Allen and have lost left tackle Rashawn Slater for the season.
These key injuries have us leaning toward the under for tonight, as the Broncos defense should be able to contain Justin Herbert and the Chargers, and the Broncos offense will likely struggle as well with Wilson in a funk despite the Chargers defense being without star edge rusher Joey Bosa.
JUSTIN HERBERT YARDAGE PROP
The play: NFL player prop, Chargers QB Justin Herbert UNDER 266.5 passing yards
The odds/bet: -111 ($11.10 to win $10)
The book: Caesars Sportsbook
Time/TV: 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Our take: We thought about going with the Broncos at +4 for this next play, but with Russell Wilson showing no signs of turning his season around, we decided to bank on the Broncos defense making life rough for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert has had a solid start to the season despite suffering fractured rib cartilage in Week 2 against the Chiefs, but he’ll face a major challenge tonight against a Broncos defense that’s been strong against the pass, as they rank third in the NFL having only allowed 177 passing yards per game.
While Herbert should have his moments in the Chargers’ pass-heavy offense, it’s unlikely he’ll cross the 266-yard threshold considering the Chargers project to run the ball more than usual since the Broncos run defense isn’t as strong as their pass defense.
HOW WE’VE FARED
Sunday’s best bets
- NFL teaser: Packers -1.5 over NY Jets and Seahawks +8.5 over Cardinals (LOST $36)
- NFL player prop: Falcons QB Marcus Mariota to throw at least one interception (LOST $10.10)
Saturday’s profit/loss: -$46.10 (0-2)
Final total for the week: +$44.50 (7-7)
Total for October: +$205.20 (19-10)
Total for 2022: +$4.50 (264-293)
NOTE: If a line or odds are minus, it considers the juice one must lay to place the bet. Ex: Team A is -160 on the money line, one would have to bet $160 to win $100 (or $16 to win $10). OR Team B is a 5-point favorite at -110, one would have to bet $110 to win $100 (or $11 to win $10.)
Conversely, on positive lines, if Team C is +140 on the money line, a $100 would bring in $140 (or $10 to win $14).
