The Chicago Bears Save Bookmakers With Improbable Win Over Colts

All the late money was pouring in on the Indianapolis Colts late Sunday but it was the Chicago Bears that spanked Indianapolis during the opening game of the 2008 NFL season.  The Bears were offering a huge payout just to win the NFC North early on in the season and they were likely to still have good value after this game as the oddsmakers probably won't have come to grips with this shocker just yet. 

Considering there were plenty of shocking upsets - not to mention the New England Patriots failed to cover - it's actually pretty amazing the books didn't make out like bandits. Instead, they will be lucky to break even.

The most bet on teams of the weekend outside of the Colts were the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions also got plenty of action but managed to lose.

But it was those afternoon games that clobbered the books. Arizona, Carolina and Dallas were all lopsided affairs (though Carolina had less of an impact). The three teams each covered. It was unusual that there was more betting action on the Panthers when the San Diego Chargers were named as early darlings to contend for a Super Bowl title.

Jacksonville getting beaten by Tennessee also helped the books a bit. Buffalo's pummeling of the Seattle Seahawks did not. That was yet another big upset but the gambling public was all over Buffalo.

The Colts, Jaguars and Chargers were all considered AFC favorites to win the 2009 Super Bowl along with the New England Patriots, who now have to contend with a Tom Brady injury. As it stands now the Tennessee Titans lead the AFC South, ahead of Indy and Jacksonville.

SBG Global will be releasing updated odds on each division, conference and the 2009 Super Bowl early this week.  SGB Global is offering huge cash signup bonuses.