A Competitive NFL Week 13 & Bill’s College Football Wins

It’s episode 123 of Wise Kracks, and it’s another show with just the guys! They dive into one of the biggest NFL betting upsets of the season, which NFL stars might be sitting out for the remainder of the season, if there’s any chance that the Cleveland Browns make the playoffs, the US’s big World Cup win, Jon’s UFC picks, how Bill fared during the college football regular season, and more. Here we go!

Your hosts Bill Krackomberger and Jon Orlando once again stand by their claim of why betting money lines isn’t the best idea. What team had sportsbooks rolling in dough last week?

With NFL Week 13 upon us, most of the games are going to be competitive match-ups. Who do the guys see winning, and will certain stars be sitting the rest of the year?

With a controversial return for quarterback Deshaun Watson, do the Browns have a better chance at making the playoffs, or will it be a non-starter?

The US took a big win at the World Cup over Iran. How did the public bet?

Jon goes over the upcoming UFC Fight Night card which is set to deliver some top-notch fights. Who does he have to win?

Bill reflects on a positive season of betting college football and shares some betting stats from the regular season. What stats surprise the guys the most? All of this and more on this week’s Wise Kracks!

Moneyline is a Fool’s Gamble and a Competitive NFL Week 13

This past Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars may have delivered one of the biggest upsets betting-wise of the entire 2022-23 NFL season. Besting the Baltimore Ravens 28-27, the Jags had sportsbooks cleaning up after 94% of the public took Ravens money line. 

“They shouldn’t have won,” Bill proclaims. Bill recalls chatting with someone who works at a sportsbook and relays that they needed Jacksonville to cover, but a win would be that much sweeter. “God is looking out for these sportsbooks,” jokes Bill. 

Aside from that game, most big favorites cashed in. With a week like this, will people be more willing to try teasers this week? Bill scoffs, “They probably will, but I don’t recommend it!”

Week 13, on the other hand, is looking like one that may be tough to beat. Bill chimes in, “Most games are going to be competitive match-ups… they’re going to be tough!” 

Week 13 is also not without a little skepticism as to what stars might not see the field for the rest of the year. Jon wonders, “Will Matt Stafford and Aaron Rodgers play the rest of the year?” Bill thinks for a moment, “Rodgers will for sure. Stafford… not likely.” 

With Jordan Love stepping in for Aaron Rodgers this past weekend, and despite a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Bill sees him as the future of the Green Bay Packers franchise, “He stepped in and did a great job.” Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stafford has returned to NFL concussions protocol, which will likely see him sidelined for the rest of the season.

One Week 13 game that Jon says could be a “spoiler,” is the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs match-up. Bill agrees, “You don’t know what you’re getting with them.” 

Bill thinks that the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles game could be the sleeper hit of the week, “That might be a better game than people think.” In fact, Bill might go against his own betting creed, “I think that might be my side this week, and you KNOW I don't like picking sides.” 

With the Eagles looking a bit rusty over the past few games, Bill checks in on their projected season win totals, “14.5 wins… that’s way too much. I think they have more losses in them.” With the double-digit underdogs Washington Commanders recently beating the Eagles on their home turf, Jon and Bill wonder if Philly is really that tough of a place to play.

The Cleveland Browns are in a particularly rough spot. With a 4-7 record, they have a 7% probability of making the playoffs. With quarterback Deshaun Watson returning after a long suspension, do the Browns have more of a fighting chance to reach the playoffs? Bill puts it simply, “No, he’s not the almighty saving grace people think he will be.”

The same goes for the Denver Broncos, except for almost the opposite reason; star quarterback Russell Wilson just can’t seem to pull it together. “He’s a fraud,” Bill laughs. Jon just can’t believe how his season has turned out, “They’re paying him so much, what do you do!?” 

Bill reflects on the off-season Wilson acquisition, “A lot of people would’ve said you’re crazy for getting rid of Wilson, but look how it’s going.” Jon concurs, “He doesn’t even run anymore, I don’t know what’s going on here.”

In typical Jon fashion, he needs to get in one final jab, “Bill, do you acknowledge that the Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl?” Bill’s eyes widen, “No!” Jon just can’t seem to get Bill on his side, “How are you not throwing a thousand dollars at their odds!?” Maybe one day Jon, one day.

Another Positive College Football Season for the Krackman

Bill may have had another positive season betting college football, but it wasn’t easy, “Bookmakers’ were on top of it… their lines were tighter than ever.” One regular season betting statistic that stood out, in particular, was that favorites went 630-200 moneyline. “There were big favorites in there,” says Bill.

In terms of underdogs, they went 429-399-13 against the spread (.525). This makes one thing clear Bill has said time and time again, “This is why you stay clear of sides.” Jon sees some positive in this record, “But that .525, that’s a winning percentage!” 

There’s some truth in that statement; that percentage would put you “right there,” as Jon puts it, for someone to have a winning season. Bill acknowledges, “Betting on the dogs like that, you can still come out even.” 

With Jon’s betting knowledge ever-expanding, he knows that this is off the closing line, “See, I’m learning Bill!” 

The final statistic Bill shares goes to show just how good the sportsbooks are at making calls, “There were 410 overs, 414 unders, and 14 pushes… the sportsbooks are just too good.” Jon laughs about the pushes, “Those are probably due to some late-game fumble nonsense, for sure!” 

As stated earlier, it wasn’t an easy season for Bill, “I had to really look for advantages… I had to really look for FCS and smaller market games.” Well, for the Krackman, it sure sounds like it paid off!

Catch Wise Kracks Thursday on YouTube

Welcome to Wise Kracks, your one-stop-shop for all things betting, pop culture, tips & more! Your hosts Jon Orlando and Bill Krackomberger talk about the NHL, NBA, MLB, & the NFL, while never missing the chance to crack each other up. Every week brings a new guest with incredible stories from the world of sports and entertainment. Wise Kracks wants to make you a better bettor, and Bill is the man with the plan. Catch a new episode of Wise Kracks every Thursday by tuning into the WSN YouTube channel!

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