There are three teams that rank among the most popular NFL picks against the spread on DraftKings Sportsbook in Week 8, both in terms Most Popular by Total Handle and Most Popular by Number of Bets. But does that mean those are the teams you should back?
Let’s get into these NFL picks against the spread, which will be listed in order of Most Popular by Total Handle.
No 1: Ravens
Total Bets Ranking: 2
Opponent: Cleveland Browns
Opening Line: -9.5
Current Line: -8
This climbed all the way to -11.5 before swinging down to -8. The movement toward -11.5 tracks, given this is such a popular play, but the movement in the other direction is odd on the surface.
However, when you look at the betting splits for this game, things start to add up.
While the Ravens ATS have seen the most handle and second-most bets of all NFL picks against the spread for Sunday on DraftKings Sportsbook, there is a sharp lean toward the Browns here. On just 17% of the spread bets, the Browns have seen 39% of the spread handle for this game.
Some of those bets undoubtedly came in when the spread was -11.5, but this is still a big lean to consider when betting this game.
No 2: Packers
Total Bets Ranking: 1
Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Opening Line: -4
Current Line: -4
This spread has fluctuated a bit, but it’s never deviated too far from the opening/current line. It’s topped out at -5.5 and bottomed at -3.5.
All the while, the Packers have seen 88% of the spread bets for this game. That’s turned into 86% of the handle. Not nearly as heavy of a lean as the one we saw in BAL-CLE. Still, GB ATS is yet another popular favorite that doesn’t seem to have a sharp stamp of approval.
No 3: Lions
Total Bets Ranking: 3
Opponent: Titans
Opening Line: -9.5
Current Line: -11.5
This has gotten as high as -12.5. The closest it’s come to getting back down to its opening line is -10.5, but it’s settled in at -11.5.
Just like the two plays above, the theme remains the same. The Lions have seen 87% of the spread bets for this game, but only 82% of the handle. That’s a greater difference in terms of percentage points than GB-JAX, but 18% of the handle on 13% of the bets isn’t quite the lean we have with BAL-CLE.
Among this group of NFL picks against the spread, this is the one to track closely until kickoff — both the line movement and splits. If the splits remain relatively the same but the line moves in a way to help Lions bettors, that could solidify the TEN lean.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
The contents contained in this article do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment.
