Sports betting insider FairwayJay provides a look at the teams that have their season win total bets in the balance in Week 17, along with playoff-impacting games and final season win total results.
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 23,2018. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) ASSOCIATED PRESS
There are only a handful of meaningful games or competitive contests on the Week 17 NFL schedule. But for season win total bettors, there are plenty of games and teams of interest on the final weekend of the regular season.
Prior to the start of the NFL season, many sharp bettors analyze and bet on teams season win totals. Astute bettors understand the opportunity these wagers present, and handicappers with a good handle on the teams and their strength of schedule often take advantage. These bettors are willing to tie up their money for at least four months until the conclusion of the regular season. Some cashed in weeks ago as winning teams exceeded those win total projections and losing teams failed to reach their goals and win totals.
The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas posted season win totals on NFL teams back in late April after the NFL schedules were released and the conclusion of the NFL draft.
The teams below will have bettors watching closely in Week 17.
Following each team is their current season wins. The next columns are the team totals and vigorish (amount charged by a bookmaker for taking a bet), which adjusts based on wagering activity and amount right up to Week 1 of the regular season. Then all bets are in play for the season.
The opened column was the opening season win total number after the NFL released the 2018 schedule in April. The closed column was the closing number as Week 1 kicked off. The season win totals and vigorish are adjusted as betting activity continues through the summer.
Updated 2018 NFL regular season win totals from @LVSuperBook #SportsBetting #LasVegas #NFLOdds #NFLBetting pic.twitter.com/6H4LR1Etea
— Covers (@Covers) June 5,2018
The Patriots had the highest posted season win total number of 11. But New England must beat the Jets in Week 17 to reach 11 wins and push their season win total. Using $100 example, bettors that bet $120 to win $100 on New England to win more than 11 games will lose if the Patriots get beat by the Jets, and get their money refunded and returned if the Patriots win.
The Buffalo Bills took a ton of ‘under’ bets and money, and the Bills Week 17 game against the Dolphins will be watched closely.