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Betting on the NFL: Top Picks & Strategies

Sports betting is rapidly growing in popularity and reaching new markets every year across the United States, and the National Football League (NFL) continues to capture the attention of hundreds of millions of fans. As a result, it only makes sense that there are plenty of eager football lovers turned sports bettors ready to get in on the action.

If you’re new to the world of sports betting or just looking for some extra tips to help prepare you for the upcoming NFL season, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best NFL sportsbooks on the market while also covering important betting terminology and the different types of wagers available. We’ll also explore NFL betting trends, offer some key tips and strategies to increase your chances of success, and provide all the information you’ll need to take your NFL betting experience to the next level.

Top NFL Sportsbooks for U.S. Bettors

With the NFL being one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States and across the globe, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of options for bettors looking to place wagers on all their favorite players and teams. However, five NFL betting sites stand head and shoulders above the rest:

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

   DraftKings is the ultimate sportsbook for football fans. The platform is simply unmatched in its number of alternative lines and totals as well as the variety of prop bets and futures offered. Not to mention, DraftKings provides odds surges, profit boosts, same-game parlay insurance, and many other incredible bonus opportunities throughout the entire NFL season.

   A user-friendly website and mobile app combined with a fantastic customer rewards program only add to the appeal of DraftKings Sportsbook. If you haven’t already joined the DraftKings community, we highly recommend you sign up today and claim the Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets welcome offer available to all first-time users.

2. FanDuel Sportsbook

   FanDuel Sportsbook is not far behind, and depending on your personal preferences and betting style, it may be the best option for you. With the best mobile app among U.S. sportsbooks and top-tier customer service, FanDuel clearly has a lot to offer sports bettors around the country.

   If you’re a fan of same-game parlays (SGPs), then FanDuel is the sportsbook for you. It gives you the option to build your own parlays from a wide range of bet types, or you may take a look at the site’s trending and most popular SGPs and use those for inspiration. Overall, FanDuel Sportsbook is undoubtedly one of the top options for NFL betting.

3. Caesars Sportsbook

   Caesars Sportsbook is another top option for NFL fans all over the United States. Massive first bet insurance, competitive odds, and daily same-game parlay odds boosts are just a few of the reasons why bettors from all over the country are flocking to Caesars as we approach the start of the NFL season.

   However, Caesars’ top-tier customer loyalty program is what helps it rise above the competition. Players are rewarded for their consistent play and dedication to the platform with bonus bets, hotel accommodations, sports and concert tickets, gift cards, electronics, and plenty of other incredible prizes.

4. BetMGM Sportsbook

   If you’re a fan of in-game betting on all the most exciting NFL matchups, BetMGM Sportsbook is the perfect option for you. A wide range of betting markets, competitive odds, and live streaming of games makes the BetMGM live betting experience the best in the industry. Customers will also have access to excellent teaser odds, weekly promotions, and a high-quality customer rewards program.

5. BetRivers Sportsbook

   Last but not least, BetRivers is a fantastic sports betting platform that provides incredible market depth, speedy payouts, and a beginner-friendly website and mobile app. New users of BetRivers Sportsbook will also enjoy amazing customer service and a second chance bet of up to $500 in bonus bets if their first wager happens to be unsuccessful.

Important Terminology

Before we go any further, there’s some important NFL betting terminology for us to cover. This includes NFL betting markets, NFL public betting, and NFL betting lines. Understanding each of these terms and having knowledge in each area will enable you to make more informed and strategic decisions when placing bets.

NFL Betting Markets

NFL betting markets refer to the various types of bets available for NFL games. This includes point spreads, moneylines, over/under totals, player props, game props, parlays, same-game parlays, teasers, futures, and many more. If you’re not familiar with any of these terms, we’ll cover each of them in great detail in the next section.

Being familiar with all the different NFL betting markets is crucial, as it allows you to better maximize betting opportunities, tailor your betting approach, manage risk, and adapt to changing circumstances. It will also make it much easier to identify value in the market and find wagers that best align with your strategy and style of betting.

NFL Public Betting

NFL public betting involves the betting activity and trends among the general public or larger betting community. It will indicate the percentage of bets that were placed on a particular team, spread, or total in an NFL game. NFL public betting data can provide valuable insights when it comes to market sentiment, betting patterns, and contrarian betting opportunities.

