As one of the most exciting and popular sports leagues in the world, it’s little surprise to see so many people betting on the NFL. Legal online betting is now available across most of the US, and there has been a huge increase in the amount of wagers placed on NFL games. For example, the 2023 Super Bowl saw an estimated $16 billion bet on it.
There’s never been a better time to start NFL betting, with the availability of online sportsbooks and lots of guides to help you get started. While placing your first bets is very easy, having success while betting can be a little more challenging. Even if you’re a big football fan, knowing which bets to choose is difficult. In this guide, you’ll learn how to maximize your success when betting on the NFL.
Knowing Which Markets to Bet On
For every NFL game, there are lots of different options you can bet on. These are known as markets and can be confusing to new bettors. However, they’re pretty simple to understand once you know what they are. The most common markets that most people bet on for the NFL are moneyline, point spread, and over/under total points.
Moneyline
Moneyline is a prediction of which team you think will win the game. For example, if you think the Detroit Lions will beat the Baltimore Ravens, you’d bet on them. If the Ravens win, your bet loses, but if the Lions win, you win.
Point Spread
The point spread is a little bit different because it introduces a point differential. The favorite is given a points handicap, while the underdog has the same amount of points as an advantage. When you bet on the point spread, you’re predicting that the team you bet on will overcome the handicap or avoid losing by the advantage.
For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are 3.5-point favorites against the Dolphins, they need to win by four points or more. If you bet on the Dolphins, you’re predicting that they won’t lose by four points or more.
Over/under
Finally, the over/under market lets you bet on the total number of points scored in the game. No matter which team wins or who scores the points, you simply bet on either over or under. For example, if a game between the Cowboys and the Eagles has the over/under set at 35.5 points, you would be hoping for less than 36 points if you bet on the under.
Researching Your Bets
Some people like to bet on their favorite team, or they just have a gut feeling about what might happen in a game. While there’s no wrong way to bet, you do want to use research and data if you want to maximize your potential success.
Unlike other forms of gambling, your research makes a real difference in how successful you can be. Sportsbooks always have the edge, but you can increase your chances of success by making informed decisions.
There’s a wealth of data and research available on the NFL, as it’s one of the most studied leagues in the world. Experts are continually publishing information about the most important stats, and you should use this to your advantage. Advanced metrics such as defense-adjusted value over average, PFF player grades, and expected points added should all factor into your decisions.
In addition to these, it’s recommended that you follow team news from across the NFL to get all the latest insights into injuries and form. Thanks to social media, it’s never been easier to stay in the loop and get vital information as soon as it’s announced.
