NFL:

M. Stafford MVP -120 (1u)

I have played Matthew Stafford to be the NFL MVP and I suggest you guys do the same. The NFL regular season wrapped up yesterday and left us with a 2 horse race for league MVP: Stafford and Drake Maye. While Maye had a fantastic season, Stafford left voters with a fantastic final game as he threw for 259 yards and 4 more TD's - bringing him to 4707 yards and 46 TD's with just 8 INT's on the season. Maye was pulled late in the game yesterday but only finished with 191 yards and 1 TD, bringing his season total to 4394 yards and 31 TD's to just 8 INT's. While Maye was more effective with his legs and positioned his Patriots to a better season and playoff seed, Stafford has been the focal point for the majority of the season and fits the mold for the MVP. A guy who people questioned if he'd even play this season due to back injuries. A team that was a shell of themselves without Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp coming into the year. Maybe Stafford's final season of his 17 year career. All of this narrative, yet Stafford comes out and leads the league in both yards and passing TD's. Stafford has had many incredible seasons, both with the Lions and Rams, but has yet to win an MVP. Now pulling his best Tom Brady in year 17, I fully expect the voting committee to reward his efforts and vote him as the league MVP, knowing that Maye will have plenty more chances. NFL awards are as much storyline based as they are stats based, and Matthew Stafford clears Drake Maye in both categories. I would be shocked if Matthew Stafford doesn't win league MVP in February. Bet on Stafford to be the League MVP for 2025-26.

NBA:

OKC -6.5 -108

The Thunder head to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Thursday night for a nationally televised matchup on Amazon Prime. I look for the Thunder to win by margin in this game as this is a terrible spot for the Twolves. Let's start with OKC. The Thunder jumped out to a historic start to the season in their quest to repeat as league Champions but since the turn of the year, they have struggled to their standards, going 9-5 in the month of January (after starting the year 29-5). They have taken their foot off the gas a little bit as they sit comfortably in the standings, however, I expect a big effort from them tonight. This is a stand alone primetime game against a divisional opponent who has played at the top of the league over the last few seasons. When OKC is on, they can run away from anybody and cover margins, as we've seen. Now let's look at Minnesota. This is as bad of a spot for the Wolves as you can get. Due to the weather over the weekend, they had a Saturday game postponed to Sunday which puts them in the unheard of spot of playing their 4th game in 5 nights. They are on the 2nd of a back to back with travel as they played in Dallas last night. They got the W and now have to travel all the way back north to Minnesota without a day of rest. This will be their 2nd of a back to back with travel, 3rd in 4 and 4th in 5. The Wolves beat the Thunder the last time they played so there could be some slight in season revenge here for the Thunder. Minnesota has won their last 2 and in this terrible spot, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Timberwolves pull a Golden State Warriors and just concede this match to the superior team. I almost always wait until closer to tip to play in the NBA but I would lock this in asap. I don't think it goes down at all and if Minnesota decides to bench Ant or others, this could balloon to double digits, in which we would have a nice middle opportunity if wanted. Lay the number with the Thunder as I expect a route in Minnesota tonight.