2024 Thursday Night Football Odds

On November 23, 2006, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 19-10. This is significant because it is considered the first ever Thursday Night football game, also known as TNF.

This isn’t to say that it was the first ever game played on a Thursday night because it wasn’t.

But it was the first time that the NFL purposely planned games to be played on Thursday nights, outside of the annual Thanksgiving Day schedule.

Kansas City RB Larry Johnson ran through the Denver defense for 157 yards on the ground. Broncos QB Jake Plummer dropped to 0-6 against their division rivals from KC, and another Prime-Time football time slot was born.

Today, TNF has become one of the most popular NFL games of the week. Football fans have adjusted their viewing habits and schedules to include another Prime-Time football game.

From a betting standpoint, the lines can be very sharp because they are the only game being played and get a lot of focus and attention.

If bettors want to throw down some action on the bet TNF bets, they must be well researched, informed, and ahead of the betting public in order to turn a profit.

Thursday Night Football Betting

As a bettor, you will see all of the legalized sportsbooks in your state or province will have a huge selection of bet types available for the TNF game.

The most popular bets available are still:

• Point spread betting
• Moneyline betting
• Totals betting (Over/Under)

As the legalization of sports betting expands across North America, sportsbooks continue to innovate by creating new betting options for their customers.

The player prop betting market has exploded from a bet-offering perspective in the last few years.

Many NFL fans were hugely passionate about fantasy football long before sports betting became legal.

Operators have been able to tap into fans’ passion for fantasy football by offering player-specific prop bets based on their results in a single game or over the course of a full season.

If you want to bet on Aaron Rodgers’ total passing yards in a game, not a problem. Interested in Jonathan Taylor’s total rushing yards? Sportsbooks have you covered.

NFL Thursday Night Football Schedule

When talking about TNF contests, we must be conscious of the short rest and travel demands that could impact overall performance.

Players have been regimented to prepare for a Sunday game over the years.

The TNF game doesn’t just impact their weekly routine, it blows it up!

Coaches have significantly less time to prepare in most cases. Players have virtually no time for onfield practice, and injuries have much less time to heal.

All of these things can have a significant impact on the final result of a game and is what make betting on TNF different from a traditional Sunday matchup.

Those who are looking to wager on the TNF game must remember that we don’t get our first Thursday night prime-time action until Week 2.

Week 2: September 15: Los Angeles Chargers Vs. Kansas City Chiefs

In 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC West division with a 12-5 record but only finished 8-9 against the spread. (ATS) The Chiefs were still able to score, with 10 or their 17 games finishing Over the total.

Kansas City dominated at home, finishing 7-2 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Los Angeles Chargers showed signs of being a true Super Bowl contender but ultimately failed to make the playoffs with a 9-8 record.

The Chargers were also able to light up the scoreboard, with 10 of their 17 games going over the total.

These teams split their two games against each other last year, with each team winning on the road.

Week 3: September 22: Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns were a team in turmoil in 2021, with Baker Mayfield and the organization playing out an ugly breakup.

With all of that turmoil unfolding, the Browns underachieved on their way to an 8-9 record.

ATS, Cleveland was only 7-10, and only 7 of their 17 games finished over the total.

Ben Roethlisberger spent 2021 on his farewell tour, and although the support for his Hall of Fame career was great, the on-field results were mixed. The Steelers ended up 9-7-1 and were just 8-10 ATS.

The Steelers swept this two-game series last year, holding the Browns to only 29 total points.

Week 4: September 29: Miami Dolphins Vs. Cincinnati Bengals

At the beginning of last season, the Cincinnati Bengals were +15000 to win the Super Bowl and came within a late touchdown of doing just that.

Unfortunately for Bengals fans, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and the Los Angeles Rams pulled out the late victory and were able to spend the offseason celebrating as Super Bowl Champs.

The Miami Dolphins had one of the most unusual seasons in NFL history. Not only did the Dolphins lose seven consecutive games, but they also rebounded by winning their next seven.

ATS, the Dolphins were a respectable 9-7-1, while the Bengals were 14-7 ATS, including their four playoff games.

Week 5: October 6: Indianapolis Colts Vs. Denver Broncos

Week 5 of TNF gives us the Peyton Manning Bowl.

The once Manning-led Indianapolis Colts needed only a win against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in their last game of the season to make the playoffs. Instead, the Jaguars broke the hearts of Colts fans by winning 26-11 on the road.

Indianapolis made a major offseason move by acquiring long-time Falcons QB Matt Ryan in hopes that he will be the piece that helps them compete for the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, the once Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos made a huge quarterback acquisition of their own.

The Broncos paid a handsome price to the Seattle Seahawks for their star QB, Russell Wilson.

