Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football in Week 11 last season, 28-21. The Seahawks’ spread (-3) cashed, as did the under (56.5), the latter of which continued an NFL betting trend for high over/under totals on Thursday Night Football.
The total of 56.5 was the second-highest ever in Thursday Night Football betting; only the Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints game in 2018 had a higher total (61). The under also hit for that game in New Orleans, as it did for eight of the nine total Thursday games with an over/under of at least 54 points since 2003.
| Year | Matchup | Total | Points Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cardinals at Seahawks | 56.5 | 49 |
| 2018 | Chargers at Chiefs | 54 | 57 |
| 2018 | Falcons at Saints | 61 | 48 |
| 2017 | Patriots at Buccaneers | 54.5 | 33 |
| 2014 | Eagles at Cowboys | 56.5 | 43 |
| 2013 | Chargers at Broncos | 56.5 | 47 |
| 2012 | Saints at Falcons | 54.5 | 36 |
| 2011 | Packers at Lions | 55 | 42 |
| 2004 | Colts at Lions | 54 | 50 |
The Chargers-Chiefs game in 2018 was the only time a total of at least 54 points went over on Thursday Night Football. It hit the over by only three points, the smallest margin for any of the nine games. The eight unders cashed by an average of 12.6 points. More unders hit by at least 13 points (five) than fewer than 10 points (three).
There is, however, a fine line for this betting trend. Since 2020, three Thursday Night Football totals have been between 52.5 and 53.5. All three went over, most recently the 2021 season opener in which the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys combined for 60 points, 7.5 more points than the total (52.5).
Those three overs contribute to a less overwhelming, although still notable, trend for totals of at least 50 points. Unders are 19-12-1 in those cases.
You can bet on the Rams-Seahawks game and view updated NFL betting odds, including spreads, over/under totals, money lines, and prop bets, for every NFL game at the BetMGM sportsbook.
