2026 American Express.
Week 2 rolls in with the TOUR leaving the Pacific behind and launching a five week West Coast stretch, starting in La Quinta for The American Express and its signature three course rotation. The setup is familiar, but the storylines are not. World number one Scottie Scheffler makes his 2026 debut, the rotation brings a mix of pure shootout tracks and one course with enough trouble to matter, and the conditions look tailor made for a low scoring week on poa greens.
Before turning the page, we unpack what happened at the Sony Open. Chris Gotterup’s win was not just an opening round blitz. Yes the 63 put him in position, but the tournament swung when the course firmed up, the wind got loud, and the grind arrived. We walk through the moment the runaway look stalled, how he managed the damage across the middle holes, and why the short game signs were the real headline. The sand saves, the timely up and downs, and the late Saturday birdie burst created the momentum that showed up again in a calm closing round. We also zoom out to what this result means going forward and why the market is reacting quickly.
Then it is on to the desert, where the scoring expectation is extreme and the decision making gets sharper. Two of the courses invite flags and birdie runs, while the Stadium Course asks you to stay disciplined with water and bunkers waiting to punish one loose swing. With the final round on Stadium after the 54 hole cut, the conversation shifts from who can make birdies to who can avoid the one stretch that flips a card upside down. We also dig into what poa surfaces can change for certain profiles, why scrambling still matters even in a birdie fest, and how recent form can mislead if you do not account for course rotation and where players start.
The episode closes with a full board walkthrough and a build of the week’s betting approach without spoilers, plus quick thoughts on DFS construction, lineup philosophy, and what to watch Thursday and Friday to adjust before the weekend in La Quinta.

Munaf Manji opened the Tuesday edition of Cash That Ticket with a fast paced review of the NBA landscape, blending recent results with betting context and league wide developments. Detroit continued its strong season by edging Boston 104 to 103, cashing an under Manji highlighted before the game. Cade Cunningham delivered a double double with 16 points and 14 assists, while Jalen Brown scored 32 in the loss. The Pistons improved to 31 and 10, strengthened their grip on the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and moved to 18 and 4 at home, reinforcing their profile as a legitimate contender midway through the schedule. Golden State followed with a 135 to 112 win over Miami in a game that featured the pace and scoring Manji anticipated. The Warriors poured in 70 first half points and finished with 247 combined points, easily clearing the total. Stephen Curry posted 19 points and 11 assists, but the night turned somber when Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. The injury halted a strong stretch in which Golden State had won four straight and seven of ten, raising immediate questions about roster direction and how the front office may respond with one of its top players facing a long recovery at age 37. Around the league, Phoenix beat Brooklyn 126 to 117, Philadelphia handled Indiana 113 to 104 behind Tyrese Maxey’s 29 points, eight assists, and eight steals, and Dallas dominated New York at Madison Square Garden. Oklahoma City delivered a statement performance in Cleveland, winning 136 to 104 after a decisive fourth quarter surge, while Milwaukee edged Atlanta on the road. The episode also covered the announcement of NBA All Star starters. The Western Conference lineup featured Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama. The East was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, and Jalen Brown. Manji noted the voting breakdown, with fan votes accounting for half the total and players and media splitting the rest, and pointed out that LeBron James will miss an All Star start for the first time since his rookie season. The discussion set the stage for upcoming betting angles and deeper breakdowns later in the week, while keeping focus on actionable information tied directly to current form, injuries, and market performance.

