How to Bet on NFL Games

Sportsbooks have become more commonplace than ever and now is the time to take advantage.

With so many to choose from, a guide to NFL betting would be a helpful thing. The good news is that there are a select few sportsbooks that stand above the rest.

If you plan on throwing down a few wagers when football starts again in the fall, having a little help can be crucial.

Check out the NFL betting guide below and you will know all that there is to know about betting on NFL football.

And if you need help finding NFL betting offers click here.

How to bet on NFL games

“How do I bet on NFL games?” The question seems so simple, but it is far from. When you go to look at a matchup between two teams, you are going to see a lot of numbers that don’t make sense at first. The good news is that a simple guide can make those look less confusing and easier to understand.

Before you can worry about those, however, it helps to know where to find a good sportsbook. There are a few to choose from that can help you gain comfort and confidence as you start your betting career.

Let’s check out the three best names in the industry today: FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars Sportsbook. And you can watch some more NFL video picks here.

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NFL Futures Season Wins Total - PropPick

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel initially began in the daily fantasy sports realm, so it is a well-known name to even casual NFL fans. It has since become one of the biggest and best names in the online sportsbook industry as well, partially thanks to a user-friendly website, smooth and intuitive smartphone NFL betting app, and all the betting markets one could hope for.

Betting on FanDuel is as simple as it gets. Signing up only takes a few minutes and you can be on your way to claiming one of the great signup offers they run. Within minutes, you can claim your bonus and begin betting on all of the great NFL action. The easier, the better and FanDuel Sportsbook understands that clearly.

DraftKings Sportsbook

Another name that began in the daily fantasy sports world, FanDuel is another premier name among sportsbooks. DraftKings has perhaps the best mobile app in the business, making it easy to navigate hundreds of different bets in a matter of minutes and a few taps. The depositing system is also super easy to use, letting new users get started in no time.

One of the coolest features about DraftKings is the same-game parlay. Traditionally, you can only lump one bet per game into a parlay.

But with the SGP option, you can pick a variety of different outcomes in one game and combine them into a single bet. The same-game parlay has become a hugely popular feature that other sportsbooks are beginning to copy.

Caesars Sportsbook

For decades, Caesars has been one of the most respected and well-known names in the casino industry. Since then, they have branched into not only online casinos but online sportsbooks as well. Though they are still somewhat new to online sportsbooks, there is no mistaking the prestige that the reputable brand brings to the table.

Caesars may not have the flash of some of the other sportsbooks, but the simplicity can’t be beat. Whether betting on football, hockey, basketball, baseball, or something else, you can find your preferred matchups quickly and easily, seeing the specifics as they populate in the bet slip. With great bonus offers for new players, there are plenty of reasons to sign up and start betting with Caesars.

Popular NFL betting types

Betting on a game is far more than simply picking the winning team. Read on to find out about all the ways in which you can bet on the NFL, including money line, points spread, point totals, player props, and more.

Money line

The simplest way to bet on NFL football. The money line indicates which team is favored to win. In the matchup of the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, let’s say that the Ravens are -140 to win while the Browns are +120.

This indicates that the Ravens are the favorites, while the Browns are the underdog. The sportsbook is showing that the likelihood of a Ravens victory is greater, and the number does factor in the event of a tie where no team wins.

Odds are worth watching with the money line because it can make your bet not quite worth it. Still, choosing the money line is perhaps the simplest bet type there is and a great place for beginners who want to learn to bet on the NFL.

Find more information about NFL money line bets here.

Point spread

The great odds equalizer. Let’s say the best team in the NFL faces off against the worst. Betting on the best team seems obvious but the odds may not make it worth your time. That is where the spread comes into play.

In a matchup between the 49ers and Cardinals, let’s assume the 49ers are 8-point favorites. You would see 49ers -8 (-110). This shows how many points the 49ers would need to win by and their odds. Because they need to win by a specific amount, the odds are much closer to even than the money line would be.

Those looking for better value on their picks will like the spread. That said, even small plays can make a big difference. Picking against the spread is a much tougher endeavor and there is far less room for error to be had.

Totals

Picking a winner can be difficult business. As NFL betting is explained, you will find other ways to get enjoyment out of the game. So, if you aren’t too certain about which side to pick, consider betting on the point totals instead.

This wager is one of the simplest to make. The book will set a point total for each game. Let’s say for the 49ers/Cowboys game, the line is set at 51.5. Your job is to decide whether that total will come in over or under the 51.5.

Riding teams that are playing well offensively, betting against games that have inclement weather, and finding mismatches can be a great way to apply that knowledge to the totals. And when you root for the over, at least you can cheer on the excitement of more points.

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Futures

Not every bet has to be settled the day that you make them. While many NFL bets are done the day of or even the day before, NFL futures bets are just that: they take a look off into the distant future to predict certain outcomes and events.

Futures bets are generally around a specific team or player action. For instance, you can bet on a specific player to win an individual award like MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and more.

Futures bets can also be placed on team outcomes. The most popular futures bets revolve around the Super Bowl as well as teams winning their conference or division. Futures bets can be placed throughout the season so long as they are in before the event has been determined.

