Public Bettors Taking Patriots
Public bettors haven’t swayed throughout the week: They’re laying the points at the betting window on Tom Brady and the Patriots on Sunday.
As of Sunday morning, 64% of the betting tickets wagered online are on the Patriots to cover the point spread in today’s AFC Championship Game. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, New England is a 7.5-point home favorite to knock off the underdog Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots opened as an 8.5-point favorite but the line dropped on Friday and hasn’t crept back up to the original number. The total, meanwhile, sits at 45.5 after hitting the board at 47.
Bet NFL Championship Sunday Games
The money wagered on this game is also on the Patriots. Sixty-five percent of the money wagered online is on New England to cover the spread, so there is no contrast between the betting tickets and money. Not always, but often that’s an indication of sharp play. For all intents and purposes, wiseguys and public bettors are aligned in this one.
After injuring his hand in practice on Wednesday, Tom Brady is officially questionable for this game but should play. Reportedly the injury was serious enough to require stitches and Brady did wear a glove on his hand all week. Still, it’ll be a major upset if we see Brian Hoyer taking live snaps for the Patriots at any point during this game.
Other injuries of note for the Patriots: LaAdrian Waddle (knee) and Alan Branch (knee) are both questionable. Marcus Cannon (ankle), Nate Ebner (knee), Dont’a Hightower (chest) and Cyrus Jones (knee) are all out for the year. But none of those injuries are new.
For the Jaguars, Allen Robinson (knee) has missed most of the season and is done for the year, although that’s not a new injury either. Pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. (shoulder) is probable while Tashaun Gipson (foot) is questionable.