The NFL is (kind of) here. While the Hall of Fame Game last week represented the first kind of NFL action that we had seen in six months, today's preseason games represent the start of the official preseason slate.
While these games don't officially count for anything in terms of standings, players are fighting for positioning on depth charts and rosters in hopes of securing a better spot on a team or a spot at all.
As such, bettors are taking aim at the slate. Perhaps meaningless football is good enough to be bet on anyway, but alas.
The Giants will take on the Patriots at 7 p.m. ET and the Ravens will meet the Titans at 7:30 p.m. ET.
We'll start with the Ravens game, as Jim Harbaugh's men have serious history for bettors in the preseason.
Bettors are well aware of Baltimore's preseason success, and they're piling on the Ravens to find a cover in this one. 67% of the tickets and 60% of the handle at BetMGM are on the Ravens to cover, while 52% of the moneyline tickets and 74% of the handle are also on that side.
Despite this action, the Titans have gained a point against the spread, moving from +4.5 to +3.5, and they've also gone from +170 to +155 on the moneyline.
With regard to the total, the number has moved from 33.5 to 32.5 following 61% of the tickets and 80% of the handle coming in on the under.
In New England, the Patriots are 2.5-point underdogs. The Giants have tracked 59% of the spread bets and 50% of the moneyline wagers, but they account for 64% of the spread handle and 78% of the moneyline handle.
71% of the bets and 74% of the money are on the under, but the total has moved from 34 to 34.5.
