THE WINDOW: Sports Betting Podcast

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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Window is a sports betting podcast hosted and produced by experienced betting analyst, Matt Russell. Matt dives deep into the NFL, NCAA sports, and the NHL, as well as March Madness, NBA Playoffs and Golf’s major championships. With extensive experience in the sports betting content space, Matt’s also a 2-time cash winner in the Las Vegas Supercontest, who believes in responsible gaming as a form of recreation. He celebrates and commiserates betting results with good humor. Join him and various guests here each week, and follow him on X: @mrussauthentic

  1. 23H AGO

    WHAT IF… (1.13.25): Looking back at Wild Card Weekend through the lens of a key play that could have made all the difference

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by looking back at Wild Card Weekend. The Rams-Panthers game looked to be the game of the day, as Carolina showed that, yet again, you can’t go against the valuable side in NFL betting, but at least we know what that looks like. A miss on the total was made up for with a trio of anytime touchdown winners, including Bryce Young (+800) and Jalen Coker (+350).  Somehow, that wasn’t the game of the day as Packers-Bears was an instant classic, as Chicago stormed back to take advantage of just enough of Green Bay’s mistakes. Matt looks back at the betting lines for all three matchups this season, and laments Colston Loveland doing EVERYthing but score a touchdown.  Sunday wasn’t quite exciting, and profit was left on the table. The Jaguars couldn’t muster a “B+” effort, and Josh Allen stormed through the open door, as, Matt explains, Jacksonville kinda choked away a chance to go deep.  How did the 49ers win??? Matt goes down the checklist of a game-handicap that SHOULD have given Philadelphia a win, until it was asked of Jalen Hurts to throw the Eagles into the next round.  The Chargers looked lost on offense, but what if they had made one play down by the goal line early on Sunday night’s defensive slog with the Patriots?  Plus, Matt wonders what happened with CJ Stroud, as the Texans bailed out their quarterback in a suffocating effort that potentially ends Aaron Rodgers career.  Maybe you missed it? NFL Wild Card: Rams-Panthers betting preview NFL Wild Card: Packers-Bears betting preview NFL Wild Card: Bills-Jaguars betting preview NFL Wild Card: 49ers-Eagles betting preview NFL Wild Card: Chargers-Patriots betting preview NFL Wild Card: Texans-Steelers betting preview The College Football Playoff Semi-Final Betting Preview NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker Finally, Matt looks back at the College Football Playoff semi-final games.  Miami survives Ole Miss, why we were cheering for the Rebels for all but one play, and why pass interference can’t ever be called on the last play of the game.  Indiana cruises to cash tickets with ease, but a pair of tough losses on props disappoint.  Also, what if the 12-team College Football Playoff is just a vehicle to make sure we give the top-4 teams a second chance to contend? Matt lists the four teams that actually had a chance to win the whole thing.  It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 6m

  2. JAN 5

    A LOT TO UNPACK (1.5.25): The one about the airing of the grievances, as part of a wrap on the 2025 NFL regular season

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by telling the story of his run into, and out of, the money in the 2025 Circa Million Contest. How “bad beats” in games like Ravens-Bills, Rams-Eagles, Buccaneers-Texans, Packers-Bears, Panthers-Buccaneers, and Saints-Falcons, re-framed what the bar was for bad luck in a season that left Matt one game shy of his third cash in a Las Vegas NFL against-the-spread contest. Matt finished T-16th out of 1400+ contestants in the 2014 Las Vegas Supercontest, and 33rd out of 2500+ in the 2019 Supercontest. Then Matt goes through every game in Week 18, detailing whether the Panes were right or wrong on the handicap, and how everything played out relative to season-long futures bets or third-straight win on the RUMP, and a cumulative 23+ units won on that gambit in the season’s final weeks. Maybe you missed it? College Football Bowls: First Look College Football Bowl betting previews: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 The College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Betting Preview NFL Week 18: The “Real” Games NFL Week 18: The “Fake” Games Sunday Night Football betting preview: Ravens-Steelers NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker Matt discusses the concept of luck on both a micro- and macro-level, managing a betting portfolio over the course of THE WINDOW’s “betting calendar,” using new information and responsible betting practices to safely profit from good positions over the course of the season. Plus, Matt gives out the final, context-free records for the season: 97-86-4 against the spread 12-10-1 on game totals 9-8 on teasers Lastly, it’s a quick look back at a profitable 17-14-2 Bowl season in College Football, but why the CFP quarterfinals saw beating the line move go 1-1, a well-earned loss on Alabama, and why wondering what the hell Kirby Smart was doing in an uncharacteristic second half for he and Georgia in the second half against instant-star Trinidad Chambliss. It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 12m

  3. 12/30/2025

    BREAKING BAD BEATS (12.30.25): Losing it in New Mexico and finding the right answers late in Week 17 of the NFL