The Colts were a profitable team at 10-7 ATS last year, while the Broncos were just 8-9.

Week 6: October 13: Washington Commanders Vs. Chicago Bears

Last year, these two teams combined to go 13-21 and were a -195 in point differential.

Bears fans have put their hope and faith in young QB Justin Fields, while the Commanders acquired the oft-maligned Carson Wentz to take over their quarterback position.

Not surprisingly, the Bears were only 6-11 ATS last year, while the Commanders were slightly more respectable at 7-9-1.

When it comes to scoring points, neither team was particularly effective. Both Chicago and Washington were 7-10 betting the over in their games.

Whether Fields and Wentz will help their respective teams put points on the board will be interesting to watch as the season plays out.

Week 7: October 20: New Orleans Saints Vs. Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals had a little bit of a rocky offseason, but it appears as if their relationship is strong and moving in the right direction.

Murray had another outstanding statistical season for Arizona, but once again, that failed to translate into playoff success. ATS, the Cardinals were a profitable 10-8.

The Cardinals’ total wins odds opened at only 8.5, which speaks to their tough divisional schedule and their second-half problems last year.

If you believe Murray is an elite QB, there might be value for you on the team total wins to go Over the 8.5 number.

Saints fans would be ecstatic if their starting QB, Jameis Winston, progressed to the level Kyler Murray is currently at.

Winston is most famous for being the number one overall pick in the 2015 draft and for turning the ball over.

In his career, he has 91 INTs and only 77 games started. If there is hope for Saints fans, in limited action due to injury last year, Winston had 14 TD passes against only three INTs.

Week 8: October 27: Baltimore Ravens Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There was a huge sigh of relief across 31 NFL cities when it was announced that Tom Brady would retire.

Obviously, the response was quite different when it was announced only a few short weeks later that he was coming back.

Despite Rob Gronkowski retiring, any team with TB12 under center is a Super Bowl threat.

However, sportsbooks are starting to catch on to the fact that this Brady guy is pretty good. Despite finishing 13-4 last year, the Bucs were only 9-8 ATS.

The last time Brady won an MVP award was in 2017. The last time Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson won an MVP award was in 2019.

Despite being crowned the game’s best player only three years ago, Jackson’s ranking among the game’s best can still be a polarizing conversation.

There are those who believe his overall skill set makes him one of the game’s biggest threats.

There are those who disagree with that analysis.

Baltimore finished in the league’s bottom half regarding total points scored last year. They were 8-9 against the over, but Jackson did miss five games because of injury.

Week 9: November 3: Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Houston Texans

Last year, the Houston Texans won only four games. Sportsbooks aren’t expecting much improvement from them this year and have set their preseason win total at 4.5.

Winning games and covering spreads are two different things. ATS, the Texans were a much more respectable 8-9 last year.

Who will win the NFC East has made for great debate. The Dallas Cowboys have a win total set at 10 this year, but right behind them are the Philadelphia Eagles at 9.5.

If the Eagles think they are true playoff contenders, a road win in Houston feels like a must for them.

Week 10: November 10: Atlanta Falcons Vs. Carolina Panthers

With Sam Darnold as their starting QB, the Carolina Panthers struggled to a 5-12 record in 2021.

The Panthers have invited Baker Mayfield into camp this year, and the Ex-Browns QB is expected to win the starting role.

Sportsbooks seem to believe that Mayfield will help but ultimately won’t be the difference maker Panthers fans are hoping for. They have set the Carolina season win total at 6.5.

With an aging Matt Ryan as their QB, the Atlanta Falcons finished outside the playoffs at 7-10 last year.

With their longtime franchise QB now playing for the Colts, the Falcons’ win total has been set at just five.

Week 11: November 17: Tennessee Titans Vs. Green Bay Packers

With back-to-back MVP awards, Aaron Rodgers used 2021 to cement himself as the game’s best player.

So to prove how good he is, the Packers let their best receiver take his talents to Vegas, meaning Rodgers will not have Davante Adams available to catch passes for him this year.

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Derrick Henry had won back-to-back rushing titles and was on his way to a third title, it appeared, before breaking a bone in his foot last year. As Derrick Henry goes, so go the Tennessee Titans.

ATS, the Packers were the second-best team in the league, finishing 12-5.

Week 12: November 24: US Thanksgiving

As NFL fans know, the third Thursday of November is no longer just about stuffing yourself with turkey.

This year, like in years past, there will be three games on the calendar for Thanksgiving NFL day.

The action starts at 12:30 pm ET and finishes with a prime-time game under the lights that starts at 8:30 pm.

Despite these games being played annually every Thanksgiving Thursday, they are not considered part of the TNF package.

