2020 NFL betting trends: Cowboys are 0-8 against the spread

We've reached the halfway point of the 2020 NFL season, and have a strong set of data to determine how the year is trending.

Let's break down the latest metrics from around the National Football League and determine the trends you should take advantage of in Week 9 and beyond.

Overs are back in season

The oddsmakers noticed the trend of Unders taking control of the past few weeks. This, mixed with the bad weather forecast on Sunday, led to some very low totals. The average total was only 47 points. However, the Over went 9-5 in Week 8 and brought the season total to 63-54-2 on the season.

In Week 9, the current average total sits at 50 points. The 7-point tease would have only missed three of 14 Overs. While the oddsmakers continue to adjust the totals from week to week, it seems like the teasers towards either the Over or Under has been the smart play. In Week 9, I really like the tease towards Overs.

Cowboys can't cover

This is a double entendre as the Dallas Cowboys can not cover in the secondary and the spread. They are off to a historically bad 0-8 ATS start to the season. The Cowboys are one of only three teams in NFL history to start 0-8 ATS. The 2003 Oakland Raiders and the 1991 Cincinnati Bengals join them.

Both of those teams covered their ninth game of the season. The Cowboys have a much tougher task though, as they face the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9. The Steelers are 6-1 ATS this season and have covered by an average of 6.9 points per game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have failed to cover by an astounding 10.1 points per game. 

Road favorites off a bye

The Indianapolis Colts held strong to this trend in Week 8 with a big road win over Detroit. Since 2003, road favorites off a bye are now 64-30-2 ATS.

In Week 9, the Houston Texans are fresh off a bye and will be favorites in Jacksonville. Some more trends that favor the Texans in this one include them being 5-1-2 ATS in their last eight road games against a team with a losing record. In addition, Jacksonville has lost five consecutive games against the spread against teams with losing records.

Road dogs off a loss

When it comes to betting, the public loves to bet on teams following a win, teams at home, and teams that are favorites. However, money is to be made when you follow the opposite of these three factors. So far this year, road underdogs following a loss are 24-13 ATS.

In Week 9, four games meet these criteria. The Bears at the Tians, the Lions at the Vikings, the Panthers at the Chiefs, and the Giants at the Washington Football Team. The chances are, if you play all four underdogs, you are going to profit.

Pete Carroll is an early riser

Typically, you hear that west coast teams struggle when they have to travel to the Eastern Time zone for an early game on Sunday. However, this is not the case for Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. He has played 24 games on the East Coast with a 1pm ET start time. In those 24 games, the Seahawks are 14-7-3 ATS.

The Seahawks are currently 5-2 ATS on the season while the Bills are 3-5 ATS. Seattle is also 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven November games and 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games against a team with a winning record. Meanwhile, Buffalo is 0-3-1 ATS in their last four games as an underdog.

Wager on Week 9 of the NFL season now at BetAmerica.