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by looking back a week loaded with gut-punch bad beats in College Football, as a trio of betting catastrophes colored the Bowl-betting experience, and why commiserating on an historically brutal beat in the New Mexico Bowl is the best way to move past shocking disappointment.  Then it’s a look back at a wild Week 17 in the NFL. One that started with a promising upset of the Lions by the Vikings, and finished with an unnecessarily dramatic narrow escape from disaster by the Falcons on the Monday Night Football regular-season finale. In-between we saw the Chargers botch a chance at the AFC West (and the Broncos cash at +300 for the division!), the Ravens readily admit they don’t know what they’re doing until it was (almost?) a week too late, the Titans blow a cover in collegiate fashion, the Colts come so close, and Josh Allen’s case for MVP almost got revived, as Matt breaks down how small the margins are for some long shot awards bets. Maybe you missed it? College Football Bowls: First Look College Football Bowl betting previews: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 The College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Betting Preview The Christmas Football Betting Spectacular NFL Week 17 “Sunday Best” Monday Night Football betting preview: Rams-Falcons NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker Finally, Matt sweats over the 49ers narrow victory over the Bears, and the Falcons almost blowing it against the Rams. Two results that setup Week 18 nicely.  Plus, Matt looks at how it all affects the awards and stat leaders markets, with some suggestions on how to approach hedging and “middle” opportunities for next weekend’s games. It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 12m

  4. 12/22/2025

    “WHICH QUARTERBACK’S GETTING HURT?” (12.22.25): How we should have been handicapping Week 16 in the NFL

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by looking back the first round of the College Football Playoff, and how what looked like a shutdown performance from the Oklahoma defense turned into Alabama comeback, the mess that was Miami’s win at Texas A&M, and why one “G5” team would have been too many THIS year. Part I of the College Football Bowl previews turns a profit thanks to some really good reads, but a pair of Conference USA teams no-show, at least, the first of their games. As for Week 16 in the NFL, Matt reviews the Rams-Seahawks epic last Thursday, which proved, once again to be better entertainment than betting opportunity. Followed by an extended lament about two good bets gone really bad on Saturday, with a pair of quarterback injuries going the other way, and why the Packers lose ruined a solid Sunday.  Maybe you missed it? College Football Bowls: First Look College Football Bowl betting previews: Part 1 and Part 2  Thursday Night Football betting: Rams-Seahawks NFL Week 16 “Sunday Best” The “Player Prop Express” for Week 16 Monday Night Football betting preview: 49ers-Colts NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker Then, Matt runs through each game on Sunday in “Right or Wrong,” breaking down why he’d prefer to lose games like Chargers-Cowboys, before going through a string of winning bets on the Panthers, Browns, Titans, Saints, Raiders, and Jaguars.  Finally, the Sunday-nighter sees another interesting swing from what the betting market thought was going to happen, to a surprising finish that will continue the shake up in the NFL futures markets. It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 11m

  5. 12/16/2025

    NATIONAL FOOLISHNESS LEAGUE (12.16.25): Chiefs crumble, December no-shows, and Josh Allen is HIM

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by getting right into Week 15 in the NFL, starting with the mess that was the Falcons-Bucs on Thursday night, why player props get figuratively and literally harder to find at the end of the season, the blowouts throughout the 1pm games, and the Bills comeback win over the Patriots shaking up a variety of Awards markets. Then Matt digs into what went wrong for the Chiefs “season from hell” and how much of a razor’s edge it can be between winning and losing for even the most successful teams. Elsewhere in the NFL futures markets, Trey McBride racks up catches for a final push for the receptions lead, but is he a darkhorse to score the most touchdowns with an injury to Davante Adams. Plus, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is favorite for Offensive Player of the Year, but is he the best receiver in the NFC West? Philip Rivers’ return was worth watching on Sunday, but it ended in a very “San Diego” type of a way. Did we get lucky with injuries in the Packers-Broncos game, and will those same missing players cost Green Bay backers the NFC North?  Maybe you missed it? College Football Bowls: First Look College Football Bowl betting previews: Part 1 Thursday Night Football betting: Falcons-Buccaneers NFL Week 15 “Sunday Best” The “Player Prop Express” for Week 15 Monday Night Football betting preview: Dolphins-Steelers NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker Plus, Matt looks back at two different situations that cost the week profitability: Flipping from Eagles to Raiders Passing on fading the Panthers as favorites Finally, the JJ to JJ combo feels like a jinx for the Vikings, even in a winning cause, while the Dolphins may have lost the Monday-nighter with a decision made on the opening coin toss. It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 11m

  6. 12/09/2025

    4TH AND DONE?? (Part 2: Taking pro-style offense) (12.9.25): Close calls in the RUMP, but the Chiefs and Jalen Hurts are a pain in the backside

