There's one week of regular-season gridiron action left, so BetMGM has dropped us its NFL Week 18 betting handles.
We've got a mix of important and unimportant games this week, so it's no surprise to see where bettors have placed all their action. The Sunday Night Football showdown between the Lions and Vikings is the most bet-on game on the docket at BetMGM. That contest will decide the NFC's top seed.
Let's dive more into the NFL Week 18 betting handles:
Week 18: Vikings vs Lions Betting Handle
| Team | Spread | % Bets | % Handle | Total | % Bets | % Handle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIN Vikings | +3.0 | 47% | 62% | O56 | 62% | 72% |
| DET Lions | -3.0 | 53% | 38% | U56 | 38% | 28% |
Betting Handle per BetMGM
Public Backing Vikes, But Line Movement Telling
Based on this chart, you'd think all the sharps have their cash on the Vikings. Minnesota commands 62% of the handle on just 47% of tickets. Again, it's very suggestive of big money on Minny. However, the Lions opened as 2.5-point favorites and have since moved to 3.0-point favorites at BetMGM. To me, that suggests some serious players (or "whales") are on the Lions to cover. The same phenomenon applies to the moneyline, where the Lions have remained favored at -155 despite a greater handle percentage on the Vikes.
NFL Week 18: Most Bet Games (Tickets)
- Vikings-Lions
- Bengals-Steelers
- Chiefs-Broncos
NFL Week 18: Most Bet Teams (Handle)
- Bengals -2
- Vikings +3
- Chiefs +10.5
NFL Week 18: Most Bet Underdogs (Tickets)
- Chiefs +400
- Vikings +130
- Browns +1300
NFL Week 18: Most Bet Player Props (Tickets)
- DK Metcalf over 57.5 receiving yards -135
- Mike Evans over 94.5 receiving yards -150
- Marvin Mims over 2.5 receptions made -140
- Courtland Sutton over 65.5 receiving yards -145
- Calvin Austin under 2.5 receptions made +100
It's incentive season in the NFL, and naturally, the betting public wants to cash in on each motivated dude. Mike Evans is the big one this week, as he needs five catches and 85 yards for a $3-million bonus. Courtland Sutton needs 82 receiving yards for a $2-million bonus.
NFL Week 18: Most Bet Player For Anytime TD (Tickets)
- Lamar Jackson +165
- Peyton Hendershot +700
- Derrick Henry -210
- DeAndre Hopkins +550
- Tee Higgins +105
NFL Week 18: Most Bet Player For Anytime TD (Tickets)
- Derrick Henry +275
- Jahmyr Gibbs +375
- Tee Higgins +750
- Ja’Marr Chase +550
- George Pickens +850
