It's not the last game of the week but when NBC took over and began flexing its muscles in 2006 by commanding a strong schedule, Sunday Night Football quickly became a wagering staple for NFL betting fans.
The truth is that if you put an NFL game on national television, people will bet on it.
With 29 years of Sunday night wagering data and against the spread (ATS) information at our online fingertips, let's see if we can't take some byte-size chunks out of this year's meaty slate of NFL games:
Sept. 20
NY Giants at Dallas: Neither the Giants (17-14 ATS) nor the Cowboys 17-16 ATS) have excelled on SNF but that's not to say there isn't a play here. Dallas has been extremely potent when matched against an NFC East opponent, lodging a 12-3 record versus the points in those situations. What's more, looking deeper inside the numbers, the Cowboys are 7-1 ATS versus division foes with a winning record, something the Giants will have if they beat the Redskins in New York, Sept. 13.
Sept. 27
Indianapolis at Arizona: The Colts are only 15-16 ATS overall on Sunday night but excel on the road, notching a 10-5 record ATS in that situation. Meanwhile, at 4-13 ATS, the Cardinals are atrocious on Sunday Night Football, especially in Arizona, where the team is 3-12 ATS.
Oct. 25
Arizona at NY Giants: The Cardinals have been so dismal on Sunday Night Football (see above) that they almost dictate a bet-against in any situation. The Giants haven't been great in this situation but New York does boast positive marks at home (7-6 ATS) and as a favorite (6-5) so the play is obvious.
Nov. 8
Dallas at Philadelphia: The Eagles are 1-7 ATS in their last eight Sunday Night Football games while the Cowboys are a previously documented 12-3 ATS versus division foes and 7-1 ATS when playing NFC East opponents with a winning record. Philadelphia has covered five of the last six in this series but the Eagles seem to be a different flock of birds on Sunday night.
Nov. 15
New England at Indianapolis: For a team that's been so strong against the spread (60-32-4 since 2003) overall, the Patriots have been mysteriously inept on SNF, compiling a 9-15 record ATS since 1980. The Colts are just 5-11 at home ATS but are 6-1 ATS when they enter the Sunday night game off back-to-back straight up (SU) victories. Before hosting New England, Indianapolis has home games with San Francisco and Houston so there's a good chance that scenario will exist.
Dec. 20
Minnesota at Carolina: Not only are the Vikings 16-10 ATS overall on Sunday Night Football but the Panthers are just 4-7 ATS in that situation. Interestingly, Minnesota is 7-1 ATS coming off a double-digit SU win so check to see how the Vikings fared hosting the Cincinnati Bengals, Dec. 13.
Sunday Night Football Notes: Overall, at 16-10 ATS, Minnesota is the team with the best documented pointspread record on Sunday Night Football over the past 29 years. Miami, which host New England on Dec. 6, is next best at 15-10 ATS. Previously mentioned Arizonais the worst best on Sunday night with a 4-13 mark ATS. At 2-8 ATS, the Falcons also are the league's worst SNF underdog. Among the teams that have performed well at home on Sunday Night Football are Buffalo (4-1 ATS), Miami(5-2 ATS), Jacksonville(5-2 ATS), Minnesota(10-5 ATS) and Seattle(12-7 ATS). The best bets on the road on Sunday night have been New Orleans(7-1 ATS), Miami(7-2 ATS), Indianapolis10-5 ATS), Green Bay (6-3 ATS), and Washington(10-6 ATS). At 8-5, Kansas Cityhas been the most reliable favorite, while Tampa Bay 6-1 ATS), Miami(6-2 ATS), New Orleans(9-5 ATS),Tennessee(7-3 ATS), Denver(7-3 ATS) and Washington(7-4 ATS) have been the best underdogs.
The NFL has adopted a Sunday night flex schedule for weeks 11-17, allowing it to replace unattractive games with more favorable matchups. So, teams not on the original SNF schedule still could make an appearance Nov. 22-Jan. 03.
With national TV cameras providing the exposure, Sunday Night Football betting has proven to be an irresistible lure to most gamblers.
