Largest Point Spreads in NFL History (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Pasquino]

Spin-off topic from the NE/PHI discussion thread....

Not many can remember 20+ point favorites in then NFL. In college, sure, but not in the pros.

So that begs the question - what is the largest NFL point spread in history?

Since these records are "unofficial" as the NFL refuses to recognize that Las Vegas loves their sport, this is the best I can find so far:

Largest Points Spreads in NFL History?

From that article:

Sports bettor RJ Bell, who runs a betting Web site, said his research shows that the biggest point spread since 1980 came in 1993 when San Francisco was a 23-point favorite over Cincinnati, a game the 49ers won just 21-8. During that time, there have been only five games with a point spread of more than 20 points.

When NE faces MIA and the NYJ later this year, it could easily be topped.Anyone else remember a huge spread?

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Other anecdotal evidence of a larger line:

I can't find a reference online, but I think the biggest spread ever was 26.5 back in 1976 or 77: Super Bowl Champion Steelers over the expansion, hapless, winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LINK

 

[TD Ryan]

IMO, the Jets game stands the best chance.

The belief is the Belichick will want to run it up on Mangini.

As for the Dolphins game? While the Dolphins are probably worse than the Jets, the Ghosts of '72 will keep the spread down. Superstition and betting frequently go hand in hand. And there will be a novelty-temptation to lay money on MIA.

It just won't be as hard to draw in money on the MIA side for that game.

 

[Bankerguy]

In the 90's there were some really big 49ers and Cowboy spreads....

 

[TommyGilmore]

Are there any sportsbooks that allow you to pick your own spread and get corresponding odds? Like, could I have taken the Patriots -45 and received 2:1 or 3:1 odds from a casino somewhere?

If so, where??

 

[Team Legacy]

IMO, the Jets game stands the best chance.The belief is the Belichick will want to run it up on Mangini.As for the Dolphins game? While the Dolphins are probably worse than the Jets, the Ghosts of '72 will keep the spread down. Superstition and betting frequently go hand in hand. And there will be a novelty-temptation to lay money on MIA.It just won't be as hard to draw in money on the MIA side for that game.

Prediction (as overheard on Foxsports this morning)Pats run up 72 points on the Dolphins the last week of the season.

 

[shadyridr]

I remember that Cin-SF game. It was a Sunday night game and Im pretty sure CIN got a safety and was winning 2-0 at one point.

 

[Unlucky]

Are there any sportsbooks that allow you to pick your own spread and get corresponding odds? Like, could I have taken the Patriots -45 and received 2:1 or 3:1 odds from a casino somewhere?

If so, where??

The closest that I know of would be to create your own event on www.matchbook.com and hope to get some action. (you can create anything in X-Bets)I don't see how anyone will take MIA or NYJ plus anything less than 28, but that's just me. I'll keep going with NE.

 

[Emerson Biggens]

weren't the Niners a 22 point favorite in the Super Bowl against the Chargers?

 

[ctt8410]

Are there any sportsbooks that allow you to pick your own spread and get corresponding odds? Like, could I have taken the Patriots -45 and received 2:1 or 3:1 odds from a casino somewhere?

If so, where??

There are lots of places that offer alternate spreads. You could have gotten Pats -24.5 at nearly 4:1 last night.

 

[dudaman]

Amazing that someone could give 24.5 points on a pro game, no matter the odds. The saying that "that's why they play the game" couldn't be farther from the truth when talking about the Pats.

For what it's worth, last night's line was probably as low as it was because the Bills were on a nice wining streak and at home. If you get anything below 20 (save for the Pitt game) the rest of the season, consider yourself lucky.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Other anecdotal evidence of a larger line:

I can't find a reference online, but I think the biggest spread ever was 26.5 back in 1976 or 77: Super Bowl Champion Steelers over the expansion, hapless, winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LINK

That game was also the largest mismatch in the history of the NFL, by my calculation. Using something called the Simple Rating System, the '91 Skins, '85 Bears and '76 Steelers are the three best regular season teams of all time. The worst regular season team, by far, was the '76 Bucs. That Tampa team actually played in Pittsburgh in the second to last week of the season. True to form, the Steelers won 42-0.I wouldn't be surprised to see that line at 26.5.

