Similar to Week 6, one of the most popular NFL picks against the spread by total handle ranks among the most popular options by number of bets. But, that’s it in terms of overlap.
Below are the top three NFL Week 7 picks against the spread in terms of Most Popular by Total Handle and Most Popular by Number of Bets. The breakdown for the one team that pops up on both lists will be in the Most Popular by Total Handle portion of this article.
Most Popular by Total Handle
No. 1: New York Jets
Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
Opening Line: +1
Current Line: -1.5
Davante Adams is in town, and that’s enough for bettors to back the Jets in Pittsburgh.
This line has had a lot of movement. After opening as one-point favorites, the Steelers got a slight boost to 1.5-point favorites before the flip. Then the Jets bumped all the way up to 2.5-point favs before settling in at -1.5.
The Jets have been the all-round more popular pick against the spread, receiving 57% of the spread bets to account for 67% of the handle. But with the way the spread has moved throughout the week, taking the Jets on the moneyline at -130 may be the better option for those looking for a way to back New York.
No. 2: Detroit Lions
Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
Opening Line: +1.5
Current Line: +1.5
This line took a slight dip to 1-even after opening at 1.5. Then it worked all the way up to 2.5 before settling back in at 1.5. Throughout, the Vikings have maintained the cushion of a field goal.
Yet, 69% of the spread bets and 71% of the spread handle have gone toward Detroit covering. The percentages indicate a sharp lean toward the Lions. Although, it doesn’t feel particularly formidable given the slight gap on what is also a public play. Definitely worth monitoring the betting splits up until kickoff.
No. 3: Washington Commanders
Opponent: Carolina Panthers
Opening Line: -7
Current Line: -8
Washington is the lone team featured on both lists. The Commanders are the most popular NFL pick against the spread on Sunday, in terms of number of bets. But while they’ve received such a significant amount of handle and bets, there seems to be a sharp lean toward the Panthers.
This bumped right up to 8.5 after opening at 7-even. It’s since settled in at 8-even. All the while, the Commanders have seen 77% of the spread bets on 87% of the spread handle. So while the Panthers have only garnered 23% of the spread handle, that handle has come on a mere 13% of the bets.
Most Popular by Number of Bets
No. 1: Washington Commanders
(See above.)
No. 2: Cincinnati Bengals
Opponent: Cleveland Browns
Opening Line: -4.5
Current Line: -5.5
Although there’s only a one-point difference between the opening and current line at this juncture, this has dipped down to 4-even at one point and bumped up to 6.5 at another.
All the while, the Bengals have seen 79% of this game’s spread bets. However, those picks have only accounted for 72% of the handle. Not as much of a lean as the WAS-CAR game, but a sharp lean nonetheless.
No. 3: Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: New York Giants
Opening Line: -4.5
Current Line: -3.5
This game features one of the more notable sharp leans among all NFL Week 7 Sunday picks against the spread. But, it’s not in favor of Philly, who needs to win by more than a field goal to cover.
While 76% of the spread bets for PHI-NYG have gone toward the Eagles, those plays have only made up 60% of the handle. That means the picks against the spread cast in the Giants’ favor account for 40% of the handle on just 24% of the bets.
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