NFL betting guide

The National Football League is the most popular sport in the United States, and it is also the largest betting market. Betting on the NFL has taken on a life of its own, and states with legal sports betting post massive numbers from November-February.

The Super Bowl is one of the most attractive betting options each year, but the entire regular season also provides a great betting opportunity. This is also a time when you will see sportsbooks offering great bonuses and promotions to try and entice more action.

Best NFL bets

While there are some betting markets that come with very limited betting options, that is simply not the case with the NFL. There are more that aren't even included on this list, but here are some of the best NFL bets to make.

When explaining these NFL betting options, we will use the Carolina Panthers as the favorite and the New Orleans Saints as the underdog.

Spread

One of the most common phrases used in the sports betting industry is "betting against the spread." Most of the time, this is in reference to an NFL game, and this is easily the top betting option when it comes to football.

With a spread bet, you are betting on how close or far apart the final score will be. The Carolina Panthers not only have to win the game, but they would have to win by a certain number of points.

Carolina Panthers -3.5
New Orleans Saints +3.5

In this scenario, the Panthers would have to win the game by at least four points in order to cover the spread. The Saints would simply just need to keep the game within three points to do their part in covering the spread.

Totals

Another popular NFL bet to make is what is known as a total bet, or an over/under. This bet focuses on the total number of points scored in a game, and the winning or losing team doesn't matter.

Oddsmakers and sportsbooks set the over/under line, and then you are given a choice to make. Usually, the odds are set at -110 for each side of this bet, but there could be some variation between sportsbooks.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
Over 42.5 | (-110)
Under 42.5 | (-110)

If the Panthers and Saints combine for at least 43 points, then the "over" would hit. If both teams combined for 42 points or less, then the "Under" would be the right play.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet is the simplest form of betting on the NFL, but it is also an option that is not extremely popular. With a moneyline bet, you are simply picking the team that will win a game, but betting on a favorite doesn't usually lead to a large payout.

Carolina Panthers -135
New Orleans Saints +155

In this situation, it would take a $135 bet on the Panthers to win $100. Meanwhile, a $100 bet on the New Orleans Saints would come out to a payout of $155.

There are no other tricks to moneyline betting, as picking the winner is all that is needed.

Futures

A futures bet is a bet that is usually placed before the NFL season begins each year. The most common futures bet is made on which team will win the Super Bowl, but there are other options offered up as well.

These odds change frequently, and future betting markets will remain open throughout the regular season. You can usually find the most value in the odds when making a bet before the games begin.

Props

Prop betting really got started during the Super Bowl, but you can now find prop betting options for every NFL game that is played. Prop betting usually adds more fun and enjoyment to the sports betting experience as there are always some interesting options.

Here are some potential prop betting options that you might see:

Will the Panthers be the first team to score a TD?

Will there be a successful two-point conversion in the game?

Rushing yards for Christian McCaffrey: O/U 97.5

Parlays

A parlay bet is a combination bet as you are adding up a number of small bets into one large wager. This is a common betting strategy that is used when betting on the NFL as it increases the potential for a big payout.

Parlay bets can include spreads, totals, moneyline, or prop betting options.

Live betting

Live or in-play betting is another betting option that has become extremely popular, especially during NFL season. Most of the betting options listed above can be made during a live NFL game, but that really just depends on the sportsbook.

One thing to remember with live betting is that the odds change quickly, and you don't have much time to make a decision.

Tips for betting on the NFL

Here are some tips to keep in mind when betting on the NFL:

Check the injury report

Football is a contact sport, and it is one that sees a number of injuries each week. One of the most important things to look at when betting on the NFL is the injury report.

The league also has some pretty strict rules on how to report an injury, and you will find plenty of helpful information if you take a look at the list for each team. You also want to check this list often, as players can be added or removed each day.

Homefield advantage matters

Homefield advantage doesn't really matter in some betting markets, but that isn't the case when it comes to the NFL. This always has an effect on the betting odds and lines, and you need to know where games are played as well.

There are upsets that occur each week in the NFL, and home teams typically have a better chance of pulling off these wins. This doesn't mean that you should always bet on home underdogs, but you need to be aware of when it is the best option.

Explore multiple betting options

As you can see from above, the NFL provides a number of different ways to bet on each game, and you should always explore any and all options. Even though betting against the spread or betting totals are the most popular, there are other great opportunities as well.

Spend some time looking at all of the betting options available to you, and that will give you the best chance to win some money when betting on the NFL.