When the deadline finally hit on Saturday, Circa had collected $31.3 million in contest entries, up 55 percent from last year.
With contestants puttting up from $1,000 per entry in the Million and Survivor to $100,000 in the Grandissimo, I figure it might be worth checking in on their Week 1 opinions.
In the Grandissimo (69 entries), the No. 1 pick was the Broncos (35), followed by the Eagles (15), who won Thursday, and the Cardinals (11).
>Grandissimo individual picks.
In Survivor (18,718), the No. 1 pick was also the Broncos (7,173), followed by the Cardinals (4,171) and the Eagles (1,8111). Alas, the Quest for $18.7 Million has already ended for 62 entries — 36 on the Chiefs and 2 on the Cowboys, plus (ouch!) 24 no-picks.
And in the Million (5,685), the top pick was the Giants +6 (1,696), followed by the Falcons +2 (1,503) and the Seahawks +2 (1,353).
In the Circa Friday Football Invitational (25): the unanimous consensus picks on the NFL were Falcons +2 vs. the Bucs and the Seahawks (+2) vs. the 49ers.
>Picks and updated standings are posted here.
In the EdgeBoost Average Joe contest (3,811), the highest majorities were on Texans-Rams Under 43.5 and Steelers-Jets Under 38.
>Picks and updated standings are posted here.
Pro Tip: If you missed the Average Joe sign-up deadline, good news. You can sign up at any point in the season for a chance to win weekly prizes (up to $1,000) and quarterly prizes (trips to Las Vegas). Who knows? Maybe you can make up ground and win the grand prize: A spot in next year’s Friday Invitational.
NFL Week 1 Links
Best Bets columns from our experts:
>Zach Cohen on Sunday Night Football (Ravens-Bills).
Everything we we do on Week 1 is posted here, but here are a few more pieces I would highlight:
>Makinen’s Week 1 systems and insights based on betting splits, power ratings and trends
>First TD handicapping and player prop advice from Adam Burke.
Plus Josh Appelbaum‘s NFL Sharp Report will arrive later this morning.
More Week 1 resources
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
>Injury Report: Not a lot of injuries on the report, as one would expect. The 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey still is questionable with a calf injury, but signs are pointing to him playing vs the Seahawks. I’m sure Dr. Chao will have more to say on that topic.
VSiN Pro subscribers have access to our NFL picks page with plays from hosts and guests. but let’s see what our Props Guru, John Hansen, has on page:
- Josh Downs (Colts) OVER 45.5 Receiving Yards (-112)
- Jonathan Taylor (Colts) OVER 78.5 Rushing Yards (-113)
- James Conner (Cardinals) OVER 68.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
- Brian Thomas JR (Jaguars) OVER 76.5 Receiving Yards (-112)
- Jonnu Smith (Steelers) OVER 26.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
- Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks) OVER 62.5 Rushing Yards (-112)
- CJ Stroud (Texans) OVER 9.5 Rushing Yards (-119)
- Drake Maye (Patriots) OVER 28.5 Rushing Yards (-111)
- Tank Bigsby (Jaguars) OVER 44.5 Rushing Yards (-109)
- Joe Flacco (Browns) OVER 244.5 Passing Yards (-111)
OK. I’ll stop here. I hope all this helps get you all off to a hot start.
Quick Hits
MLB: Greg Peterson has Best Bets for today’s MLB menu.Steve Makinen will post his Analytics Report later this morning.
U.S. Open: VSiN tennis analyst Zach Cohen has his play for today’s Skinner-Alcarez final.
NASCAR: Steve Makinen has posted his final simulation for today’s Illinois 300 and shared his analysis:
Top 5: Blaney, Hamlin, Larson, Bell, Logano
Top underdogs to consider: Gibbs, Keselowski, Berry, Smith, Busch
Favorites to struggle: Wallace, Beuscher, Bowman, Chastain
>Adam Burke has a race preview with more from Steve.
Horse Racing: “Mr. Ed” Sehon has picks for today’s Kentucky Downs card. Horse racing coverage is sponsored by 1/ST BET. Get your $250 sign-up bonus.
