How to Bet on NFL

Our BettingOdds experts have compiled a comprehensive NFL betting guide to help bettors get to grips with the entire process. Whether you’re backing the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas Chiefs, or one of the other 29 franchises, you’ll find everything you need to know on this page. 

We’ll kick off our how to bet on NFL games manual by highlighting the different lines, markets, and odds. Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals, keep reading for some vital betting strategies and commentary on responsible gambling. Afterwards, compare our recommended NFL betting sites and click the register link to claim the welcome bonus. 

NFL Betting Lines and Odds Explained

Understanding the concept of betting lines is key to reading NFL odds. Sportsbooks can set ‘lines’ on betting markets spanning match results, handicaps, and prop bets. In the simplest instance, bettors decide on the team most likely to win and stake accordingly. These wagers are called moneylines and only require the correct result to be successful. 

Betting lines on other markets like totals and point spreads work slightly differently. For example, bettors must successfully predict the margin of victory during NFL games or the total number of touchdowns. Check below for a rundown of three of the most popular betting lines to understand. We’ll show you how they work and provide information on calculating your potential payout. 

Moneyline 

A moneyline bet is a straight prediction on the winner of a game and is a core part of how to bet on NFL games. The so-called ‘moneyline’ is another way of saying odds, with sportsbooks differentiating between underdogs and favorites with positive or negative numbers. Let’s use a theoretical example to clear things up: 

• Cleveland Browns +150
• Cincinnati Bengals -200 

The Browns (+) are underdogs, while the Bengals (-) are relatively strong favorites. The further each team is from 0, the more likely they are to win or lose. Working out the potential profit is also straightforward. For the underdogs, the moneyline represents the profit on a $100 bet. On the other hand, the Bengals’ -200 moneyline means you’ll need to wager $200 to win $100. 

To understand the implied probability, use the following equations: 

• Favorites (negative moneyline): X / (X + 100) 
• Underdogs (positive moneyline): 100 / (X + 100) 

Using the imaginary example from before, this gives the Bengals a 66.67% (100 / (200 + 11)) implied probability of winning, while the Browns come in at 40% (100 / (150 + 100)). 

Point Spread

Point spread football betting is a fantastic way to get more bang for your buck during NFL games with heavy favorites. The betting market is similar to moneylines at root, although bettors must correctly predict the winner and margin of victory to succeed. Here is a potential point spread using the hypothetical match-up from before: 

• Cleveland Browns +5.5
• Cincinnati Bengals -5.5

Bets on the Cincinnati Bengals to win here will only be successful if they triumph by 5 points or more. Conversely, bets on the Cleveland Browns could still pay out if they lose by 5 points or less. The spread will have standard moneyline-type odds that you can use to calculate your potential profit. These are usually set at -110 for both teams as the spread is used to even things up.

Totals

Totals are also commonly known as over/under wagers, where bettors predict whether the number of points, touchdowns, or other game statistics will be above or below the line set by a sportsbook. If you’re finding it difficult to choose an out-and-out winner, these NFL odds can be an interesting alternative. 

For example, a betting site could offer odds on the total points gained by the Browns or Bengals being above or below 46.5. Alternatively, you can find over/under opportunities on an extensive range of player, team, and game props. We’ll cover these in more detail during the next section. Again, the odds will be listed alongside each over/under line to help you find your potential payout. 

Other NFL Bet Types

A comprehensive NFL betting guide doesn’t just stop at the most popular options. Bettors at industry-leading sportsbooks have countless other choices on NFL games and the season as a whole. Some other notable betting markets include: 

NFL Futures

Are you tipping a franchise to win the Super Bowl from the beginning of the regular season? If so, NFL futures are brilliant ways to capitalize. Sportsbooks offer future bets on a range of outcomes during the season. We’ll list the most common below: 

• Super Bowl Winner 
• AFC Championship Winner 
• NFC Championship Winner 
• Division Winner 
• To Make The Playoffs 
• Winning Division/Conference

These scenarios can typically offer more attractive odds due to the added difficulty of predicting them correctly.

Player Props

Player props refer to specific predictions on player statistics. This is one of the more advanced steps in learning how to bet on NFL games, as you’ll need an astute understanding of the top performers for things like rushing yards, touchdowns, and sacks. Here are some popular options: 

• Rushing Yards 
• Number of Points 
• Passing Yards 
• Pass Completions 
• Interceptions 
• Sacks 

Typically, player props work using the over/under mechanic. Sportsbooks will set a number of rushing yards achieved by a player, and bettors must choose whether they think the true total will be under or over this amount. Alternatively, you can bet on specific player prop events like the first touchdown scorer. 

