Every week this season, we’re going to check in with a handful of oddsmakers, handicappers, and high-rollers to get their mid-week takes on the NFL weekend ahead. We’ll call out some trends, give you injuries to watch, and track the numbers. Use this insight however you see fit.
THE EARLY ACTION
“So far, the betting public is going big on the favorites in each of the four games. The Steelers are the most popular bet by a wide margin, despite [RB Rashard Mendenhall] being ruled out for Sunday’s game. Why all the Steelers love? A combination of two things: 1. Tim Tebow has looked awful lately; and 2. This is the time of year when the Steelers are always kindest to their loyal bettors. In their last 11 playoff games, Pittsburgh is 9-2 against the spread. If the one-sided action continues at this pace, don’t be surprised if the Steelers go off as double-digit chalk.”
– David Mason, BetOnline.com
THE BIG EASY BET
“The Saints finished the year a perfect 8-0 both straight-up and against the spread over the final two months of the season. Their average margin of victory in those eight games was just over 17 points per game. In home games this year, they went a perfect 8-0 both straight-up and against the spread. It’s no surprise that there’s a lot of early money on them.”
– “Sid Pun,” Vegas Regular
WORTH NOTING
“The Broncos were 7-1 under Tim Tebow heading into their final three weeks of the season. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms called their final three games on CBS and the Broncos lost every one of those games, going 0-3 ATS, too. Guess who is calling the game on Sunday? Nantz and Simms. Bet accordingly.”
– LaRoche, Quebec-based sharp
“We crunched our numbers and despite their spot in the final 12, the Broncos would be underdogs on a neutral field versus 23 of the NFL’s [other] 31 teams.”
– RJ Bell, Pregame.com
CRYSTAL BALL
“The Giants are 18-1 favorites to win the Super Bowl right now. They were 18-1 favorites the year they ran the table and shocked the Patriots in the Super Bowl, too.”
– Mickey, Vegas “sharp”
THE EARLY ACTION
“So far, the betting public is going big on the favorites in each of the four games. The Steelers are the most popular bet by a wide margin, despite [RB Rashard Mendenhall] being ruled out for Sunday’s game. Why all the Steelers love? A combination of two things: 1. Tim Tebow has looked awful lately; and 2. This is the time of year when the Steelers are always kindest to their loyal bettors. In their last 11 playoff games, Pittsburgh is 9-2 against the spread. If the one-sided action continues at this pace, don’t be surprised if the Steelers go off as double-digit chalk.”
– David Mason, BetOnline.com
THE BIG EASY BET
“The Saints finished the year a perfect 8-0 both straight-up and against the spread over the final two months of the season. Their average margin of victory in those eight games was just over 17 points per game. In home games this year, they went a perfect 8-0 both straight-up and against the spread. It’s no surprise that there’s a lot of early money on them.”
– “Sid Pun,” Vegas Regular
WORTH NOTING
“The Broncos were 7-1 under Tim Tebow heading into their final three weeks of the season. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms called their final three games on CBS and the Broncos lost every one of those games, going 0-3 ATS, too. Guess who is calling the game on Sunday? Nantz and Simms. Bet accordingly.”
– LaRoche, Quebec-based sharp
“We crunched our numbers and despite their spot in the final 12, the Broncos would be underdogs on a neutral field versus 23 of the NFL’s [other] 31 teams.”
– RJ Bell, Pregame.com
CRYSTAL BALL
“The Giants are 18-1 favorites to win the Super Bowl right now. They were 18-1 favorites the year they ran the table and shocked the Patriots in the Super Bowl, too.”
– Mickey, Vegas “sharp”