 

[Bankerguy]

Amazing that someone could give 24.5 points on a pro game, no matter the odds. The saying that "that's why they play the game" couldn't be farther from the truth when talking about the Pats.For what it's worth, last night's line was probably as low as it was because the Bills were on a nice wining streak and at home. If you get anything below 20 (save for the Pitt game) the rest of the season, consider yourself lucky.

I'll take the Giants +20.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Are there any sportsbooks that allow you to pick your own spread and get corresponding odds? Like, could I have taken the Patriots -45 and received 2:1 or 3:1 odds from a casino somewhere?

If so, where??

There are lots of places that offer alternate spreads. You could have gotten Pats -24.5 at nearly 4:1 last night.

I'll take that spread every week and just about triple my investment.

 

[dudaman]

Amazing that someone could give 24.5 points on a pro game, no matter the odds. The saying that "that's why they play the game" couldn't be farther from the truth when talking about the Pats.For what it's worth, last night's line was probably as low as it was because the Bills were on a nice wining streak and at home. If you get anything below 20 (save for the Pitt game) the rest of the season, consider yourself lucky.

I'll take the Giants +20.

You're on! Plax will be on the shelf by then and Wilfork will crush Jacobs.

 

[culdeus]

Call me crazy, but I can't see a line much higher than 24 for the jets game.

 

[Couch Potato]

Call me crazy, but I can't see a line much higher than 24 for the jets game.

The Pats will cover that by halftime, and because it was the Jets turning in Belichick in the whole spygate thing, it'll be pedal to the metal for 60 minutes. I believe most of the reason the Pats are running it up on everyone (besides the fact that they can) is the chip on their shoulder to prove what they can do without any cameras helping them. The Jets game will be much, much uglier than the Dolphins game because they will want to absolutely humiliate the Jets by as much as they possibly can.I could see a 70-7 final.

 

[Ghost Rider]

weren't the Niners a 22 point favorite in the Super Bowl against the Chargers?

No, it was around 18, give or take, depending on when you placed your bet. For the Jets game, if I were setting the line, I would set the Patriots as at least 31-points favorites.

 

[Wilbur Wood]

weren't the Niners a 22 point favorite in the Super Bowl against the Chargers?

No, it was around 18, give or take, depending on when you placed your bet. For the Jets game, if I were setting the line, I would set the Patriots as at least 31-points favorites.

And the over/under on the # of personal fouls on the NYJ vs Brady? 4

 

[LILB811]

Amazing that someone could give 24.5 points on a pro game, no matter the odds. The saying that "that's why they play the game" couldn't be farther from the truth when talking about the Pats.For what it's worth, last night's line was probably as low as it was because the Bills were on a nice wining streak and at home. If you get anything below 20 (save for the Pitt game) the rest of the season, consider yourself lucky.

I'll take the Giants +20.

Just curious why you'd want to do this. Do you think the Giants are better than Dallas? Belichick just wants to flat out embarrass teams.

 

[culdeus]

Call me crazy, but I can't see a line much higher than 24 for the jets game.

The Pats will cover that by halftime, and because it was the Jets turning in Belichick in the whole spygate thing, it'll be pedal to the metal for 60 minutes. I believe most of the reason the Pats are running it up on everyone (besides the fact that they can) is the chip on their shoulder to prove what they can do without any cameras helping them. The Jets game will be much, much uglier than the Dolphins game because they will want to absolutely humiliate the Jets by as much as they possibly can.I could see a 70-7 final.

That's all well and good, but it doesn't mean Vegas sees it that way.

 

[Bankerguy]

Amazing that someone could give 24.5 points on a pro game, no matter the odds. The saying that "that's why they play the game" couldn't be farther from the truth when talking about the Pats.For what it's worth, last night's line was probably as low as it was because the Bills were on a nice wining streak and at home. If you get anything below 20 (save for the Pitt game) the rest of the season, consider yourself lucky.

I'll take the Giants +20.

Just curious why you'd want to do this. Do you think the Giants are better than Dallas? Belichick just wants to flat out embarrass teams.

