Kenny Martin (Caesars Sportsbook, Horseshoe Tunica) and Brad Carpenter (DraftKings, Scarlet Pearl Casino) rose above the fray to take an early lead in Bookies Battle 2022, each picking 11 winners against the spread in the opening week of the NFL season. Their performances are in contrast to a losing overall effort by contest participants.
While contestants leaned heavily toward the favorites – the majority of the field laid the points in 10 of the 16 games – nine underdogs covered the contest line.
Consensus picks went just 7-9, and six of the most popular eight plays were losers.
Ravens (-7 at Jets), the top Week 1 pick in Bookies Battle, did come through for 78% of the field, as did Dolphins (-3 vs. Patriots), the fourth most popular play.
NFL Week 1 Consensus Picks Results, Bookies Battle 2022
| Game | Consensus Pick | % of Pool | Consensus W/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens at Jets | Ravens -7 | 78% | Win |
| Giants at Titans | Titans -5.5 | 75% | Loss |
| Browns at Panthers | Panthers -2 | 72% | Loss |
| Patriots at Dolphins | Dolphins -3 | 72% | Win |
| Broncos at Seahawks | Broncos -6.5 | 68% | Loss |
| Raiders at Chargers | Raiders +3.5 | 63% | Loss |
| Jaguars at Commanders | Jags +3 | 63% | Loss |
| Eagles at Lions | Eagles -4 | 57% | Loss |
| Packers at Vikings | Vikings +1.5 | 57% | Win |
| Saints at Falcons | Saints -5 | 57% | Loss |
| Bucs at Cowboys | Cowboys +1.5 | 56% | Loss |
| 49ers at Bears | Bears +7 | 56% | Win |
| Chiefs at Cardinals | Chiefs -3.5 | 54% | Win |
| Steelers at Bengals | Bengals -6.5 | 53% | Loss |
| Bills at Rams | Bills -2.5 | 51% | Win |
| Colts at Texans | Texans +8.5 | 50% | Win |
Outright losses by the Titans (-5.5 vs. Giants) and Broncos (-6.5 at Seahawks) also helped bring down large percentages of survivor pool entrants across the country.
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Bookie Battle NFL Week 2 Odds
Contestants are looking at a betting card featuring four double-digit point spreads, the Rams, Broncos, Packers, and Bills all laying big numbers at home against perceived inferior competition.
Our board also shows five games priced within a field goal.
| NFL Week 2 Lines |
|---|
| LA Chargers (+3.5) @ KC Chiefs (-3.5) |
| TB Buccaneers (-3.0) @ NO Saints (+3.0) |
| NE Patriots (-1.0) @ PIT Steelers (+1.0) |
| IND Colts (-4.0) @ JAX Jaguars (+4.0) |
| WAS Commanders (+2.5) @ DET Lions (-2.5) |
| NY Jets (+6.0) @ CLE Browns (-6.0) |
| CAR Panthers (+2.5) @ NY Giants (-2.5) |
| MIA Dolphins (+3.5) @ BAL Ravens (-3.5) |
| SEA Seahawks (+9.0) @ SF 49ers (-9.0) |
| ATL Falcons (+10.5) @ LA Rams (-10.5) |
| HOU Texans (+10.0) @ DEN Broncos (-10.0) |
| CIN Bengals (-7.0) @ DAL Cowboys (+7.0) |
| ARI Cardinals (+5.5) @ LV Raiders (-5.5) |
| CHI Bears (+10.0) @ GB Packers (-10.0) |
| TEN Titans (+10.0) @ BUF Bills (-10.0) |
| MIN Vikings (+1.5) @ PHI Eagles (-1.5) |
With the injury to Dak Prescott, we’ve seen a massive line swing for Bengals at Cowboys. After opening Dallas -2.5, our contest oddsboard shows Cincy -7. Dak’s thumb injury is a tough break for Dallas; it’s also a tough break for CBS Sports, whose game of the week has lost plenty of luster.
Also read: Cowboys odds on the move after Prescott injury
Keep up with Bookies Battle 2022
Ten of our competing bookmakers went 10-6 in Week 1 and trail Martin and Carpenter by just a game. Among that second-place group are some of the more prominent names in the business: Jason Scott (BetMGM), Jay Kornegay (SuperBook USA), and Robert Kowalski (Baldin’s Casino). Mike Lewis, who hovered near the top of the standings throughout last season, and 2020 Bookies Battle champ Randy Madayag are also among those 10.
About 70 sportsbook VPs, directors, and managers from around the sports betting community – including some of the most expert oddsmakers in the business – entered this season’s contest. Follow along with their picks and performances right here.
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