5 Bets to Make this Week
With this week’s 5 Bets, we look at the NFL Draft and the NHL Playoffs, as well as a PGA Tour event south of the border.
After a small hiatus, 5 Bets is back and we are zeroing in on the NHL playoffs and the NFL Draft.
We like two games on Thursday to go the way of the favorites, both of whom have a chance to close out their first-round series.
The NFL Draft is providing lots of player movement and there are two players that have seen their stock improve. They should be picked before they are predicted to and there’s a lot of value in placing a wager on them.
5 Bets to Make this Week
- Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 over Winnipeg Jets +138
- Toronto -155 over Tampa Bay
- Anthony Richardson Under 4.5 draft position +255
- Paris Johnson Jr. Under 9.5 draft position -110
- Wyndham Clark +1800 to win the Mexico Open
Vegas Looks to Close Out Winnipeg
The Vegas Golden Knights have a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets and are looking to close out the series against the Jets on Thursday at home.
Winnipeg lost another player on Monday when center Mark Scheifele went down awkwardly in a collision with Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit.
The Jets were already having a difficult time keeping players on the ice and though the Jets have said they hope to have Scheifele back, they weren’t overly optimistic.
The Jets got swept at home and now are in danger of being swept out of the playoffs. All but one of these games has been decided by two or more goals. That should be the case again on Thursday as the Knights get on the board early and advance to the next round.
Prediction: Vegas -1.5 over Winnipeg (+158 at Caesars)
Watch: Thursday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN or Fubo TV
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Toronto Excises Demons, Advances
The Toronto Maple Leafs were upset last year by the Tampa Bay Lightning and after getting shellacked in the first game of this year’s series, 7-3, it looked like it was going to be another bitter offseason for Leafs’ fans.
Toronto, however, snapped back quickly, winning Game 2, 7-2, and taking the following two games to go up 3-1.
Now, just like Vegas, they have a chance to close out the series and advance to the next round. They’ll be home and I don’t expect much fight from Tampa Bay. This is finally the year Toronto doesn’t fold in the playoffs.
Prediction: Toronto ML over Tampa Bay (-155 at BetRivers)
Watch: Thursday, 7 p.m. ET, TBS or Fubo TV
Richardson’s Stock Soaring
Anthony Richardson is not built, nor does he play, like a quarterback. His size, 6-3, 231 pounds, is more like a linebacker. He also has an absolute cannon for an arm.
NFL general managers are figuring this out and his stock has risen sharply in the last month. Scouts were saying he wouldn’t get picked until the second round. Now, however, he is slated to be picked anywhere from second to fifth.
The line on where he’ll be drafted has the total at 4.5. the Under is +255. With so many teams needing a quarterback, look for someone to trade up to get him before the fifth pick.
Prediction: Richardson Under 4.5 draft selection. (+255 at Unibet)
Watch: Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN or Fubo TV
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Bears Take Johnson
The Chicago Bears are in desperate need of protection for Justin Fields. They are willing to spend the No. 9 pick they have on offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson will definitely fill their O-line needs. There was speculation that the Bears would use that pick for a wide receiver, but taking Johnson seems to make more sense.
One scenario that could happen is that the Bears trade the pick. That would sink this prop bet as no one above them seems to want an offensive lineman that early.
Still at -110 the Under on 9.5 draft position for Johnson seems like a good bet.
Prediction: Johnson Under 9.5 draft position (-110 at BetMGM)
Watch: Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN or Fubo TV
Clark Gets First PGA Tour Victory
It is hard to imagine that Wyndham Clark hasn’t yet won on the PGA Tour. The 29-year-old had five Top 10 finishes in 2022, including last year at the Mexico Open.
He already has three Top 10s in his last four events this season and could be in prime position to get that first career victory.
Prediction: Wyndham Clark wins Mexico Open (+1800 at BetMGM)
Watch: Thursday-Friday, various times, ESPN or FuboTV
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