What are Letdown Spots?

One of the things that NFL bettors might hear heading into a game is that a game is a letdown spot for one team or the other. But just what does a letdown spot consist of, and how can bettors profit off of them throughout the season? In this look at NFL letdown spots, we answer those questions and give bettors plenty to think about before they place their bets on pro football.

What is a Letdown Spot?

A letdown spot is a spot on a football team’s schedule that follows an emotional victory for a team. There is no such thing as an easy game in the NFL, as any team can win on any week thanks to how balanced the talent is across the league. If a team is not up for a game emotionally, they could get off to a slow start which could create an insurmountable deficit for them.

Letdown spots can come following a game against a team that is a division rival or a fellow playoff contender. Or they can just come after a close game against a team that isn’t a rival or a blowout victory. All of this is to say that letdown spots can come in many forms, and bettors have to have an open mind when they attempt to scope out those spots throughout the season.

Are Letdown Spots Worth Betting?

There are definitely some letdown spots that are worth betting on in the NFL each season. But, just like any other betting angle, a bettor has to put plenty of thought into when these spots are worth pulling the trigger on. Otherwise, bettors leave themselves open to exposure in a game where there isn’t as good a letdown spot as they might think is going to happen.

And there are plenty of perceived letdown spots that are not worth betting on at all, which bettors need to be wary of. Just because a team plays against a rival or plays in a close game does not guarantee that those teams will struggle in their next contest. The previous game needs to be taxing on the teams involved in some way. Otherwise, it is entirely possible that there will be no letdown whatsoever.

What to Think About Before Betting

As is the case before betting any football game, bettors have to think about the matchups heading into a potential letdown spot bet. A team can be in for a letdown, but if they are vastly superior to their opponent as far as the matchups are concerned, they could still win the next game. If a team can’t put pressure on a team susceptible to a letdown spot, they are not worth betting on.

Also worth considering is the role of rest in letdown spots. Some letdown spots are exacerbated by a team playing on short rest as a result of playing on Monday night the week before or playing on Thursday night in the letdown game. The lack of rest is a huge factor in pushing a letdown spot over the top in many instances.

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LA Angels vs. San Diego Padres

June 5, 2024

The San Diego Padres (32-32) take on the Los Angeles Angels (23-38) in the finale of their three-game series on Wednesday, June 5, at 9:38 PM ET at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Padres are slightly favored for success with a moneyline at -145.

San Diego Padres Betting Preview

The Padres have lost their last three games heading into Game 3 of this series. They lost the first two here and their finale against the Kansas City Royals, which was a 4-3 outing.

Dylan Cease (5-4) earns the start on the mound. He currently has an ERA of 3.42 and a WHIP of 0.97. Their team ERA is at 3.94, so he has an excellent opportunity to keep them within reach early.

The Padres offer a few different players on offense that lead the way. Fernando Tatis Jr. leads with 10 homers, Jurickson Profar with a .329 batting average, and Jake Cronenworth with 39 RBIs. Collectively, they all need standout games if their defense fails.

They are averaging .259 at the plate while allowing .236. This is a solid separation between the two, but they continue to be consistent in both scenarios.

Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview

The Angels are currently on a two-game win streak, which has occurred in the first two games of this series. So far, they are averaging 3.0 runs and allowing 1.50 in return for this series. They need this positive momentum to last to continue this streak.

They will have Jose Soriano (2-5) to start on the mound. He currently has an ERA (3.86) and a WHIP of 1.22, which should help the team stay within reach of the Padres' offense.

The Angels have Taylor Ward, who leads them in several offensive categories with 11 homers, 34 RBIs, and a .257 batting average. If he can find a way to get warm at the plate early, they have a good shot of landing some runs with Ward.

Their batting average is at .237, and they are allowing .236. At this rate, they are averaging what they put out offensively as their defensive output. This will be tough to keep up and will most likely break the trend they have set in the last few games.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie presents the odds for this MLB matchup, favoring the Padres. Market analysis suggests a 50.7 percent probability of a Padres victory, which seems lower than it should on paper.

Evaluating the starting pitchers and batting averages, the Padres emerge more likely to succeed. Even as the visiting team, they seem stronger overall and the most likely to secure a narrow win.

Final Pick: San Diego Padres -145

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