Betting buzz: 49ers getting money as small TNF favorites
Everything that happens in sports has some additional context when viewed from a sports betting perspective.From season-changing injuries to record-setting moments and so much more, the sports news cycle will constantly and significantly affect the sports betting industry.
Our betting buzz file, with contributions from David Purdum, Doug Greenberg and others, aims to provide fans a look at the sports betting stories that are driving the conversation.
Dec. 12: 49ers getting money as small favorites on Thursday
Doug Greenberg: Week 15's "Thursday Night Football" matchup has much different implications than most people would have likely expected coming into the season: With the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) leading the NFC West and carrying -140 odds to win the division, the San Francisco 49ers (+1800) are falling out of contention for the division at 6-7, while the Los Angeles Rams (+175) have surged to 7-6.
All the same, the Niners come into the primetime contest as three-point home favorites, up a half-point from their opening spread at -2.5, per ESPN BET odds. It's a somewhat peculiar line at first glance, but the betting splits would seem to indicate a pros vs. joes matchup among bettors.
ESPN BET (73.3%), DraftKings (64%) and BetMGM (52%) all report a majority of tickets backing Los Angeles, but all three also report positive handle splits towards San Francisco, with BetMGM actually reporting a majority of money with the 49ers (58%). Handle splits at all three sportsbooks also support San Francisco on the moneyline (-145 at ESPN BET).
The 49ers have dealt with a lengthy string of injuries this season but seem poised to avoid at least one key absence Thursday, with RB Isaac Guerendo reportedly planning to play through a foot injury. DE Nick Bosa is questionable after missing the last three games with an oblique injury.
Guerendo is -155 to score a touchdown Thursday night and ranks fifth among the most popular anytime touchdown scorers by tickets at ESPN BET and DraftKings. The most popular at each book is Rams RB Kyren Williams (-155), who has attracted 16.6% of all anytime TD scorer bets and 20% of all handle at ESPN BET.
Dec. 9: Soto signing causes significant futures movement
David Purdum: Now that Juan Soto has signed a record 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, there has been some significant movement in terms of the 2025 MLB postseason odds.
Prior to the deal, the Mets were +1200 to win the 2025 World Series and +700 to win the National League pennant at ESPN BET. Now armed with Soto, those odds have moved to +750 to win the World Series, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers (+375). As for the NL crown, the Mets are now at +400, also trailing only the Dodgers (+200).
Meanwhile, the chances of the New York Yankees winning it all took a hit. They opened at +750 to win it all in 2025, and at +275 to repeat as AL champions. Now, with Soto definitively gone, those odds have moved to +850 to win the World Series (fourth shortest overall) and, while the Yankees are still the AL pennant favorites (+300).
More from ESPN Betting:
- MLB futures: Every team's odds to win the World Series
- NFL props: Anytime TD scorers | Under-the-radar bets
- College football:Futures
- College basketball futures: Men's | Women's
- NHL betting: Trends | Futures
- NBA betting: Daily Picks |Futures
