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By Max Meyer

It’s the final week of the regular season, and the totals across this slate are lower than they have been all season. Zero totals are in the 50s, which could follow in Week 16’s footsteps with no totals closing in that range this season. Not only that, just two totals are above 45 as of now at Caesars Sportsbook, while two totals reside under 40.

“The weather in early January factors in, but if the top offensive players aren’t playing for some teams, then it will drastically affect the totals,” said Adam Pullen, Assistant Director of Trading at Caesars Sportsbook. “Obviously COVID throws a wrench into things too. Preseason is a totally different animal for setting odds, and the last week of NFL regular season for quite a few teams has a preseason feel. If the games are meaningless, if guys are hurt or it’s a risk to play them, it doesn’t make sense to have them play.”

Two Week 18 totals stand out in particular in terms of both handle and lopsidedness toward one side so far.

Bengals at Browns (44 to 38) has had the biggest total shift of any Week 18 affair, and the next two are Jets at Bills (45.5 to 41) and Cowboys at Eagles (40 to 43). The totals for Jets at Bills and Cowboys at Eagles have been so popular that they have received a combined 66% of the total dollars wagered among all Week 18 total bets, whereas the other 14 games have combined for 34%.

The over for Cowboys at Eagles has attracted 83% of the total number of tickets and 99% of the total dollars wagered, with that over leading the way in both categories for the entire Week 18 slate. That is highlighted by one New Jersey bettor who staked $120,000 on Cowboys at Eagles over 42.5 (-110) for potential winnings of $109,090.91.

On the other hand, the under for Jets at Bills has drawn 99% of the total dollars wagered as well as 72% of the total number of tickets. Only the under for Saints at Falcons (40) surpasses it in total number of tickets at 78%.

Unders have also gotten majority of the action for the two lowest totals on the board. The under for Bengals at Browns (38) has nabbed 62% of the total number of tickets and 95% of the total dollars wagered, while the under for Washington at Giants (38) has collected 67% and 78% respectively.

The highest total for Week 18 is the final game of the regular season, with the Chargers and Raiders each looking to clinch a postseason berth. The total on that AFC West showdown sits at 49.5, and the over has reeled in 61% of the total number of tickets and 74% of the total dollars wagered.

Overall, unders have posted a 141-113-2 record this season after a 10-6 mark in Week 17. After featuring several totals in the 50s that was topped by Chiefs at Titans closing at 59 in late October, the mindset on NFL totals for the 2021-22 campaign has completely changed at Caesars Sportsbook.

“It’s been quite the change with totals this season,” Pullen said. “We had to make a big change a few years ago too when the totals went from high 40s into the mid-50s. You just have to be alert, watch all the trends and be ready to adjust quickly. Bettors will look for every edge, and if they feel you haven’t adjusted, they’ll respond with money. It’s a constant battle with any sport, you just have to be ready for any kind of changes.”

Check out Caesars Sportsbook’s latest odds and trends for every NFL Week 18 total below.