On the day before Christmas, the sports books were quiet. But some last-minute underdog shoppers unwrapped a box full of winning NFL betting tickets.

The slowest wagering Sunday of the season produced the most surprises as underdogs won eight games and went 11-1 against the spread.

"Not a whole lot of people came out. The casinos were pretty packed, but just not a lot of people were betting on the NFL," MGM Mirage sports book director Robert Walker said.

Walker certainly was not complaining about the results. Anyone who likes to wager on favorites was wise to take a vacation day.

But the bettors did cash in on one popular underdog as the New Orleans Saints whipped the New York Giants, 30-7. The Giants attracted little action as 3-point home favorites.

Reggie Bush rushed for 126 yards and one touchdown to help New Orleans (10-5) close in on the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.

"Nobody wanted any part of the Giants," Walker said. "The Saints are just a really great story. I hope there is a happy ending, and that means the Saints getting to the Super Bowl."

Ironically, Brees was discarded by San Diego in the offseason, and the Chargers are 2-1 favorites to win the Super Bowl. A Chargers-Saints matchup in the title game, Walker said, would set a wagering record.

"Right now, the Saints are the definition of a public team with a great offense," Walker said.

"We rarely get the Super Bowl we want, though, and we still do record business."

The Chargers, 4 1/2-point road favorites, failed to cover in a dramatic 20-17 victory over Seattle. Philip Rivers hit Vincent Jackson for a game-winning 37-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds left.

Denver also failed to cover in a 24-23 victory over Cincinnati. The Broncos were 3-point home favorites, and Walker said the Bengals drew most of the betting interest.

Baltimore and Houston delivered upset victories to help the books.

The Ravens, who closed as 4-point road underdogs, pounded Pittsburgh, 31-7.

Walker said one bettor asked in amazement how the Ravens (12-3) could have been underdogs to the Steelers (7-8).

"It's fun to listen to everybody after the games are over," Walker said. "In the NFL, the team that has the better record doesn't always win the game, or we'd be out of business."

The Texans got a rare chance to celebrate after a 27-24 victory over Indianapolis, who were 9-point road favorites.

Of course, Houston has a couple things to regret. The Texans had the No. 1 pick in the draft and passed on Bush and quarterback Vince Young.

Tennessee won its sixth consecutive game, all as an underdog, by beating Buffalo, 30-29. The Titans have covered 10 of their past 11 with Young as the starter.

Arizona, Carolina, New England and Tampa Bay also recorded straight-up victories in the underdog role.

The only favorite to win and cover on Sunday was St. Louis, a 2-point home favorite over Washington. Steven Jackson, a former Eldorado High School star, scored on a 21-yard run in overtime to lift the Rams to a 37-31 victory.

In today's games, Dallas is a 7-point home favorite over Philadelphia, and Miami is a 2 1/2-point home favorite over the New York Jets.

Some lines for Week 17 had not opened Sunday night.

In what might be Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre's final game, the Packers play at Chicago. The Bears could opt to rest several starters, but the Packers are still in the playoff hunt at 7-8.