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by lamenting Caleb Williams coming one play short of a point-spread cover and a potential win. If the Bears and Bengals had come through, the Round-robin Underdog Moneyline Parlay would have hit in a big way, but Joe Burrow’s earned more of a leash. From there, Matt runs through “Right or Wrong” for Week 14 of the NFL, and most importantly, explains why he’s adding the following pieces to his futures portfolio:  Josh Allen for MVP (+1500) 49ers to win the NFC West (+700) James Cook to lead the NFL in rushing yards (+140) Coming over the top of Jonathan Taylor (and Bijan Robinson)  Maybe you missed it? College Football’s Group of Five Championships Best bets for the Power-4 Conference Championships Thursday Night Football betting: Cowboys-Lions NFL Week 14 “Sunday Best” The “Player Prop Express” for Week 14 Monday Night Football betting preview: Eagles-Chargers NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker Later, Matt looks back at how everyone on the Chiefs failed Patrick Mahomes, and what to do when the line moves to a point where it’s not only no longer a valuable bet, but the handicap of a “fair” line suggests that the other side is now worth a bet.  Finally, Matt laments Jalen Hurts failing everyone on the Eagles, and how you can nail the handicap of a football game, but a quarterback mismatch can blow that up in no time flat. It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 3m

  7. 12/09/2025

    4TH AND DONE?? (Part 1: The College defense) (12.9.25): What everyone seems to be missing on and off the field in College Football

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by looking at the final College Football Playoff rankings and how we got here, with arguments in the streets, starting with Indiana at No. 1.  The Heisman trophy might have been decided on a 4th down decision without Fernando Mendoza OR Diego Pavia on the field.  Almost all the arguments about Alabama, Miami, and Notre Dame are convenient, when there’s really only two “things” to blame for the whole thing Why the Notre Dame “would be favored” argument has some cracks, and why Matt’s admitting to a change of heart on how he would have ranked the College Football Playoff. Maybe you missed it? Plus, Matt looks at officially cashing the Oklahoma To Make The Playoff (+500), and the wild time watching Duke cash the ACC title futures (+2500). College Football’s Group of Five Championships Best bets for the Power-4 Conference Championships Thursday Night Football betting: Cowboys-Lions NFL Week 14 “Sunday Best” The “Player Prop Express” for Week 14 Monday Night Football betting preview: Eagles-Chargers NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 3m

  8. 12/02/2025

    THE EYE TEST (12.2.25): Looking back at College Football’s “Rivalry Weekend”, CFP arguments, and a crucial Heisman Report

    In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) opens the show by weighing in all things college football after the conclusion to the regular season, including but not limited to — why Steve Sarkisian is ALMOST right about the disservice that college football and the College Football Playoff Committee is doing by making the Longhorns Week 1 trip to Columbus count against them, even if Texas shouldn’t be in without it. All while explaining why the opening week’s head-to-head between Notre Dame and Miami needs to matter on a micro level.  Plus, the CFP rankings, it it were up to THE WINDOW: Byes: Ohio State/Indiana winner Georgia/Alabama winner Texas Tech (if they beat BYU) Texas A&M Home games: Ohio State/Indiana loser (Committee probably swaps this with A&M) Georgia, if they lose Oregon  Ole Miss (Alabama, if they lose) Road games: Oklahoma Miami (Out if BYU beats Texas Tech) Virginia/James Madison North Texas/Tulane *Depending on what happens in the SEC, “fix it” so that Miami plays at Ole Miss, and Oklahoma goes to Oregon Just out: Notre Dame Vanderbilt Texas  Plus, Matt looks at the rollercoaster of holding futures on Texas A&M, Southern Miss, Oklahoma, and Duke, before making the case for why Diego Pavia should win the Heisman Trophy, the reason he was considered an underdog before starring in wins down the stretch and why the betting market is only just now catching up to the actual likelihood of Pavia winning. Maybe you missed it? College Football’s Big Games of Week 14 Best bets for College Football on “Black Friday” “The Saturday 7” — Week 14’s best bets for College Football Thanksgiving Football Spectacular NFL Week 13 “Sunday Best” The “Player Prop Express” for Week 13 Monday Night Football betting preview: Giants-Patriots NHL Daily Moneyline Market Tracker It’s an abbreviated edition of “Right or Wrong” for NFL Week 13, with THE WINDOW’s Thanksgiving Football Spectacular turning a small profit, but setting up for a hopeful Sunday in the RUMP, only to get tortured by the Saints in Miami.  Finally, Matt touches on the first big move in the College Basketball futures market after Michigan won the early-season “Players Era Championship” in decisive fashion, drilling San Diego State, Auburn, and, most impressively, Gonzaga — by 40 points. The Wolverines are up to +750 for the national title. Back on the April 8th episode of THE WINDOW podcast, immediately after Florida beat Houston for last year’s title, we bet Michigan for 2025-‘26 It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

    1h 13m
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The Window is a sports betting podcast hosted and produced by experienced betting analyst, Matt Russell. Matt dives deep into the NFL, NCAA sports, and the NHL, as well as March Madness, NBA Playoffs and Golf’s major championships. With extensive experience in the sports betting content space, Matt’s also a 2-time cash winner in the Las Vegas Supercontest, who believes in responsible gaming as a form of recreation. He celebrates and commiserates betting results with good humor. Join him and various guests here each week, and follow him on X: @mrussauthentic

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