Through week 7 some statistics have clearly been established, while others have regressed to the mean. Home teams have been a virtual coin flip against the spread at 47-50. The under was the trend early in the season, but has leveled off as a modest edge for the year at under 51-46. Underdogs have been a very profitable bet in 2017, covering 56-41 for 57.7 percent, even better than usual. Underdogs of six or more are 20-13 in the back pocket this season, for an impressive 60.6 percent, including 6-2 at home for 75 percent. Sharps have stressed for years that pro gamblers isolate teams that cover even when they don’t win straight up. Hence is it important to note, the 75 percent cover rate is despite a 1-7 outright mark. Likewise, that 60.6 cover rate comes despite a 9-24 straight up mark, again proving the square bettor adage that one needs to “merely pick the team outright to pick that team that covers” yet again is gambling’s poster child of inductive rather than deductive ...