The betting public is off to its worst start in 20 NFL seasons in terms of betting the spread.
In games where a team has drawn at least 51% of bets on the spread this season, those teams are 43-61, according to Action Network’s data of aggregate sportsbooks.
A $100 bettor would be up approximately $1,427 if they had faded the public in each of these contests, representing an ROI of about 14%.
After the Bears (+8.5) upset the publicly backed Patriots (53% of bets) on Monday night, teams publicly backed to cover are now 41.3% against the spread on the year. The last time that happened through the first seven weeks was the same year Apple unveiled the iMac.
The double-digit loss capped off a week 7 where publicly backed teams went 7-6-1 against the spread.
Notably, the Buccaneers, who closed as double digit favorite against the Panthers, were the largest publicly backed team, attracting 76% of bets.
They were the lowest scoring team of the week and lost 21-3.
The Lions, who lost 24-6 against the Cowboys, were the only other team that failed to score a touchdown. The public bet both sides evenly on that game, however.
As of this article’s writing here are the teams the public is backing ATS for Week 8:
- Ravens (-1.5) – 84% of bets
- Jaguars (-3) – 57% of bets
- Steelers (+10.5) – 56% of bets
- Patriots (-1.5) – 75% of bets
- Falcons (-4.5) – 52% of bets
- Raiders (-2) – 59% of bets
- Cowboys (-9) – 57% of bets
- Dolphins (-3) – 92% of bets
- Vikings (-3.5) – 58% of bets
- Titans (-1.5) – 64% of bets
- Commanders (+3) – 58% of bets
- 49ers (-1.5) – 74% of bets
- Seahawks (-3) – 55% of bets
- Bills (-10.5) – 59% of bets
- Bengals (-3) – 92% of bets
