Pro Football History.com Blog

November 15th, 2023

In the heart of Ontario, a revolution is taking place. FanDuel, a titan of sportsbooks, has made a grand entrance, offering a regulated haven for sports enthusiasts to indulge in the thrill of the game. With its robust presence, FanDuel isn’t just a platform; it's an immersive sports experience, wrapped in the safety of Ontario’s unique position as the only province to welcome private operators into its fold.

Ontario's Open Market: A Model for the Future

Ontario stands as a beacon of progress in Canada's sports betting landscape. Here, FanDuel thrives, providing a dual convenience of digital and brick-and-mortar bookmaking under a protective legal umbrella. This dual access caters to both the tech-savvy bettor and the traditional punter, seeking the camaraderie of a communal betting experience.

Beyond Ontario: A Glimpse at Canada's Betting Climate

Venture outside Ontario, and the scene shifts. Other provinces are bound to provincial sportsbooks and services like Proline, with a nod towards parlay wagers and the recent, exciting introduction of single-event betting. These developments promise a richer tapestry of betting opportunities for Canadians coast to coast.

Betting With Precision: Understanding the Market

FanDuel's commitment to precision and adherence to Canadian law is unwavering. The sportsbook ensures all wagering options are transparent and within the legal frameworks, offering peace of mind to both the experienced and novice bettor.

Tailoring the Experience: A Platform for All

FanDuel prides itself on catering to all levels of sports fans. With a clear explanation of betting terms and a variety of options, the platform ensures newcomers can navigate the betting world with confidence, while seasoned veterans can delve into the complexities of sophisticated wagers.

Engaging with FanDuel: More Than Just a Bet

Engagement is the name of the game, and FanDuel excels with enticing offerings and bonuses that make every game an event to look forward to. From welcome bonuses to loyalty rewards, the sportsbook ensures that every participant feels valued and excited to be a part of the action.

NFL Betting: Touchdowns and Triumphs

With the NFL season in full swing, the excitement around FanDuel Canada NFL betting is palpable. This segment of FanDuel's platform is specially designed for the Canadian NFL aficionado, offering live updates, competitive odds, and a suite of betting options. Whether you're placing a bet on your favorite team or trying your hand at predicting the next MVP, FanDuel Canada provides a comprehensive NFL betting experience that's hard to match.

Ethical Promotion: The FanDuel Way

FanDuel sets the bar high, with a staunch commitment to ethical marketing. The sportsbook avoids misleading promotions, instead focusing on building trust through accurate, responsible, and engaging communication with its users.

The Expansion Vision: FanDuel and TSN's Strategic Alliance

FanDuel's partnership with TSN is more than just a collaboration; it's a vision for the future. This alliance lays the groundwork for a potential expansion beyond Ontario, with TSN's trusted brand providing a platform for FanDuel to reach new heights in the Canadian sports betting market.

Conclusion: Betting on Canada’s Sportsbook Future

FanDuel’s entry into Ontario is just the beginning. With its eyes set on a national presence, the sportsbook is poised to offer its premier experience to all Canadian sports fans. The partnership with TSN marks a strategic move towards this goal. As regulations evolve, so, too, will FanDuel, always with a commitment to integrity, engagement, and the ultimate betting experience. Writers and promoters alike must navigate this dynamic landscape with finesse, championing FanDuel's offerings while staying attuned to the changing tides of Canadian sports betting laws.

By Stephen Juza

November 11th, 2023

Bill Belichick’s tenure with the New England Patriots has been nothing short of legendary. His unmatched success in the NFL includes six Super Bowl titles, making him one of the greatest coaches in the league's history. However, recent developments have raised concerns about his future with the franchise. Entering Week 10, he has a 49% chance of being fired after the season according to our model, leading many to speculate about the end of an era.

In this article, we will delve into the recent history of Bill Belichick and the Patriots, and the reasons why he is on the precipice of being fired.

Tom Brady:

It’s a cop out to simply suggest “it’s because he no longer has Tom Brady”. It’s true that his record without Brady as a starter pales in comparison to his record with Brady. But early on, Belichick saw something special in the 6th round draft pick, keeping four quarterbacks on the roster in Brady's rookie season when a typical team only carried three. This was even more surprising because the Patriots had signed starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe to the largest contract in NFL history before Brady’s second season. While his future GM moves have made his life as a coach more difficult, one of his first decisions certainly reshaped NFL history in his favor.

