NFL Inception: Holidays Come Early for Bettors
by Bovada Sportsbook Staff | Dec. 12, 2012
After some tough breaks in Week 13, bettors got some gifts early last weekend.
Last week players kicked off the holidays with a wimper, going 0-3 versus our top three wagers at the Bovada Sportsbook. We’re sure bettors felt the holiday cheer in Week 14 as it was more Kris Kringle than Scrooge.
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Our top wagers begin with Thursday’s matchup between the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. In our opinion the odds were dangerous: -10.5 (EVEN) for the Broncos on the road. Some bettors consider a double-digit homedog on national TV a trap game. The homedog always plays the game like it’s the Super Bowl, while the favorite is looking for an easy win. However 67% had faith that quarterback Peyton Manning’s comeback season wouldn’t slow down Thursday night. The Raiders kept things competitive in the first half, but Manning and the Broncos defense proved to bettors that no spread was safe in 2012. The final was 26-13.
Bettors went to New York next as the Giants were hosting the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans came to Week 14 a disappointing 5-7 straight up on the season while New York was 7-5. Considering both have had spurts of inconsistency, oddsmakers cautiously made the Giants -4.5 favorites at home. We’re not sure bettors knew where to go with two superstar-yet-inconsistent QBs facing off, but with New York at home, 52% hedged the Giants’ way.
The game was somewhat back and forth to start. New York led 21-13 at halftime, but with Drew Brees under center for New Orleans, a comeback was always within reach. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that
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Bettors stayed with the NFC East for our third largest bet – the Dallas Cowboys at the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are a young team gunning for a Wild Card berth – no slouch. We believe bettors couldn’t pass up Dallas’ +3 (+110) odds (or 50% couldn’t anyway). The moneyline was more decisive as 75% took Dallas at +160.
The opening odds pegged this one right – a nail biter. Through three quarters the Bengals led 19-10. However the fourth quarter gave us something we haven’t seen all season: a Cowboys team that didn’t implode. Cowboys outscored Cincy 10-0 in the fourth, pulling out the 20-19 win and cover with a last-second field goal.
It’s crunch time in the NFL. It’s going to be interesting to see where the money goes at Bovada with battles like Green Bay/Chicago, Pittsburgh/Dallas and New York/Atlanta in Week 15. Check next week for all the NFL betting results.
NFL odds and player props are up right now in the Bovada Sportsbook.
