The Minnesota Vikings have defied expectations, becoming the last remaining undefeated NFL team against the spread after their win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Entering the season, only 1.1% of Super Bowl bets placed were on the Vikings. Now, they’re making history as the first team in the Super Bowl Era to start 4-0 outright despite not being more than a one-point favorite in any of their first four games.
Bettors were quick to jump on the Vikings’ bandwagon, with Minnesota receiving the majority of bets and handle to cover +3 against Green Bay. At several sportsbooks, Vikings +3 was the most-bet spread, and Vikings +130 was the most-bet underdog to win.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has been instrumental in the Vikings’ success, generating MVP buzz with his resurgent play. At one sportsbook, he wasn’t even on the board before the season, but has since moved to +1400 to win the award, just behind leaders Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and C.J. Stroud.
Underdogs have dominated the first month of the season, with underdogs of seven points or more going 5-2 outright and 6-1 against the spread. Teams getting at least five points are 11-11 straight up and 18-4 against the spread. Overall, underdogs are 36-26 ATS with 25 outright upsets.
In college football, Alabama’s thrilling comeback win over Georgia saw the Crimson Tide’s odds to win the game go from +135 to -550 in just 13 seconds. The game was a wild affair, with Georgia overcoming a 28-0 deficit to take the lead in the final three minutes, only to have Alabama score the winning touchdown. The late odds swings began even before the game, with the point spread moving from Georgia -1 to -2.5 at multiple sportsbooks.
The game also vaulted Crimson Tide QB Jalen Milroe into the role of Heisman favorite and Alabama ahead of Georgia in the national championship odds. Milroe, who opened the season at +1400, started Saturday at +700 and moved to favorite status at +225 by Sunday morning.
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