Although there's still another game left in each betting week, when the NBC network began flexing its broadcasting muscles in 2006 by demanding a stronger schedule, Sunday Night Football quickly emerged as a wagering staple for NFL betting fans.
As has been evident for decades, and even if the League won't admit it, if you put an NFL game on national television, fans will bet on it.
With 30 years of Sunday night wagering data and against the spread (ATS) information at our online fingertips, let's see if we can't take some byte-size chunks out of some of this year's meaty slate of NFL games:
Sept. 19
NY Giants at Indianapolis: Neither the Giants, who are 18-16 against the spread (ATS) on Sunday Night Football, nor the Colts, who are 16-17 ATS, have distinguished themselves on SNF but that's not to say there isn't a play here. New York has been good on the road (11-8 ATS) and fair as an underdog (12-10 ATS) while Indianapolis is just 5-12 ATS at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday nights. In fact, only Arizona, at 4-13 ATS, has a worst SNF home record than the Colts. What's more, since 1990, the road team has covered four of the last five meetings in the Giants-Colts series.
Sept. 26
NY Jets at Miami Dolphins: The Jets are just 8-10 ATS overall on Sunday night but how they come into the game might make a big difference. Off a victory, New York is 6-1 ATS the following Sunday evening. Coming off a loss, the Jets are 2-9 ATS on SNF. The Jets play the Patriots, Sept. 19, so you can see how a win might be motivating while a defeat could be deflating. Miami is 15-10 ATS on SNF but just 8-8 ATS at home so it looks like New York, and how it does against New England the previous week, will dictate terms for NFL betting fans.
Oct. 10
Philadelphia at San Francisco: Both the Eagles (11-13 ATS) and the Forty Niners (9-11 ATS) have been mediocre, at best versus the number on Sunday Night Football. But digging deeper into the stats, San Francisco is 5-1 ATS at home versus non division teams, a trend that NFL betting aficionados may find worth pursuing.
Oct. 24
Minnesota at Green Bay: At 16-12, the Vikings are one of the better pointspread teams on Sunday night. But Minnesota has done most of its wagering damage at home, where it's 10-5 ATS. The Vikes are just 6-7 ATS on the road, though Minnesota is 8-6 ATS versus division teams. With a 1-5 pointspread record at home, the Packers don't inspire wagering confidence, either. Perhaps the key is that Minnesota has covered eight of its last 10 visits to Green Bay.
Oct. 31
Pittsburgh at New Orleans: It's an attractive game but probably not for bettors. New Orleans is a splendid 7-1 ATS on the road on Sunday nights but just 6-10 ATS at home. Pittsburgh is 8-10 ATS on the road. If it means anything, the Steelers have covered their last three games versus the Saints.
Nov. 7
Dallas at Green Bay: The Cowboys are 11-9 ATS on the road the last 30 years of Sunday Night Football play but, as discussed previously Minn. @ Green Bay, Oct. 24), Green Bay is a money pit at home. The best indicator may be that the Cowboys have covered 10 of their last 14 games versus the Packers.
Nov. 28
San Diego at Indianapolis: Incredibly, San Diego has covered 12 of its last 13 visits to Indianapolis. Throw in the fact that the Colts are dismal at home (5-12 ATS) and you understand why bettors may be drawn to the Chargers.
Dec. 26
San Diego at Cincinnati: The Bengals haven't been very kind to their Sunday night backers, compiling just a 3-9 record ATS. The Chargers (13-11 ATS) have been competent as a SNF road team the past 30 years and have covered seven of their last 10 games versus the Bengals, including three in a row in Cincinnati.
Sunday Night Football Notes: The NFL has adopted a Sunday night "flex" schedule for weeks 11-17, allowing NBC, with some limitations, to replace unattractive games with more favorable match-ups. So, teams not on the original SNF schedule still could make a broadcast appearance Nov. 21-Jan. 02.
With national TV cameras providing the exposure, Sunday Night Football betting has proven to be an irresistible lure to most gamblers.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
