Overs getting 85 percent of the action...

Wondering what’s going on at the sportsbooks a few days before the
NFL conference championship games? Covers.com checked in with a couple
books to see what their handle’s been so far and what they expected in
the coming days. What’s the action been like so far? As many early-week bets as you expected?
Randy Scott, Sportsbook Manager, BetEd.com:
We currently have 20 pecent of Sunday's expected volume in action.
Exotic wagers such as parlays and teasers are the favorite bet choice
leading up to the weekend. This is very common, especially this time of
year as parlay and teaser players are inclined to add their weekend
football picks to their daily action.
David Staley, Spokesman BetUSA.com: So far, as expected, plenty of bettors are getting their picks in early, too.
Peter Childs, Belmont.com oddsmaker:
We’re seeing solid action on the spreads, not quite as heavy with the
totals. A bunch of exotic bets, teasers and props as well. Right now
our customers are really jumping on our Chargers rushing yards bet
(over/under 94 ½) and Brett Favre completions (over/under 21).
Where are you seeing most of your action: the points or the chalk, over or under?
Randy Scott: Right
now the popular action is on the Green Bay-New York game with Green Bay
-7 accounting for 25 percent of the volume. San Diego and New England's
decision is split down the middle at -14. The over/under is lopsided
for both games with the over getting 85 percent of the action.
These
lines should continue to hold tight until game day. Sunday is when
you'll see the odds adjusted to accommodate the larger volume each
sportsbook is taking in this time of year. On game day we'll take in
over half of our overall bet volume for the day. The action is
extremely heavy close to game time and you'll see odds change
aggressively right up until the ball is kicked off.
David Staley:
Green Bay seems to be the most popular bet right now as just under 79
percent of the early bettors are backing the Packers (-7). I doubt
this line will move, but you never know. That being said, if folks like
the Packers they might want to get their bets in early just in case. As
far as the total goes, about 63 percent of the bettors are on the over
which isn’t surprising considering Green Bay has not covered an under
since Nov. 11.
About 52 percent of the early bettors are backing
the Pats. This surprises me a bit considering the Chargers’ injury
woes. But then again, the Pats have covered only once in their last
seven games after making the public a ton of money earlier this
season. About 58 percent of the early bettors are on the over. I am
surprised this number isn’t higher considering the Chargers covered
only one under away from home in addition to New England’s propensity
to put points on the board.
Peter Childs:
We’re really happy with the Pats-Chargers line. Right now we’re getting
almost perfectly split action on that line, so unless something really
comes down about the weather, we’ll be happy to keep this line where it
is.
A lot more lopsided action with the New York-Green Bay
game. We’re taking a lot of Packer money right now and may have to move
our line to -7 ½ sooner rather than later. Either that or we’ll bump
the juice. I think we’re seeing a lot more money on this one just
because the 7-point line is a lot more manageable for bettors than two
touchdowns.