NFL where the action is

[Raji]

Wondering what’s going on at the sportsbooks a few days before the NFL conference championship games? Covers.com checked in with a couple books to see what their handle’s been so far and what they expected in the coming days.

What’s the action been like so far? As many early-week bets as you expected?

Randy Scott, Sportsbook Manager, BetEd.com: We currently have 20 pecent of Sundays' expected volume in action. Exotic wagers such as parlays and teasers are the favorite bet choice leading up to the weekend. This is very common, especially this time of year as parlay and teaser players are inclined to add their weekend football picks to their daily action.

David Staley, Spokesman BetUSA.com: So far, as expected, plenty of bettors are getting their picks in early, too.

Peter Childs, Belmont.com oddsmaker: We’re seeing solid action on the spreads, not quite as heavy with the totals. A bunch of exotic bets, teasers and props as well. Right now our customers are really jumping on our Chargers rushing yards bet (over/under 94 ½) and Brett Favre completions (over/under 21).

Where are you seeing most of your action: the points or the chalk, over or under?

Randy Scott: Right now the popular action is on the Green Bay-New York game with Green Bay -7 accounting for 25 percent of the volume. San Diego and New England's decision is split down the middle at -14. The over/under is lopsided for both games with the over getting 85 percent of the action.

These lines should continue to hold tight until game day. Sunday is when you'll see the odds adjusted to accommodate the larger volume each sportsbook is taking in this time of year. On game day we'll take in over half of our overall bet volume for the day. The action is extremely heavy close to game time and you'll see odds change aggressively right up until the ball is kicked off.

David Staley: Green Bay seems to be the most popular bet right now as just under 79 percent of the early bettors are backing the Packers (-7). I doubt this line will move, but you never know. That being said, if folks like the Packers they might want to get their bets in early just in case. As far as the total goes, about 63 percent of the bettors are on the over which isn’t surprising considering Green Bay has not covered an under since Nov. 11.

About 52 percent of the early bettors are backing the Pats. This surprises me a bit considering the Chargers’ injury woes. But then again, the Pats have covered only once in their last seven games after making the public a ton of money earlier this season. About 58 percent of the early bettors are on the over. I am surprised this number isn’t higher considering the Chargers covered only one under away from home in addition to New England’s propensity to put points on the board.

Peter Childs: We’re really happy with the Pats-Chargers line. Right now we’re getting almost perfectly split action on that line, so unless something really comes down about the weather, we’ll be happy to keep this line where it is.

A lot more lopsided action with the New York-Green Bay game. We’re taking a lot of Packer money right now and may have to move our line to -7 ½ sooner rather than later. Either that or we’ll bump the juice. I think we’re seeing a lot more money on this one just because the 7-point line is a lot more manageable for bettors than two touchdowns.


Raji