There’s no doubt who the sportsbooks need to win in the NFL’s three Christmas Day games.
Key Takeaways
- The Cowboys, Lions, and Broncos are dominating betting on Christmas Day.
- The public isn’t backing three backup quarterbacks.
- R.J. Harvey is the most-bet player at BetMGM.
While some of these matchups' luster has faded in terms of playoff hopes and division contention, bettors are still following a familiar theme and fading underdogs Thursday to kick off Week 17. The Cowboys, Lions, and Broncos are getting around 70% or more of the betting percentages and handle at three major sportsbooks.
The Commanders, Vikings, and Chiefs, all on backup quarterbacks, are underdogs of more than a touchdown on a marquee day. With all three being standalone games, the lack of intrigue likely won’t stop bettors from taking their shots.
| Christmas Day Game | DraftKings Splits | BetMGM Splits | theScore Bet Splits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys-Commanders (+8.5) | DAL 69% bets DAL 78% handle |
DAL 73% bets DAL 89% handle |
DAL 76% bets DAL 85% handle |
| Lions-Vikings (+7.5) | DET 74% bets DET 81% handle |
DET 76% bets DET 82% handle |
DET 79% bets DET 89% handle |
| Broncos-Chiefs (+13.5) | DEN 71% bets DEN 78% handle |
DEN 69% bets DEN 81% handle |
DEN 83% bets DEN 80% handle |
Cowboys-Commanders
A win for the Eagles and a Cowboys loss to the Chargers last week ended Dallas’ playoff hopes. The Commanders couldn’t cover against Philadelphia as similar underdogs.
On Christmas Day, the Cowboys are the most-bet team at BetMGM by spread tickets and handle, getting a whopping 89% of the money. The spread has surged from around a touchdown to 8.5 over the last couple of days.
DraftKings reported the closest splits, with Dallas getting 69% of the tickets and 78% of the handle.
Some BetMGM customers are taking a shot on the home underdog Commanders on the +360 moneyline, as 63% of the outright winner tickets are on the underdog. The total of 50.5 is getting a lean toward the over.
Lions-Vikings
The Lions are the only team playing on Thursday that’s still trying to get into the postseason. Detroit has to beat Minnesota and hope the Packers fall to the Ravens on Saturday night to keep its hopes alive.
The second most-bet team on Christmas Day and one of the more popular squads each week, Detroit is a 7.5-point favorite over division rival Vikings. The Lions are getting 89% of the handle at theScore Bet and over 80% of the money at two other operators.
Of the three underdogs, the Vikings are getting the most moneyline wagers at BetMGM with +300 odds to pull off the upset. More than 70% of the tickets on the total of 43 are backing the over, the most at BetMGM. DraftKings has seen over 80% of bets and money on the over.
Broncos-Chiefs
The Broncos are solidly in the playoffs and need a win to hold on to the AFC's top overall seed, while the Chiefs are out of contention and reeling without Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew.
Because of that, bettors are fading third-stringer Chris Oladokun against Denver's solid defense and are having no problem laying the 13.5-point spread. More than 80% of the money at BetMGM and theScore Bet is backing the favorite in the least-bet game of the three.
Despite getting the majority of moneyline bets, the Chiefs (+650) are getting just 9% of the handle at home. Bettors are also taking the over on the low total of 36.5 at BetMGM.
Denver running back R.J. Harvey’s over 56.5 yards is the most-bet player prop at the online operator.
