Bettors the big winners at Super Bowl XLII

Feb 5, 2008 / By Rob Gerein

Super Bowl bettors who took the New York Giants, especially on moneyline wagers, were big winners and online sportsbooks were big losers as the Giants pulled off one of the greatest upsets in NFL history in Super Bowl XLII.

New York’s 17-14 victory over the 12-point favorite New England Patriots not only prevented the previously unbeaten Patriots from achieving a ‘perfect’ season, but also provided a bonanza for both point-spread and moneyline bettors who backed the Giants.

“Super Bowl XLII was very profitable for the bettors,” BodogLife Bookmaker Richard Gardner told TotalOdds.com on Monday.

“The upset that the Patriots narrowly averted throughout the second half of the season finally caught up to them on Sunday.”

When the line was released Jan. 20, the Patriots were 14-point favorites. The public bet that down to 12, figuring New York would beat the big spread. Bettors looked at New England’s deteriorating ATS record over the past 10 games and bet the Giants would make it a close game.

“Needless to say, the bettors won big,” said Dave Staley, spokesperson for Sportsbook.com. 

Although some late point-spread money came in on the Pats, most was still on the Giants. “Despite the late money on the Patriots, in the end, 64 per cent was on the Giants,” said Staley.

Moneyline bettors did the best, as the Giants were +350 at most sportsbooks. Both BodogLife and Sportsbook.com said a huge majority of moneyline bets were on New York. At Sportsbook.com, 86 per cent of ML wagers were on the Giants.  

“With most of the (moneyline) action coming in on the Giants, at close to 3.5 to 1, the bettors got the best of most books,” said Gardner.

The only bets sportsbooks did okay on were over/under totals.

“Bettors did take a hit on the Total,” Gardner observed. “The highest scoring offense in NFL history could not do much of anything against the Giants pass rush, leaving the book a nice victory on the Under 54.”

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