Sports Betting News

Super Bowl bettors continue to back Colts

Kickoff is around the corner for Super Bowl XLIV, and many bettors are still trying to figure out which way to go. Here’s a snapshot of how the lines moved this weekend and where the public is putting its money heading into Super Sunday.

Bodog opening line: -6
Current line: -5

Greek opening line: -5
Current line: -4.5

Bodog opened with the Colts as six-point favorites, while the Greek gave Indianapolis a five-point edge over the Saints. Since then, those numbers have come down by a point and half-point, respectively

Early on there was a lot of action in favour of Indianapolis, as bettors flocked to four-time MVP Peyton Manning. The Colts have played very steadily all year while covering seven of their last 10 games against the spread—with two of those losses coming at the end of the regular season when starters were resting (the other loss was a 35-34 win over the Patriots when Indy was favored by 1.5).

It didn’t help that many viewed New Orleans as somewhat “lucky” after the Vikings served up five turnovers in the Saints’ 31-28 win in the NFC Championship—including a late fourth-quarter interception by Brett Favre that stunted what could have been the game-winning drive. The Saints have also struggled against the point spread, going 3-7 ATS in their past 10 games.

Eventually, though, underdog action in favour of New Orleans started pouring in. Perhaps it was the fact that the Saints have exploded for 76 points in their past two games but, really, it probably had to do more with Dwight Freeney’s injury. The betting world was surprised to learn the Indianapolis pass-rushing specialist was fighting through a serious ankle injury—perhaps even torn ligaments. That’s 13.5 sacks Indy would lose should Freeney be unable to suit up come Super Sunday.

Now, everything has settled down. According to the wagering trends provided by Sportsbook.com , 68 percent of spread bettors are taking the favored Colts, with 32 percent liking the underdog Saints (New Orleans leads 56-44 on the money line).