Out of curiosity, I was listening to a bit of a Candace Owens podcast today on YouTube. In her opening monologue, she is describing the topic for the day and she literally just said “the sink is shipping.” She never stopped to correct herself, but I’m pretty sure she meant “the ship is sinking.”
Yes, I heard it correctly. I know this because I hit rewind three times just to confirm.
Anyway, let’s get on with this column before the sink starts shipping.
How ‘out there’ have the Grammys become? I watched a bit of the Grammy Awards show Sunday night until I had seen enough and switched to something on Netflix. It felt like I was protecting my sanity at that point. I will not say the Grammys have become a freak show–but if you said it–I would not openly disagree with your observation.
When Beyonce wins an award for her country album–which, let’s be honest, was the opposite of country music and the opposite of good–then you know the Grammys have lost the plot.
And what was up with Lady Gaga? We gonna mention that or just pretend we didn’t see it? I’m very okay with occasional weirdness. It’s alright to get freaky sometimes. But when it’s all weird all the time, that’s just weird.
For years I was a big Gaga fan, even crushing on her a bit after her fantastic performance in A Star is Born with Bradley Cooper about seven years ago. Now I feel like it’s time to have my people get with her people and let her know it’s over between us. I hope things don’t get weird.
Obviously what I’m saying is that when it comes to the Grammys and other award shows, I sound like the old man yelling at clouds.
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.
Maybe I’m just mad because Taylor Swift won zero Grammys this year. And I can’t believe Air Supply got hosed again.
Let’s talk Super Bowl LIX. That’s 59 for those of you not familiar with Roman numerals. And why would we be familiar with Roman numerals? Which cartels are doing this Roman numeral trafficking? I’m surprised Trump hasn’t signed an order banning their usage.
First, let’s talk analytics. Sports analytics is the use of data analysis to improve efficiency. It involves collecting, processing, and interpreting data to make informed decisions. The informed decision in this case is: Which team does the computer data analysis show will win this year’s Super Bowl between the Chiefs and the Eagles?
Well, according to a data guy at a sports information site that I follow (Vegas Stats and Information Network), data analysis says the Eagles will win by a score of 31.43 to 26.59. Since I’ve never seen a football game end with a score of 31.43 or 26.59, let’s round the numbers for the sake of reality. His data shows the Eagles will beat the Chiefs by a score of 31-27.
So, how can you use this information to guide how you might wager on the game, either on the outcome or individual player props? It might be helpful as a tool in your handicapping, just don’t get carried away. But it’s fun to look at, so that’s why I’ll present some of the data from this particular statistical guru, who is Steve Makinen of VSiN.
TOTAL PROJECTED SCORE: Guru projects 58 total points. The betting line for the over/under is currently at 49, so his number would suggest you should bet the over.
MAHOMES PASSING: Guru projects Mahomes will complete 19.7 passes and have 248 yards passing. Both those projections suggest you should bet the under on Mahomes passing props, with the betting line currently at 24 completions and 249.5 yards.
KELCE RECEIVING: Guru’s numbers show Kelce to have 4.9 catches for 59.1 yards. Those projections indicate you should bet the under on the betting line for Kelce, which is 6.5 catches for 64.5 yards.
KAREEM HUNT RUSHING: Guru shows Hunt getting 12 rush attempts for 36.5 yards. Betting line for Hunt is 11.5 rushes for 47.5 yards. This means he leans to the over for Hunt carries and to the under for Hunt yards.
MAHOMES RUSHING: Guru’s numbers show Mahomes with 4.6 carries for 16.1 yards. This suggests betting the under. Betting line for Mahomes is 6.5 carries for 29.5 yards.
HOPKINS RECEIVING: This is one of my favorite potential prop bets. I had this one circled even before reading the guru’s report. The guru’s analysis shows Hopkins with 1.9 catches for 25.1 yards. The betting line is 1.5 catches for 13.5 yards. I’ll be putting a little cash on DeAndre Hopkins to go over 13.5 receiving yards. Hopkins has had a distinguished career and it’s his first Super Bowl, he’ll want the ball. Look for Mahomes to get it to him a couple of times, enough to go over that 13.5 yard total. I’ll be trying to cash a winner here. Wish me luck.
HURTS PASSING: The guru’s numbers show Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts finishing with 15.4 completions for 173 yards passing. These projections suggest taking the under on Hurts’ passing props, which are set at 19 completions for 206 yards.
BARKLEY RUSHING: The guru shows the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley finishing with 138 yards rushing. That number suggests the advantage would be in betting the over on this prop, because the betting line has Barkley at 116.5 yards rushing.
Have questions on other categories and players? Shoot an email to ivan@plattecountylandmark.com and I’ll share information.
(Remember that Super Bowl five years ago when we thought it might be the last Chiefs Super Bowl we would get to see for a while? Little did we know. Email ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)