The NFL divisional weekend delivered dramatic finishes, decisive turnovers, and major implications for the championship round, as discussed by Munaf Manji and Dave Essler while breaking down every game through a betting focused lens. Denver opened the weekend with a 33 to 30 overtime win over Buffalo, a game defined by mistakes and attrition. The Bills turned the ball over five times, including four giveaways credited to Josh Allen, continuing a postseason pattern that has now seen him lose every overtime playoff appearance. Denver capitalized with a plus four turnover margin, but the victory came at a steep cost when quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken foot or ankle on the second to last play of overtime. Sean Payton confirmed Nix will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season, forcing Jared Stidham into the AFC Championship Game. Buffalo responded swiftly by firing head coach Sean McDermott, ending an era marked by consistent playoff appearances but repeated postseason disappointment. Saturday night was a rout in Seattle, where the Seahawks overwhelmed an injury ravaged San Francisco team 41 to 6. A kickoff return touchdown set the tone, and Seattle never looked back, forcing three turnovers while committing none. Kenneth Walker led the way with 116 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, while the Seahawks defense held the 49ers under four yards per play, one of the lowest outputs of Kyle Shanahan’s tenure. Sunday began with New England eliminating Houston 28 to 16 in a game where turnovers again told the story. C.J. Stroud struggled under pressure, and the Patriots converted short fields into touchdowns while Houston settled repeatedly for field goals. Injuries compounded the Texans’ issues, leaving Stroud without key targets as the Patriots advanced behind a disciplined defensive game plan. The weekend closed with the Rams edging Chicago 20 to 17 in overtime, another contest decided by mistake free football. Los Angeles avoided turnovers entirely, while Caleb Williams threw an interception after winning the overtime coin toss, echoing Buffalo’s earlier collapse. Sean McVay’s situational decisions and clean execution pushed the Rams into the NFC Championship, setting up a third divisional matchup with Seattle. From a betting perspective, Essler highlighted what he views as market overreactions, particularly in the Patriots opening as significant favorites in Denver despite the quarterback change, and Seattle being potentially overvalued after dismantling a depleted opponent. Across all four games, the theme remained consistent, teams that protected the football advanced, while those that did not were left planning for next season.

Munaf Manji and Dave Essler closed the week on Cash That Ticket by tightening their focus on specific betting angles across the NFL divisional round and a dense Friday NBA card, emphasizing how market movement, injuries, and usage trends shape late week decisions. Their NFL discussion centered on Seattle versus San Francisco, where brief concern over Sam Darnold’s injury report was dismissed as noise rather than actionable information. Instead, attention shifted to Seattle’s evolving backfield, with both Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet positioned as central pieces against a 49ers defense they had already exploited late in the regular season. Manji outlined how the near even split in carries and efficiency from both backs supported overs on rushing attempts and yardage, while Essler extended the logic to correlated unders for secondary skill players, arguing that volume for the running game naturally suppresses opportunities elsewhere. The same cause and effect framework guided their thoughts on Cooper Kupp’s modest receiving lines, where Essler suggested short area targets could rise if San Francisco limited explosive plays from Seattle’s primary threats. The conversation expanded to additional player props, including DeAndre Swift’s receiving yardage, which both viewed as mispriced given past usage and matchup tendencies, noting that a single reception could realistically clear the number. On the NBA side, Manji and Essler evaluated Clippers at Raptors through the lens of pace, defensive efficiency, and uncertainty surrounding key injuries. Toronto’s season long defensive profile and the Clippers’ slow tempo supported an under, while Essler leaned toward the Raptors as a side, contingent on lineup clarity and travel factors. Minnesota at Houston drew similar scrutiny, with both questioning the Rockets’ reliability as home favorites, particularly in back to back situations, and highlighting Minnesota’s depth and recent efficiency even without Anthony Edwards. They also touched on broader league narratives, from speculation around potential player movement to the competitive imbalance created by high payroll teams in baseball, before locking in best bets. Essler backed Kansas at home in college basketball, citing matchup advantages and motivation, while Manji closed with a points prop on Michael Porter Jr., pointing to shot volume and prior performance against the same opponent as reasons to expect another strong scoring night.

