It is vital to understand how NFL odds work before you start making picks on football games at online sportsbooks.
They highlight the profit you will earn from a winning bet, and they also tell you the implied probability of the wager succeeding. You can use this information to decide whether an NFL bet is appealing or not.
This guide explains how to read NFL odds. We will break down the main NFL betting options and show you how to find the best odds available on your picks.
Types of NFL Odds
Elite sportsbooks like FanDuel and BetMGM offer NFL odds on thousands of different markets. They fall into seven main categories, which are highlighted below.
The moneyline is a simple wager on which team will win an NFL game. The sportsbooks assess the strengths of both teams and then release moneyline odds.
Here is an example of NFL moneyline odds:
- Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Buffalo Bills (+200)
- Buffalo Bills to beat Jacksonville Jaguars (-240)
The odds tell you the potential profit available by betting on each team and the implied chances of either team winning. In this example, you will earn a $200 profit for every $100 wagered on the Jaguars, but they only have a 33.3% implied chance of success.
The point spread is the most popular NFL wager. It arises after the sportsbook gives the supposedly stronger team a handicap. Here is an example:
- San Francisco 49ers -6.5 (-105)
- LA Rams +6.5 (-115)
If you expect the 49ers to win by a margin of at least 7 points, back them to cover the point spread. Alternatively, you can back the Rams if you believe they will either win the game or lose by no more than 6 points.
This is another popular NFL betting option, which simply requires you to predict how many points both teams will combine for in a game.
The sportsbooks will assess the offensive and defensive capabilities of each team, and they will then set a total points line. You normally find similar odds on Over and Under. Here is an example:
- Over 46.5 points (-110)
- Under 46.5 points (-110)
If you think the teams will combine for at least 47 points, bet on Over. If not, you can bet on Under.
NFL futures are wagers that run throughout the season. The most common option is a bet on which team will win the Super Bowl.
You can also bet on the winner of each conference or division, and football fans can bet on player awards. There are also long-term team specials, such as:
- Cincinnati Bengals to win Over 9.5 regular season games (-110)
- Cincinnati Bengals to win Under 9.5 regular season games (-110)
The odds on these markets change throughout the season to reflect recent results and other variables, such as injuries to key players.
NFL parlays combine predictions on two or more games to create a single wager. For example, you might bet on the Ravens, Buccaneers, and Panthers all to cover the spread on the same day.
The parlay will only pay off if all three picks are correct, so it is a risky wager. However, it can be lucrative if you succeed, as the profit from each correct pick rolls over to the next prediction, and the overall profit compounds.
NFL fans can also place same-game parlays, SGP+ bets, teasers, and round robins at the best online sportsbooks.
NFL props are available on player performance stats, team stats, and game events. They present you with a proposition, and you can then make a Yes/No or Over/Under prediction.
For example, you can bet Over/Under on the number of yards a QB will throw for, the number of yards a running back will rush for, or the number of sacks a defensive lineman will record.
Game props include Yes/No bets on whether there will be overtime, a safety, a two-point conversion, an octopus, and so on.
NFL live betting is available after a game begins at the best online sportsbooks. They update their NFL odds on markets like the spread, total, moneyline, props, and same-game parlays in real time, reflecting the score and how well each team is performing.
Some apps also offer micro-betting options during a live NFL game. For example, you can bet on the outcome of each drive or each down.
How To Read NFL Odds
Online sportsbooks display their NFL odds in the American format. That means the odds will either be positive (+) or negative (-). Here is an example:
- Miami Dolphins to beat Seattle Seahawks (+150)
- Seattle Seahawks to beat Miami Dolphins (-180)
When the NFL odds are positive, they tell you the profit available on a $100 bet. In this example, a $100 wager on Miami would leave you a $150 profit.
If they are negative, the NFL odds tell you the amount you must risk to win $100. In this example, a $180 bet on the Seahawks would produce a $100 profit.
NFL Line Shopping
You will maximize your potential profits if you shop around for the best odds and lines on each bet you place.
It is helpful to register with a few legal online sportsbooks in your state. You can then use our NFL odds comparison table to determine which site has the best odds on your pick, and you can quickly visit the site to place your wager before the odds change.
How To Bet on NFL Odds at Legal Sportsbooks
Before you can put Gaming Today’s NFL betting tips to the test and grab the best NFL odds, you must sign up for at least one (or more than one) online sportsbook account. The steps to making your first legal mobile sports bet include the following:
Find an online sportsbook
Check out the best sports betting apps for the latest on promotions, betting markets, and online sportsbook launches across the US.