Monitoring this type of data can help bettors predict line movements and can act as a confirmation or contradiction of one’s individual analysis or betting strategy. While NFL public betting data should never be used alone to make decisions, it can help NFL bettors gain a broader perspective of the market and is a valuable resource you’ll always have at your disposal.

NFL Betting Lines

NFL betting lines are the odds set by sportsbooks that indicate the implied probability of each potential outcome after taking into account factors such as recent performance, injury concerns, and overall team strength. NFL betting sites aim to balance the action and attract bets on both sides of a wager, creating an efficient market where bettors have equal opportunities.

Types of NFL Bets

NFL fans will have a wide range of betting options to choose from based on their preferences, strategies, and knowledge of the game. Some of the most common types of wagers offered on NFL games are explained below.

Moneyline Betting

Moneyline betting is often considered the simplest type of wager and involves picking the winner of an NFL matchup between two teams. Each team is assigned odds based on their projected likelihood of coming out on top, with one team being the favorite and the other being the underdog.

Positive moneyline odds (e.g., +110, +200, or +350) are used for the underdog and represent the potential payout on a $100 wager. Meanwhile, negative moneyline odds (e.g., -115, -250, or -325) are used for the favorite and represent the amount that must be wagered to win a total of $100.

Point Spread Betting

Another popular option for NFL fans is point spread betting. When you place a wager on a point spread, you are betting on the margin of victory or defeat. The favorite will be assigned a handicap, which represents the number of points they will need to win by in order to cover the spread.

For instance, if you bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to cover a 6.5-point spread (-6.5) against the Los Angeles Chargers, then they would need to win by seven or more points for the wager to be successful.

Meanwhile, the underdog will be assigned an advantage that is equal to the favorite’s handicap. If you placed a wager on the Chargers to cover the 6.5-point spread (+6.5) as underdogs, then the bet would be a winner if they lost by six or fewer points or won the game outright.

Totals Betting

Totals betting, also known as over/under betting, gives bettors an opportunity to bet on the total number of points that will be scored in a game. Sportsbook will set the total at a certain number based on each team’s offensive and defensive capabilities, and you will have the option to predict whether the final combined score is over or under the projected total.

Prop Betting

Prop betting, short for proposition betting, involves placing wagers on specific events or outcomes that aren’t directly related to the final outcome of a game. Examples include betting on a player’s statistics, who will score the first touchdown, if the final score will be even or odd, or whether the game will go to overtime.

Futures Betting

NFL futures betting gives you a chance to place wagers on long-term outcomes well ahead of time. Common examples include betting on the Super Bowl champion, winner of a division, a team’s total number of wins in the regular season, or the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

NFL Parlay Betting

One popular and very important type of bet that we have yet to cover is the parlay. NFL parlay betting involves combining multiple wagers into a single bet, with all selections needing to be correct for the parlay to be successful.

Parlays are considered a high-risk, high-reward type of wager. They offer the potential for greater payouts (with the odds of each selection being multiplied together), but their chances of winning decrease with each additional leg added to the betslip.

Same-game parlays, in particular, have become a staple among NFL bettors. Since the outcomes of each spread, total, or prop bet in a single game are all correlated, same-game parlays allow bettors to leverage their game knowledge and understanding of team dynamics, player matchups, and game scenarios in order to win big.

NFL Teaser Betting

Another common type of bet we have not yet discussed is the teaser. NFL teaser betting is similar to NFL parlay betting in that both types of wagers involve combining multiple outcomes into a single bet. However, teasers allow sports bettors to adjust the point spread or total in their favor by a predetermined number of points. NFL teaser betting is quite popular, but it is important to note that the payouts are typically much lower than parlays.

Computer Picks

Computer picks refer to selections made by algorithms or automated systems based on a combination of statistical analysis, historical data, and betting trends. The computer will run a large number of simulations in order to produce an unbiased, data-driven projection for the outcome of an NFL game.

These can be very useful for NFL bettors by providing an objective perspective and quickly identifying potential value bets or trends that may not be readily apparent. However, it’s important to understand that NFL computer picks are not infallible and should simply be used as a resource to help you make smart and strategic betting decisions.