Week 13: December 1: Buffalo Bills Vs. New England Patriots

Despite winning ten games last year, the New England Patriots’ win total this season opened at just 8.5. Bill Belichick is 70-79 overall in his coaching career without Tom Brady as his QB.

Whether Mac Jones takes a step forward from his impressive rookie season and helps Belichick improve on that 70-79 record will be interesting to watch as the season plays out.

Josh Allen opened the preseason at many sportsbooks as the betting favorite to win MVP. With expectations comes a little more pressure.

After a 20-year run at the top of the division, it appears Buffalo has surpassed the Patriots as the team to beat in the AFC East.

Going into New England for a prime-time game and coming out with a win will prove that theory true.

Week 14: December 8: Las Vegas Raiders Vs. Los Angeles Rams

In their first season together, the combination of Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp produced one of the greatest statistical seasons by a wide receiver of all time.

On their way to a Super Bowl victory, the Los Angeles Rams were only 8-9 ATS, which is surprising for a team that went 12-5 in the regular season.

Derek Carr is often referred to as an underappreciated quarterback.

This year, he will also have to contend with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russell Wilson in his division.

Last year, Carr and the Raiders were 8-9 ATS, despite finishing with a 10-7 record overall.

Week 15: December 15: San Francisco 49ers Vs. Seattle Seahawks

After losing longtime franchise QB Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos via a trade, expectations for the Seahawks are pretty low this year. Sportsbooks set their season total wins at just 5.5.

The San Francisco 49ers are a team that many experts are having trouble agreeing on.

Assuming Trey Lance wins the starting job at quarterback for them, will he provide the offensive spark San Francisco needs to be a true playoff contender?

Under Jimmy Garropolo, the Niners were 10-7 overall and 9-8 ATS. Can Lance improve upon those numbers this season?

Week 16: December 22: Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. New York Jets

One would not expect the Jacksonville Jaguars to be road favorites very often, but this Week 16 matchup might just have the Jags listed as the chalk team.

Under Urban Meyer’s leadership last year, the Jaguars were a disaster.

A lot was expected of Trevor Lawrence, but his results did not meet the preseason expectations.

This year, Sportsbooks are suggesting Jacksonville will be better than their three wins last year and have set their total at 6.5.

The New York Jets were bad last year and not many experts believe they will be much better this season.

The Jets were 4-13 and only 6-11 ATS. This year, their preseason win total was set at 5.5, which seems optimistic for many bettors.

Week 17: December 29: Dallas Cowboys Vs. Tennesse Titans

With a preseason win total set at nine, this game could have huge playoff implications for the Tennessee Titans.

Whether they will be a home ‘dawg or favorite for this game will depend on their results to date.

However, ten wins wil be needed to make the playoffs and a tough home win against a good Dallas team will help their chances.

For the Cowboys, getting to ten wins at least and winning the NFC East has to be a part of their 2022 mission.

The Cowboys won the East division last year, but many expect them to face stiff competition from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.

ATS, the Cowboys were the best team in the league at 13-4. Weekly bettors made a significant profit riding the Dallas train throughout the regular season.

Week 18: No TNF Game

Many NFL fans are familiar with how the league handles the final day of the regular season.

In order to create the most amount of drama possible for all their games, the NFL sets the final week of the season, so every team plays on Sunday, with the majority of games being a 1 pm ET kick-off.

Thursday Night Football Betting Tips & Trends

When betting on the TNF game, a bettor must consider many different factors when doing their homework and analysis.

As discussed above, players and coaches have been trained to prepare for a Sunday battle. A Thursday night matchup is a significant hurdle to overcome.

A bettor must understand the injuries suffered the previous week, especially by players who aren’t household names playing the skilled positions.

Football games can be won in the trenches. Offensive and defensive linemen can have a significant impact on the final result.

Yet rarely do their injuries get discussed the same way an injured running back, wide receiver, or middle linebacker does.

A bettor also needs to understand that when there is only one game being played, there will be even more focus and attention put on it by the betting public.

This creates what is referred to as a “sharper” line.

The closing line is considered the sharpest line for a game, but bettors will leave many games alone when you have 10 or 12 games to choose from.

For the TNF contest, there is only one option to bet.

This means that sharp money from experienced gamblers will come in on that game throughout the day.

A savvy bettor will jump on the lines early in the week and start to do their homework and analysis before, not letting the line move on them before they place their bets.

Always Shop Around For Odds

When it comes to sports betting, the greatest edge a bettor can gain is shopping around at multiple sportsbooks and betting the Best Odds for the wager they want to make.

Over a single NFL game, shopping around may not be a huge edge, but over a season, a bettor can gain a 25% advantage by shopping for their best odds.

Ultimately shopping around for the Best Odds available means only one thing: more profit.

Other NFL Prime Time Games

Sunday Night Football betting guide.

Monday Night Football betting guide.