Munaf Manji and Dave Essler opened their latest Cash That Ticket podcast with a transparent look at recent betting results before turning full attention to the NFL divisional round. The discussion centered on sides, totals, and selective props for all four matchups, with an emphasis on situational factors, injuries, and market movement rather than hype. Early in the show, the conversation briefly shifted to league news, including the reported hiring of John Harbaugh as head coach of the New York Giants, a move both viewed as immediately changing the balance of the NFC East. Essler noted the Giants’ foundation and timing, while Manji suggested division futures would be worth monitoring once markets opened. The focus then moved decisively to Saturday’s games, beginning with Buffalo at Denver. Essler leaned toward the Broncos at home, citing defensive strength, altitude concerns, revenge from last season’s playoff loss, and Buffalo’s depleted receiving corps. Manji countered by backing Josh Allen plus the points, arguing the game would hinge on late execution and defensive pressure on Bo Nix. Both agreed the under was the preferred total, expecting a slower, run influenced game with limited explosive plays. The Saturday night matchup between Seattle and San Francisco produced a sharper divide. Essler backed the Seahawks minus the number, pointing to San Francisco’s tendency to lose by margin, travel fatigue, and Seattle’s defensive consistency. Manji took the points with the 49ers, citing divisional familiarity, coaching adjustments, and the likelihood of another low scoring contest, making the under his strongest angle. Sunday’s slate opened with Houston at New England, a game framed around quarterback contrast and offensive reliability. Essler outlined scenarios where the Patriots could falter but ultimately trusted Drake May’s mobility, coaching preparation, and Houston’s limited weapons. Manji agreed, projecting a Patriots win and an under, while acknowledging the Texans would need another defense driven performance to advance. The final game featured the Rams at the Bears, where both saw Chicago’s momentum and resilience as undervalued. Essler questioned why Los Angeles was favored given recent defensive breakdowns and travel demands, while Manji highlighted Caleb Williams’ late game composure and Chicago’s balanced offense. Both leaned toward the Bears plus the points, with Manji also endorsing the Bears team total over as his top play. The episode closed with best bets, as Essler selected Florida Atlantic in college basketball and Manji locked in Chicago’s offensive production, reinforcing a weekend approach built on discipline, matchup analysis, and market awareness rather than narrative.

The latest episode of the What I Bet podcast on the Pregame.com network covers a wide slate of betting markets during a relatively thin midweek card, touching on college football, the NFL playoffs, European soccer, and a difficult college basketball board. The show opens with a discussion of the College Football Playoff national championship between Indiana and Miami, with Indiana laying eight and a half points and a total of 47. Indiana’s dominance through the postseason, including a blowout of Oregon and a strong showing against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, has made them difficult to oppose, even at an elevated number. Miami’s proximity to the venue in Miami Gardens is noted but not treated as a significant home field advantage, and the expectation is that the market may continue to push the spread higher. In the NFL, significant attention is paid to line movement in Buffalo versus Denver, where the Bills shifted from a short favorite to a one point underdog. Despite travel concerns and Denver’s rest advantage, the matchup is framed as a true toss up, with skepticism toward both teams outside of Josh Allen’s individual impact. San Francisco at Seattle is another focal point, with the 49ers catching seven and a half points in a game viewed as overpriced given Seattle’s offensive limitations and quarterback uncertainty. The return of key defenders for San Francisco is highlighted as a meaningful factor. Houston at New England is analyzed next, with emphasis on the Texans’ defense and concerns about turnovers from a young Patriots quarterback against pressure. The under at 40 and a half is described as appealing in a matchup shaped by defense and pace. The Rams at Chicago closes the NFL discussion, with weather driving the total down to 48 and a half and creating value on the Bears as home underdogs catching three and a half points in cold conditions. The soccer segment briefly covers Augsburg versus Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, where a low scoring match and an under two and a quarter goals angle stands out, followed by two Serie A matches involving Verona versus Bologna and Como versus Milan. Bologna’s consistency and depth are noted, while Verona’s tendency to compete at home later in the season creates a lean toward the underdog in a low total game. In Como versus Milan, the pricing is described as tight, with interest in backing Como if Milan moves to a quarter goal favorite. The college basketball slate is described as extremely weak, with limited marquee matchups and little conviction across most games. After scanning several mid major contests, the official best bet for the show is Delaware minus one and a half against UTEP, based on UTEP’s long standing struggles on the road and the difficulty of traveling cross country for the matchup. The episode concludes with a promotional reminder for Pregame.com using the division15 code ahead of the divisional round.

