We Need Sports Things to Talk About, So Let's Gamble on Football (if there is football)

In the middle of a contract dispute with the Cowboys, surely nobody would bet on Dak Prescott to win the MVP, would they?

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

While there are certainly more important things happening now than a lack of sports, crawling along in a sports-less desert has made many fans thirsty for ANYTHING to argue about.

Look no further than ESPN's documentary series "The Last Dance," chronicling Michael Jordan's final season (and really, entire career) with the Chicago Bulls. A documentary like this would normally be very popular anyway, but it has absolutely taken over the sports social media world, and drawn millions of viewers each week.

Similarly, the WNBA and NFL Draft both had their best years, in terms of viewership, in their history, and several notable players have mainstream news made waves by changing squads during NFL free agency (maybe you've heard of that Brady guy?).

The dust has not totally settled, but with the draft complete, and the NFL seemingly intent on playing games without interruption, now seems like a perfect time to start some more debates and look at a few NFL futures bets.

Odds for the Super Bowl, MVP and division winners have been updated, and you can find all that information here, along with other NFL related news. There will be more updates up until NFL starts so take the current odds with a grain of salt. For the sake of this blog, I'm going to take a look at my favorite, and least favorite picks to win divisions, and the MVP.

So, which bets are my Stone Cold Locks of The Quarantine? Find out below.

The Semi-Official, Overly-Exhaustive, Probably-Incorrect NFL Preview

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin) and Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

[Extremely Andy Williams Voice]

It's beginning to look a lot like football.

We made it, folks. It only took us seven months, yet another Cavs-Dubs NBA Finals, a total solar eclipse, the death of Chuck Berry, The Oscars almost screwing up the Best Picture winner, O.J. Simpson's release from prison, and a devastating hurricane in east Texas, but we made it.

Football season is finally here.

In this space you'll find some bold predictions, some predictions less bold, some picks, some extensive thoughts, and some thoughts not extensive enough. Let's just start here...

Some Predictions That Probably Could Be Bolder, But We Want To Ease Our Way Into It

RADIO: Patriots, BC Football, WWE & Tom Brady Day

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was an extra full edition of the "Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ today, as football guru John Sarianides phoned in to discuss the prospects of the New England Patriots making history this season, and whether or not Boston College's football team can surprise some people nationally.

Then, the Sentinel & Enterprise's Nick Mallard called to tell us about a former local high school star who may soon be thrilling thousands as a member of World Wrestling Entertainment. Finally, Ethan Winter updates us on American Legion baseball, and everybody gives us their favorite Brady memory on Tom Terrific's 40th birthday.

Oh, and I settle the Brady GOAT debate once and for all (sort of). Listen in for all that, and more, on this week's episode.

Bob Lobel: Brady Taking a Page Out of Trump's Book?

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

This doesn’t feel right, not at all!

I'm not talking about the White House fiasco, although there seems to be a connecting thread that can be traced to the dark side of the force. There has to be some explanation or some information that hasn’t been included that would explain it all.

My first thought is that maybe something damaging to the image of our greatest quarterback ever came directly from Roger Goodell's office. No proof yet of anything, except what is being promoted by TRISTAR productions on their website.

Check it out for yourself and let me know your opinion. Is there a sense of outrage and disbelief that you get when you see the absurd prices that come with this private signing experience by Tom Brady? Is there any mention of a charity that would benefit from this ridiculous event that can only be described as a “money grab” under the name of our local hero of heroes? 

How did this happen? How did Tom Brady and his “people” let this happen? 

Bob Lobel: Tom Brady Has Every Reason to Walk Away, But…

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Assume the universe presents you with the perfect moment to step away from your job and simply say, “my work is done here.” 

Put another way, does Sunday's Super Bowl for the ages deliver the message that “it can't get any better than this?” Seriously, I ask you, can it get any better than this?  For all concerned- fans, coaches and most importantly the quarterback- can there be a moment that would possibly eclipse what took place in Houston? 

The Patriots' Comeback Wasn't (Quite) As Unexpected As You Think It Was

This is Tom Brady. Tom Brady is good at football. Look at Tom be good at football.

