‘Jeopardy!’ Champ James Holzhauer Picks Patriots and Rams for Super Bowl, Says Browns Overhyped

Posted on: July 23, 2019, 02:08h. 

Last updated on: July 23, 2019, 02:08h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
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Las Vegas native James Holzhauer, the professional sports bettor who went on a 32-show winning streak on “Jeopardy!” earlier this year, says the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams will meet in Super Bowl LIV next February.

James Holzhauer Jeopardy! NFL odds
James Holzhauer is making some predictions on the upcoming NFL season. (Image: Jeopardy!)

It’s not exactly a bold prediction – the two teams are the reigning AFC and NFC champions. New England won Super Bowl LIII in a yawner that didn’t see a touchdown scored until the fourth quarter. The Pats won 13-3.

“If I had to pick a team or two to make it to the Super Bowl, win the Super Bowl, the boring answer is the Patriots and the Rams,” Holzhauer told Peter King of NBC Sports. “Everyone knows these guys are the best teams out there.”

Indeed they do, as Las Vegas oddsmakers have the two teams with some of the shortest Super Bowl futures.

The Westgate SuperBook has the Patriots at just 6/1 to defend their championship and claim the franchise’s fourth title since 2014. The Rams are at 10/1. The SuperBook also likes the Kansas City Chiefs, which shares the shortest line in the league with New England.

Holzhauer History

James Holzhauer is a self-described professional sports bettor. His “Jeopardy!” run gave some credence to the gaming profession, and his strategy of jumping around the board and going all-in when landing on a daily double revolutionized how the trivia gameshow is played.

“James is maximizing outcomes, he’s maximizing winnings. I’ve always wanted to see somebody play that way,” all-time regular season “Jeopardy!” money winner Ken Jennings told Wired.

Holzhauer finished with $2,462,216 – a mere $58,484 short of Jennings’ record. James used probabilities and expected outcomes to dominate games. It’s not unlike what he does when it comes to sports betting.

As for teams he believes are overhyped, Holzhauer says look no further than the Cleveland Browns.

If you’re looking to invest in a futures ticket, I would say … look away from the teams that have all the hype surrounding them. I can’t believe we live in a world where the Cleveland Browns are the most hyped team in the preseason. But I would say they’re probably the single worst bet to win the Super Bowl right now,” he said.

The SuperBook has the Browns at 20/1. That line has lengthened from 14/1 following the team’s blockbuster trade for Odell Beckham Jr. in March.

Looking Ahead

There’s just 45 days remaining before the NFL season kicks off with the Green Bay Packers playing at the Chicago Bears. The home team is spotting the visitors 3.5 points.

As for preseason Super Bowl contenders, the Pats are favored in week one by six points at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rams are favored by a field goal at the Carolina Panthers, and Chiefs are spotting the Jacksonville Jaguars four points.

As for those Cleveland Browns, the team is favored by five against visiting Tennessee Titans.

The team with the longest Super Bowl odds heading into week one are the Miami Dolphins at 500/1. Just a small $5 bet would net $2,500 on those odds.