Week 5 Betting Recap
It was a record-setting night at the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday as Saints quarterback Drew Brees set an NFL record by throwing a touchdown pass in his 48th straight game, breaking a mark of 47 he shared with Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas. The Saints were invincible at the Superdome last year in winning and covering all nine games (including playoffs) but Sunday's 31-24 victory over San Diego was their first win of the season both at home and overall.
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And it was a boon for bettors at Bovada. Chargers-Saints was the most-wagered matchup of Week 5 and New Orleans giving 4 points took nearly 71 percent of the action. At -190 on the moneyline, New Orleans got almost 63 percent. The over 54 points only hit when the Saints made a field goal with 2:56 left and that also was heavily backed by bettors to the tune of more than 83 percent. It was easily the top total win of Week 5.
Overall it was a good week for the book because only one other game among the five most-wagered was a win for players: Atlanta's 24-17 road victory at Washington. Atlanta was a 3-point favorite and took almost 79 percent of the action. At -165, the Falcons took nearly 55 percent.
The Falcons, the only unbeaten NFC team remaining, were trailing 10-7 entering the fourth quarter. But Atlanta didn't have to deal with Redskins QB Robert Griffin III after he suffered a mild concussion early in the second half and didn't return. Griffin has vowed to play this week vs. surprising Minnesota as the Redskins look to end an eight-game home losing streak. But until his status is solidified, that line will be off the board.
On the Week 5 player props, both the bettors' and book's top wins were all on quarterbacks. Tom Brady going under 305.5 passing yards against Denver was No. 1 overall for bettors. Brady had a season-low 223 but improved to 9-4 all-time against rival Peyton Manning. The other wins for players: Eagles quarterback Michael Vick under 237.5 passing yards vs. Pittsburgh and Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger under 275.5 passing yards.
For the book, the top game result was the biggest upset of Week 5: Indianapolis rallying from a 21-3 deficit to stun Green Bay 30-27. The Colts played inspired football (at least in the second half) for coach Chuck Pagano, who was diagnosed early last week with a treatable form of leukemia and may not return to the sideline this year. Colts No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck had his coming-out party with a career-high 362 yards passing, including the game-winning 4-yard TD with 35 seconds left. The 18-point comeback was the best by a rookie quarterback since Detroit's Matthew Stafford led a 21-point rally for the Lions vs. the Browns three years ago.
Green Bay closed as a 7-point favorite and took almost 79 percent of the action. And at -290, the Pack took nearly 92 percent. At 2-3, the Packers have been a vast disappointment and their odds to win Super Bowl XLVII have dropped to 15/1. The Packers also are tied with the Titans and Lions for the most ATS losses this year with four. And things don't get any answer for Green Bay next week as it travels to Houston.
The book's two top player prop results of Week 6 were on the Manning brothers: Eli under 300.5 passing yards vs. Cleveland and Peyton over 295.5 yards at New England.
Thursday's Live Betting Preview: Titans at Steelers
The Pittsburgh defense will be missing two key players on Thursday night as safety Troy Polamalu has already been ruled out vs. Tennessee and linebacker LaMarr Woodley is considered doubtful. Polamalu had missed Pittsburgh's previous two games with a calf injury, and he re-aggravated it in Sunday's 16-14 win over the Eagles. Woodley is unlikely with a strained hamstring.
The Titans, meanwhile, already have ruled out starting QB Jake Locker. He sat out Sunday's 30-7 loss at Minnesota with a shoulder injury. Veteran Matt Hasselbeck was 26 of 43 for 200 yards with a touchdown and a pick vs. the Vikings and will start again. Hasselbeck likely will have to have a huge game for Tennessee (1-4) to have a chance as it is allowing an NFL-worst 36.2 points per game and has yet to allow less than 30; the record for most points allowed was set by the 1981 Baltimore Colts (533, 33.3 per game). The Titans also are last by far in point differential at minus-93.
Pittsburgh (2-2) opened as a 5-point favorite at the book. The Steelers beat Tennessee 38-17 in Pittsburgh last season. QB Ben Roethlisberger matched his own franchise mark with five touchdown passes. The Steelers defense held Titans running back Chris Johnson to 51 yards on 14 carries and sacked Hasselbeck three times.
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