Just knowing how your fellow bettors are thinking can be a big resource when you make key decisions on certain games. Here are four NFL matchups this week showing the most one-sided betting on our sister site, Wagerline.com.
Dallas Cowboys (70.12 percent of the votes on Dallas) at Detroit Lions: 10 ½
Detroit has lost four consecutive games, failing to cover each time, mainly due to its inability to defend against the pass. Dallas’ visit seems likely to further expose that weakness.
At least, most bettors think so and expect the Cowboys to make the spread.
The Lions’ defense ranks second from bottom in the league in passing yards, allowing 265.6 yards per game. They have given up 10 passing touchdowns and a combined 1,156 passing yards during the current losing streak.
Conversely, the Cowboys have the second-best pass offense in the NFL (269.3 yards per game) and have won six straight games, covering the spread in five. Tony Romo and Terrell Owens have combined for 494 yards and six TDs in the last three games and should continue that blistering pace this week.
Minnesota Vikings (75 percent) at San Francisco 49ers: 8 ½
The Minnesota Vikings have assembled a three-game winning streak behind a dominating rush offense, and 75 percent of Wagerline bettors expect them to make it four against the struggling 49ers.
The Vikings seemed to be out of the playoff picture after a 34-10 defeat against Green Bay on Nov. 11 in which they lost star running back Adrian Peterson to injury. But they won the next three games, outscoring opponents 112-49. Peterson returned last week to run for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
San Francisco will not be able to deal with Minnesota’s top-ranked rush offense. The 49ers are surrendering 124 yards per game on the ground, a major reason why they’ve lost nine of their last 10 games.
Cleveland Browns (75.58 percent) at New York Jets: 3 ½
More than 75 percent of Wagerline bettors expect the Browns to cover against the Jets, but that’s more likely a lack of faith in New York than a vote of confidence for the Browns.
The Jets have lost seven of their last nine games and have failed to get going on either side of the ball this season. Their offense ranks 28th in the league with 288.3 yards and just 18.4 points per game, while their defense is 25th with 351.3 yards and 24.2 points per contest.
The Browns, meanwhile, have been a model of inconsistency. They’ve split their last four games and have the worst defense in the league (389.9 yards per game). But with quarterback Derek Anderson at the helm, Cleveland’s sixth-ranked offense has continually bailed them out.
It should do so again against the Jets.
San Diego Chargers (74.04 percent) at Tennessee Titans: Pick
On current form, there isn’t a whole lot between these two 7-5 teams. But almost three-quarters of all Wagerline bettors expect the Chargers to win, probably because of their recent domination of Tennessee.
San Diego has won five straight games against the Titans, covering in four of them. Last season at Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers produced a 40-7 win over Tennessee – one of their most dominant performances of 2006.
Running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner combined for 209 rushing yards and two TDs in that win.
Tennessee’s biggest weakness is an inconsistent passing game. Quarterback Vince Young has thrown 14 interceptions and just seven TDs this season, as part of a weak Titans’ pass offense.