The early betting landscape for the Sony Open is shaped by a mix of proven course performers, resurgent talents, and volatile long shots whose prices create specific market opportunities. One of the more intriguing profiles belongs to S.H. Kim, who quietly built momentum through extensive fall play after earning his PGA Tour card via Korn Ferry Tour points. His recent stretch included three straight top 20 finishes on the Korean and Asian Tours, and his Sony Open history is stronger than his odds suggest, with two made cuts and a 12th place finish in 2023. Despite being priced deep in the outright market, his compressed top 20 odds signal sharp respect, making a top 40 position a safer expression of value. Nick Dunlop represents the opposite end of the risk spectrum, carrying both volatility and upside. A year ago he finished tied 10th at this event despite severe driving issues, stringing together four rounds of 68 or better. Since mid 2025, his game has stabilized following technical changes, and his recent results show improved driving accuracy paired with elite underlying skill. That combination makes him a legitimate outright consideration at triple digit odds. Brian Campbell is another name to monitor rather than commit to, having opened with a strong round here last year before withdrawing due to illness. His profile fits courses where accuracy is emphasized, though his outcomes tend to be extreme. Mack Meisner enters with steady upward form, highlighted by a runner up finish at the Wyndham and multiple top 20s late in the season. His comfort in wind, strong Bermuda putting, and consistent ball striking align well with the demands of this venue, justifying outright interest despite modest pricing. Ryan Gerrard brings recent competitive sharpness after a runner up finish in Mauritius that secured his Masters qualification. His ball striking remains a strength, and while his putting is inconsistent, Bermuda surfaces have proven serviceable, making him appealing in head to head markets. Johnny Kiefer’s rise through a historic Korn Ferry Tour season and a strong showing at the RSM underline his long term potential, though pre tournament aggression is tempered by matchup pricing. Veteran considerations include Chris Kirk, whose consistent contention history at this course spans more than a decade, reinforcing the sense that a Sony Open win remains a realistic career outcome. Other notable names such as Denny McCarthy, Nick Taylor, and Rico Hoey present less favorable entry points based on price, form timing, or course history, emphasizing the importance of selectivity in a field defined by subtle edges rather than overwhelming favorites.

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Munaf Manji opened the January 14, 2026 edition of the Cash That Ticket Podcast by outlining a midweek betting discussion focused on NBA matchups, league news, and select NFL developments as the sports calendar moved deeper into January. Dave Essler joined the show and immediately referenced a successful live betting read from their previous discussion, noting they correctly anticipated a low scoring first quarter that finished exactly 3 to 0 before recommending the game over, which ultimately cashed at 32, reinforcing the value of game flow analysis and patience. Manji transitioned into an NBA recap, highlighting how player props can be derailed by blowouts, using Milwaukee’s 139 to 106 home loss to Minnesota as the example. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 25 points and 8 rebounds, falling short of a 30.5 points prop and a 10.5 rebounds line after the game became noncompetitive, illustrating how reduced minutes can negate strong individual performance. Manji also referenced Phoenix erasing a 17 point deficit against Miami by winning the third quarter 38 to 21, only for late game execution to ruin certain bets, reinforcing the volatility of NBA markets. The conversation shifted to major NBA news surrounding Anthony Davis, with Essler noting conflicting reports but stressing that regardless of surgery language, Davis would miss several months. Essler pointed out Davis has frequently played only 20 to 50 games per season since 2020 and appeared in roughly 29 of 73 games with Dallas, questioning his trade value as he approaches age 33. Manji discussed potential fits, focusing on Detroit’s 28 and 10 record and Cade Cunningham’s MVP caliber season, arguing Davis could still impact both ends of the floor if healthy. Essler reframed the situation through a futures betting lens, citing Detroit at 20 to 1 and Toronto at 150 to 1 as examples of numbers that would move sharply if a trade occurred. The show then moved to Wednesday’s NBA card, starting with Cleveland at Philadelphia, where the 76ers were favored by 1.5 with a 237.5 total. Cleveland entered at 22 and 19, while Philadelphia sat at 22 and 16 but just 10 and 9 at home. Essler explained why he liked Philadelphia despite most tickets on Cleveland, pointing to line movement from around 3.5 down to 1.5 and recent form with six wins in eight games. Manji agreed, citing Joel Embiid’s matchup advantage, Cleveland’s 8 and 9 road record, and ongoing chemistry concerns. Essler added that Embiid’s presence often slows pace, noting the 76ers have averaged four to five fewer possessions than normal recently, making the under appealing. The discussion continued with Denver at Dallas, where the Mavericks were favored by 1.5 after Denver’s 122 to 116 win in New Orleans. Jamal Murray logged 37 minutes with 35 points and 9 assists, Peyton Watson played 39 minutes, and Tim Hardaway Jr. played 33 minutes, raising fatigue concerns without Nikola Jokic available. Both hosts leaned Dallas, with Manji noting Najee Marshall’s recent 22 and 17 point outings and the opportunity for expanded roles. The episode closed with NFL news as Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons as Steelers head coach. Essler praised Tomlin for leaving on his own terms and dismissed narratives around forced departure, emphasizing his record of never having a losing season. Manji noted the rarity of the move, as Pittsburgh has had only four head coaches since 1969, and suggested Tomlin may take time away before returning. The show concluded with best bets, including Manji backing the Knicks minus 10.5 and their team total over 120.5, and Essler selecting Charlotte plus 3.5 against Tulsa, reinforcing the theme of disciplined, market based betting rather than chasing narratives.

