Primetime NFL games bring in the numbers -- and the bets. In an attempt to boost gamer bankrolls, this only occasionally profitable bettor will attempt to stack greenbacks under the lights. As always, fade or follow -- that’s up to you.
The Pick: Troy Franklin anytime TD vs. Raiders (+190, BetMGM)
As someone who called the Mile High City home for seven years, Denver is a marvelous city filled with microbreweries, discount dispensaries, sweeping mountain views and hundreds of sun-splashed days.
Surprised by that last description? Don’t be. The semi-arid four-season climate, which averages over 250 days of brilliant blue sky per year, is very underrated.
It’s also a place where many fowl gleefully flock together -- Ducks very much included.
The Broncos’ quacker-to-quacker combo has flourished in their second year as pros together. Rekindling an on-field bromance forged as teammates in Eugene, Nix-to-Franklin has often delighted Empower Field patrons and gamers alike. Though the combo is on pace for a noteworthy 69 connections, 727 yards and eight touchdowns, oddsmakers have hardly adjusted.
Silly sportsbooks.
Advantageous bettors looking to start the week off on the right foot should undoubtedly entertain Franklin in the anytime TD market.
With defenses focused on containing Courtland Sutton, the second-year receiver has developed into a reliable WR2. Most unpredictably, he’s also become a red-zone staple. This season, Franklin leads the team with 12 targets inside the 20, six of those coming inside the 10. Overall, he’s hauled in a dozen of those 18 looks, scoring at least one touchdown in two of his last three games.
Indisputably, the Raiders’ primary defensive weakness is defending the pass. Patrick Graham’s unit enters Week 10 No. 23 in dropback EPA defense, surrendering the eighth most WR yards and nine touchdowns to the position.
Franklin’s primary projected dance Ppartner, CB Eric Stokes, has yet to allow a touchdown and ranks No. 30 in pass coverage grade on Pro Football Focus. He's no pushover. However, LV’s sketchy safety play combined with Nix’s loving goal-line eyes for No. 11 suggests an end-zone jig is very much a possibility.
Sometimes the sun shines even on this dog’s ass. Gut feeling says Franklin once again hits pay-dirt.
NO CONTEXT PARLAY PLAY: SGP - Broncos -2.5, Brock Bowers 3+ receptions, JK Dobbins 12+ rush attempts, Courtland Sutton 40+ receiving yards (+138, ESPN)