The NFL is a league filled with parity, and that can lead to some frustrating outcomes for bettors. Some weeks, a team can look like it’s unbeatable. Other times, that same team falls into an inexplicable funk against the unlikeliest of opponents.
Making sense of the ups and downs of NFL betting can get the best of the sharpest of bettors. Still, there are reasons for the madness and one of the ideas behind this reality is the Sandwich Game Theory.
The Sandwich Game Theory centers on the idea that a team, especially a good one, will have a letdown in the middle game of a three-game stretch that features a game against a good team, then a bad one, then another solid opponent.
This situation can have a profound effect on your handicapping strategy. Let’s take the New England Patriots, one of the NFL’s best teams, as an example. Let’s say the Patriots are coming off an emotional game (win or loss) against the Jets, and are rolling into St. Louis to take on the Rams. Thing is, the Pats have a huge Monday nighter coming up against the rival Colts. Could Tom Brady and company be in for a major letdown?
It’s certainly something to take into account along with the rest of your handicapping. New England is unlikely to go down to St. Louis, but it could slip just enough to fall short against the spread.
Remember, every week there’s an element of randomness on the NFL gridiron. With little to separate the best teams from the middle of the pack, and the middle of the pack from the basement dwellers, a minor letdown between two huge games can mean the difference between cashing for backers or not. Parity is that strong and it only makes sense that teams are affected by the emotions of a long season.
There are a ton of bad angles and dumb strategies that can tank your NFL bankroll. Make sure to stay on the right track with smart tips and sharp information.
