Once Monday Night Football was banished to ESPN and NBC took over Sunday Night Football broadcasts in 2006, demanding and receiving superior quality games, the latter quickly emerged as a wagering staple for NFL betting fans. Although the NFL is loath to admit it, if you put a game on national television, fans will bet on it.
With more than three decades of wagering data available, let's see if we can't uncover some against the spread (ATS) betting trends for this year's slate of NFL games:
Sept. 11
Dallas at NY Jets: Neither the Cowboys, who are 20-19 against the spread (ATS) on Sunday Night Football, nor the Jets, who are 9-10 ATS, have distinguished themselves on SNF but that doesn't mean there isn't a play here. Dallas has covered three of its last four meetings with New York and the Jets have failed to cover their last seven games in which they were non-division home favorites of 10 or fewer points.
Sept. 18
Philadelphia at Atlanta: Both the Eagles, who are 12-14 ATS, and the Falcons, who are 9-7 ATS, have been mediocre on Sunday Night Football but Philadelphia has good success against Atlanta, covering three straight, as well as four of the Eagles last five visits to the Georgia Dome. Philadelphia also has covered five of its last six games the week before playing the NY Giants.
Sept. 25
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis: At 15-16 ATS on SNF since 1980, the Steelers are no better than mediocre but the Colts are just 6-13 ATS at home on Sunday Night Football broadcasts. Pittsburgh has not visited Indianapolis since the 2005 playoffs, when the Steelers, +9 1/2, won outright, 21-18.
Oct. 2
NY Jets at Baltimore: The Ravens may not have a stellar pointspread record (9-12) on Sunday Night Football, but they've owned the Jets. Baltimore has covered seven of its last eight meetings against New York, including last year's season opener.
Oct. 9
Green Bay at Atlanta: There are conflicting trends here as the Packers have proven adept on the road (7-3 ATS) on SNF and are 13-5 as road underdogs overall the past four seasons but have struggled against the Falcons, losing five of their last six against the number.
Oct. 16
Minnesota at Chicago: Had the game been in Minnesota, where the Vikings are 10-5 ATS on SNF, we might have had a recommendation. But the Vikings are 6-8 ATS on the road on SNF and the Bears are just 5-8 ATS at home on SNF. Chicago has covered 10 of the last 15 games in this division rivalry.
Oct. 23
Indianapolis at New Orleans: As bad as the Colts have been at home on SNF, that's how friendly they've been toward NFL betting fans at home on Sunday night. In fact, Indianapolis is 12-5 ATS as the road team on SNF. Contrast that with the Saints' 7-10 ATS record at home and the trends are clear.
Oct. 30
Dallas at Philadelphia: SNF trends for both teams were discussed earlier. The teams have split their last 18 pointspread decisions.
Nov. 6
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Over the last 19 games against each other, each team is 9-9-1 ATS.
Nov. 13
New England at NY Jets: The Patriots are just 12-17 ATS on SNF but have covered eight of their last 10 visits to New York.
Nov. 20
Philadelphia at NY Giants: The Eagles have covered six straight in this series.
Nov. 27
Pittsburgh at Kansas City: The Steelers have covered nine of their last 12 meetings with the Chiefs.
Dec. 4
Indianapolis at New England: The Colts are 12-5 ATS on the road while the Patriots are 6-11 ATS at home on SNF. Need we say more?
Dec. 11
NY Giants at Dallas: The Giants are 10-4-1 ATS their last 15 games versus the Cowboys.
Dec. 18
Baltimore at San Diego: The Ravens have covered four of their last five versus the Chargers.
Dec. 25
Chicago at Green Bay: The Packers have covered five of the last seven in this long series.
With a schedule of top teams in competitive games and national TV exposure, Sunday Night Football is a must-play for most NFL betting fans.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