While Brady may have been a constant player on the Patriots unprecedented run of success, credit goes to Belichick to always change the team’s scheme to match where their talent lies, or spotting emerging trends before the rest of the NFL. Shifting from dominating defenses early in his tenure, to an offensive strategy that highlighted speedy or shifty wide receivers, to one that focused on two tight end sets, and back to defense, all while maintaining a level of success that was previously thought impossible in the era of free agency. However, Brady was always the glue that held the offensive side of the ball together, no matter which players suited up on Sunday.

Inflection Point: August 6th, 2020:

That all came crashing down in 2020. Brady left the team in free agency in March, 2020, but arguably the bigger hit came on August 6th, 2020. That was the day that players had to opt out of the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Patriots had eight players opt out, by far the most of any team. These opt outs included several starters, such as defensive players Patrick Chung and Dont’a Hightower.

While Brady created a leadership void on offense, the team had all offseason to mitigate this loss. Losing two starters on defense on the eve of training camp proved to be too much. It’s quite possible that the Patriots had so many opt outs due to their prior success; an NFL career is very short, and already reaching the Super Bowl pinnacle may have made it easy to sit out. In a way, Belichick’s success helped bring about his downfall.

While losing multiple starters was bad enough, two vital pieces of his coaching staff also departed that offseason: offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia and director of football research Ernie Adams. While Scarnecchia was vital at forming the offensive line for almost two decades, Adams was responsible for scouring any possible area for a mathematical advantage. He managed this by working with statistics professors to help hone the team’s game plan for when to go for it on fourth down, when to go for two points, and many other ideas. The Patriots were early adopters of some of these strategies, and without Adams, the rest of the league was able to catch up.

Coaching Staff Limitations:

Belichick has always shown a reluctance to hire position coaches and above from outside his coaching tree, almost always opting to promote from within. Additionally, he has shown great loyalty to former assistants, offering them a spot on the staff after they are fired from their own head coaching opportunities. However, this has led to a deficient coaching staff that is atypical from the modern NFL team.

Over his Patriots tenure, he has often opted to choose a coach with no position experience over an unfamiliar coach for a position (or coordinator) coaching role. As his long-time coaches retired, inexperience crept into his staff. Scarnecchia, who coached from 2000-2013 and again from 2016-2020, was replaced by two coaches (Cole Popovich and Carmen Bricillo) who had never coached the position before. Running backs coach Ivan Fears (2002-2021) retired and was replaced by Vinnie Sunseri, who had a single year of running back experience assistant Fears before being handed the reins. Wide receiver coach Chad O'Shea offered stability at the position from 2009-2018, but in 2019 was replaced by former special teams coach, Joe Judge.

That was also not the only time that Judge had coached a position he had no prior experience with. Last season, after being fired as head coach from the Giants, Belichick offered him the quarterbacks coach position for second-year quarterback Mac Jones. Meanwhile, Judge couldn’t even rely on an experienced offensive coordinator, because the team didn’t have one, and play calling had gone to former defensive coordinator-turned-offensive line coach (and recently fired Lions head coach) Matt Patricia.

The NFL Is Entertainment:

The NFL is first and foremost an entertainment product, and Belichick has committed a cardinal sin of having a bad team that is also a very boring team. They sit last in the league, with a quarterback who has given little hope for the future, with a bottom-tier offense and defense.

They are on pace to score their fewest points per game (15.0) since 1993, while the defense is on pace to allow more points per game (25.3) in a season since 1990. A complete breakdown on both sides of the ball, and the buck stops at Belichick. Whether it’s a coaching problem, or a player problem, his complete control of football operations in New England means he has only himself to blame.

It’s also not too late for him to turn around the season. Coming up next, they face three straight opponents without a winning record, with a bye week in there. But no coach is immune to being fired. If Tom Landry can be fired in Dallas, if Andy Reid in Philadelphia, and Mike Shanahan in Denver, are we about to see how much leeway six Super Bowls grant a coach?

