As each week moves along, the betting public feels more confident in the favorites because the body of work is bigger. However, everyone knows that in the NFL, the underdogs always have the ability to cover or even pull off some upsets. In Week 12 there are a slate of interesting games that will have an effect on the playoff race.
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The underdogs might not be the most popular play by the public but the sharp bettors know this is a good way to turn a profit. Here are some of the best underdog plays of the week.
San Francisco 49ers (+105) vsTampa Bay Buccaneers
The pick: 49ers +105
The San Francisco 49ers are hitting the road this week to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers are three-point underdogs, but the vig is very much in favor of Tampa Bay. San Francisco can be wagered on at +105 and that is an enticing number. The 49ers have the coaching advantage and have the ability to pull this upset or at least cover the spread. The Bucs have been very up and down on the year and are hard to trust in any given game.
Miami Dolphins vs Indianapolis Colts (-9)
The pick: Dolphins +9
The Miami Dolphins are also on the road and will be facing off against the surging Indianapolis Colts. The oddsmakers have adjusted as Indy is on a roll and now will be the nine-point favorite in this one. It’s easy to see why Miami is going to be the underdog, but it will get starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill back for this matchup. The spread is a touch too high, as the Dolphins are the pick to cover as the underdog. Indianapolis still has some more proving to do in order to be considered a true AFC contender this year.
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
The pick: Browns +3
The Cleveland Browns are picking it up, as the offense has looked much better in recent weeks after a coaching change. The Browns are on the road this week against the Cincinnati Bengals and will be the three-point underdogs. This one should come down to the final minutes, and the talent level is so close in this game that it could go either way. When that happens, the more sensible choice is the underdog. Roll with the Browns in this one.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints (-13)
The pick: Falcons +13
The Atlanta Falcons are the biggest underdogs of the week, which was hard to imagine a couple years ago when they almost won the Super Bowl. However, Atlanta is on the road against the New Orleans Saints, a team that is making an argument to be the title favorites this season. The Falcons have to cover 13 points, and even though New Orleans is dominating and at home, that’s a number that seems quite high. These teams are playing on Thanksgiving on short rest, and it figures to be a shootout. Atlanta will have a tough time winning this matchup but staying within 12 points won’t be that hard. Take the Falcons to cover the spread against the high-flying Saints in this matchup.
Denver Broncos (+149) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The pick: Broncos +149
The most lucrative way to back an underdog is on the moneyline. The Denver Broncos are at home in Week 12 but are still expected to lose with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town. However, Denver has a solid defense and the location advantage, which could make it the right choice. The Broncos would pay out at +149 on the moneyline and this is a good call as they have a solid shot to emerge victorious.
It’s tough for bettors to back the underdog because there is a more likely shot they are wrong, but certain odds just scream out to be taken. Denver is the pick this week as it should be competitive and could very well win.
Check out the latest NFL Week 12 betting odds.
