Introduction to NFL Betting
The NFL is the most bet-on sports league in North America, offering a wide variety of markets every week from September through February. Whether you're watching the regular season, the playoffs, or the Super Bowl, understanding NFL betting markets will help you engage more deeply with the game — and make more informed wagering decisions.
The Core NFL Bet Types
Point Spread
The point spread is the most popular NFL bet type. Rather than simply betting on who wins, you're betting on the margin of victory. The favourite gives points; the underdog receives them.
Example: Kansas City Chiefs -6.5 vs. Las Vegas Raiders +6.5
- Betting the Chiefs means they must win by 7 or more points for your bet to win.
- Betting the Raiders means they can lose by up to 6 points and you still win.
Most spread bets are offered at -110 odds on both sides, meaning you risk $110 to win $100.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is simply picking who wins the game outright, no spread involved. Favourites carry negative odds; underdogs carry positive odds.
Moneylines are particularly popular for big underdog plays, where the potential payout is substantially higher.
Totals (Over/Under)
The total is a bet on the combined score of both teams. The sportsbook sets a number (e.g., 47.5), and you bet whether the final combined score will be over or under that figure.
This is one of the best bets for bettors who follow specific teams closely, since weather, injuries to key offensive players, and defensive matchups all heavily influence scoring.
Key Factors to Analyse Before Betting NFL
- Injuries: The NFL injury report is publicly available and crucial. A starting quarterback being ruled out can swing a spread by 7+ points.
- Weather: Outdoor stadiums with rain, snow, or strong winds heavily suppress scoring — useful for under bets.
- Home/Away splits: Some teams perform dramatically differently at home vs. on the road.
- Rest and travel: Teams on short weeks (Thursday Night Football) or with long travel distances can be at a disadvantage.
- Divisional matchups: Teams that play each other twice a year tend to have closer, more competitive games — spreads are often tighter.
Popular NFL Prop Bets
Proposition bets (props) let you wager on specific player or team performances rather than the game outcome. Common NFL props include:
- Passing yards over/under for a quarterback
- Rushing yards over/under for a running back
- Whether a specific player scores a touchdown
- Number of receptions by a wide receiver
Props are exciting but typically carry higher vig — be selective with these markets.
NFL Parlays: High Risk, High Reward
A parlay combines multiple bets into one, with all selections needing to win for a payout. A 3-team parlay might pay +600 or more, but all three picks must be correct. Parlays are great for entertainment but should represent only a small portion of your overall betting activity.
Tips for Smarter NFL Betting
- Shop for the best line — a difference of a half-point on the spread can matter enormously over the long run.
- Avoid betting every game — focus on the matchups where you have the strongest read.
- Track public betting percentages — when the majority of money is on one side, the line may have moved to create value on the other.
- Be wary of Super Bowl hype — lines are heavily influenced by public money and casual bettors in that game.