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By Stephen Juza

November 1st, 2023

This week, the Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with head coach Josh McDaniels, making him the first head coach to be fired this season. It came as a shock, not necessarily because his performance was stellar, but rather because he had four years left on his contract. Speculation had been that McDaniels would remain at the helm simply to avoid the cost of a buyout.

While it may be surprising that he was the first to be fired, his performance has been suggesting he would have been fired for the last several weeks. According to our predictive firing model, he has been over 50% three of the last four weeks of the season, peaking at 62% after Week 5.

This score is based only on the product that’s occurring on the field, it does not factor in the discontent that has occurred in the locker room all season long. Star wide receiver Davante Adams has made it clear how unhappy he is with the Raiders season. Even before the season, he had expressed that he didn’t “see eye-to-eye” with the franchise. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, a big offseason acquisition for the team this offseason, has performed poorly and lost his starting job with the McDaniels firing.

The Raiders will move forward with linebackers coach Antonio Pierce as the interim quarterback. Additionally, offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi was also fired, although no replacement was immediately named.

With McDaniels’ termination, it continues to leave Patriots coach Bill Belichick with one of the least successful coaching trees in the last thirty years. However, Belichick has always shown loyalty to his former assistants, which could just mean we see McDaniels return to the Patriots’ sideline before the end of the season.

It’s not unprecedented that a fired head coach returns as an assistant coach for another team mid-season. For example, in 2018 Browns head coach Hue Jackson was fired midseason and spent the last five weeks of the season as an assistant for the Bengals. McDaniels could help provide valuable experience for the Patriots.

While they have a true offensive coordinator this season with Bill O’Brien, it’s worth noting that McDaniels was running the offense when quarterback Mac Jones posted his best season in the NFL. While it may be too late to salvage a winning season for the Patriots, they may be able to right the ship and give the Patriots confidence with Belichick continuing into 2024.

Even if he doesn’t end up in New England in the coming weeks, expect McDaniels to be a hot commodity as an assistant for the 2024 season. Just don’t expect him to be a head coach ever again.

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October 16th, 2023

The National Football League (NFL), with its thrilling touchdowns and nail-biting finishes, has etched itself into the hearts of millions. But there’s another dimension to the game that has been steadily gaining traction over the years — sports wagering. The journey from the NFL's humble betting beginnings to its current standing as a titan in the sports wagering arena is nothing short of remarkable.

A Humble Kick-off

Historically, sports wagering in the U.S. was met with skepticism. It was seen more as a seedy pastime than an engaging activity. But as time passed, perceptions started to change. By the mid-20th century, the emergence of Las Vegas as the 'Mecca of Gambling' began to paint wagering in a different, more glamorous light.

Even so, the NFL maintained a wary distance from the gambling world for several years. It wasn't until the 1970s and 1980s that a subtle shift began. With the proliferation of sports publications and the rise of Las Vegas sportsbooks, the NFL started recognizing the latent potential in sports wagering. Winds of Change: From Reluctance to Recognition The 1990s ushered in a new era. The digital age began to reshape every facet of our lives, including how we engage with sports and wagers. The internet has made it easier than ever for fans to access data, compare sports betting odds, and place stakes, driving a surge in sports wagering's popularity.

While the NFL was still hesitant to embrace wagering, they couldn't ignore its growing significance. By the early 2000s, fantasy football was all the rage, serving as a bridge between traditional football fandom and the world of wagering. This fantasy realm allowed the NFL to dip its toes into the gambling waters without fully diving in.

Legalization and Legitimization

The real game-changer came in 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), paving the way for states to legalize sports wagering. This decision opened floodgates for sports leagues, including the NFL, to explore partnerships with wagering establishments and integrate wagering more holistically into their operations.

With states legalizing sports wagering one after another, the NFL began to ink deals with major sportsbooks, further solidifying its position in the market. Not just limited to sponsorships, these collaborations started to offer immersive experiences for fans, such as in-stadium betting kiosks and exclusive wagering content.

Current Landscape: A Behemoth in the Wagering World

Today, the NFL stands tall as one of the premier events for sports betting enthusiasts. The league's games are not just about cheering for one's favorite team but also about analyzing odds, making predictions, and experiencing the thrill of a well-placed stake.