Claim a welcome bonus
Check in with Gaming Today for updated promo codes for each legal US online sportsbook. These promo codes unlock the welcome bonuses at the sportsbook.
Register for a new account
Most sportsbooks require first and last names and a valid email address to sign up for a new account. You’ll need additional proof of age and identity to make your first deposit.
Make your first deposit
Once the sportsbook verifies your identification documents, you can access several remote deposit options. Some of the most reliable deposit methods include ACH/eCheck, PayPal, and the Play+ Prepaid card.
Download a mobile sportsbook app
Most legal online sportsbooks offer their platforms on Apple iOS and Android apps. Apple device owners can find sportsbook apps in the App Store, while Android users can download apps directly from a sportsbook’s website. The Google Play store recently approved legal gambling apps, but it might take a while for the top US sportsbook brands to get their apps on the Google Play menu.
Place bets
Legal online sportsbooks offer comprehensive selections of sports and ways to bet. Online sports bets require just a couple of clicks for the wager to appear on your betslip. Once you’ve inputted how much you want to bet on a particular line, confirm the wager on the betslip and send it through to the sportsbook.
Bet Tracking
The practice of tabulating your betting history. Advanced bet tracking for sports betting is essential because numbers are king. Properly monitoring and tracking your bets makes you gambling royalty. Sports gamblers, novices, and veterans alike are guaranteed to improve their game with this simple hack.
Bonus Offers for NFL Betting
- Deposit Match Bonus — A deposit match bonus matches a percentage of your first deposit with bonus betting credits. DraftKings, for example, gives players a 20% deposit match up to $1,250 as a welcome bonus.
- Bonus Bet — A bonus bet refunds your first bet at an online sportsbook if it loses up to a certain amount. If your initial wager is unsuccessful, you’ll receive the value of your initial bet back as site credits.
- Referral Bonus — Bringing your friends to an online sportsbook can sometimes put money in your pocket. Some sportsbooks offer bonus bet credits for every player you get to sign up for a new account.
Latest. NFL Betting News
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Get Up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets With Fanatics Sportsbook Promo for NFL Week 7
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NFL Odds FAQ
NFL odds highlight the profit you will earn from a successful football bet. They also tell you the implied probability of the bet paying off. For example, NFL odds of +1000 mean you will earn a $1,000 profit from a $100 bet, and it has a 9.1% implied chance of success.
Yes, DraftKings offers NFL odds on every game of the season. You can bet on the point spread, total points, moneylines, props, parlays, and much more. DraftKings also offers NFL odds on futures markets, such as the winner of the Super Bowl.
Yes, FanDuel offers live odds during NFL games. Visit the “Live now” section or head to the NFL page and choose the “Live” tab to browse a list of live NFL games. Select one, and you will be presented with a wide variety of live NFL betting options, with the odds updating in real time.
NFL odds of +110 mean that a $100 bet will result in a $110 profit if the wager is successful. You do not need to wager precisely $100, as the odds are just there to guide you. For example, you can wager $10 at odds of +110 and receive an $11 profit if the pick is correct.
Those NFL odds mean you must risk $110 in order to win $100. They are the most common NFL odds, as many online sportsbooks offer -110 on either side of a point spread or total points line. That gives the sportsbook a 4.77% house edge, known as the vigorish.
Over/Under NFL odds tell you the profit you would receive from a successful bet on the total points line. For example, you might be offered NFL odds of -115 on Over 39.5 points and -105 on Under 39.5 points in a particular game.
You can find the best NFL odds by comparing the numbers at each legal online sportsbook in your state. Our NFL odds comparison chart makes it easy to quickly see which site has the best odds on your picks. Just bookmark our NFL odds page and return whenever you want to find the best prices.
The best type of bet using NFL odds is the point spread. This is the most popular NFL wager, and it has a lower house edge than markets such as prop bets and parlays. You may sometimes spot arbitrage opportunities, meaning you lock in a guaranteed profit by covering both sides of the same bet at rival sportsbooks.
FanDuel is the best NFL sportsbook app. This app offers a huge variety of NFL betting options, including pre-game and live betting markets. The odds are competitive, payouts are quick, the user experience is superb, and there are regular profit boosts, odds boosts, and other promos for NFL bettors.
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