How to get the oddsmakers to take notice, NFL version: lose your best defensive player to a “gruesome” leg injury, then run off three straight wins, one dominating, one close and one medium. BetMGM has provided data on their betting handles for the NFL futures markets, including Super Bowl 59.
Super Bowl 59 Betting Handles
Obviously, the oddsmakers take notice of everything when determining Super Bowl futures, but the continued impressiveness of Detroit sees the Lions leading the way in line movement, moving from +1200 at open to +500 heading into Week 10.
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds | Ticket % | Handle % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | +1200 | +500 | 15.3% | 17.1% |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +750 | +400 | 12.8% | 14.5% |
| Baltimore Ravens | +850 | +650 | 8.1% | 10.9% |
| San Francisco 49ers | +500 | +1000 | 6.1% | 7.6% |
| Buffalo Bills | +1200 | +800 | 5.4% | 7.5% |
And that was before the Lions swung a deal to acquire Za'Darius Smith from the Browns just before the NFL trade deadline, shoring up their pash rush.
Also highly regarded are the Bills, who moved from +1200 to +800 on the strength of their four-game winning streak, highlighted by a Tyler Bass game-winning field goal over Miami that had both Sean McDermott and Josh Allen for some reason reaching for the Kleenex.
Further down the list, the Commanders, whose Super Bowl winning odds have gone from +15000 to +2200, are playing their best football since they were referred to by a nick-name we’re not allowed to say any more, and are winners of three in a row. Apparently having a transformative quarterback is really important.
With all figures from BetMGM and reflective of data that includes straight bets only, the Lions also lead the way in highest ticket percentage, named by 15% of bettors, followed by the Chiefs at 13% and the Ravens at eight%.
In terms of highest handle percentage, the Lions lead the way at 17%, the Chiefs, going all in with the acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins are at 14.5%, and the Ravens are at 11%.
Underdstandably, with these betting handles, BetMGM's biggest liabilities are the same three teams in the same order.
AFC & NFC Conference Futures Betting Handles
No shocks in the conference numbers, with Kansas City the AFC favorite to get to the Super Bowl +185, and named on the highest number of tickets, 19%, while the Ravens have the highest handle, 48%, and are the biggest liability.
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds | Ticket % | Handle % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +400 | +185 | 19.1% | 16.2% |
| Baltimore Ravens | +450 | +300 | 11.9% | 47.9% |
| New York Jets | +1600 | +3300 | 9.9% | 7.1% |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +700 | +2000 | 8.6% | 4.4% |
| Houston Texans | +1200 | +1000 | 8.1% | 3.4% |
Even more unanimity in the NFC. The Lions are +220 to get to New Orleans, are on 35% of tickets, have the highest handle at 42%, and the biggest liability.
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds | Ticket % | Handle % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | +550 | +220 | 34.7% | 41.6% |
| Green Bay Packers | +1200 | +1000 | 9.5% | 9.0% |
| San Francisco 49ers | +200 | +450 | 9.2% | 11.0% |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +750 | +600 | 9.1% | 8.5% |
| Chicago Bears | +1800 | +5000 | 7.9% | 5.4% |
