For the second consecutive week, the majority of gamblers that put money down on NFL favorites, walked away poorer. Four teams crushed bettors in Week 15.
All four of the underdogs won outright, making the sportsbooks happy, yet again. It was the second week that they got the edge on gamblers.
The biggest game for the sportsbooks was Seattle against San Francisco. The Seahawks were favored by 3.5 points, but lost to the 49ers outright in overtime, 26-23.
Two bettors at MGM sportsbooks reportedly bet a total of half-million dollars on Seattle on a -230 and -250 moneyline.
According to William Hill, 84 percent of bets backed the Seahawks at their facilities, with 57 percent of the money laid on the favorite. The other big loser for gamblers was the New England Patriots. They were a 2.5-point pick against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they too lost outright, 17-10. William Hill had their action at 77 percent of the tickets, and 87 percent of the money.
The other two teams that stung bettors were the Los Angeles Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Rams were giving away 13 points and 71 percent of the money spent at William Hill was on them, but they lost outright, 30-23.
The Jaguars were getting 63 percent of the money as a 7.5-point favorite over the Washington Redskins. They lost outright, 16-13.
Texans Hurt Bettors Two Ways
When Houston was a seven-point favorite against the New York Jets, the money was mostly laid on the Texans. Houston had been on a good streak against the spread, winning five of six before losing two weeks ago to Indianapolis.
On Saturday the Texans looked like they were going to lose their second straight, trailing the Jets 22-19 with five minutes remaining in the game. Then Houston scored 10 points in the last 2:15 to get a push, saving those who had backed the Texans.
They also managed to hurt the under bettors. The line was 44.5, and was at 41, until the touchdown and field goal were scored to give over tickets the win at 51.
So Close, Yet so Far
Backers of the Baltimore Ravens must have been hurling items at the television set on Sunday. The Ravens faced Tampa Bay, and were favored by 8.5 or nine points depending on the sportsbook. They were leading 20-12 with 7:08 remaining and had the ball at their own 33-yard line.
Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson drove the team down to the 7-yard line with two minutes left. He then horrified gamblers by taking three consecutive knees to run out the clock.
It snapped Baltimore’s three-game streak against the spread. They are now 7-7 ATS for the year.
Bad Beat of the Week
First-half bettors that had 4.5 points and Washington were feeling pretty good as halftime was a mere 18 seconds away and the game was tied, 3-3. That is until Dede Westbrook returned a Washington punt 74 yards for a touchdown.
“The guys blocked it up great,†Westbrook said. “It’s pretty much how we drew it up. I didn’t get touched, obviously, and that is a credit of the guys blocking.â€