The NFL “Watchability Index” is based upon betting market point spreads and totals for the week and current wins of both teams in the 2020 season. This information can be combined to peer into the future and determine what games are the most “Watchable” for week 6 in the NFL. The visualization shows the absolute value of the point spread on the horizontal axis and the total (over/under) on the vertical axis. Additionally, the sum of the wins (home team plus road team) is noted by color with gold being the highest sums and red being the lowest sums. The shape reveals the day and time of the game.
Based on this week’s numbers, what games are most “Watchable”? The most “watchable” games are typically in the upper-left hand quadrant, where games are expected to be close and high scoring. We have some great games in this quadrant this week highlighted by matchups between Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Green Bay and Tampa Bay on Sunday and KC-Buffalo on Monday afternoon/evening. Arizona-Dallas and Rams-SF are also intriguing matchups in this quadrant to see where these teams stand, particularly with the 49ers fighting injuries and the Cowboys starting the rest of the season without Dak Prescott following the gruesome injury last week.
The lower-left hand quadrant features games that are expected to be close, but relatively lower scoring. We have a good matchup between Chicago and Carolina, two teams that likely have surprised some in terms of their strong starts to the season. Although expected to be close, Washington-NYG features two struggling teams. The lower-right quadrant features typically the least interesting matchups as games are expected to be low-scoring and not necessarily competitive. Baltimore-Philadelphia is the best of this lot.
The potential exists for a great doubleheader on Sunday afternoon and an equally fun doubleheader on Monday Night. Enjoy the games.
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