Bet On Preseason Football At Your Own Risk
I have been wagering on NFL games for over forty years and during that time I have read many articles from other handicappers who claim they have some magical formula for predicting the NFL preseason games at a higher percentage than they do during the regular season. Does that really make sense? In most of these games the coaching staff doesn’t even know EXACTLY what they are going to be able to accomplish in their team’s first LIVE action against real competitors so how can anyone really know whether they are going to cover a point spread. What I will do this week is share with you a few betting trends that I have had at least a 60% success rate with in preseason wagering.
1) Bet ON a team playing it’s second preseason game against a team that is playing it’s first. This one needs very little explanation. It only makes sense that a team with a game under it’s belt will be more prepared to make a good showing versus one that is just getting started.
2) Bet the Jets versus the Giants. Motivation is the key here. The Jets will always be NYC’s NFL step child despite Willie Joe’s accomplishments so it only makes sense that the Jets are much more motivated to beat their rivals in every preseason contest.
3) Since 1989 it has paid to go against the previous year’s Super Bowl winner. Everyone knows about the big game hangover that occurrs almost every year and why wait until the regular season to cash in on it.
4) Play ON a team if they were shut out in their previous preseason contest.
5) Bet ON Bill Belichick when his team is the underdog. This one cashed last night as the Patriots whipped the Eagles as a 3 point underdog.
6) Bet ON a Tom Coughlin coached team in their final preseason game.
I am very confident that if you follow these half dozen guidelines when betting this year’s NFL preseason that you will avoid the pitfalls that put many a pundit deep in the hole weeks before the regular season even starts. Thanks for listening.