Team/Game Props

Team and game props work identically to the example above. The only difference is that these NFL betting odds refer to scenarios outside of individual players. Again, sportsbooks commonly employ the over/under concept. Top-rated platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel offer a range of choices on each team that can include: 

• First Team to Score 
• Method of First Score 
• Total Number of Field Goals 
• Total Rushing Yards 

Using these NFL props together with extensive research on a particular team and its tactics is one of the best betting strategies. For example, if you know a franchise tends to be quick off the mark and commonly scores first, this could be a sensible bet to make even if you struggle to predict the overall result.

Parlays 

Parlays are an essential area to cover in this NFL betting guide. These compelling options allow sports bettors to combine multiple predictions under one overall bet. You’ll benefit from multiplied odds that enhance the overall payout, although each leg of the parlay must be successful for you to win.

Top-level sportsbooks also offer same-game parlays, enabling bettors to choose several predictions during the same match. These can include blends of player props, team props, totals, and moneylines, representing some fascinating ways to roll various NFL betting options into one. 

Teasers

Teasers will most likely be the last wagers to appreciate when learning how to bet on NFL games. They effectively combine parlays and spread bets, allowing bettors to change the spread on each selection to make the overall wager more likely to be successful. Let’s take our point spread example from earlier and add two more games into the mix: 

• Cincinnati Bengals -5.5
• Kansas City Chiefs -7.5 
• Green Bay Packers -6.5

To make this a teaser bet, you could decide to shave off three points from each fixture. The new point spreads would look like this: 

• Cincinnati Bengals -2.5
• Kansas City Chiefs -4.5 
• Green Bay Packers -3.5

As a result, the teaser bet will be more likely to pay off. However, your potential payout will also decrease, so it’s important to strike a good middle ground. 

Live Betting

Live NFL betting is a particularly exciting way to place wagers. Our recommended sportsbooks all have powerful in-play betting options, enabling bettors to react to events as each game unfolds. These wagers can cover various options, from straightforward moneylines to specific props and even same-game parlays. 

In-play NFL sports betting requires quick thinking and fast reflexes to take advantage of the odds fluctuations. Top-spec sportsbooks provide detailed live animations and infographics to help you make the most accurate predictions. Some platforms can even offer live streaming. 

Tips on How to Bet on NFL Games

Now we’ve got the fundamental part of this NFL betting guide out of the way, we can turn our attention to some useful tips to help you succeed: 

Research

We cannot overstate the importance of doing your research before placing bets during the NFL season. It’s impossible to predict a scenario or match event with 100% accuracy, but learning how each team or player performs can give vital clues. 

Reading expert game previews and commentary on platforms like ESPN, Sports Illustrated, or Reddit Sports is a great way to improve your understanding. If you want to get really advanced, use statistical analysis of previous fixtures to help you identify areas where you could make better predictions. 

Only Bet on Markets You’re Familiar With

Don’t feel like you need to bet on different NFL betting markets just because they’re available. The most accomplished sports bettors stick to what they know for the most part, as taking risks on betting lines you aren’t familiar with can often lead to wasted stakes. 

If you fancy trying something new, ensure you know exactly how the betting market works first. We also recommend checking our NFL picks section, where our experts regularly highlight opportunities to take advantage of player props or other bet types. 

Compare Odds

Checking the BettingOdds NFL page to compare NFL odds from across the sports betting industry is an easy way to optimize your strategy.  

While sportsbooks generally have similar odds available, minor fluctuations can make a significant difference. You might also find that certain betting sites favor underdogs more than others or vice versa. 

Watch NFL Games 

Watching NFL games provides valuable insights that can help you place more accurate wagers, especially with in-play betting. This is a no-brainer, as no amount of research can replace actual observations gathered from first-hand experience. 

Make a habit of watching NFL games even when you aren’t betting to develop your understanding of how teams and players perform in various scenarios. Some leading operators like Caesars Sportsbook offer regular NFL live streaming — don’t miss out. 

Consider Our Picks and Tips

BettingOdds US experts constantly search for new ways to help our readers enhance their betting predictions. We also supply the latest news and odds during every NFL week to help you keep track of the latest developments. 

Gamble Responsibly

Staying safe and responsible during your NFL betting sessions is crucial. All sports bettors must ensure they place strict budgets and time limits on their gambling to avoid overspending. Using sportsbook deposit and time controls is a great way to ensure you remain safe. 

We also highly recommend consulting some indispensable responsible gambling resources. Our top picks include: 

• National Council on Problem Gambling 
• Gamblers Anonymous
• GambleAware.org 

Compare Sportsbooks, Sign Up, and Bet on the NFL 

This NFL betting guide has covered everything you need to know to enjoy placing wagers on the Super Bowl and beyond. Use our odds comparisons and sportsbook reviews to find the optimal platform for your preferences before signing up and claiming the welcome bonus. Afterwards, you’ll be free to enjoy comprehensive NFL betting and odds. 

Frequently Asked Questions