The latest episode of What I Bet on the Straight Outta Vegas podcast focuses on a wide-ranging Wednesday betting card built around international soccer and a deep slate of college basketball. Host Griffin Warner frames the show around finding actionable afternoon betting opportunities when the American sports calendar is relatively quiet, leaning heavily into global soccer markets and selective college hoops positions. The soccer analysis begins with the Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting Senegal versus Egypt and emphasizing Egypt’s defensive resilience, tournament pedigree, and underdog value in a projected low scoring match. Warner points to Egypt’s disciplined midfield pressure, recent upset success, and historical AFCON competence as reasons to look toward the under and advancement markets. The Morocco versus Nigeria semifinal is treated differently, with Morocco benefiting from home field advantage throughout the tournament but Nigeria carrying urgency and attacking upside, making the underdog angle more nuanced. Attention then shifts to the English Carabao Cup semifinal between Chelsea and Arsenal, where match context, two leg dynamics, and Arsenal’s control based style suggest value on the home underdog and lower tempo outcomes. In Serie A, makeup matches involving Napoli against Parma and Inter against Lecce are framed through defensive mismatches and scoring limitations, steering interest toward unders rather than large underdogs. The German Bundesliga slate follows, with Wolfsburg versus St. Pauli, Hoffenheim against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Leipzig versus Freiburg, and Köln hosting Bayern Munich. Warner repeatedly stresses goal expectation, team form, and situational factors, including relegation battles, European absences, and historical mismatches, while acknowledging the difficulty of stepping in front of Bayern despite an inflated spread. The show then pivots to college basketball, offering first impressions rather than finalized positions across dozens of games. Key discussions include skepticism around road favorites, coaching transitions, market overreactions, and the value of numbers that clear late game fouling ranges. Missouri at pick’em against Auburn is ultimately presented as the best bet of the episode, driven by home court context, coaching confidence, and perceived mispricing. The episode concludes with a promotional offer and a reaffirmation of the show’s goal, providing transparent, gradeable betting opinions across global soccer and college basketball markets.

Tuesday’s edition of What I Bet focused on a wide-ranging betting card that moved from the NFL postseason into European soccer and a deep college basketball slate, with an emphasis on market movement, situational spots, and price sensitivity rather than headline chasing. The show opened with a recap of Monday night’s NFL result, noting the end of Pittsburgh’s season and a defensive performance that preserved an under despite late pressure, reinforcing how thin margins define playoff betting value. Attention then shifted to the newly released Wild Card lines, where Buffalo’s trip to Denver stood out after an early favorite position slipped to a pick’em, highlighting uncertainty tied to rest versus rust and the appeal of grabbing whichever side closes as the underdog. San Francisco’s trip to Seattle drew caution as injuries pushed the number to seven and a half, a price that felt heavy given the playoff setting and recent offensive struggles, while Houston’s road matchup in New England was framed as a defensive grind likely to test whether the market would return to a key number of three. The Rams visiting Chicago rounded out the NFL discussion, with cold weather and game script favoring a Bears team positioned as a home underdog despite seeding. From there, the card moved overseas to the German Bundesliga, where scheduling quirks, winter breaks, and postponed matches shaped early season form. Stuttgart versus Eintracht Frankfurt was analyzed through defensive reliability and goal totals, while Borussia Dortmund’s home dominance made fading them uncomfortable despite an inflated spread against Werder Bremen. Matchups involving Mainz, Heidenheim, Augsburg, and Leverkusen emphasized managerial changes, squad depth, and conservative tactical tendencies, steering interest toward under totals and home underdogs where insurance mattered. The final segment ran through a dense college basketball schedule, stressing coaching edges, travel spots, and market overreactions. Games such as Villanova at Providence, Marquette at St. John’s, Texas A&M at Tennessee, and Wisconsin at Minnesota were framed around motivation and number value rather than team reputation. Additional looks at matchups across the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and West Coast Conference reinforced a theme of patience and selectivity. The official selection landed on Minnesota plus two at home against Wisconsin, citing spot advantage after a recent upset win and skepticism that the Badgers could sustain momentum away from home.