Steelers get home field, again ODDS ON
It is uncommon for any team to have four straight home games but when the Steelers host the Browns this afternoon, Pittsburgh will enjoy that exact scheduling quirk. A quick data search found just four previous occasions since 2002 when this string of home games has occurred during the regular season. Results certainly indicate an advantage for the host team as they are a collective 4-0 versus the spread (3-1 straight up).
The Dolphins were the most recent beneficiary when topping the Jets in Week 9 of the 2016 season. The Steelers are a 3½-point choice in today's contest.
The Panthers are slightly favoured over the Bears today. Is Chicago being disrespected here or is Carolina being praised? After all, the Bears own a 4-1 mark and their defence appears to be top level. Teams that have won 80% of their games, in weeks 4 through 16, have covered 23 of past 30 games (with one push).
Chicago is also rested after playing 10 days ago but that hasn't been a plus for them years as they hold an 0-5 mark against the spread following a Thursday game.
The public loves betting OVERS when it comes to game totals. It is especially so in the early going this season as OVERS are hitting at an approximate 60% clip.
One of the most profitable systems when betting totals involves non-conference opponents.
When teams from opposing conferences match up and the posted total is higher than 49 points, the OVERS are currently on a 16-0 run. That same criterion sits at 7-0 this season.
The lone qualifying game on this week's slate has the Lions heading to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. That total sits at 54½ heading into today's action.
Wagering on the NFL has been around for many years. You'd think most situations would have arisen by now. But just in live-action, when you think you've seen it all, something new happens. We get such a betting anomaly today.
The Dolphins are the only team (in league betting history) that is both sub .500 and favoured for the first time this season, to be spotting eight or more points. Miami is -9½ to the very unappealing Jets this afternoon.
Two of the great quarterbacks of this generation will face off today in Tampa when Aaron Rodgers' Packers take on Tom
Brady's Buccaneers.
While Green Bay is listed as a marginal 1-point pick for this one, it should be noted that Rodgers has covered just four of 12 games in past 16 as a road favourite while Brady is 9-1 vs. spread when listed as a rare home underdog. Packers have done well following a bye week with a 10-3-1 against the spread record in first game back.