The recent NFL seasons have showcased this integration seamlessly. In-game stats aren't just for player performance analytics; they're also vital tools for live wagering, where stakes are placed in real time based on the ongoing action.

In addition, events like the Super Bowl have transcended sports to become cultural phenomena. Beyond just the game's outcome, every aspect, from the halftime show to the commercials, offers wagering opportunities, drawing both football aficionados and casual viewers into the exciting world of sports wagering.

Conclusion

The NFL's journey in the domain of sports wagering is a testament to the league's adaptability and foresight. By recognizing the changing landscape and embracing the possibilities, the NFL has not only amplified its global appeal but has also provided fans with newer, more exhilarating ways to engage with the sport they love. As the lines between sports and wagering continue to blur, the NFL is poised to remain at the forefront, leading the charge into the future.

By Stephen Juza

October 3rd, 2023

With almost 25% of the season completed, let’s take stock of the state of the league and surprises that have occurred in the first month of the season.

In the days between Week 4 and Week 5, one way to pass the time would be playing slot games online at the various online casinos, regardless of your location.

Surprise Contender:

While most of the division leaders we predicted to be there, Miami Dolphins, at 3-1, caught us off guard. While they had their epic game against the Denver Broncos two weeks ago where they scored 70 points, they had a bit of a return to earth after losing to Buffalo 48-20. Despite the loss, the offense has been impressive, and they are loaded with speed up and down the depth chart. The running back tandem of Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane has helped lift the Dolphins to the league-leading rushing attack.

If the Dolphins can keep this up, expect the team to be 5-1 before they take on the Philadelphia Eagles during Week 7 for their next opportunity for a statement win.

Surprise Dud:

Arguably the biggest disappointment throughout the first four games was the Cincinnati Bengals, who currently sit at 1-3. After finishing last year as the AFC’s #3 seed and losing to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, many people expected the Bengals to be right back in the thick of things in 2023.

However, quarterback Joe Burrow struggled in the first four games, posting some of his worst stats of his career. His completion percentage has dropped more than 10 percentage points since last year, while posting the lowest passing rating this season of any quarterback who has played all four games. Meanwhile, there may be some discontent in the locker room with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who expressed his frustration with his lack of opportunities after the latest loss to the Titans.

Biggest Injury:

The most impactful injury through four games has undoubtedly been to New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon four plays into his inaugural season with the Jets, causing the team to unexpectedly revert back to Zach Wilson. The Jets spent all offseason turning over the roster and coaching scheme to make Rodgers comfortable, only to have to pull an audible quickly.

The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations entering the season and are now having to reset expectations. While Zach Wilson played the best game of his NFL career on Sunday against the Chiefs, he ultimately turned the ball over at the worst time, fumbling the snap with an opportunity to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. If he can continue to play like he did against the Chiefs, the Jets may still be able to scrape out a wild card appearance. But it will remain a “what-if” season compared to what would have been with Rodgers at the helm.

Game of the Week:

Week 5’s game of the week is a matchup of two between the top teams in the NFC when the Dallas Cowboys (3-1) travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers (4-0) on Sunday Night Football. This matchup pits the two best offenses against the two best defenses of the conference. This will also represent both teams' most difficult game so far in the young season.

The teams the Cowboys have beaten each have only one win on the season, so a victory against the 49ers would help to give them an early statement win and show they are truly a contender this season.

Coaching Hot Seat

While Bears coach Matt Eberflus tops our likelihood of being fired at the end of the season at 81% again, there are a few coaches that are contending for the top spot.

Brian Daboll:

With Monday’s latest loss to Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants head coach Norm Gerber now sits at 76% chance of being fired. While he won coach of the year in 2022, the Giants (1-3) are off to a terrible start to the season, sitting last in the NFC East. With consecutive road games against AFC East-leading Bills and Dolphins, the schedule won’t get easier for them.

Zac Taylor:

With the latest loss for the Bengals, Zac Taylor now ranks just below Daboll at a 68% chance to be fired if he can’t turn around the team. This was the first week that he scored above 50% for the season, and their best chance of a win in the coming weeks is next week against the Arizona Cardinals. After that, the Bengals face the Seahawks, 49ers, and the Bills, a combined 10-2 on the season.

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