Prop bets

In this day and age, betting on the game takes on many hats. A fun part of NFL betting is putting in a wager on individual props and statistics. A prop bet involves wagering on a specific outcome to happen during the course of the game.

In the Vikings/Packers game, a Dalvin Cook rushing yards prop would be a common pick. If the number is set at 74.5, you would choose whether he will rush for more or less than the aforementioned amount.

The cool thing about player props is that they cover just about everything. Yards, touchdowns, tackles, sacks, completions, and more. If you can think of a stat, there is likely a prop bet to be made on that player for that particular game.

Parlays

Making a single-game pick is simple but it also may not have the best payout. If you like taking longer odds, the best option may be a parlay. The parlay is a combination of single-game picks into one single bet ticket.

For example, let’s say you are a big believer in the Saints, Titans, and Steelers one Sunday. You could parlay them together to create longer odds and potentially bigger winnings. Instead of one team at -125, you get all three at +350. Your $1 bet will turn into $3.50 if it hits.

The problem with parlays is that you need every leg to hit for it to successfully cash. So, if you bet a larger parlay and all but one leg hits, you won’t win your bet. These are tougher bets to hit but result in much larger payouts if you are successful.

Live betting

Traditionally, you have to get your bet in before the game starts for it to count. Thanks to the magic of live betting, that is no longer the case. You can now bet on the action unfolding all throughout the game as you see fit.

When a game begins, things like the totals, point spread, and money line will shift in terms of odds. Maybe a heavy favorite starts slow, but you have faith in them. The line may come down, giving you more favorable odds than what they were pre-game.

Live betting can be an asset to those who watch the games more closely. Being able to wager throughout can be an invaluable tool, allowing you to take advantage of changing odds and the way the game unfolds.

NFL Betting Tips

When it comes to learning how to bet on NFL games, a few tips never hurt anyone. Not everyone can begin as an expert, and it takes a lot of practice and patience to become any good at it. With a few helpful tips, you can consider this your NFL betting guide.

When learning how to bet on the NFL, it is crucial to keep your emotions in check. Maybe a team has underperformed the last couple of weeks but is still favored in their matchup. By sticking with preseason expectations, you can keep steady while others react to every win and loss.

Check out any football betting guide and you will see another tip: shop the odds. You will find different odds at different sportsbooks, offering a potential value play if you look hard enough. Never settle for one book’s odds if you don’t have to.

Finally, when learning how to bet on NFL games, stay way from parlays. Though their payouts can be enticing, parlays do not hit very often. That’s not even mentioning the “hold” that sportsbooks take, which is exponentially higher than the hold on single-game bets. Steer clear of parlays where you can.

NFL betting odds explained

Another aspect of learning how to bet on NFL games includes understanding the odds. Depending on the sportsbook and where you are located, you will find different variations on the odds. The most common are decimal odds, fractional odds, American odds, and consensus odds.

Decimal odds

Every bet illustrates how much you can win with a $1 bet. For decimal odds, the number indicates the payout as a whole, not just the profit. Basically, the decimal includes the stake when calculating the odds with a sportsbook.

For instance, you may find that the New York Jets are a 6. That means you would get $5 in profit in addition to the $1 bet. Ignoring the odds is a mistake when checking out a football betting guide, so make certain you know how to read them.

American odds

Like decimal odds, American odds also show you what the final payout will be rather than simply the winnings. Wherever you find NFL betting explained, there is a good chance that the odds will be of the American variety.

American odds use the +/- system. The + indicates an underdog while a – shows the favorite. If you see the Buffalo Bills -160, it means that you would get $1.60 back: $1 for the bet, $.60 in winnings.

Fractional odds

Fractional odds may be the simplest way when it comes to learning betting. Fractional odds show you the wager and what you stand to win. In learning how to bet on football games, fractional odds may be your best bet.

For instance, let’s say the Miami Dolphins are 4/5 to win. You would need to bet $5 to win $4. The first number is your winnings, the second your wager. That is the simplest explanation, a great tool for new bettors.

Consensus odds

This does not pertain to the odds of a win rather what the public is betting on. While you might wonder, “how does NFL betting work,” one of the best tools available can be through seeing what the public is doing.

It shows you whether you want to go with the consensus or “fade” the pick by betting against it. Overwhelming public consensus can lead to a value play through fading the public.

How to bet on NFL games FAQ

How do I bet on NFL games?

If you want to know how to bet on NFL games, the process is quite simple. Pick a sportsbook and then choose a bet type (money line, parlay, etc.). Your picks will populate in the bet slip, where you can finalize your wager.

What is the easiest way to bet on the NFL?

Perhaps the easiest bet to make is the money line. Though picking the right team is a challenge, it is the simplest bet type there is. When you learn how to bet on the NFL,

Where can I bet on NFL games?

Online sportsbooks are a great place to bet. If you have been wondering how to bet on football games, check out DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars sportsbooks. These are a few of the top names in the industry and provide all you could need to know.

What betting types are available for the NFL?

There are a litany of betting types in any NFL betting guide. For starters, you can wager on the money line, point totals, point spreads, player props, and even bets that won’t be settled until the end of the season known as futures.

Find more NFL betting guides here.

How to Bet on NFL Games: 2023-24 NFL Betting Guide