The STN Sports Books skirted by with a small win in the early window of the NFL games last Sunday, but then nirvana happened when the Cardinals, as 12.5-point underdogs, beat the Rams.
“That was a day-saving kind of game,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Race and Sports Book Director. The seemingly inconceivable win killed parlays, moneyline bets, teasers, straight bets, and just about everything else. It also dropped the Rams —ya know, the “superteam” — to 2-4. Around that same time, the Chargers lost to the Chiefs, meaning that both Los Angeles teams have been more disappointing than a flimsy French fry (looking at you, In-N-Out!).
“Any time we can get a little dog day afternoon, I’ll take it. These primetime games have been kind of dominated by ‘dogs so far this year, which it’s been the other way around for a long time, but some of our guests are wising up a bit, and they’re playing the dog,” Esposito said.
With all that in mind, let’s quickly review the past week in sports and peek at what’s ahead on the STN Sports App and the STN Sports Books…
Pro Football Updates
The Raiders lost last Sunday to the Buffalo Bills, but they covered the 4.5-point spread. The loss hasn’t stopped sharp bettors from backing the Silver and Black this weekend as they host the Rams. Los Angeles opened as a favorite, and they still are, but the number has dropped faster than the fall temperature. “I know a little bit of it is a product of the Davante Adams injury, but it’s also a product of the Raiders having improved,” Esposito said.
“Even though they lost three in a row, they were able to come back after being down 10 points multiple times against the Bills. But I don’t know about the Rams. I don’t see them going to the Super Bowl having to play all three games on the road.” Despite the early money on the Raiders, guests haven’t been quite jumping off the Rams bandwagon yet.
“It’s a long season, and you’re banking on them just making the playoffs, and then hopefully anything can happen,” Esposito said. “But I think at some point you wonder, ‘Am I chasing bad money?’ Because they’re going to be probably a wild card team if they get in.”
“The Raiders aren’t the only team seeing early money. Guests have been betting on the Steelers and Buccaneers, the former of which beat the latter last week. While guests prefer Pittsburgh and Tampa, Esposito sees value in the Vikings, Seahawks, and Lions this week.
“I hate to lay almost a touchdown, but the Vikings coming out of their bye against the Colts team that’s in shambles,” he said, citing the firing of their general manager. “I really wonder what the psyche of the team is, so I like the Vikings a little bit in that spot.” Just six weeks into the season, and the Colts might be mailing it in like an election ballot. On Sunday Night Football, Seattle hosts undefeated Kansas City. The Seahawks should see Zach Charbonnet back running the ball this weekend.
“This is a huge game for Seattle. We’ve seen a little Seattle money show. I don’t think Seattle can fall to 3-4 with a Niners team that could potentially be 7-0, so I think there’s value on the Seahawks playing anything below a field goal,” Esposito said. “I hate just being a chalky, but I think it’s a big game for the Lions too, at 3-2. I think there’s value on the Lions too, especially if you can get them at 3 points and not juiced.”
Last Man Standing Update
The NFL Last Man Standing contest, which has a guaranteed aggregate payout of $150,000, is already down to double-digit entries, meaning guests are falling flatter than a piano key. When Week 6 began, 120 entries were still in the running, but that number has dropped to 63. The most selected teams in Week 6 were the Panthers and Browns, both winners, and the Bills, Jags, and Giants, who didn’t cover.
The competition began with 6,855 only a month and a half ago! In the college football Last Man Standing contest, which pays an aggregate payout of $100,000, 3,121 people signed up, but only 51 remain. In college, the five most-played teams last week were Ohio State, LSU, and Virginia Tech, all winners, and Utah and Florida Atlantic, both of whom didn’t cover their number.
NBA Tipoff
Although the New York Knicks were crowned champions last summer, the 76ers won the offseason headlines game, signing LeBron James and trading for Jaylen Brown. On Tuesday night, Philly showed why it’s a legitimate threat, beating the defending champs 106-100 at Madison Square Garden. “It’s going to be a little bit different with LeBron back in the East. I’m kind of anxious to see how he fits in,” Esposito said.
“That Sixers team has a lot of talent, but they’re a little bit older, and they have got to stay healthy. I think this is a team that’s built more for the playoffs than the regular season, so they want to be healthy and just want to see how the West unfolds too.” Given their roster’s age, the 76ers could be more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story.
Bets To Know
The Fall Classic is set, and it’s the matchup we all obviously predicted when the season began: Tampa vs. Milwaukee. The book could use the Rays winning, but who do you like? Look out for an ever-extending menu of baseball bets, before the game and live, as the series begins.
Weekly Winners
One STN Sports bettor turned a $5 wager into a $3,215.41 payout after hitting a 10-leg NBA preseason parlay on October 15, 2026 at +64208 odds. ALL totals.
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics — Over
- Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat — Over
- Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors — Over
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings — Under
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets — Under
- New Orleans Pelicans vs. Washington Wizards — Under
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Atlanta Hawks — Over
- Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — Over
- Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz — Over
- Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers — Over