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: David Montgomery anytime touchdown at Chiefs (+100, ESPN Bet)
Over this obnoxious voice’s decades-long career, many original nicknames and phrases attached to individual players or fantasy/betting concepts have resonated with the masses. Yes, some have stuck better than others -- “Juggernaut” Javonte Williams has taken roughly a half-millennium to truly apply -- but there’s one that stands above all that have come from this flibbertigibbet’s reptilian brain:
MANDATORY MONTGOMERY! YOU JACKALS!
Up there on the love list alongside this scribe’s corpulent Norfolk terrier Kirby The Gambler, Detroit’s second fiddle strums. Much to the public’s annoyance, each and every time Montgomery crosses the chalk, #MandatoryMontgomery echoes across the landscape -- whether on social media, video or across the radio airwaves.
Deploying a terribly butchered Canadian accent, “Sorry, but not sorry.”
In fantasy, every manager has their man-crushes -- players who they’re incessantly lured to like North Carolina football and loses. Yes, those relationships ride ups and downs, but personal player attachments are just one of many reasons why betting/fantasy is unrivaled fun.
In an island game, it’s indeed MANDATORY this gambler bets on his boy.
Despite speculation Jahmyr Gibbs would seize a large chunk of the opportunity share away from 'Knuckles,' the rollout in Dan Campbell's backfield has remained relatively consistent year over year. This season, Montgomery has netted 41.5% of the opportunity share, totaling the seventh-most red zone touches of any NFL rusher (18). Most impressive, he's RB9 in YAC per attempt (3.79) and RB12 in explosive rating (109.1). In non-numbers speak, he's been largely efficient on a per touch basis.
Many reasons explain Kansas City's early crumbling. However, the most glaring issue resides in their defensive trench execution. Entering the week, only Baltimore ranks lower in rush EPA D. As a collective, the defenseless Chiefs have surrendered 4.87 yards per carry, 86.6 rush yards per game and four touchdowns to RBs.
In a game with a sky-high 52.5 total, embrace the bromance.
Season record: 6-5, +0.67
NO CONTEXT PARLAY PLAY: Patrick Mahomes 25+ rush yards, Isiah Pacheco 1.5o receptions, Amon-Ra St. Brown 50+ receiving yards (+250, BetMGM)
Season record: 5-6, -0.41