Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
A snapshot look at the NFL betting lines and odds for Wild Card Weekend sports betting and DFS action.
A good way to start your weekly homework for DFS (daily fantasy sports) play is to analyze the early Vegas odds around Wild Card Weekend.
These guys have a long history of making money off of setting the right game spread and points scored. So it can be an early indicator of teams to target due to high-scoring potential, and teams to avoid for the opposite reason.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
OFF = No odds currently listed.
The five best NFL player prop bets to make for the upcoming week.
With so many question marks in games as to which teams will or won’t play veteran starters or how long they choose to risk it, these bets involve four players on teams that need to win and one who is stepping in with a game plan that should make his path to the pay window easier than expected.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
The five smartest wagers to take to the pay window for Week 18.
For the final week of the regular season, the picks include one of the most disappointing teams in the league winning its closer, a double-digit favorite covering, a double-digit underdog standing tall, a pair of NFC West rivals hitting Over a small number, and the most important game of the year hitting Under a number that is just too high.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
A snapshot look at the NFL betting lines and odds for Week 18 sports betting and DFS action.
A good way to start your weekly homework for DFS (daily fantasy sports) play is to analyze the early Vegas odds around Week 18.
These guys have a long history of making money off of setting the right game spread and points scored. So it can be an early indicator of teams to target due to high-scoring potential, and teams to avoid for the opposite reason.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
OFF = No odds currently listed.
Use our staff’s weekly pick’em against the spread and straight up for the win.
NFL picks are provided for straight up (moneyline) and against the spread (ATS) NFL pick pools.
Each week’s spread picks are graded by the line as of when the person entered their picks. This will create situations in which a movement of the line can result in two participants having the correct pick but with different teams chosen during an individual game.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
DMD – David Dorey, SG – Steve Gallo, HS – Harley Schultz, CC – Cletis Cutts, CJB – Cory Bonini, HCG – HC Green, KH – Kevin Hickey
A league-wide view into the best wagers to make for NFL Week 18 action.
Betting in Week 18 is often a minefield, because playoff teams locked into position are resting key players (which explains the Denver Broncos being double-digit favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs). The only games you should consider investing in are where a team is fighting to get into the playoffs or improve their position.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
The Ravens are giant favorites (17.5 points at -110 for both teams). I’m always leery of laying anything more than 11 points, but Cleveland just can’t hang with the Ravens and could get beat by 27 points. Take the Ravens and lay 17.5 points (-110).
The Over/Under is high (48.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The Steelers will try to slow this game down because a loss could be the difference in playing Houston or the Ravens in the wild card round. Take Under 48.5 points (-110).
The Falcons are big favorites (8.5 points at -115 Panthers, -105 Falcons). The only way the Falcons make the playoffs is to win this game and hope. They’ve dominated the division and will need to bring it again. Take the Falcons and lay 8.5 points (-105).
The Commanders are decent road favorites (4.5 points at -110 for both). The Commanders need to win to avoid playing the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round. The Cowboys have far less to play for and may shut down guys during the game. Take the Commanders and lay 4.5 points (-110).
The Packers find themselves as big favorites (10 points at -110 for both). The Packers lose to elite teams every time and beat up on lesser teams every time. The 2024 Bears are clearly a lesser team. Take the Packers and lay 10 points (-110).
The O/U is high (45.5 at -110 for both Over and Under). The Jaguars offense has sputtered down the stretch, and the Colts are a disappointing team heading home. The Colts should win — but not by the 20 points needed. Take Under 45.5 points (-110).
The Over/Under is low (38 points at -110 for both). Buffalo is likely going to try to force the run. Even against mostly backups, the Patriots won’t be able to do their part in this one, because they have more to gain by losing. Take Under 38 points (-110).
The Eagles’ backups are small favorites (2.5 points at -105 Giants, -115 Eagles). It would be justice for Philly to tank and drop the Giants, who were in line for the No. 1 pick before winning last week, but the Eagles won’t lay down completely. Take the Eagles and lay 2.5 points (-115).
The Buccaneers are huge favorites (13.5 points at -110 for both). Tampa Bay needs to win to make the playoffs, and the Saints are making offseason plans already. Tampa Bay’s last three wins have come by more than this. Take the Buccaneers and lay 13.5 points (-110).
The Over/Under is low (38.5 points at -110 for both). The Titans defense isn’t good, and the Texans will be resting most of their defensive starters. It doesn’t take a lot of crooked numbers to reach this points projection. Take Over 38.5 points (-110).
The Cardinals are favored (4 points at -110 for both teams). The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy and most vested veterans will be cycled out as the game progresses. The Cardinals have more to play for with a young team. Take the Cardinals and lay 4 points (-110).
The Broncos are huge favorites (10.5 points at -110 for both). Denver has everything to lose, but even the Chiefs backups have been weaned in success and won’t lay down. This is their Super Bowl. Take the Chiefs plus 10.5 points (-110).
The Chargers are solid favorites (5 points at -110 for both). The Bolts will know if they need to win before they play, but Jim Harbaugh still has a college mindset and likes to make statements, even when it’s counterintuitive. Take the Chargers and lay 5 points (-110).
The Over/Under is low (39 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The vibe is that the Rams are going to rest all starters after announcing Matthew Stafford will sit. Don’t buy into that. Would any matchup of these two have an O/U this low? Nope. Take Over 39 points (-110).
