In the latest episode of Football Friday, recorded on September 13, 2024, Scott Seidenberg and Mackenzie Rivers, with the help of A.J. Hoffman, give a deep dive into the world of sports. The show kicks off with a recap of NFL’s Thursday Night Football (TNF) featuring the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, and leads into detailed college football betting analysis. The hosts also share their insights on the upcoming UFC Noche event, with a couple of strong picks for MMA enthusiasts, and finish up with the latest on MLB's postseason race.
With their unique Vegas edge, the hosts offer not just a breakdown of what happened in each game, but how you can use that information to make informed bets across multiple sports. Let’s take a look at all the key moments from the podcast, including individual player performances, predictions, and of course, the most important betting insights.
NFL Recap: Buffalo Bills Crush Miami Dolphins (TNF)
On Thursday night, the Buffalo Bills dominated the Miami Dolphins with a 31-10 victory, setting the tone for Week 2 of the NFL season. Josh Allen’s performance was one of controlled excellence. He completed 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown, doing enough to get the job done without taking unnecessary risks. As Mackenzie Rivers pointed out (03:15), “James Cook was the star of the night, rushing 11 times for 78 yards and scoring two touchdowns.”
Despite the Bills’ convincing win, the story of the game centered on Miami’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Tua completed 17 of 25 passes for 145 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions. Unfortunately, his night ended prematurely due to a concussion, raising serious concerns about his future in the league. Scott Seidenberg (04:44) noted, “This is another head injury for Tua, and with his history of concussions, you have to wonder if this could be the end of his NFL career.”
Tua Tagovailoa’s Future in Jeopardy
Tua’s history of concussions has been well-documented, and this latest injury only adds to the speculation about whether he will ever play again. He’s under contract for $93 million guaranteed, but if his health continues to deteriorate, it’s possible we’ve seen the last of him on an NFL field. Mackenzie Rivers explained the situation in financial terms: “If Tua were to retire now, he’d still be guaranteed a significant payout due to the injury clauses in his contract” (04:44). The Dolphins, now left in a precarious position, need to find a reliable backup if Tua is unable to return.
The hosts suggested several possible replacements for Tua. Ryan Tannehill, a former Dolphins quarterback, could be a natural fit. Seidenberg (05:35) speculated that a trade for Kirk Cousins could be another option if the Dolphins decide to go all-in this season. “Cousins would bring the experience needed to keep the Dolphins in postseason contention, but he has a no-trade clause, so it would be entirely up to him.”
Betting Impact of Tua’s Injury
From a betting perspective, the Dolphins’ outlook becomes cloudy without Tua. Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson didn’t show much promise in his limited time on the field, and the Dolphins will have a tough road ahead if they don’t find a suitable replacement quickly. This uncertainty creates volatility in betting markets, especially when it comes to Miami’s future games. If Tua is ruled out for an extended period, bettors should be cautious about backing the Dolphins without knowing who will start under center.
College Football: Key Betting Insights for the Weekend
A.J. Hoffman joined the show to share his top college football picks for the weekend, highlighting several games that offer good betting value. One of the most intriguing matchups is between Arizona and Kansas State, two teams from the Big 12. Arizona has shown explosive potential on offense, and Hoffman believes this could be a high-scoring affair (12:21).
Arizona vs. Kansas State: High Scoring Potential
The game between Arizona and Kansas State is expected to be a shootout, with a total set at 60.5 points. Hoffman likes Arizona in this spot, especially considering Kansas State’s defensive struggles earlier in the season. “Tulane exposed Kansas State’s defense, and Arizona’s passing attack is much more potent,” Hoffman explained (13:21). He suggests taking the over, predicting that Arizona will find success moving the ball against a vulnerable Kansas State defense.
Missouri vs. Boston College: Can BC Keep It Close?
Another key game Hoffman previewed is the matchup between Missouri and Boston College. Missouri comes in as 16-point favorites, but Hoffman is leaning towards taking Boston College with the points. Bill O’Brien’s impact on the Boston College offense has been noticeable, with the team playing a ball-control style that should help them stay competitive (14:21). “Missouri is better defensively than they were last year, but I think Boston College’s run-heavy offense will keep the game within reach,” Hoffman explained.
