NFL Betting 101: Beginner’s Guide to Betting on Football
Why Bet on the NFL?
NFL is the most popular betting sport in America, with:
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Billions wagered annually
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Massive public attention
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Sharp vs. square line movement
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Weekly edges for disciplined bettors
Because games are only once a week, lines sharpen fast — but smart bettors with structure can beat the books long-term.
Most Popular NFL Bet Types
1. Point Spread
The spread is a handicap used to even the matchup between two teams.
Eagles -3.5
Cowboys +3.5
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Eagles must win by 4+ points to win
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Cowboys must lose by 3 or less or they can win the game outright to win
Point spreads are the most common way to bet NFL.
→ Learn: What Is the Point Spread?
2. Moneyline
A bet on who wins straight up, no spread.
Chiefs -180
Dolphins +150
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Chiefs moneyline odds - Bet $180 to profit $100
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Dolphins moneyline odds - Bet $100 to profit $150
Use moneylines in close matchups or when fading the public.
→ Learn: What Is the Moneyline?
3. Over Under
Bet on the total combined runs scored by both teams.
Example: Over/Under 44.5
Final Score: 24–21 → Over hits
Things to consider:
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Matchup of offenses and defenses for each team in the game you are betting
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Redzone conversion rates for both teams
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Weather
4. NFL Player Props
Bet on individual player performance.
Examples:
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Passing yards
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Rushing yards
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Anytime touchdown scorer
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Completions / attempts
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INTs / sacks / receptions
Huge edge if you track matchups, game scripts, and injury reports.
5. Same Game Parlay (SGP)
Build multiple picks within the same game:
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QB over 250 yards
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WR over 75 yards
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Team total over
All legs must hit — but the payout multiplies.
Use SGPs for fun or low-stake high-reward bets. Don’t make them your core strategy.
6. NFL Live Betting
Wager during the game as momentum shifts:
Next score
Second-half total
Comeback line value
Best used when watching the game live and spotting opportunity.
What Impacts NFL Betting Lines?
1. Quarterback Play
The QB is the most important position in sports.
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Injuries = massive line shifts
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Backups create value (sometimes!)
2. Public Betting Trends
Most casual bettors hammer:
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Favorites
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Overs
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Star teams (Chiefs, Cowboys, etc.)
Smart bettors can fade the public when the line moves too far.
3. Weather
NFL totals shift drastically based on:
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Wind
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Rain/snow
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Temperature
Wind over 15+ MPH = great spot for unders.
4. Injury Reports
Especially for:
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QBs
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Offensive linemen
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DBs & secondary
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Star WRs/RBs
Line movement is often based on who’s out and when it's announced.
5. Travel & Rest
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Teams on short rest (especially Thursday games) struggle
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West Coast teams in early East Coast games can underperform
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Off a bye = extra prep and rest
Common NFL Betting Mistakes
❌ Always Betting the Favorite
Just because a team is better doesn’t mean they’ll cover the spread.
Underdogs cover ~48–50% of the time in the NFL — learn to spot value.
❌ Ignoring Line Movement
If a spread moves from -2.5 to -4.5, something happened. Monitor news or public %.
❌ Betting Based on Headlines
Public overreacts to primetime blowouts, one big game, or QB hype. Stay objective.
❌ Building 7-Leg Parlays
The NFL is unpredictable. Parlays are fine for entertainment — but not profit.
❌ No Bankroll Management
NFL Sundays can lead to overexposure. Stick to a unit-based plan and don’t chase.
NFL Betting Strategy Tips
Shop Lines
Different books offer different:
Point spreads
Player prop lines
Odds on teasers/parlays
Getting the best number adds long-term edge.
Bet Early or Late — Not in Between
Early in the week to beat line movement
Late in the week when injury news is final
Midweek = no edge, highest juice.
Follow Trusted Handicappers (Not Instagram Hype)
Only tail picks that are tracked and explained — like KofSports VIP.
NFL Betting FAQs
Q: What’s the best bet type for beginners?
A: Start with point spreads and totals — add props once you understand matchups and usage.
Q: Is there an edge in NFL betting?
A: Yes — but it takes discipline, line shopping, bankroll management, and data-driven picks.
Q: Should I use parlays?
A: Sparingly. Limit to fun money or correlated legs (SGP). Don’t rely on them to profit.
Q: What’s a teaser in the NFL?
A: A bet that moves point spreads in your favor across 2+ games. Popular for crossing key numbers (like 3 & 7).
Want Winning NFL Picks?
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✅ VIP Members Get:
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Daily NFL picks (spread, props, team totals, alt lines)
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QB prop plays with matchup data
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Live alerts for line movement & injury-based edges
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+60% documented long-term win rate
Stop scrolling Twitter for free picks. Start winning with real data and unit-rated bets.