- Week 14 of the NFL season features five divisional matchups with four of them being played at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday.
- The Minnesota Vikings are the only teams with real playoff hopes still alive in these matchups.
- Look for the under to play a large role in these NFL divisional matchups, as these teams are well aware of each other’s tendencies.
MINNEAPOLIS - Anytime there are divisional games in the NFL, the betting trends are always given an extra set of information. As these teams play each other at home and on the road every single year, bettors can look deeper into past matchups than when looking at teams that rarely see each other.
On Sunday, there are four divisional games in the NFL to bet on – all taking place at 1 p.m. EST – while an additional one takes place on Monday night between the LA Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
Though most of this weekend’s divisional matchups do not contain playoff seeding or hopes, there is still a strong reason to bet on them.
Detroit Lions Vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have covered the spread in seven of the last ten matchups versus the Lions. However, the stronger play may be to parlay the under, as it has hit in seven of those games as well. In the last five road games Detroit has played against Minnesota, the under has hit in all five of them, giving bettors loads of confidence on this wager.
To add on to the Lions’ five-game losing streak this season, Detroit has only covered the spread once in their last seven games. While Minnesota has only covered the spread once in their last five games, they are 5-0 in their last five home games.
For those bettors who love the obscure NFL betting trends, Minnesota is 6-2 ATS over their last eight games played in Week 14.
Carolina Panthers Vs. Atlanta Falcons
Carolina is fresh off a firing of their former head coach Ron Rivera. Nothing this season gives bettors strong confidence to bet on them, as they have one win to their name over their last six games (covering the spread only twice) and have yet to beat a team from the NFC in their last five games.
The last matchup between these two teams took place in Week 11 and Carolina managed to score three points behind Kyle Allen’s four-interception game.
Atlanta hasn’t fared much better this season, but they have come on strong after the return of Matt Ryan. Even though Atlanta has lost its last five home games, bettors shouldn’t fear this trend.
The Falcons have beaten the Panthers in seven of the last 10 matchups, and have covered the spread in five of the last six when playing in Atlanta against the Panthers. Bettors also may look toward betting the under, which has hit in four of Atlanta’s last five games.
Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Cleveland Browns
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The Bengals look to jump on their first winning streak of the season after getting their first win last week. In an AFC North showdown that is generally never a good game, don’t be surprised if the Bengals continue with their winning mindset.
They have won seven of the last 10 against Cleveland and have covered the spread in eight of those games. While these teams are vastly different than in years’ past, betting on the Browns has been more than a headache this season.
Cleveland has won six of their last nine games at home, but the focus on this NFL game should be the point total that US sportsbooks have set.
With the Browns hitting the under in four of their last six games, hitting the under in four of their last six against AFC opponents, and hitting the under in 15 of their last 20 games played in December, there is no reason to look away from this trend.
To add on to it, Cincinnati has hit the under in four of their last five games, in all of their last five road games, and in four of their last five games against divisional opponents.
Miami Dolphins Vs. New York Jets
As the Dolphins look to sweep the season against the Jets this year, they might not be able to get it done. This AFC East matchup is generally always a nail biter, as Miami holds the slight lead (6-4) over the last 10 games played.
Even the spread (5-4-1 in favor of Miami) and over-under (6-4 in favor of the over) are too close to make a betting trend seem worthwhile.
Instead, bettors could look at Miami’s recent play, which has them covering the spread in six of their last eight games. With the over also hitting in four of their last five, this would create an excellent paying parlay for those who believe the Dolphins can take it.
Keep in mind that Miami has only won one road game in their last dozen, but the Jets aren’t one to take care of business either. Sitting at 3-8 in their last 11 games played at home, the Jets have only covered the spread twice in their last 11 divisional games.
Michael spends most of his time betting on over/unders and analyzing algorithms in attempts to beat the book. His focus on statistics comes from an early understanding of mathematics as well as knowledge of opportunity costs. Michael enjoys playing basketball and reading about the NBA whenever he has the free time. When he is not writing, he can be found in Mississippi hitting the sportsbooks and enjoying a margarita… on the rocks, no salt.
