The NFL is the most popular sport for betting in the United States. Given that most bettors engage in wagering for recreational purposes and generally do not achieve long-term success, a popular betting strategy among experienced bettors is to "fade the public."
Here are the NFL teams with the highest public support for Week 8:
1. Kansas City Chiefs -7 vs Denver Broncos @ 4:25 pm ET
The Chiefs emerge as the most publicly backed team for Week 8, even though the line has decreased from an initial nine-point advantage for Kansas City to the current seven points.
The Chiefs have dominated the head-to-head matches against the Broncos, winning 16 consecutive games, including a recent 19-8 victory when they were 10.5-point favorites just two weeks ago. While Kansas City has been the dominant force in this rivalry for the past eight years, the Broncos have managed to keep four of the last six games within a six-point margin.
2. Baltimore Ravens -9.5 vs. Arizona Cardinals @ 4:25 pm ET
Following their decisive 38-6 victory over the Lions, the Baltimore Ravens are expected to continue their strong performance this Sunday. Baltimore holds a 14-10-1 ATS record as a road favorite dating back to 2019. On the other hand, the Arizona Cardinals have struggled, with a 1-6 straight-up record for the season, and their last four losses were by double-digit margins.
MATCHUP | SPREAD | TOTAL | MONEYLINE |
---|---|---|---|
Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs | +7.5 (-120) -7.5 (-102) |
o47.5 (-102) u47.5 (-120) |
+280 -350 |
3. Los Angeles Chargers -9 against the Chicago Bears @ 8:20 pm ET
Both the Chargers and Bears have only secured two wins thus far, but the public strongly favors Los Angeles. Both teams have faced defensive challenges this season, with the Bears ranking 23rd in yards per play allowed and the Chargers even worse at 31st, ahead of only Denver.
Most bettors anticipate that Los Angeles’ offensive prowess will prove too much for Chicago to keep the game competitive. The Chargers rank eighth in the NFL in yards gained per play, and with the Bears’ starting quarterback Justin Field sidelined, undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is set to start.
4. Miami Dolphins -9.5 against the New England Patriots @ 1 pm ET
Following a significant upset win against the Bills, the New England Patriots are expected to face a reality check this Sunday, according to public sentiment. The Miami Dolphins lead the NFL with 7.7 yards gained per play, surpassing the 49ers and Chiefs at 6.0 yards per play.
Miami previously defeated New England 24-17 on the road when they clashed on September 17. The Dolphins now aim for a season sweep at home, having won all three home games by a margin of 15 points or more.
5. Philadelphia Eagles -7 versus the Washington Commanders @ 1 pm ET
The Washington Commanders put up a tough fight against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, eventually falling 34-31 in overtime. This time, the Eagles are coming off a 31-17 victory against Miami, while Washington suffered a 14-7 loss to the Giants last week.
Despite the seemingly substantial seven-point spread for a divisional rivalry, these two teams have yet to play consecutive head-to-head games decided by single digits in the same season since 2016.
Which sides will you be fading or following for Week 8?
Chargers vs. Bears matchups: How to watch, start time and prediction https://t.co/UCEpqQy8yN
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) October 28, 2023
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| Title: NFL Week 8 Public Betting Preview (To Fade or Follow?)
| Author: David Marotta
| Date: October 28th, 2023