Poor strategy or not, as the last game of the week, Monday Night Football, which has been a broadcast staple since 1970, is the final chance for NFL betting fans to get even, or, as often is the case, to get even worse. For bet makers and bet takers alike, MNF, which moved to the ESPN cable network in 2006 and has logged more time on the tube than any show except 60 Minutes, often is the difference between winning and losing.
While professional gamblers readily will tell you it's usually unwise to place an emphasis on just one game, many unsophisticated bettors can't help but see MNF as a quick fix to rescue a losing week, betting more than they should in an often doomed attempt to "get even." Likewise, novice football betting aficionados who have been fortunate enough to have earned a profit through the Sunday night game, often are tempted to "send it in" on the Monday Night Football match-up.
Let's see if decades of statistical data yields any wagering clues to this year's Monday Night Football schedule:
Sept. 20
New Orleans at San Francisco: With a record of 35-16 against the spread (ATS), the 49ers are the most successful wagering team in MNF history. On the other cleat, the Saints are just 10-14 ATS on MNF and 1-4 ATS as the visiting team. But in a battle of conflicting trends certain to challenge NFL betting wonks, New Orleans has covered its last five visits to San Francisco.
Sept. 27
Green Bay at Chicago: At 9-21 ATS, historically, the Bears have been one of the worst teams to back on Monday Night Football. The Packers (24-21 ATS) have been mediocre but Green Bay has covered its last four games against Chicago.
Oct. 4
New England at Miami: The Dolphins are 9-4 as Monday night home underdogs while the Patriots are just 4-4 as MNFroad favorites, since 1970. Miami also has done well against New England of late, coving seven of the last 11 meetings between the teams.
Oct. 11
Minnesota at NY Jets: The Vikings are a mediocre 19-18 ATS in Monday night play but 11-6 as a road underdog over the last 40 years. Meanwhile, the Jets are 18-12 ATS during that time span but just 2-4 as a home favorite. Also, Minnesota has covered five straight encounters versus New York.
Oct. 25
NY Giants at Dallas: The Giants are just 7-12 as a road underdog but the Cowboys are only 6-11 at a home favorite so what's an NFL betting fan to do? Well, since 2004, the Giants hold a 9-3-1 pointspread edge over the Cowboys.
Nov. 1
Houston at Indianapolis: At 10-2, the Colts have been a rock-solid play against the spread as a favorite. This will be the Texans first Monday night road game.
Nov. 8
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: What matters here is the line. If the Steelers are a road underdog, they're 11-6 in that situation. But if Pittsburgh goes to Cincinnati as the favorite, then the Steelers are 1-5 ATS.
Nov. 15
Philadelphia at Washington: The Eagles are 13-8 ATS on the road on MNF while the Redskins are a mirror opposite 8-13 at home on Monday nights.
Nov. 22
Denver at San Diego: The Chargers have owned the Broncos recently, covering six of their last seven meetings. Additionally, San Diego is 10-6 ATS at home on MNF while Denver is 9-15 when it hits the road on Monday nights.
Dec. 6
NY Jets at New England: The Jets have been a terrific road underdog (9-3 ATS) while at 5-6 ATS, the Patriots have been less than stellar at home on MNF.
Dec. 20
Chicago at Minnesota: The Bears have been a miserable road team on Monday nights, notching just a 3-9 record ATS in that situation. The Vikings are only 8-9 ATS at home on MNF but have covered four of their last five in Minneapolis versus Chicago.
Dec. 27
New Orleans at Atlanta: The Falcons are just 3-10 ATS at home on MNF but until you know if either Atlanta or New Orleans needs the game to make the NFL Playoffs, there's really no sense in speculating on a play that's so far in the future.
Now entering its fifth decade, Monday Night Football, if utilized properly, can present a plethora of wagering options for the shrewd NFL betting fan.
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
