PMT DB
PMT DB
Chad Millman and Mark Schlereth on Gambling, Peyton Manning, and Mike & Mike
Friday is officially here, and while the NFL slate looks significantly better than the garbage we were forced to watch last week, it’s a bittersweet day in the sports world. It’s the final broadcast for Mike & Mike, and Big Cat and PFT Commenter weren't going to let the end of an era pass without a proper, slightly tone-deaf musical tribute. PFT unironically grew up on Greeny’s takes, and the fear of a world where 40-year-old men don't know how to have a lukewarm conversation at the water cooler is very real.
The End of an Era and NFL Picks
With Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg splitting up, the guys are already looking toward the future of ESPN's morning slot. While they like the Golic family, there’s some concern about the new dynamic over there. PFT has already diagnosed exactly what the show's new vibe will be with Trey Wingo.
PFT CommenterTrey Wingo is America's stepdad
Trey Wingo is America's stepdad. That's the part that he was born to play. ... Every day, Wingo should just sit down and be like, what's up, gang? Hey, chief. Hey, buddy. Hey, slugger. Hey, want to talk about puberty?
Before getting into the interviews, the weekly picks had to be addressed. Big Cat is fully prepared to watch the wheels fall off the Philadelphia wagon this weekend in Dallas, despite how good Carson Wentz has looked.
Big CatThe wheels will start coming off for the Eagles in their game against the Cowboys
Eagles-Cowboys... this is the game where I'm going to bet the Cowboys and I'm going to be like, I don't really want to, but desperate times call for desperate measures... This would also be a classic game for the wheels to start coming off for Philly because they look so good right now.
Meanwhile, PFT is looking at a massive line in the Chiefs vs. Giants game. He’s putting his faith in the legendary record of Andy Reid when he has an extra week to prepare, even if it means laying double digits on the road.
PFT CommenterThe Chiefs are a lock to cover -10.5 against the Giants because Andy Reid never loses coming off a bye
I am taking the Chiefs. Minus 10.5 on the road against the Giants. ... Anytime you have the opportunity to bet on a 10.5-point road favorite, you have to take it. ... Also, Andy Reid coming off of a bye week. We all know about that. Always wins. Always wins big.
Chad Millman on the Gambling Grift
Chad Millman joined the show to discuss his transition from a Big J Journalist at ESPN to heading up media at The Action Network. Since the guys are self-proclaimed dumb gamblers, they tried to glean some wisdom on how the books in Vegas actually operate. Millman explained that the "integrity of the game" argument against legalization is mostly fluff and that we are very close to a world where you can place a bet legally from your phone anywhere in the country.
Chad MillmanSports betting will be legalized across the United States within 12 to 36 months
When do you think, if you had to guess a date? [Big Cat asks] 12 to 36 months. ... The Supreme Court in two and a half weeks is going to hear a case that is New Jersey brought against the Department of Justice to have all of the sports betting ban overturned. It's called PASPA. ... They will rule in June. Depending on how they rule is going to have a huge impact.
Millman also dropped some knowledge on which markets are actually the most vulnerable for the house. While everyone is focused on the NFL, the real "wise guys" are looking at the sports that the bookmakers ignore.
Chad MillmanThe WNBA offers the biggest advantage for professional sports bettors
What's the sport with the best advantage for the gambler? [Big Cat asks] It used to be college basketball. It's getting harder and harder. Right now, it's probably the WNBA. Ooh, yeah. It's a huge one for professional bettors. They love it. The bookmakers don't pay that much attention to it, so the wise guys feel like they get an advantage.
To wrap up, Millman gave his lock of the week, and it’s a pure "hold your nose" special. He’s going directly against PFT’s Chiefs pick, arguing that the Giants are a classic contrarian play because everyone expects them to quit.
Chad MillmanThe Giants (+10) are a lock to cover against the Chiefs in Week 11
My pick of the week was the New York Giants. Plus, I think, 10. Against Andy Reid off a bye. At home, against Andy Reid off a bye. ... This is a game with the wise guys pay attention to and feel like they have to take because of this situation... The giants are double digit dogs at home. You're automatically going to make that bet.
Stink Joins the Program
Mark Schlereth made his return to talk about his new career as a color commentator and the absolute disaster currently unfolding in Denver. Stink didn't hold back on the state of the Broncos' offense, which he says is so bad it's actually insulting to the word "anemic." He also offered a fascinating theory on why the Broncos and Colts both fell off a cliff once the Sheriff left town.
Mark SchlerethPeyton Manning ruined the Colts and Broncos franchises because he covered up their lack of talent
I blame Peyton Manning is what I do... I think Peyton Manning has currently ruined two franchises. At least Indianapolis and Denver. ... What has happened is like he is so advanced in understanding what you're trying to do to him as a defense that basically he takes marginal players... four and 12 talent or eight and eight talent and makes it 12 and four every year. And so you as a general manager, as a franchise, I get a little bit more enamored with your talent than you should be... all of a sudden that guy leaves and you realize we suck.
Beyond the football analysis, Schlereth shared a legendary story about having a kidney stone removed surgically and then playing a game against the Raiders less than 24 hours later. He also explained how he asserts his dominance in the ESPN restrooms, a story that involves him dropping his pants to his ankles just to prove to Mike Greenberg that he's tougher than him. The guys also tried to pitch Stink on their newest film project, *This is Farty*, starring Adam Sandler as a proctologist.
Fantasy Fuccbois and Jimbo of the Week
Fantasy Fuccbois featured Joey S, Larry Lugnuts, and the return of some very questionable sleepers. Hank, in particular, threw out a name that sounded suspiciously like he just hit the random name generator in Madden, though he swears the guy is a real contributor for the Green Bay Packers.
HankDevontae Mays is a sleeper who will put up big numbers for the Packers through the end of the season
My sleeper is Devontae Mays. Brett Hundley stinks. Look for him to put up some big numbers to the end of the season for the Packers. ... Where does he play? Green Bay. What position? Running back slash receiver.
Finally, the guys touched on the Iron Bowl rivalry reaching lethal levels and PFT's plan to make local news much more interesting for sports fans everywhere.
PFT CommenterCrime reports should always include which sports team the criminal supports
Every time a crime's committed in America, every time there's a report about it in the news, they should just say what teams the people who committed the crimes liked. That'd be great. ... It just adds like a little bit of levity to every headline that you get. Like Steelers fan murdered his whole family. ... Classic Steelers. So funny.
Make sure to check the Barstool app for the return of Exit Interviews featuring a very emotional Mark Schlereth.
Don't forget to text the Big Ten Tailgate line and definitely do not roast PFT.