Oregon State vs. Oregon: Underdog Alert
Perhaps the most intriguing underdog of the weekend is Oregon State, who are 16.5-point underdogs against Oregon. Hoffman is cautious about laying that many points with Oregon, particularly after their underwhelming performances in the first two weeks of the season (16:15). Oregon State plays a slow, methodical style of football that could frustrate Oregon’s high-flying offense. Hoffman suggested taking the points with Oregon State, noting that “this is a game where Oregon State will look to limit possessions, keeping the score low and close.”
UFC Noche: Betting Picks & Fight Breakdown
The weekend also features UFC Noche, a highly anticipated event in Las Vegas. A.J. Hoffman offered his top picks for the card, starting with Ignacio Bahamondes in a near pick-em fight. Bahamondes is the larger fighter and has excellent striking skills, making him a strong favorite to win against his aggressive opponent (30:36). “Bahamondes’ counter-striking will be key in this fight. His opponent tends to overcommit, which should leave openings for Bahamondes to capitalize,” Hoffman explained.
Bahamondes’ Betting Value
At +105, Bahamondes offers good value for bettors. Hoffman (30:36) pointed out that Bahamondes has the size and skill advantage, making him a smart pick in what is expected to be a competitive fight. “He’s bigger, he’s more disciplined, and I think he’ll be able to control the range in this fight, using his length to keep his opponent at bay,” Hoffman said.
Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley
For the main event, Hoffman suggested waiting until closer to fight time to bet on Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley is the public favorite, and Hoffman believes the odds will shift in Dvalishvili’s favor as more bets come in. “O’Malley has the McGregor effect—public money will flood in on him right before the fight, and that’s when you want to bet on Dvalishvili” (31:52).
Hoffman praised Dvalishvili’s cardio, noting that he’s one of the most well-conditioned fighters in the UFC. “If this fight goes into the later rounds, Dvalishvili will have the edge. O’Malley tends to fade, and I think Dvalishvili’s relentless pace will wear him down” (32:30).
MLB Postseason Race Heats Up
The MLB postseason race is in full swing, and Seidenberg touched on several games with playoff implications. The Yankees, battling to stay in the wildcard race, defeated the Red Sox in ten innings. Juan Soto delivered the walk-off hit, his first as a Yankee, but Aaron Judge’s ongoing home run drought remains a concern (34:11). Judge has now gone eight games without hitting a homer, the longest stretch of his career.
Mariners vs. Rangers: AL West Showdown
In the American League West, the Seattle Mariners are fighting to stay in both the division and wildcard races. However, they suffered a crucial loss to the Texas Rangers, a result that could have major postseason implications (35:33). With each game carrying so much weight, both teams are under immense pressure to perform down the stretch.
Jacob deGrom Returns for Texas
One of the biggest stories in baseball this week is the return of Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers’ rotation. DeGrom, who has been plagued by injuries, is expected to be on a limited pitch count, but his presence is a huge boost for the Rangers as they push for the playoffs (36:54). Seidenberg mentioned the possibility of betting on a no-run first inning (Murphy) with deGrom on the mound, noting that deGrom has a history of strong starts coming off injury (37:04).
Conclusion
The September 13th episode of Football Friday provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of the sports world, offering valuable insights into NFL, college football, UFC, and MLB. Josh Allen led the Bills to a convincing win over the Dolphins, while Tua Tagovailoa’s future remains uncertain due to another concussion. In college football, underdogs like Boston College and Oregon State present great betting value, and in UFC Noche, Ignacio Bahamondes and Merab Dvalishvili offer strong picks. Finally, the MLB postseason race continues to heat up, with key games in the AL West and Wildcard races.
With expert analysis, sharp betting advice, and a deep understanding of the games, Football Friday delivers everything sports fans need to stay informed and make smart wagers. Whether you’re a casual fan or a seasoned bettor, there’s something for everyone in this jam-packed episode.