A day once reserved for the NBA, the NFL is taking over Christmas Day with a doubleheader sure to receive plenty of action from bettors.
The Kansas City Chiefs visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early game before the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans in the Lone Star State. For the first time ever, both contests are being broadcast exclusively on Netflix.
All four teams have clinched a playoff berth, but there are still seeding implications and an AFC North title on the line. Here’s a betting insights breakdown of each game from information provided by a few major sportsbooks.
Chiefs-Steelers
Kansas City opened as a 2.5-point favorite and the spread has yet to come off of that number.
DraftKings reported that 70% of the handle and 66% of the bets have come in on the Chiefs. Although 53.6% of the money at ESPN BET is backing the Steelers, just 47.2% of the tickets are backing the home side.
BetMGM reported a more even split with 56% of the handle and 62% of the tickets on the Chiefs. The Steelers have lost two consecutive games but need a win Wednesday to hold off the surging Ravens in the divisional race.
It’s no surprise bettors love Overs, especially on days without a full slate. At DraftKings, 82% of the handle and 77% of the bets have come in on Over 43.5. ESPN BET has seen a lesser percentage of dollars (67.1%) flow to the Over, while BetMGM reported 37% of the money is on the Under.
Ravens-Texans
It’s been all Ravens all week, meaning the sportsbooks are pulling hard for the home team.
Baltimore opened as a 3-point favorite at BetMGM, which has moved to -5.5 heading into today's game. The online sportsbook says 83% of the bets and a whopping 94% of the handle are backing a Ravens squad that’s won three of its last four games and beat the Steelers by 14 points last Saturday.
DraftKings reported 89% of the handle is on Baltimore, while ESPN BET has seen 91.7% of the money on the favorite. ESPN BET also currently has 60.1% of the money on the point total of 47.5 are on the Over, which is receiving just 32.7% of the bets.
The other two operators have seen more wagers and dollars on the Over, with BetMGM taking 71% of tickets on the total surpassing 47.5.
Player props
Bettors like Kansas City tight end Noah Gray to eclipse 14.5 receiving yards at -140. It’s the most-wagered player prop in the early game at BetMGM, followed by Marquise "Hollywood" Brown to go Over 43.5 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs/Steelers matchup sees Travis Kelce as the most-bet player to score an anytime touchdown at +170, as well as the most popular to reach paydirt first.
In Wednesday’s late game, Texans running back Joe Mixon cashing Over 19.5 receiving yards (-145) is the game’s most-bet player prop. Bettors also think he’ll have a lighter rushing workload, as Under 17.5 rushing attempts is third.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is +210 to score an anytime TD and it’s getting the most tickets in that market. Baltimore running back Derrick Henry (+400) is the most-bet player to score the first touchdown of the game.
