The NFL has shifted to the ‘new normal’ and while players, coaches, and fans are adjusting to this new way of life, so too must sportsbooks and betting lines.
Thanks to the pandemic, which prevented NFL games last year, we were able to see just how wrong lines can be. Backed by razor-sharp marketing and data-mining, sportsbooks came up with a 52u-10 Las Vegas NFL betting line that was, in fact, spot-on. The last NFL game of 2020 was played on April 4th, but the spread didn’t widen out until after the New York Jets had lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 24-3.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, sportsbooks are just as likely to be right as they are wrong, so understanding how they come up with these numbers is vital. Here, we’ll dive into how you can check out ‘52u-10 Las Vegas NFL Betting Lines’ and what they mean for you as a bettor.
How Do Sportsbooks Generate These Odds?
As mentioned above, the last NFL game was played on April 4th, and while most books initially opened with steep spreads and huge favorites, they eventually found the ‘right’ numbers. This is largely because the public’s interest in the game declined due to the pandemic, leading to fewer bettors and, subsequently, narrower spreads.
To avoid potential injury and embarrassment, players are hesitant to showcase their athletic abilities while the public continues to avoid crowds and stay at home. This is why you’ll commonly see NFL games with huge spreads and big favorites. However, these ‘statements of fact’ can often be inaccurate. If you dig deep enough, you’ll eventually find the ‘vulnerable spot’; a game, team, or player that has been overvalued by the betting public. This is where you should look if you want to make money off the books – or at least minimize the losses from poor bets.
How Do These Numbers Effect Me As A Bettor?
If you’ve ever watched Football and been confused by the game’s outcome, these numbers might make a little bit of sense. Most bookmakers use a point-scale system to determine the winners and losers in each contest. So, saying the Jets have a 52u-10 spread against the Patriots is actually quite beneficial to the average sports bettor. The Jets have a point handicap in this game, which means they’re supposed to win by a large margin. This helps explain why the game is considered a ‘pick ’em’ contest’ and why there’s no spread involved. A bettor who wagers on the Patriots is essentially taking on the role of the ‘underdog’ and will likely enjoy a profitable evening.
Are These Numbers More Accurate Than The Official Odds?
While it’s always beneficial to have an edge, having a betting line that’s more accurate than the odds is important for anyone who takes their football seriously. For those who place wagers on a regular basis, the accuracy of these numbers will ultimately depend on the sportsbook’s data-mining and predictive analytics department. These are the same people who help forecast future games and establish odds, so they have a good feel for the outcome of a game based on all the statistical information available. For instance, if the data indicates that this game has an 80% chance of a Patriots win, then that must mean the spread will be in the vicinity of -5 points. In the event of a true statistical anomaly, the spread will probably adjust itself in the coming days or weeks to make more sense. This usually occurs when a highly touted team or player underperforms, which leads bookmakers to move the odds in their favor.
What Should I Look Forward To In November 2021?
As exciting as the upcoming NFL season is going to be, it’s also going to be very hectic. Between practice sessions, games, offseason programs, and free agency, it’s going to be hard for fans to keep up with everything. It’s also highly likely that injuries and illnesses will derail the season before it even starts. For those who place high-stakes wagers, this could have serious financial ramifications. In this case, it would be beneficial to have a betting line that takes all of this into account and adjusts itself accordingly. Even if the spread eventually widens out to its pre-pandemic level, these numbers will still make more sense than the odds in many cases. This comes as no surprise since most sports betting customers are simply looking for an edge, but also want to minimize the risks associated with gambling. Hopefully, when the dust settles and players, staff, and fans have returned to normalcy, the Vegas lines will too.