Quarterback question marks and a handful of big bets -- including on the Jacksonville Jaguars -- have resulted in lopsided early betting on NFL Week 17.
Caesars Sportsbook reported taking a $110,000 bet on the Jaguars +15.5 against the New England Patriots earlier this week. As of Wednesday, 98% of the money wagered on Jaguars-Patriots was on Jacksonville at Caesars Sportsbook. Caesars also reported taking a $110,000 bet on the Raiders +8.5 against the Indianapolis Colts and another $110,000 bet on the Los Angeles Chargers -5.5 against the Denver Broncos this week. The Jaguars, Raiders and Chargers had each attracted greater than 90% of the money that had been wagered on their respective games at Caesars.
The Houston Texans also have attracted greater than 90% of the money wagered in their road game against the San Francisco 49ers, which has seen the line drop three points with news of Niners QB Jimmy Garoppolo's injured thumb. The 49ers began the week as 15.5-point favorites over the Texans. The line was down to San Francisco -12.5 Wednesday, and oddsmakers were expecting the spread to drop more if Garoppolo is officially ruled out and rookie Trey Lance named the starter.
Bookmakers and bettors also were paying close attention to Colts quarterback Carson Wentz, who was put on the COVID-19/reserve list Tuesday. The line had been as high as Colts -8.5 over the Raiders but was down to -6 Wednesday. If Wentz can't go, rookie Sam Ehlinger is expected to start.
Adam Pullen, assistant director of trading for Caesars Sportsbook, said the 6-point spread on the Colts reflected a probability of Wentz playing.
"If he's out, I think it'll be definitely less than three," Pullen said.
Pullen said he doesn't expect the line on Texans-49ers to drop much more if Garoppolo is ruled out.
"I think you'll see more of a substantial move if Wentz is out than when Garoppolo is ruled out," Adam Pullen, assistant director of trading for Caesars Sportsbook, said.
NFL market watch
Here is our weekly look at how the NFL betting market is shaping up leading into the weekend.
For consistency, lines, totals and betting percentages are from Caesars Sportsbook unless otherwise noted. The betting percentages are not specific to the current line or total and are designed to provide a snapshot of the early action. The look-ahead lines were offered in advance of the previous week's games. Most numbers were reopened Sunday night.
Chicago Bears at New York Giants
Last week's look-ahead line: Bears -4, 38
Monday: Bears -6, 38
Wednesday: Bears -6, 37.5
Spread action: 68% of the bets are on the Bears, but 72% of the money wagered is on the Giants.
Total action: 56% of the bets are on the over, but 51% of the money wagered is on the under.
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills
Last week's look-ahead line: Bills -13.5, 44
Monday: Bills -14, 44.5
Wednesday: -14.5, 44.5
Spread action: 57% of the bets and 68% of the money wagered is on the Bills.
Total action: 67% of the bets are on the under, but 53% of the money wagered is on the over.
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals
Last week's look-ahead line: Chiefs -4, 47
Monday: Chiefs -4.5, 49
Wednesday: Chiefs -4.5, 49.5
Spread action: 71% of the bets and 77% of the money wagered is on the Chiefs.
Total action: 86% of the bets and 91% of the money wagered is on the over.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Last week's look-ahead line: Saints -7, 39.5
Monday: Saints -7, 38
Wednesday: OFF
Spread action: 66% of the bets and 80% of the money wagered is on the Saints.
Total action: 59% of the bets and 96% of the money wagered is on the over.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans
Last week's look-ahead line: Titans -3.5, 40.5
Monday: Titans -3.5, 41
Wednesday: Titans -3.5, 40
Spread action: 73% of the bets and 81% of the money wagered is on the Dolphins.
Total action: 76% of the bets and 95% of the money wagered is on the under.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots
Last week's look-ahead line: Patriots -16.5, 40.5
Monday: Patriots -15.5, 41.5
Wednesday: Patriots -15, 41.5
Spread action: 54% of the bets are on the Patriots, but 98% of the money is on the Jaguars.
Total action: 53% of the bets and 75% of the money wagered is on the over.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
Last week's look-ahead line: Buccaneers -11, 45.5
Monday: Buccaneers -13, 45.5
Wednesday: Buccaneers -13.5, 46
Spread action: 86% of the bets and 71% of the money wagered is on the Buccaneers.
Total action: 67% of the bets are on the over, but 91% of the money wagered is on the under.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Football Team
Last week's look-ahead line: Eagles -3, 43.5
Monday: Eagles -3.5, 46
Wednesday: Eagles -3.5 (even)
Spread action: 82% of the bets are on the Eagles but 58% of the money wagered is on the Eagles.
Total action: 71% of the bets and 65% of the money wagered is on the over.
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
Last week's look-ahead line: Colts -8.5, 48
Monday: Colts -7, 45.5
Wednesday: Colts -6, 44.5
Spread action: 55% of the bets are on the Colts, but 94% of the money wagered is on the Raiders.
Total action: 63% of the bets are on the over, but 77% of the money wagered is on the under.
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers
Last week's look-ahead line: 49ers -15, 44.5
Monday: 49ers -15, 45
Wednesday: 49ers -12.5, 44
Spread action: 90% of the bets and 99% of the money wagered is on the Texans.
Total action: 59% of the bets are on the over, but 88% of the money wagered is on the under.
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
Last week's look-ahead line: Cowboys -2.5, 50.5
Monday: Cowboys -5.5, 49.5
Wednesday: Cowboys -5.5, 51
Spread action: 75% of the bets and 72% of the money wagered is on the Cowboys.
Total action: 69% of the bets and 97% of the money wagered is on the over.
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
Last week's look-ahead line: Chargers -6, 45.5
Monday: Chargers -6, 45.5
Wednesday: Chargers -6.5, 45
Spread action: 67% of the bets and 94% of the money wagered is on the Chargers.
Total action: 66% of the bets is on the over, but 82% of the money wagered is on the Chargers.
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks
Last week's look-ahead line: Seahawks -9, 42
Monday: Seahawks -7.5, 42.5
Wednesday: Seahawks -7, 43
Spread action: 77% of the bets and 90% of the money wagered is on the Lions.
Total action: 56% of the bets and 68% of the money wagered is on the over.
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens
Last week's look-ahead line: Rams -2.5, 45.5
Monday: Rams -3.5, 46.5
Wednesday: Rams -3.5, 46.5
Spread action: 89% of the bets and 94% of the money wagered is on the Rams.
Total action: 90% of the bets and 98% of the money wagered is on the over.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Last week's look-ahead line: Packers -6.5, 46
Monday: Packers -7, 48.5
Wednesday: Packers -6.5, 47
Spread action: 75% of the bets and 59% of the money wagered is on the Packers.
Total action: 57% of the bets are on the over, but 87% of the money wagered is on the under.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week's look-ahead line: Browns -1, 41
Monday: Browns -3, 41
Wednesday: Browns -3 (-120), 41
Spread action: 50% of the bets and 77% of the money wagered is on the Browns.
Total action: 50% of the bets and 66% of the money wagered is on the over.