The public is still having trouble getting off the schneid as C.J. Beathard and the 49ers dealt the finishing blow to public bettors in Week 6.
Following San Francisco's cover over Green Bay, bets in last week's article finished at 1-2 against the spread (ATS), which is an improvement over the 0-3 ATS performance from Week 5.
Here are the three most popular bets for Week 7:
Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers (-7) (London)
9:30 a.m. ET Sunday
Last week, the over in the London game between the Raiders and Seahawks was one of the most popular bets, but it fell well short as Oakland managed just three points.
Perhaps due to how well Seattle played, the public bettors have shifted their attention to the favorites as the Chargers are getting 75% of bets. They've been available at -6.5 throughout most of the week, but recently moved to -7 (+100 or +105) at most books.
Why the public loves the Chargers: We have a perfect storm going on in this one, as I see three reasons why the public loves the Chargers:
- Like I said, the Seahawks easily covered as favorites last week in London. Favorites in London are now 15-7 ATS, covering by more than six points, on average.
- The Titans were shut out by the Ravens last week and now have the third-lowest scoring offense in the league at just 14.5 points per game.
- The Chargers blew out Cleveland and are now on a three-game winning streak. Their only losses are to the Chiefs and the Rams, so … can't really blame them for those, right?
>> All odds as of Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET. Download The Action Network App to get real-time NFL odds and track your bets
New England Patriots (-2.5) at Chicago Bears
1 p.m. ET Sunday
The Pats took care of the Chiefs last weekend, and the ugly losses in Weeks 2 and 3 are now just mere memories in the minds of bettors. Garnering 76% of bets, the Patriots are currently the most public side of the week.
After opening at -2.5, New England reached -3.5 multiple times already, but fell back to -2.5 Thursday afternoon.
Why the public loves the Patriots: You don't get too many opportunities to take the Patriots at just -2.5. Since New England is often more than a 7-point favorite, bettors want to take advantage of this rare opportunity regardless of the situation.
Meanwhile, the Bears lost to Brock Osweiler in Miami. I repeat, the Bears lost to BROCK OSWEILER. If the WOAT can mince the mighty Bears defense, why wouldn't the GOAT be able to?
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
8:20 p.m. ET Sunday
The Chiefs opened at -5, but have been -6 around the market most of this week. They moved back to -5.5 Thursday night despite getting 75% of spread bets.
Why the public loves Kansas City: Why play the Mega Millions if you can just bet on the Chiefs for a free weekly paycheck?
Kansas City hasn't let down bettors yet and are the 10th team since 2003 to get to the seventh game without failing to cover.
Just four of the previous nine teams have covered in game number seven, so the Chiefs would be entering rarefied air if they can handle the Bengals.
Cincy would probably be getting more love if it hadn't lost to the Steelers last week. It wasn't a blowout by any means, but a loss is a loss, and an ATS loss is an ATS loss.
Public bettors will find any reason they can to take the Chiefs, and who can blame them?
