Another Eagles fan has infiltrated the walls at ESPN.
Joe Fortenbaugh, a native of Allentown, PA, is a Sports Betting Analyst at ESPN. He’s a regular on Daily Wager and makes appearances on various ESPN platforms.
Fortenbaugh, who has a new radio show “Joe & Amber” that runs weekdays from 7-9 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio, ESPN App and Sirius XM Channel 80, gives his picks and explanations for the Eagles Super Bowl odds.
Joe Fortenbaugh’s Philly-area background
Fortenbaugh joins fellow betting analyst Erin Dolan and SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negahndi as Philly-area natives and proud Eagles fans on the network.
Fortenbaugh is from Allentown and graduated from Parkland High School in 1999. He then attended Widener University in Chester, PA, to study sports management and then studied political science at Penn State. Fortenbaugh also has a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Fortenbaugh has been at ESPN for four years as an on-air personality and radio host.
Though Fortenbaugh doesn’t see value in betting a side, he wants the pain of an Eagles loss to hurt less should it happen.
“I don’t see any value at the moment,” Fortenbaugh told PlayPennsylvania on betting a side. “Perhaps an emotional hedge with the Chiefs so that I come away with something regardless of the outcome (either a Super Bowl win for my team or some money in my pocket).”
Making sense of Super Bowl 57 line movement
Before the conference championship games, DraftKings PA Sportsbook had lookahead lines for the four potential Super Bowl matchups. The Chiefs opened as a 1-point favorite against the Eagles prior to the NFC Championship game.
Once the Super Bowl matchup was confirmed, the Eagles opened as 1-point favorites before getting to -2.5 by Sunday night. The Eagles dropped to 2-point favorites and now sit at -1.5 across most PA sportsbooks.
What did Fortenbaugh make of the line movement?
“Philly is the healthier team with as much balance as anybody in the NFL,” Fortenbaugh said. It wasn’t a surprise to see the line move the way it did, especially when you account for all the injuries Kansas City is dealing with on the offensive side of the ball. I don’t see this touching 3 unless the Chiefs’ injury concerns are worse than currently estimated.”
When should you bet on the Eagles or Chiefs?
Getting value is a key aspect to betting. Jumping on a line before it moves as opposed to waiting can be beneficial and vice versa.
Landon Dickerson was the only Eagle forced out in the NFC Championship game due to an elbow injury. According to reports, Dickerson is expected to play in Super Bowl 57 with a brace on his elbow.
The Chiefs have a slew of injuries to deal with, starting with Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury. Mahomes practiced fully before the AFC Championship game and made it through the contest, albeit hobbled. Other Chiefs injuries include JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), Kadarius Toney (ankle), Willie Gay (shoulder) and L’Jarius Sneed (concussion).
Practice participation could be key in where the line ends up. Here’s Fortenbaugh’s advice if you want to bet a side:
“If you think the Chiefs show up healthy in Arizona, bet them now,” Fortenbaugh said. “If you think a handful of key starters will miss the game, lock in Philly before the threat of -3. Pressing my back against the wall, I’d bet this line moves more towards KC than it does Philly by kickoff.”
Joe Fortenbaugh’s favorite Eagles prop bet for Super Bowl LVII
Fortenbaugh is looking in the Eagles backfield to find his favorite prop bet.
Backup running back Kenneth Gainwell is used as a Swiss army knife for the Eagles. He’s had a coming-out party this playoff run. Gainwell rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown against the Giants and 48 yards on 14 carries against the 49ers.
Gainwell could be in line for another big game against the Chiefs, who don’t cover pass-catching running backs well.
“I’m looking at over receptions and over receiving yards for Kenneth Gainwell,” Fortenbaugh said. “He’s Philly’s primary pass-catching back and the Chiefs have done a miserable job defending opposing running backs coming out of the backfield this season. They’ve surrendered the most targets, second-most receptions and fourth-most receiving yards.”
Here are Gainwell’s props on different PA sportsbooks:
Rushing yards
- FanDuel Sportsbook: Over 16.5 (-114) / Under 16.5 (-114)
- DraftKings Sportsbook: Over 18.5 (+110) / Under 18.5 (-140)
- BetMGM Sportsbook: Over 18.5 (-120) / Under 18.5 (-115)
Receiving yards
- FanDuel Sportsbook: Over 10.5 (-114) / Under 10.5 (-114)
- DraftKings Sportsbook: Over 11.5 (-120) / Under 11.5 (-110)
- BetMGM Sportsbook: Over 11.5 (-115) / Under 11.5 (-115)
Receptions
- FanDuel Sportsbook: Over 1.5 (-130) / Under 1.5 (-102)
- DraftKings Sportsbook: Over 1.5 (-155) / Under 1.5 (+125)
- BetMGM Sportsbook: Over 1.5 (-160) / Under 1.5 (+120)
Erin Dolan Super Bowl 57 Eagles picks
Erin Dolan, another ESPN betting analyst who has provided her insights to PlayPennsylvania previously, also has a few Eagles picks for the upcoming Super Bowl. While on ESPN’s This Just In, she handed out a few early selections for Sunday’s Big Game.
They included:
- Eagles moneyline (-125)
- Jalen Hurts TD throw in opening quarter (+215)
- Patrick Mahomes to throw an INT (-125)
- Jalen Hurts over 31.5 passing attempts (-115)
