*By Michael Teich*
Sports gamblers are betting that rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is the real deal.
The public seems to be getting behind the Jets during the second week of the NFL season after the New York team trampled the Detroit Lions 48-17 as a 7-point underdog in week one, said The Action Network's senior editor Chris Raybon.
The surprising performance is causing sportsbooks to swing the line to Jets -3 against the Miami Dolphins after initially predicting the game would be a toss-up, adjusting for the betting market's shifting sentiment towards the Jets.
“That’s a situation you sometimes want to be wary of. But I actually think this is legit," Raybon said. "I would expect the Jets to take care of business at home.”
While Raybon is high on the Jets, he sees the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles as the safest pick of the week.
“I love the Eagles. They’re actually my favorite pick this week," Raybon said. "They’re a three-point favorite against Tampa Bay, but Tampa Bay’s defense was really bad as well last week ー 32nd, dead last, in success rate versus both the run and the pass. Eagles with 10 days to prepare will be all over that."
The NFL season is well-underway and is already causing a spike in betting.
During Sunday’s season-opening games, DraftKings' sportsbook accepted more than 100,000 bets.
DraftKings, known for its daily fantasy sports games, launched its online sportsbook in New Jersey on August 1, and has already processed over [1 million wagers](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-gambling-nfl/nfl-season-kicks-off-sports-betting-surge-for-draftkings-idUSKCN1LS33F?feedType=RSS&feedName=newsOne).
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/best-bets-for-nfl-week-2).
Dr. Brian Moore, CEO & Co-founder of sports performance and technology company Orrecco, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss how the @thlete platform is helping pro athletes and Olympians improve their performance, and what the future of tech in the world of sports may look like.
A six-year battle over equal pay has finally come to an end-- as U.S. Soccer and The United States Women's Soccer Team have agreed to settle their lawsuit. Under the terms of the deal, the athletes will receive $24 million from U.S. Soccer, and a pledge from the federation to equalize pay for the men's and women's national teams. Lily Roberts, Managing Director of the Poverty to Prosperity Team at the Center for American Progress joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
In a thrilling overtime finish, 23-year old NASCAR driver Austin Cindric clinched the 64th annual Daytona 500 win. Narrowly beating out legendary race car driver Bubba Wallace, Cindric earned his very first NASCAR cup series victory, and became the second youngest driver to win The Great American Race. Daytona 500 Champ Austin Cindric joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss his historic victory.
As we celebrate Black History Month, Cheddar is highlighting prominent Black Americans who are carving their own historic paths and trailblazing in their fields. Today we feature athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick.
The NBA's Golden State Warriors recently announced a relaunch of their SuiteXchange platform, which allows owners to resell luxury suites or rent them out for individual games. Brandon Schneider, team president and COO, joined Cheddar to relay the details of the renewed program and what buyers and sellers can expect. "The Warriors don't determine the price. The seller and the buyer really do. And that's actually one of the unique features on SuiteXChange," he said. "So, if the seller wants to set the price at $10,000, making up a number, the buyer can buy it for $10,000 or they can make an offer for something less than that."
The horse known as Medina Spirit has been stripped of its first-place title at the 2021 Kentucky Derby after testing positive for a banned substance with trainer Bob Baffert receiving a 90-day suspension. Second place finisher Mandaloun has been named the winner instead.
Jamaican Olympic alpine skier Benjamin Alexander joins Cheddar News to discuss his first Olympic appearance and creating more opportunities for diversity in the sport.
While the United States were once again among the top nations in 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics to medal, with the games just ended, the focus turns to the athletes coming home and the mental toll the competition take on them. Lauren Gibbs, the 2018 Team USA silver medalist in bobsledding, joined Cheddar News to give her perspective on this year's games and what the competitors have gone through. “Its definitely a mixed bag, you know? It's like I just had the most incredible athletic experience of my life, but then its like its over in a flash," Gibbs said about the feelings an athlete can go through after finishing. She noted that it's important for them to be vocal and reach out to support networks after the rush of competition ends.