Betting on the NFL Preseason

Betting on the NFL Preseason each year is a whole different animal, as it can be next to impossible to predict how long a team’s starters will remain on the field or which team is more motivated to come out on top in an all but meaningless game. That said, placing wagers on NFL exhibition games doesn’t have to be quite the shot in the dark that many bettors believe it to be.

If research is important during the NFL regular season, then it is essential during the preseason. Keeping up with league storylines, analyzing preseason trends and strategies, being aware of player and team news, and seeking out insider information can give you a very significant advantage during this time of the year.

Furthermore, you’ll find there are a few general guidelines and strategies that have historically had success in the NFL preseason. These include betting on younger squads, picking teams with depth, and backing the Ravens (who have astonishingly not lost a preseason game since 2015).

There are also several benefits to betting on the NFL preseason. You’ll gain early insights and valuable information that you can use to your advantage all season long. In addition, there will be tons of value and favorable odds for astute bettors who have done their research. To top it all off, you’ll have the opportunity to get started over a month ahead of schedule, meaning more excitement and more football!

Current Betting Trends for NFL

NFL betting trends refer to the patterns and tendencies observed when looking at the historical data of NFL games. These trends can be used to predict how players or teams will perform in a specific set of circumstances, which can give you an advantage when placing your bets.

Examples include a team’s level of success at home or on the road, as favorite or underdogs, following a bye week, in certain weather conditions, in primetime matchups, or against good offensive or defensive teams.

It is also useful to examine betting market trends, which focus on the behavior of bettors and the movement of betting lines. Betting market trends can be helpful in understanding how the betting public perceives certain teams or matchups and can help you identify potential value opportunities.

A few current NFL betting trends to watch this upcoming season include Kirk Cousins’ struggles in primetime matchups, the dominance of the Miami Dolphins at home against the spread, favorites winning straight up and covering in international games, and Aaron Rodgers’ career success as a home underdog.

NFL Betting Tips and Strategies

There is no foolproof method to guarantee that all your NFL bets will be winners. That said, there are general guidelines to follow and key strategies to use to increase your probability of success in the long run.

Here are a few tips and tricks for betting on the NFL:

• Do Your Research: Make sure you’ve done thorough research by keeping up with team news, seeking out injury updates, analyzing team and player statistics, considering offensive and defensive schemes, and evaluating differences in home and away performance. It’s always important to stay informed and adapt as new information becomes available. You may even consider using the expert NFL advice we provide all season long!
• Properly Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget for yourself (i.e., an amount that you can afford to lose without negatively impacting your overall financial stability), and stick to it. It’s also beneficial to properly manage unit size, avoid chasing losses, and set wagering limits as well.
• Shop for the Best Odds: Sign up for accounts with multiple sportsbooks in order to have the option to shop around for the best odds on the wager you plan to make. While placing a bet at -115 odds instead of -110 may not seem significant, it could very well be the difference between making money and losing it in the long run.
• Understand Line Movement: Pay attention to line movement and betting trends, as lines can shift based on public opinion, injury updates, or other relevant factors. Understanding how and why lines move can help you identify favorable betting opportunities or spot overreactions by the betting public.
• Consider Team Motivation: Although this primarily applies to NFL preseason games or late regular season matchups, it’s important to consider each team’s motivation and what’s at stake. Are they playing for a playoff spot, division title, first-round bye, or to avoid elimination from playoff contention? These are all important factors to consider.
• Factor in Weather Conditions: Keep an eye on the weather report for teams that will be playing outdoors. Snow, rain, wind, and extreme temperatures (hot or cold) can all significantly impact a team’s performance or the total number of points that will be scored in the matchup.

If you’re ever looking for extra help in all your sports betting endeavors, you can always take advantage of the free picks we offer from some of the top experts in the industry!

Summary

We’ve covered the best NFL sportsbooks, the types of bets available, the latest betting trends, and strategies to implement to increase your chances of success. Now, you’re ready to get started. Choose your preferred sportsbook, claim the generous welcome offer, and start betting on all your favorite players and teams across the league!

Remember to make well-informed strategic bets based on thorough research, betting trends, statistical analysis, and plenty of other useful tools. Be sure to use this comprehensive guide to help guide you on your NFL betting journey, and remember to stay disciplined. Good luck, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!