Monday Night Football has been broadcast into homes across America since 1970, adding an extra day to the gridiron weekend that has been both used and abused by ardent NFL betting enthusiasts over the past 40 years. Because it is the final game of the week, MNF often is the difference between winning and losing for bet makers and bet takers alike.
MNF, which is the second-longest running show in prime time TV history behind 60 Minutes, moved to the ESPN cable network in 2006 where fewer people now see it but betting is every bit as muscular as when Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and Keith Jackson were in the announcer’s booth.
While professional gamblers readily will tell you it’s usually unwise to place an emphasis on just one game, many unsophisticated bettors can’t help but see MNF as a quick fix to rescue a losing week, betting more than they should in an often doomed attempt to “get even.” Likewise, novice football betting aficionados who have been fortunate enough to have earned a profit through the Sunday night game, often are tempted to “send it in” on the Monday Night Football matchup.
Let’s see if decades of statistical data yields any wagering clues to this year’s Monday Night Football schedule:
Sept. 21
Indianapolis at Miami: Both teams have been more than adequate at home on MNF with the Colts 7-4 against the spread (ATS) and the Dolphins 21-16 ATS but the game is in Miami where the fish are 8-3 as home underdogs. Meanwhile, Indianapolis is 3-4 ATS playing on the road on MNF.
Sept. 28
Carolina at Dallas: The Panthers have been just mediocre (4-4 ATS) on MNF but it’s difficult to ignore how inept the Cowboys have been as a MNF home favorite (5-11 ATS) over the past 29 years (1980-2008).
Oct. 12
New York Jets at Miami: No team has been better than the Jets in the role of MNF road underdog (9-3) over the last 29 years. The Dolphins are just 13-13 as home favorites on MNF and New York has covered nine of the last 10 games in this series, including six straight contests in South Florida.
Oct. 19
Denver at San Diego: All the numbers point to the Chargers, who are 10-5 ATS at home on MNF, including 6-3 as a favorite. The Broncos are 8-18 ATS on the road on MNF, including 5-10 as an underdog. What’s more, San Diego has covered five straight games against Denver.
Oct. 26
Philadelphia at Washington: At 26-15 ATS, the Eagles have been a wagering workhorse on Monday Night Football. Additionally, Philadelphia is 12-8 ATS on the road and 10-5 as an away underdog, should that be the case. Washington is 8-11 ATS at home, including 5-9 as a favorite.
Nov. 9
Pittsburgh at Denver: The Steelers have been a betting juggernaut on MNF…except as a road favorite, a role they’re likely to occupy here. In fact, while Pittsburgh is a combined 25-13 as a home favorite, home underdog and road underdog, the Steelers are 0-5 as road favorites. On the other cleat, Denver is 2-0 as a home underdog.
Nov. 30
New England at New Orleans: The Saints look like a live play, assuming the Patriots are favored. That’s because New Orleans is 6-3 as a home underdog (but 2-6 as a home favorite) while New England is 4-4 as a road favorite (but 7-3 as a road underdog).
Dec.14
Arizona at San Francisco: Historically, with a record of 34-16 ATS, the Niners have been the best team versus the number on Monday Night Football. San Francisco is 16-7 ATS at home, including 12-3 after a straight up (SU) win. (San Francisco plays at Seattle, Dec. 6). The Cardinals are 3-7 ATS overall on MNF, including 0-4 as a favorite, which they were last year visiting the Bay Area.
Dec. 28
Minnesota at Chicago: The Vikings are 11-8 ATS on the road on Monday Night Football while the Bears are 5-12 ATS at home and 8-21 ATS overall on MNF.
Now in its 40th season, Monday Night Football, if utilized properly, can present a myriad of wagering options for the savvy NFL betting fan.