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

I'll be up front - I'm still not totally prepared to talk about this game rationally. There's a 40% chance that I died on Sunday night and this is just the afterlife that I've chosen for myself (and it just happens to be remarkably similar to the life I was living previously - right down to the ongoing recovery from a recent surgery).

That being said, I feel like everything I've heard and read about the Super Bowl over the last day-plus has been expressing abject incredulity that the Patriots were able to mount a comeback. I'm here to present a few loose, scattered thoughts that hopefully apply some degree of logic to how and why it happened.

The Fine Line Between a Legendary Comeback and an Epic Collapse

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Whether you're a New England fanatic or a Patriot hater likely determined your mood this morning.

Those cheering on Brady and the boys will likely spend the entire day re-living the Pats' epic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 last night. Down 28-3, New England scored 31 unanswered points from the 2-minute mark of the third quarter on to capture a 34-28 overtime victory.

The game was historic for a number of reasons, most notably that Tom Brady both broke the single-game Super Bowl passing record, and captured a record-setting fifth Super Bowl title and fourth Super Bowl MVP. It was also the first overtime game in Super Bowl history.

In the process, Brady bounced back from an opening three quarters of getting beaten and bruised (and let's be honest, looking frazzled while missing some WIDE OPEN receivers), to find his usual flawless form, and deliver pinpoint passes on the final five drives of the game.

But the moments Pats fans are likely re-living the most are Julian Edelman's ABSURD catch in traffic, and James White's game-winning touchdown run. Both plays will no doubt become a part of Super Bowl lore, next to recent moments like Tyree's helmet catch, Holmes' end zone snag and Butler's goal line interception.

OH MY GOD, JULIAN EDELMAN! #SB51 #Patriots https://t.co/YtvHwsaCbT

— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2017

Of course, the other side of that coin is the collapse of the Atlanta Falcons.

Your Last-Minute Super Bowl Betting Guide

Many of our prop bets revolve around these two happy fellas.

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin) and Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Holy cow, it's Super Bowl Sunday! Man, that really snuck up on us.

You see, after doing diligent and detailed previews of every NFL week during the regular season, and breaking down all the playoff games, we're way behind this week. Yeah, I know we even had a whole week off, but Jeremy recently had surgery (he's good, though a little tired, thanks for asking), and Joe's brain was drained from National Signing Day Wednesday.

You can check out all his coverage of NSD here, by the way.

So, we're not going to be able to break this game down every which way like we have, but since we both aspire to be degenerate gamblers, we're going to give you our picks for some of the most interesting bets you can make tonight.

All of our exotics prop bet odds are provided by OddsShark.

Let's get this going.

Bob Lobel: Brady and Belichick's Last Rodeo?

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

This is not our first rodeo, not by a long shot. 

"Not the first rodeo" has become a popular phrase to calm people down around here, but remember this: Sunday is a lot closer to being the last rodeo than the first for our coach and quarterback. We know it and feel it, yet we totally deny it. 

What's left to accrue after this seventh Super Bowl appearance? What's left if they get a ring to put on all fingers, as opposed to having just four? 

Bob Lobel: Will Trump Get Bob Kraft's SB Ring Back from Putin?

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Do me a favor- Call me when the Patriots play a big game. 

What would that even look like? The Rams, for instance, are impossible to differentiate from any of the high school teams that played on that same field in Foxboro the day before. 

Bob Lobel: Be Careful What You Wish for, Cubs Fans

 By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Where did it go? 

The passion, the drama, the anticipation is what seems to be missing. It's hard to explain, but the convergence of the Red Sox collapse, Jon Lester, the Brady (ho hum) return, Theo  Epstein, the mother of all campaigns, Terry Francona, Mike Napoli, groping and more groping, Andrew Miller, Coco Crisp, David Price and blah blah blah. 

What has sucked the life out of the NFL?   

Can Roger Goodell be held responsible?  Do we really think the Bruins are going to be carried by Tuukka Rask, and are the Celtics really about to start another middle of the road finish? 

Whoa. 

This is a lot of baggage, a lot. 

Bob Lobel: A Perfect September for Boston Sports

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Of course I'm nervous. 

Yes, I'm worried, and if you're smart, you will be too. It’s the ole karma thing, when things kinda even out. There is never all good or all bad. 

If all good seems to be the rule of the day, then all bad can't be far behind. Somehow, it's going to even out. That is the reason to be nervous and cautious, expecting the worst.

