'MNF' bets: Parlay this doubleheader into $$$

We don't really know why there are two football games tonight, but we won't question it. Dust off the second TV and get it into ready position because we'll have simultaneous action to cheer on this evening. We're taking two paths tonight: one safer play we'd recommend a larger investment in and one longer shot for some extra rooting interest.

Doubleheader Monday means double the SGP

+120 SGP+ (FanDuel)

First leg: Jaylen Waddle 4+ receptions

Waddle is facing a Titans defense allowing the third-most receptions per game to WRs, and while Tyreek Hill commands the accolades and attention (rightfully so), there's still room for Waddle to produce.

The Miami receiver has 4+ catches in 10 of 11 games this season, averaging 8.4 targets per game over his last five. He should be involved here.

Second leg: DeAndre Hopkins 40+ yards

We considered tacking on Hopkins to record 4+ catches, but his alternate yards bet here feels like the better play. First, Hopkins is in a good spot to also log receptions, as Miami is letting up the eighth-most catches per game to WRs. Hopkins is the clear WR1 in Tennessee, and it isn't particularly close. He's averaging 7.83 targets per game since Will Levis took over the offense.

Based on his reception line, Hopkins has a safe floor of 4+ reception. When he finds that work, he's averaging 79.1 receiving yards per game, going for 40+ in 21 of 22 such games over the past few seasons. This is a safe floor for the Titans wideout.

Third leg: Jayden Reed 3+ receptions

Christian Watson is out tonight, which should give Reed more work against a Giants secondary allowing the fifth-most receptions per game to WRs. Reed has 3+ catches in 10 of 12 games this year, and in three games without Watson this season, Reed has averaged 6.7 targets per game (vs. 4.9 targets/game with Watson). He should find this number with relative ease.

+1720 TD parlay (DraftKings)

All three of the above are involved for these offenses in plus matchups. Why don't we just double-dip and make it a night built on Waddle, Hopkins and Reed?

All three to score, parlayed, is +1720 on DK.

Enjoy the games!

In the news ...

NFL Week 14 sees Cowboys, Niners emerge as clear NFC favorites, while AFC postseason race becomes tight as can be — We'll start our Week 14 roundup with how Sunday's action ended: a decisive win for the Dallas Cowboys over the Philadelphia Eagles, 33-13. The result has made Dak Prescott the MVP favorite at +160, and Dallas is currently +750 to win the Super Bowl. The Eagles have now dropped two straight in blowout fashion over the top teams in the NFC, a bad sign. San Francisco handled Seattle on Sunday and now sits with the conference's top seed.

In the AFC, the story is what unfolded in Kansas City, when one of the coolest plays you'll ever see did not count because of a costly Kadarius Toney offsides penalty, giving the Buffalo Bills the win and a very real chance of making a playoff push. The secondary story out of that game was the attitude from the Chiefs, namely Patrick Mahomes. Consider us in the camp of "what the heck are you crying about, dude?"

Elsewhere, the AFC has a massive logjam now. Cleveland, led by Joe Flacco (!) took down the Jaguars to advance to 8-5, the top record among wild-card hopefuls. Jake Browning and the Bengals beat the Colts, putting both teams at 7-6. The Broncos won, the Texans lost and with that we've got six teams tied at 7-6 for two playoff spots with just four weeks left. This is going to be fun.

Shohei Ohtani signs with Los Angeles Dodgers — By now, you've surely heard the news, but we'll round up the weekend anyway. Prized free agent Shohei Ohtani inked the richest deal in MLB history, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 10 years, $700 million. The Dodgers are the current betting favorites to win the World Series in 2024 at +550.

Rounding up the weekend with Lakers and Jayden Daniels — This might be old news for most, but we'll just put a bow on an eventful weekend by flagging that the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Indiana Pacers to win the first in-season tournament, and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy. It was a jam-packed December weekend of sports, indeed!

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll, the guy who won $8K on a $20 NFL parlay. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.