NFL Primetime Betting Totals And How Lions Can Counter Trend

NFL Primetime Betting Totals And How Lions Can Counter Trend
Fact Checked by Jim Tomlin

Last season’s primetime NFL games did not deliver any favors for over bettors. In fact, more than 60% of 55 primetime games resulted in under outcomes, suggesting a significant gap and little expectation for change in the upcoming NFL season.

Backers across Michigan sports betting apps should adopt a different strategy when considering over/under bets in the upcoming season’s primetime games. Therefore, if you revel in high-scoring affairs with points, points and more points, these matchups will not align with your preferences. At least they did not in the 2022-23 season.

However, in the Wolverine State, the Detroit Lions are poised to offer a glimmer of hope to over bettors in the next campaign. Coach Dan Campbell’s team had one of the league’s weakest defenses last season but also had the NFL’s third-best offense. If that trend continues, the team will offer an exciting opportunity for over bettors to capitalize on the Lions this year.

For true believers, track Lions Super Bowl odds at BetMichigan.

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Can Lions Continue Over Trend?

If the Lions  can even be decent on defense and keep up its offensive production from last season, they certainly could be dangerous in what is thought to be a fairly weak NFC North. 

With four primetime games arriving on their 2023-24 NFL schedule, not including their yearly Thanksgiving showdown, the Lions own the spotlight as one of the most captivating teams to watch in the upcoming season. To provide perspective, the Lions have competed in five primetime games over the last five seasons, signaling a new chapter for the franchise.

They are preseason favorites to win the NFC North. Various Michigan sportsbooks list the Lions somewhere between +120 and +145 odds to capture their first division title in three decades.

The following information will be vital to your decision-making process on over/under bets during next season’s primetime football games.

NFL Primetime Over/Under Betting in 2022

Day/GamesAverage ScoreOver/Under
Thursday Night Football (17 Games)25.5-15.27 Over, 10 Under
Sunday Night Football (18 Games)25-16.76 Over, 12 Under
Monday Night Football (17 Games)26.6-13.66 Over, 9 Under, 2 Push
Saturday Night Football (3 Games)21.7-18.31 Over, 2 Under
TOTALS25.4-15.520 Over (38.18%), 33 Under (61.82%), 2 Push

Primetime Fell Short for Over Bettors in 2022

BetMichigan.com used data from SportsOddsHistory.com to determine how many primetime games last season went over or under, and the research shows it was a good year for bettors who like defense.

Out of 55 NFL primetime games in the 2022-23 NFL season, 33 games (61.82%) resulted in the under while 20 games (38.18%) hit the over on points. Two games ended in a push.

The total average of points for the primetime games finished at 40.9.

This primetime trend followed a general pattern in the 2022-23 season. Again according to SportsOddsHistory, in the second year with a 17-game regular season, NFL games as a whole hit 44.2% on the over (119-150-2) – a trend worth noting for those using Michigan sports betting promos to wager.

All Nights Were Good Nights For Under Bets

Thursday Night Football games proved to be the most favorable for over bettors – but even there, only seven out of 17 games resulted in the over. That means 10 games fell under the projected total points. Sunday night games leaned even more toward success for under bettors, at a two-thirds rate: Of 18 games, 12 games hit the under.

Monday night games presented a unique factor, with the only two over/under primetime bets to push, meaning the total points hit on the numbers. In this instance, all bets are returned. Of the other 15 Monday games, six games surpassed the projected total points, leaving nine games to conclude on the under.

In a trio of Saturday night games, two favored under and one exceeded the total projected points.

2023 Lions Playoff Chances

Track the Lions playoff chances with us at BetMichigan as the franchise tries to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.

This upcoming season, the Lions are scheduled for four primetime games, which includes the opener against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sept. 7. This matchup promises to be captivating for over bettors as both teams finished in the top five offensive rankings last season.

By granting the Detroit Lions multiple primetime slots, the league acknowledges the team’s potential to deliver thrilling performances that, if last season’s trends hold, could be more encouraging for over bettors.

Keep up with BetMichigan.com for the latest on the Detroit Lions’ upcoming 2023-24 NFL season as well as the best Michigan online casino bonuses available.

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Author

Felix Veletanga is an experienced reporter who has covered local news, politics, and sports in Northern New Jersey, and now lends his expertise to the Michigan sports betting market. He previously covered the Saint Peter’s men’s basketball team’s 2022 NCAA Cinderella run for HudPost. Felix specializes in combat fighting and soccer betting analysis with a focus on the Premier League.

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