Seeing an underdog pull off a major upset is one of the most exciting parts of watching sports. So this week, I want to look at the NFL odds to see which underdogs have the best chance of winning.
Several underdogs are still playoff contenders. Underdogs like the Los Angeles Chargers are still playing meaningful football in December, while other teams, such as Seattle, are playing for little more than pride.
Read on for a deep dive into NFL underdog odds for Week 13 as I explore the best bets for home underdogs this week in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (+4.5)
The Ravens and Steelers are one of the great rivalries in the league. The two AFC North teams first met in 1996. Their games have a reputation for being physical and intense.
The Ravens are currently 8-3 and sitting in first place in the division. However, a closer look at their season suggests they are vulnerable to an upset.
The Ravens’ offense is struggling to put up points. In their last three games (one of which was without Jackson at quarterback), they’re averaging just 14 points per contest. During this stretch, their highest offensive output is 16 points.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is struggling as well. In his past three games, Jackson has thrown seven interceptions to only five touchdowns. While the Steelers are not infallible, they can certainly win if they can force some turnovers this week. Pittsburgh has the fifth-most sacks in the NFL with 30 on the season, so I expect them to put pressure on Jackson and force at least one bad throw that leads to an interception.
The Ravens also like to run the ball. They’re currently second in the NFL with 150.7 yards per game, and the Steelers have allowed 180 rushing yards per game in their past four contests. As a result, I believe that the Ravens will run the ball a lot and make this a low-scoring game where both teams try to control the clock, making the Steelers a decent pick with a 4.5-point spread.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (+3.5)
The 49ers and Seahawks offer NFL fans another intense divisional rivalry. Dating back to Jim Harbaugh’s coaching tenure, the 49ers do not play well in Seattle. They have just one win on the road against the Seahawks, spanning back to 2012.
The 49ers are back in playoff contention after winning three straight games. At 6-5, they are still in third place in the NFC West. One of their losses this season is to this Seahawks team.
The 49ers are entering this game with some of their biggest stars on the sidelines. Offensive juggernaut Deebo Samuel is confirmed out this week with a groin injury. He is responsible for 10 of the 49ers’ touchdowns this season.
On the defensive side, All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner is also out. The team will have difficulty containing Russell Wilson’s scrambling ability without Warner, who leads the team in tackles with 92.
Seattle desperately needs a win, and I believe that this is the week they get it done.
Recapping NFL Underdog Odds for Week 13
In the NFL, home-field advantage isn’t as strong as many people think. Last season, home teams had a record of 127-128-1. With that said, there are some situations where home NFL underdog odds have good value. Therefore, I believe that bettors should seriously consider the games above.
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