Top situational betting spots on the 2020 NFL schedule

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Betting trends don't hold any predictive value, but you can't deny their uniqueness.

We can't really pinpoint why quarterback Tom Brady is so lethal as an underdog, or why head coach Andy Reid is a savant at covering the spread off a bye week, but those are just two situational angles that have made bettors money in the past. Although banking on trends alone isn't an optimal strategy for maximizing profits in the betting markets, there are spots on the 2020 schedule worth monitoring.

So you can have them in your back pocket for when the season starts, here are some angles to keep tabs on.

Seahawks are 12-4-2 against the spread the last 18 prime-time games

When the trend applies: Week 2 vs. Patriots, Week 5 vs. Vikings, Week 11 vs. Cardinals

The Seahawks' success in prime time has been well-documented. Head coach Pete Carroll and starting quarterback Russell Wilson are the best duo on the big stage since 2016, going 12-4-2 ATS. The Seahawks get all three of their prime-time games at home this season.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins is 2-7-1 ATS in 9 career prime-time road games

When the trend applies: Week 5 @ Seahawks, Week 10 @ Bears, Week 16 @ Saints

Cousins was 1-6-1 ATS in this spot heading into last season's Nov. 10 contest against the Cowboys. The Vikings helped their quarterback get off the schneid with an outright win as 3.5-point underdogs, but Minnesota was dealt another prime-time road loss two weeks later at Seattle. Cousins is on the road under the lights three times in 2020, including a Christmas Day tilt against New Orleans.

Teams that won Super Bowl are 13-6 ATS in Week 1 the next season

When the trend applies: Week 1 vs. Texans

There hasn't been a hangover effect for Super Bowl winners. Thirteen of the last 19 teams to win a title have covered their opener the following season, including five of the last six. The Chiefs would seem to fit the bill, as they take on Houston right out of the gates.

Favorites of 17 or more are on a 13-24-1 run ATS

When the trend applies: TBD

Laying 17 or more points in an NFL matchup hasn't been a +EV proposition for bettors over the last few decades. Teams in this spot are cashing at just a 35.1% clip, while the most recent situation was New England (-17.5) losing to Miami outright last season.

There isn't a 17-point favorite on the lookahead lines, but keep an eye out for Baltimore against Jacksonville in Week 15.

Cardinals are 4-13 over their last 17 games in the early slot

When the trend applies: Week 4 @ Panthers, Week 14 @ Giants

Considering how much teams from the west and east have to travel over the course of a year, it isn't surprising to see a team like Arizona have body-clock issues. The Cardinals have covered just four of their last 17 games played in the early slot since 2016, and they have a couple more on deck in 2020.

Falcons are 1-14 ATS the last 15 games against the AFC

When the trend applies: Week 9 vs. Broncos, Week 12 vs. Raiders, Week 14 @ Chargers, Week 16 @ Chiefs

How much real estate does the AFC own in the Falcons' heads? Their win over the Jaguars last year broke a streak of 13 consecutive losses against the spread against non-conference opponents. Atlanta will hope to snap out of it as the team faces the AFC West in 2020.

Chargers are on a 12-6 run to the under against divisional opponents

When the trend applies: Week 2 vs. Chiefs, Week 9 vs. Raiders, Week 11 @ Broncos, Week 15 @ Raiders, Week 16 vs. Broncos, Week 17 @ Chiefs

Divisional games tend to be lower scoring, and the same can be said of the Chargers' recent string of divisional performances. Under head coach Anthony Lynn, L.A. has gone under the total in two out of every three games against the AFC West. With a star-studded defense and question marks under center on offense, the Chargers will be another "under" team this fall.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.