With fewer options due to the first set of byes, bettors are taking a more singular focus heading into Week 5.
Key Takeaways
- The Lions are dominating both spread tickets and handle at numerous sportsbooks.
- Bettors are also heavily backing the Eagles, Chiefs, and Chargers in Week 5.
- Several underdogs are getting love this week, including the Buccaneers.
The Lions are the most-bet spread team by tickets and handle at BetMGM and ESPN BET, with similar splits across those two sportsbooks and DraftKings. The 10.5-point favorites hit the road to face a struggling Bengals team coming off a three-point offensive performance in Week 4.
“The biggest spread this week is getting the most attention as bettors are writing their tickets on Lions -10.5 against the Bengals,” BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini said.
BetMGM reported Friday that 77% of the money and 74% of the bets are on the only double-digit favorite Sunday. That appears to be on the low side, as other operators have reported more than 80% of both categories are coming in on Detroit. ESPN BET has seen the highest handle percentage (93%) among the three sportsbooks.
Aside from a Week 1 loss to the Packers, the Lions have dominated opponents, winning by an average of 21 points in their three victories. Cincinnati has been blown out in each of the last two games, so it’s no surprise that bettors are focused on this favorite.
Dominating favorites
Detroit isn’t the only team getting a lot of love this week.
“There’s good two-way action across most of the board, but the Eagles and Chiefs are gaining traction from players, too,” Cipollini said.
Philadelphia is a 3.5-point favorite over the visiting Broncos in the early Sunday slate, down from -5.5 at BetMGM, where the Eagles are getting 72% of the bets and 73% of the handle and are the second most-bet team. ESPN BET has seen a more intriguing split, with 65% of the tickets on the Eagles and 68% of the money on the road underdogs.
The Chiefs, 3.5-point favorites Monday night, are getting 82% of the handle at BetMGM. The Chargers, 3.5-point favorites over the Commanders in the late window, have seen at least 75% of the bets at all three sportsbooks, with two reporting over 70% of the handle.
The Colts (-7 vs. the Raiders) are getting a lot of one-way action as well. The Vikings, who face the Browns in London early Sunday, are the third most-bet team by tickets at BetMGM.
| Week 5 Game | DraftKings Splits | BetMGM Splits | ESPN BET Splits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings-Browns | CLE 56% bets CLE 87% money |
MIN 72% bets MIN 66% money |
MIN 61% bets MIN 60% money |
| Raiders-Colts | IND 67% bets IND 68% money |
IND 61% bets IND 53% money |
IND 77% bets IND 77% money |
| Broncos-Eagles | PHI 68% bets PHI 67% money |
PHI 72% bets PHI 73% money |
PHI 65% bets DEN 68% money |
| Cowboys-Jets | DAL 81% bets DAL 65% money |
DAL 71% bets NYJ 55% money |
DAL 82% bets DAL 75% money |
| Giants-Saints | NYG 74% bets NO 63% money |
NYG 67% bets NYG 61% money |
NYG 74% bets NO 60% money |
| Texans-Ravens | BAL 64% bets BAL 51% money |
BAL 63% bets HOU 55% money |
BAL 70% bets BAL 75% money |
| Dolphins-Panthers | MIA 62% bets CAR 53% money |
CAR 70% bets CAR 78% money |
MIA 59% bets MIA 59% money |
| Titans-Cardinals | ARI 58% bets TEN 62% money |
ARI 67% bets ARI 53% money |
ARI 72% bets ARI 87% money |
| Bucs-Seahawks | SEA 85% bets TB 65% money |
TB 57% bets TB 66% money |
TB 77% bets TB 91% money |
| Lions-Bengals | DET 88% bets DET 88% money |
DET 74% bets DET 77% money |
DET 88% bets DET 93% money |
| Commanders-Chargers | LAC 85% bets LAC 75% money |
LAC 76% bets LAC 68% money |
LAC 76% bets LAC 76% money |
| Patriots-Bills | BUF 50% bets NE 81% money |
BUF 54% bets NE 68% money |
BUF 72% bets BUF 83% money |
| Chiefs-Jaguars | KC 71% bets KC 71% money |
KC 76% bets KC 82% money |
KC 66% bets JAX 52% money |
Week of underdogs?
As for the rest of the Week 5 slate, there is a lot of indecisiveness from bettors. Does that mean the NFL is headed for a heavy underdog week? The team getting plus odds and the most wagers right now at BetMGM is the New York Giants (+110), who are underdogs against the winless Saints.
The Ravens (+105) and Bucs (+155) are also seeing plenty of moneyline action at BetMGM. Tampa Bay is also the most-bet underdog at ESPN BET, with 82% of the moneyline handle against the Seahawks.
The Panthers (+1.5) are getting the majority of spread money and wagers at BetMGM and the edge in handle at DraftKings on Sunday at home against the Dolphins. The Jets (+2.5) are popular at BetMGM, getting 55% of the money. The Cowboys are overwhelming the ticket count at all three sportsbooks.
The Super Bowl favorites are seeing some pushback this week, with the vast majority of money going against the Bills in their AFC East showdown with the popular Patriots (+8.5) on Sunday night.
Totals time
Bettors are pulling against points with their Sunday breakfast as under 36.5 in Vikings-Browns is the most-bet total by tickets at BetMGM. However, the over is the third-most bet total at ESPN BET.
Cowboys-Jets over 47.5, Lions-Bengals over 49.5, and Broncos-Eagles over 43.5 are among BetMGM’s top-five most-bet totals. ESPN BET has seen big action on Patriots-Bills, with 83% of the money backing over 48.5. The total with the highest handle percentage at ESPN BET is Commanders-Chargers under 46.5, but 51% of the tickets are on the over.
Player prop-market action
Jets running back Breece Hall’s over 23.5 receiving yards (-130) is the most-bet player prop at BetMGM so far this week. Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan’s over 55.5 receiving yards (-135) is second, followed by Detroit wideout Jameson Williams' over 45.5 receiving yards (-115).
ESPN BET customers are in on all of Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s props, taking the over on passing yards and touchdowns. The online sportsbook reported Jahmyr Gibbs, James Cook, and Jonathan Taylor lead the anytime touchdown market.
At BetMGM, new Browns starting QB Dillon Gabriel is the top pick to find the end zone by tickets with odds of +700. Teammate Quinshon Judkins (+150) is second, followed by Troy Franklin (+425).
