The NFL doesn’t love that so many of the games this weekend have no meaning in the standings. A couple of division races are still to be decided, and much of the seeding in the NFC is still uncertain, but only two playoff spots are up for grabs. Some 12 teams know they are going to the playoffs, and several of them are resting star players.
But for those of us who placed bets at the beginning of the season, there are still many things to be decided.
Win Total Overs Already Cashed
Congratulations to those who took the over on regular season wins for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers.
Your ticket is already a winner, and some of those tickets were winners weeks ago. The Vikings are the biggest overperformer, with an over/under of seven wins this season that was eclipsed when they won their eighth game back on November 17. When the season began, the Broncos had the lowest win total line of the teams still playing meaningful football this week at 5.5. A win on Sunday will be their 10th win of the season. This is the first season the Broncos have gone over their win total since 2016.
Biggest Unders of the Season
Much has been said about the disappointing season for the New York Jets. But when you remember that the season kicked off with the Jets at an expected 10 wins, the same as the Bills and more than the Steelers and Chargers, it really is one of the biggest season flops in recent memory. Hopefully you bet the under.
The other big AFC disappointment when it comes to wins and losses was the Jacksonville Jaguars. They had a line of 8.5 wins, just one win behind the Houston Texans. But the Jags sit at just four wins now, and head coach Doug Pederson is one of the coaches most likely to be fired when the season ends.
In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers had a wins line of 11.5, which was the most in the conference. Injuries derailed their season early-on, and to no one’s surprise, they fell short. However, six wins short is surprising. The Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys are also going to be at least three wins under when the regular season comes to a close.
Win/Loss Lines Still to be Decided
The Indianapolis Colts blew their chance at making the playoffs with last week’s loss. But a win this weekend would get them to eight on the season, which is exactly where their preseason line was set. The Miami Dolphins still have a chance to make the postseason, but they must win this weekend to make that happen. A ninth win would also tie their preseason line for regular season wins.
The main playoff intrigue in the NFC involves the Lions and Vikings playing for the NFC North title, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needing a win to capture the NFC South. But also keep your eye on the Arizona Cardinals. They began the season with a win/loss line of seven, which is where they sit with one game left to play. The Cardinals haven’t gone over their win total in three years.
With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.
