Ohio-based sportsbook betJACK has launched a new live streaming show about NFL sports betting featuring Ohio native, former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator and ex-Washington Commanders head coach Jay Gruden.
Titled Taking the Points, the show — essentially a video podcast — also features Gruden’s son JJ Gruden, who is known as a sports handicapper, and betJACK content creator and personality Grant Puskar, whose work has centered on Ohio sports teams like the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Buckeyes and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The first episode of Taking the Points streamed live on Twitter/X on July 31 and is available to watch on the TTP YouTube channel. Going forward, viewers will also be able watch the show’s live stream on YouTube. The NFL regular season kicks off on Sept. 7, and this will be the first full season with Ohio sports betting up and running.
The betJACK and Taking the Points social media outlets will post clips from the shows throughout the week.
Show to feature NFL analysis, betting advice
An offshoot of Cleveland-based JACK Entertainment (which operates JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall), betJACK bills itself as “Ohio’s sportsbook.” BetJACK has released a few commercials that cleverly nod to Ohio sports legends like Mike Tressel, Joe Morgan, Jack Nicklaus and LeBron James.
“We are thrilled to launch Taking the Points in partnership with betJACK,” Jay Gruden said in a press release. “Having experienced the true passion and dedication of Ohio fans during my time with the Bengals, it is evident that as a sports platform made in the Buckeye State, betJACK shares the same heart for the game and its fans.
“As Ohio’s Sportsbook, it only made sense to partner with betJACK to deliver real-time insights, up-to-date odds, and expert advice for this show. Together, we are creating an engaging platform where fans can get a unique perspective on the game and make smarter betting choices.”
The press release says Taking the Points will stream twice weekly. In the first episode, Puskar said the show will be back “next week,” suggesting Taking the Points will stream once a week to start, then go bi-weekly once the NFL season gets into full swing. Puskar also said to subscribe to their YouTube channel for notifications about when the show will be broadcasting live.
Taking the Points premiere episode has Ohio slant
Taking the Points will feature regular guests, including former players and coaches, as well as other personalities from the football world.
The shows will regularly spotlight Puskar’s and the Grudens’ football analysis and betting advice and strategy, with up-to-date odds and betting specials provided by betJACK, which has prominent branding throughout Taking the Points.
While Taking the Points will cover the entire NFL, the show’s premiere episode had an Ohio slant, which makes sense given Puskar’s areas of expertise and Gruden’s ties to the state, not to mention betJACK’s home-state pride.
The debut episode was an AFC preview, covering divisional odds, team totals, quarterback prop bets and more.
The trio discussed the prospects for the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals this season. With the Browns’ over/under for total wins at 9.5, Jay Gruden said he’s taking the “way under,” based on quarterback Deshaun Watson’s performance last year. Also in the premiere episode, JJ Gruden said that, after hearing the news about Joe Burrow’s preseason calf injury, he rushed to bet the under on the Bengals win total over/under, which is at 11.5 games.
Gruden became NFL coaching star with Bengals
Jay Gruden was born in Tiffin, Ohio, located about 50 miles southeast of Toledo. He played quarterback for the University of Louisville in the mid-to-late ’80s before a successful stint playing in the Arena Football League.
After beginning his coaching career in the AFL in the ’90s, Gruden became an offensive assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. Working with his older brother, Bucs head coach Jon Gruden (who played college football at the University of Dayton), in his first year with the team, Jay Gruden helped the Buccaneers win its first Super Bowl.
Gruden became the Bengals offensive coordinator in 2011. His success with Cincinnati helped to lead the team to three straight playoff appearances and made him a leading head coach candidate.
While with the Bengals, Gruden’s son Joey (now director of basketball operations for Florida’s Stetson University) played basketball, football and volleyball at Cincinnati’s Sycamore High School and was later a walk-on for the University of Dayton basketball team.
In 2014, Gruden was hired as Washington’s head coach, taking the team to the playoffs the following season. He was fired from Washington in 2019 after an 0-5 start and has since worked for the Jacksonville Jaguars (as offensive coordinator) and Los Angeles Rams, where last season he served as an offensive consultant.
