Some observations from the NFL betting weekend that was:
OVER time. For the second straight week, the OVER dominated, with 10 of 16 games soaring above their totals. For the season, the OVER has hit at a 54.6 percent clip (119-99-6). Since the beginning of October, the OVER is 87-68-6 (56.5 percent). The lowest posted total in any Week 16 game at the LVH SuperBook as of Monday was 41 (Browns-Jets). A few years ago, there's no way a late-season game in a cold-weather setting pitting these teams would have a total this high, but that's where we are.
Saints, surprisingly, not a part of that trend. Nine of the Saints' 14 games have stayed UNDER. Only the Panthers have played as many UNDER games. Yes, in a season where the OVER has been the side to prefer, New Orleans has generally been a bad OVER play.
Lions continue to disappoint. Since beginning the 2011 season with five straight wins and four covers, the Lions are 16-26 straight-up and 14-27-1 against the spread. The Lions are 6-8 against the number this season after losing outright to 5.5-point underdog Baltimore last night.
Ravens chug along. The 2013 Ravens are a throwback to Baltimore teams of the not-so recent past. Their offense is limited, but their defense is stout. As a point spread bet, Baltimore has been just average, covering in half of its games. Still, the Ravens have their merits. They are 8-5-1 to the UNDER this season, for those totals players who still have the stomach to consider anything but the OVER. The Ravens have reached 30 points once this season. Their second-highest scoring game came last week vs. Minnesota, when they put up 29 points — and it took three touchdowns in the final 2:05 regulation to get there.
For Mike Wilkening's full column, which includes more valuable handicapping trends and a look-ahead to Week 16, visit The Linemakers on Sporting News.
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