The Dolphins aren’t playing Tua Tagovailoa and heading into cold weather. That never works for them. The Jets are hot garbage, but Aaron Rodgers will be slinging it, because he has nothing to lose and a 500th career touchdown to gain. Take the Jets on the moneyline (+105).
The O/U is absurdly high (57 points at -110 Over, -120 Under). There is every reason to think these teams in the game of the year will deliver a 34-31 instant classic. However, to require seven touchdowns and three field goals to hit Over is a hard sell. Take Under 57 points (-120).
Cash in with these NFL Week 17 prop bets.
This week we revisit some familiar faces looking for similar results as to what was successful previously. We have a target-hog receiver scoring a touchdown, a revenge play, a Pro Bowl quarterback getting a number that’s too high (again), and pair of wide receivers with a lot on the line stepping out and stepping up.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
The five smartest wagers to take to the pay window for the Week 17.
Like holiday leftovers, there’s a little bit of everything to choose from. This week’s picks include a 13-2 team that’s a home underdog on the moneyline, a pair of division rivals hitting Over their point projections, a pair of NFC teams hitting Under, and two road teams looking to potentially lock down their playoff positioning by winning and covering the spread.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
A league-wide view into the best wagers to make for NFL Week 17 action.
With so many playoff spots either already clinched or requiring a collapse, the key to this week’s games are for playoff or draft positioning. Only two games this week include two teams that aren’t already in or fighting to get in the playoffs, which should make for a strong Christmas Week of games.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
The Chiefs are road favorites (3 points at -105 Chiefs, -115 Steelers). Any time past Dec. 1, betting against Patrick Mahomes is a loser. Betting against Russell Wilson? That’s easy. Take the Chiefs and lay 3 points (-105).
The Over/Under is kind of high (46.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). In their last nine wins, the Ravens have scored 30 or more points in all of them. They’re 5.5-point favorites in this game. Take Over 46.5 points (-110).
The Over/Under is low (43.5 points at -110 for both). The Bears have scored 20 or fewer points in eight of their last nine games, averaging 15 points per game. The Seahawks have scored 20 or fewer in five of their last eight. Take Under 43.5 points (-110).
The Chargers are strong road favorites (4 points at -110 for both). The Chargers beat teams they’re supposed to beat given the time they are supposed to win. The Patriots have a premium draft pick to play with. Take the Chargers and lay 4 points (-110).
The Bengals are typical homes favorites (3 points at +100 Broncos, -120 Bengals). Cincy should win this game – perhaps big. Denver is a cool story but not necessarily this time. Take the Bengals and lay 3 points (-120).
The Rams are big favorites (6.5 points at -110 for both). Division games late in the year tend to uptick when survival is on the line. You could lay the Rams at 5 points and get by with it … 6.5 points is asking a little too much. Take the Cardinals plus 6.5 points (-110).
The O/U is high (46.5 points at -110 for both). The Jets have enough firepower to compete when down by double digits. Barring snow, this looks like Aaron Rodgers trying to keep up with Josh Allen. Take Over 46.5 points (-110).
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The O/U is the lowest of the week (37.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). Sans defensive/special teams touchdowns, neither offense is equipped to top this number by offensive firepower. Take Under 37.5 points (-110).
The Bucs are big favorites (8 points at -110 for both). The Panthers have continued their growing pains, but the Buccaneers aren’t worth giving away that many points, regardless of record. Take the Panthers plus 8 points (-110).
The O/U is low (40 points at -110 for both). Neither offense is worth watching. There should be no reason to expect more than three touchdowns from teams that don’t score them with regularity. Take Under 40 points (-110).
The Colts are big road favorites (8 points at -110 for both). The Colts aren’t a playoff-quality team, but the Giants are bums who lose with consistency and significance. Take the Colts and lay 8 points (-110).
The Eagles are huge favorites (9.5 points at -110 for both). The Cowboys are running on fumes, but if Jalen Hurts is out, this line drops hard. If he’s back, Dallas takes it hard. Take the Eagles and lay 9.5 points (-110).
The Dolphins are big road favorites (6.5 points at -110 for both). Nothing about the 2024 Dolphins says they should be a TD favorite in a cold-weather game against a solid defense. Take the Browns plus 6.5 points (-110).
The O/U is high (49 points at -110 for both). As a 1-point favorite, Minnesota feels disrespected for being 13-2. The Vikings and Packers are both capable of lighting up the scoreboard and this has a 27-24 feel to it. Take Over 49 points (-110).
The Commanders are solid favorites (4 points at -110 for both). Jayden Daniels has made his case to be Offensive Rookie of the Year. He cements it with this game. Take the Commanders and lay 3 points (-110).
The Lions are on a mission for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and are road favorites (3.5 points at -110 for both). That requires a win against the injury-depleted 49ers. There’s no time for a stumble at his point. Dan Campbell’s aggression typically doesn’t cost his team until the playoffs. Take the Lions and lay 3.5 points (-110).
Use our staff’s weekly pick’em against the spread and straight up for the win.
NFL picks are provided for straight up (moneyline) and against the spread (ATS) NFL pick pools.
Each week’s spread picks are graded by the line as of when the person entered their picks. This will create situations in which a movement of the line can result in two participants having the correct pick but with different teams chosen during an individual game.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
DMD – David Dorey, SG – Steve Gallo, HS – Harley Schultz, CC – Cletis Cutts, CJB – Cory Bonini, HCG – HC Green, KH – Kevin Hickey