Did you see this September coming? 

Bob Lobel: When a Win Feels Like a Loss

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

When does a win not feel like a win? Right now, Patriot Nation, right now! 

When does an emotional swing from high to low become such a burden? Right now, Patriot Nation, right now! 

And there is nothing we can do about it. 

Bob Lobel: The Patriots Still the Envy of the Football Universe

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

There is nothing like a Monday after a Sunday like last Sunday. 

The Red Sox explode on an Ortiz clutch home run, and few people are talking about it. Buchholz implodes, and few people are talking about it, because they won a very big game. The Patriots… They've grabbed the spotlight just because. 

Just because what? 

Bob Lobel: Are the Patriots and Jimmy Ready for the Opener?

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

How much help will the Patriots give backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in his first, and probably last, four starts with this team?

All you have to do is check out the mural of Tom Terrific that covers the lighthouse at Gillette. There is no way to interpret a larger than life portrait  of a player who is already larger than life. It is not exactly a morale booster for number 10 to feel number 12 hovering more than he already was, by just existing. 

The team really seems to have more interest in putting the commissioner in a position of total humiliation, at least locally, than they are of pumping up a quarterback who has been thrust in a position of big trouble in their opener. It's true that the next three next games at home can be won by playing former Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman at the position, but that’s not the point. 

What is the point, Bob? The point is New England's misguided purpose of glorifying a guy who needs it not, instead of supporting a guy who could use all the support he can get. 

Bob Lobel: Brady's New Haircut

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Why do I think Tom Brady didn't order a "boys regular" when he went in to have his hair styled? Tom doesn’t get it cut at SuperCuts, he gets it styled at some place you can't pronounce. 

We used to go in and order Arnold Palmers. Now it's going to be “please give me a Tom Brady.” 

Everyone will know what you're talking about. 

Bob Lobel: You Can't Always Get What You Want (in Boston Sports)

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Knowing what you want is easy. Asking for it is much more difficult, so it stands to reason that getting what you want is really tough, since you pretty much always have to ask for it.  

So, every once in a while it's probably good to figure out what you want and then ask for it. Let's begin to ask: I want the Boston Red Sox to figure it out, because they are driving me crazy. What if they figure out that David Ortiz is struggling, and they need to get him out of the lineup in a year where his celebrity has never been higher? I think that’s probably not going to happen. 

I want the fans to give Alex Rodriguez a standing ovation at some point tonight, and them give him a boo beyond boo. It would kinda recognize the conflict within for those of us who really wanted the Red Sox to get him when that opportunity was there. Count that group. 

I remember the  phone call I got at 8 am from Peter Brown, our news director. I said “hello” and he said “we got him!" 

Bob Lobel: Brady Talk Dominating Red Sox Season in Boston

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

So it's true, Chris Sale does have a great “cutter." Now proven beyond any doubt.  

He may be an immature twit, but he can pitch, so bring him here. We will make him a man. It's one of the things we do best.

Grow up or get out. 

Bob Lobel: Brady's Loss Could Be a Win for New England

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Sometimes losing is the best thing that can happen. 

I'm not talking about tanking games so you can get a better draft pick. I'm talking about the courts of law in our land that seem to be able to rule on anything, however unimportant it may seem.  Well, Tom Brady and the NFL are hardly unimportant in our little corner of the universe, but still. 

Brady and the Supreme Court- It seems like they were meant for each other. They may get to meet eventually, but not at the moment. The current moment has Brady serving a four-game suspension to start the season, since the appeals court ruled against his case to have the suspension stayed, or vacated, or whatever legal definition may apply. 

The worst of this may be the best thing. 

Bob Lobel: Remember the History of Red Sox Heartbreak

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Where to start?

Kraft vs Kraft? Boston (Bogaerts) strong?  Boston (Bradley) strong? Boston (Brady) strong! Or just very, very strong! Scary strong! 

Why scary strong? Because we are totally sucked into becoming your father's Red Sox fan. 

Caution, however!   

One of the memorable lines in "Fever Pitch" says it all (transparency here; not my line):  “they will break your heart every time.”

They used to, in a city that actually had a parade for the team after not winning the World Series. Yes, we did that. Correct me if I'm wrong.