Relax everyone...I'm NOT trash talking or betting my house. Just saying I'd be likely to take the 20+ points. The Giants pressure the QB well and have some weapons on offense. It's not that far fetched.

 

[smcindoe]

Prediction (as overheard on Foxsports this morning)Pats run up 72 points on the Dolphins the last week of the season.

That would be tough, considering they play the Giants that week.Then again, maybe they could send their practice squad to play the Dolphins. But I'd be surprised if they could beat Miami by more than 50, 60 tops.

 

[LILB811]

Amazing that someone could give 24.5 points on a pro game, no matter the odds. The saying that "that's why they play the game" couldn't be farther from the truth when talking about the Pats.For what it's worth, last night's line was probably as low as it was because the Bills were on a nice wining streak and at home. If you get anything below 20 (save for the Pitt game) the rest of the season, consider yourself lucky.

I'll take the Giants +20.

Just curious why you'd want to do this. Do you think the Giants are better than Dallas? Belichick just wants to flat out embarrass teams.

Relax everyone...I'm NOT trash talking or betting my house. Just saying I'd be likely to take the 20+ points. The Giants pressure the QB well and have some weapons on offense. It's not that far fetched.

I really wasn't trying to get on you at all. I apologize if it sounded that way. I'm just curious as to why you felt that way. Personally with no Kiwi, I don't think that the defensive line would be able to get enough pressure on Brady. I know Umenyiora and Strahan are good, but I think that the Patriots realize (and have the talent to) that neutralizing the two of them will work wonders for their passing game. It would be the typical Patriots score big early and take the other team out of their game. I don't think Eli can handle bringing the team back like that.

 

[yinzer]

There isn't even a line on sportsbook.com for the Pats-Eagles game this week!!! Every other game this week has a spread, but NE is MIA

Are they losing too much money and boycotting taking bets on the Pats or something?

 

[Couch Potato]

There isn't even a line on sportsbook.com for the Pats-Eagles game this week!!! Every other game this week has a spread, but NE is MIAAre they losing too much money and boycotting taking bets on the Pats or something?

No, the reason would have to do with something else. Either the spread hadn't been posted yet because of the Pats playing a night game, or uncertainty over McNabb's health. Either way, if a spread still hasn't gone up it will.

 

[Assani Fisher]

Its because of McNabb's health. Games frequently don't have lines until info because available. For example, many books also weren't taking action on Ten/Cincy or Den/Chi today because they knew the MNF game tonight would impact those.

 

[Raider Nation]

There isn't even a line on sportsbook.com for the Pats-Eagles game this week!!! Every other game this week has a spread, but NE is MIAAre they losing too much money and boycotting taking bets on the Pats or something?

Check my 'week 12 vegas lines' thread. Pats are favored by 22.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Colin Cowherd had someone from the LV Hilton Sportsbook on his show, and the Jets and Dolphins games @ NE are already looking to be 30 point spreads......

 

[Pip's Invitation]

McNabb's health doesn't matter. We're still going to lose by at least 30.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Colin Cowherd had someone from the LV Hilton Sportsbook on his show, and the Jets and Dolphins games @ NE are already looking to be 30 point spreads......

Heh. And I was told that I was nuts when I suggested a few weeks ago that they would 30+ favorites over the Jets.

 

[Raider Nation]

Colin Cowherd had someone from the LV Hilton Sportsbook on his show, and the Jets and Dolphins games @ NE are already looking to be 30 point spreads......

Heh. And I was told that I was nuts when I suggested a few weeks ago that they would 30+ favorites over the Jets.

That's the number I was thinking also.N.E. is doing things we'll tell our grandchildren about.

 

[curta269]

Speaking of point spreads, does anyone ever remember the Arizona Cardinals being a 10.5 favorite? That was the opening line for this week.

 

[stevegamer]

Colin Cowherd had someone from the LV Hilton Sportsbook on his show, and the Jets and Dolphins games @ NE are already looking to be 30 point spreads......

That makes sense.Pats -23 over the Eagles (posible No McNabb) and the Eagles were giving double digits to the Dolphins last week.