NFL Week 17 Pros vs Joes: Sharps fading Bills in regular-season finale
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Before you make your NFL bets this weekend, it's worth knowing which side other bettors are backing - especially on games drawing sharp action.
We talked to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, to see how sharps and public bettors are playing this week's slate.
Dolphins @ Bills (-3, 43), 1 p.m. ET
This is one of the only games this week in which both teams have something to play for. Fittingly, it's drawn plenty of action from bettors on both sides.
Early money on this game moved the line from Bills -3 to -4. However, a run of Dolphins money brought it down to 1 at one point before settling at 3 by the end of the week. Entering the weekend, Miami had drawn roughly 60% of the money wagered - including a couple of sharp plays - even though twice as many tickets had been placed on Buffalo.
"The moneyline is sort of all over the place, we've got good activity both ways," Rood said. "This game’s been all over the place with speculation on who's in and out."
Washington (-3.5, 44) @ Eagles, 8:20 p.m.
The final game of the season is one of the most intriguing of the entire NFL schedule, and bettors are taking a strong position on Washington in a must-win spot to clinch the NFC East.
This game opened as a pick 'em before a flood of money came in on Washington, which entered the weekend seeing almost exclusive money in side bets and a 3-to-1 advantage in parlay money. Once it became apparent Alex Smith would start, this line crossed the key number of 3, and it's still climbing as of Saturday.
"This is our most lopsided game," Rood said. "Just some opinions from a couple of large players."
Cowboys (-2, 45) @ Giants, 1 p.m.
This NFC East clash could be for the division depending on what happens in the Washington game. And thus far, the Giants are the ones drawing the most interest as short underdogs.
The Cowboys opened as 3-point favorites but have seen the money come in against them, particularly on the moneyline. The Giants have drawn four times as much money in that market despite an even split on ticket counts, suggesting some big bettors have their eyes on a New York upset.
Jets @ Patriots (-3, 40), 1 p.m.
The Jets opened with 13 straight losses to start the year, but they've won two straight ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Patriots. And bettors like their chances once again.
New England was giving 3.5 points at the opening and had drawn 55% of the money entering the weekend, even with the adjustment to 3 during the week. Yet Jets bettors have placed five times as many wagers and have been targeting the moneyline at +160, as well.
"For a game that means absolutely nothing, we have a pretty decent amount of money bet to it going both ways," Rood said.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.