NFL preseason games have been lighting up the scoreboards at an alarming rate. Until defenses start to show up, and no-name players stop forgetting that they are no-name players, look for the trend to continue in tonight’s games.
In the course of 37 preseason games thus far, 24 of them hit on the over. For those without a calculator, that is an impressive 64.87%. Oddsmakers have been putting most games at the mid-to-low 30’s. These lines have not held up well. At all.
Several of the games have even covered or come close to it in a high scoring first half. There have been 11 games in the forties, 4 in the fifties, and even the Browns-Giants matchup that surpassed seventy points!
While these numbers bode very well for one’s peace of mind, never having to even sweat their wager, I know several action junkies who almost feel robbed. While most “normal” folks would welcome the easy victory, these people are wondering what they are now supposed to do with the unexpected free time they have until the next game. Many reading this will probably know exactly what I’m talking about. But that is another story for another day.
For those of us who enjoy a nice, easy victory from time to time, NFL preseason has been a welcomed offering. While playing unders can be very profitable when done at the right time, there is no disputing that they are just miserable to pull for. You spend the duration of the game counting down seconds that never seem to move. Praying for goal line stands. Shouting at the television for every made free throw. Sadists enjoy rooting for unders. Just another reason to jump all over this opportunity. Now you can go to the bar and cheer with everyone else for touchdowns. You can remember what it feels like to conform to the masses. Enjoy it now before the regular season begins and the teams actually start to care who wins the game.
Your typical under bettor
Lines are set low for preseason, in part, because the majority of the game is played by people who will never make an NFL team. That is not making a difference this year. The guys who are participating in crushing the unders reads like a Bad News Bears roster: Syndric Steptoe, Jason Reda, Lance Leggett, Caleb Hanie, Kellen Davis, Seneca Wallace, Jordan Kent, Joel Filani, Jeb Putzier, Thomas Tapeh, Vonta Leach, Brandon Coutu…WHO?? Even the NFL’s most annoying player, Saint’s kicker Martin Gramatica, is perfect in extra points and field goals!
Brady Quinn to…Syndric Steptoe??
Looking ahead to today’s games, it looks like the books are hip to what I’m saying, as most of the lines are now in the mid-to-high 30’s. There are even a couple that have reached over 40. Until this trend comes to an end, I am not afraid.
4pm Cleveland Browns @ Detroit Lions (41)
7pm New York Giants @ New York Jets (37)
7:30pm Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers (36 ½)
7:30pm New Orleans Saints @ Cincinnati Bengals (41)
7:30pm Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (35)
7:30pm Kansas City Chiefs @ Miami Dolphins (33 ½)
8pm Pittsburgh Steelers @ Minnesota Vikings (36 ½)
8pm Baltimore Ravens @ St. Louis Rams (35)
9pm Arizona Cardinals @ Oakland Raiders (37 ½)
In the course of 37 preseason games thus far, 24 of them hit on the over. For those without a calculator, that is an impressive 64.87%. Oddsmakers have been putting most games at the mid-to-low 30’s. These lines have not held up well. At all.
Several of the games have even covered or come close to it in a high scoring first half. There have been 11 games in the forties, 4 in the fifties, and even the Browns-Giants matchup that surpassed seventy points!
While these numbers bode very well for one’s peace of mind, never having to even sweat their wager, I know several action junkies who almost feel robbed. While most “normal” folks would welcome the easy victory, these people are wondering what they are now supposed to do with the unexpected free time they have until the next game. Many reading this will probably know exactly what I’m talking about. But that is another story for another day.
For those of us who enjoy a nice, easy victory from time to time, NFL preseason has been a welcomed offering. While playing unders can be very profitable when done at the right time, there is no disputing that they are just miserable to pull for. You spend the duration of the game counting down seconds that never seem to move. Praying for goal line stands. Shouting at the television for every made free throw. Sadists enjoy rooting for unders. Just another reason to jump all over this opportunity. Now you can go to the bar and cheer with everyone else for touchdowns. You can remember what it feels like to conform to the masses. Enjoy it now before the regular season begins and the teams actually start to care who wins the game.
Your typical under bettor
Lines are set low for preseason, in part, because the majority of the game is played by people who will never make an NFL team. That is not making a difference this year. The guys who are participating in crushing the unders reads like a Bad News Bears roster: Syndric Steptoe, Jason Reda, Lance Leggett, Caleb Hanie, Kellen Davis, Seneca Wallace, Jordan Kent, Joel Filani, Jeb Putzier, Thomas Tapeh, Vonta Leach, Brandon Coutu…WHO?? Even the NFL’s most annoying player, Saint’s kicker Martin Gramatica, is perfect in extra points and field goals!
Brady Quinn to…Syndric Steptoe??
Looking ahead to today’s games, it looks like the books are hip to what I’m saying, as most of the lines are now in the mid-to-high 30’s. There are even a couple that have reached over 40. Until this trend comes to an end, I am not afraid.
4pm Cleveland Browns @ Detroit Lions (41)
7pm New York Giants @ New York Jets (37)
7:30pm Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers (36 ½)
7:30pm New Orleans Saints @ Cincinnati Bengals (41)
7:30pm Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (35)
7:30pm Kansas City Chiefs @ Miami Dolphins (33 ½)
8pm Pittsburgh Steelers @ Minnesota Vikings (36 ½)
8pm Baltimore Ravens @ St. Louis Rams (35)
9pm Arizona Cardinals @ Oakland Raiders (37 ½)