A total annihilation

Well, at least the Total was in doubt at the end.

The Eagles blew out the Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday. Philadelphia closed as 1-point underdogs at most books. The Total of 48/48.5 didn’t go Over until KC scored with 2:54 left when the game was light years out of reach.

 

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As he has done for the last several years, VSiN.com senior reporter Dave Tuley tells the story of the Super Bowl via 10 props that cashed.

For example, defensive/special teams TD was a winner +260:

The Eagles added a field goal to go up 10-0 [with 8:38 left in the second quarter], but most people still thought Patrick Mahomes had plenty of time to rally the Chiefs, especially since he’s done it so many times. However, on the very next possession, Mahomes was intercepted by Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, who returned it 38 yards for a pick-six (on his 22nd birthday, to boot) to cash this prop. The 17-0 lead also cashed the “yes” for “Will either team score three straight times?” at -170.

>>More game-telling props from Dave.

One for the Books

On the Big Game Post-Game Show, Matt Youmans and Jonathan Von Tobel did a survey of how the Vegas sportsbooks did, talking to Derek Stevens of Circa, Jeff Sherman of the Westgate, Chuck Esposito of Station Casinos and Tony Miller of the Golden Nugget.

Based on their intel, the books won more money than they lost. (If the Under had hit, it would have been a bigger win for the books.) I suspect Circa did a little better than most, given Derek’s demeanor.

Speaking of demeanor, I am not sure I have ever seen Matt and JVT happier. Matt had a 16-1 preseason bet on the Eagles and JVT bet Philly from +1 to +13.5 and everything in between.

Wait Till Next Year

The Super Bowl champions, per usual, are the favorites for the 2026 title, followed by the Chiefs, Bills and Ravens at 700 at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Lions are up next at +900.

VSiN.com managing editor Adam Burke looks further down the list for a few longer shots he likes.

P.S. I hope you all had a chance to sample some of VSiN’s 19 hours of coverage. Our ninth Super Bowl was definitely our best. Thanks to everyone here at VSiN who made that happen.

NBA: Luka’s debut

I asked VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen for his thoughts ahead of Luka Doncic’s debut for the Lakers vs. the Jazz (10:30 ET, ESPN):

The Lakers are favored by 13.5 against the Jazz at DraftKings Sportsbook, so Los Angeles is expected to roll in Luka Doncic’s debut in the purple and gold. That isn’t all that surprising. In terms of adjusted offensive rating, Doncic has spent most of his career on top-10 teams. Dallas even had the league’s best offense in that regard in 2019-20. With that in mind, there’s little reason to believe that Utah, which is dead last in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating, has a shot at slowing down a team with both Luka and LeBron James. That’s especially true with Luka having noted that he took extra time in returning from this recent calf injury. Normally, the Slovenian rushes back to help his teammates as soon as he possibly can. This time, he said it was important to wait until he was 100%.

Unfortunately, while this game is exciting for a number of different reasons, it’s hard not to think about what could have been with Los Angeles’ acquisition of Mark Williams falling apart after the NBA trade deadline. Before Williams failed his physical, the Lakers looked like a pretty solid play to win the NBA title at FanDuel at 19-1 odds. After all, Los Angeles is currently fifth in the Western Conference, and the team’s only glaring weakness is at the center position. And Williams, while he certainly has his faults, is a massive, athletic center that can finish around the basket, rebound the hell out of the ball and even play some solid interior defense. Now, FanDuel has the Lakers at 22-1, and I personally believe it should have moved a lot more.

Regardless, getting a chance to witness Luka and LeBron on the same team will be flat-out special. And while the team might not have legitimate championship hopes this season, success isn’t too far down the road. Los Angeles can reevaluate the center spot in the offseason, when the team will be armed with even more trade assets.

>Look for Zach’s Best Bets for today later this morning.

On the flip side of the Lakers-Mavs trade, Anthony Davis is expected to miss multiple weeks with a left adductor strain he suffered his debut.

Today in College Hoops

Greg Peterson has posted his Best Bets for today’s menu.

Adam Burke will post his top plays later this morning.

>Peterson’s handicapped lines

>Makinen’s power ratings with estimated scores

>>DraftKIngs/Circa Betting Splits.

Listen now: Greg’s daily podcast handicapping every game on the menu every day.

This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Monday, February 10. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.

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