NFL Betting: Predictions, Best Bets, Free Picks & Props

The NFL is the most popular sports league in the U.S., so it should be no surprise that it is the most popular league for sports betting too. Because of this, people naturally tend to have questions about how to bet, and what everything means. There is a wide variety of NFL betting picks, parlays, and props to choose from. Below is a look over some of the basic odds you’ll see, but if you’re looking for something more advanced check out the NFL parlays for options.

Where is NFL Betting Legal?

Knowing whether or not you’re in a state where you can bet legally is important. So far, the majority of the states and Washington DC have a way to bet on the NFL in some capacity. The following states are fully operational for either mobile or retail betting:

1. Arizona
2. Arkansas
3. Colorado
4. Connecticut
5. Delaware
6. Illinois
7. Indiana
8. Iowa
9. Louisiana
10. Maryland
11. Michigan
12. Mississippi
13. Montana
14. Nevada
15. New Hampshire
16. New Jersey
17. New Mexico
18. New York
19. North Carolina
20. North Dakota
21. Oregon
22. Pennsylvania
23. Rhode Island
24. South Dakota
25. Tennessee
26. Virginia
27. Washington
28. Washington DC
29. West Virginia
30. Wisconsin
31. Wyoming

If you’re physically located in one of these states or Washington DC, there are legal betting options available to you for NFL action.

Types of NFL Betting

There are so many ways to bet on the NFL. The three main ways are Moneyline, over/under, and point spread. Other popular ways that people like to bet on the NFL are through NFL parlays, NFL Futures, and NFL props. There is no right or wrong way to bet on the NFL, but you should know what you’re getting into first.

NFL Moneyline Betting

NFL Moneyline bets are the simplest ones you can make. Simply, pick whichever team you believe will win, and place a bet on them. If they win, you win, and if they lose, you don’t. Occasionally, the NFL will have ties if a regular season game finishes tied after one-quarter of overtime. If you bet on the standard two-team moneyline option, it will result in a push and refund of your money. If you bet on a three-way Moneyline that has a tie as an option, your bet on a team to win will result in a loss if the game finishes tied.

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NFL Over/Under Betting

The over/under, also commonly referred to as the total, is a wager on the final score. It combines both teams' scores to determine the outcome. A game will have an estimated number set for the final score, and you then bet on whether the actual score will be higher or lower than that. For example, if the total is set at 42.5, a final score totaling 43 points or higher will be a win for the over. A final score of 42 or fewer points would result in under bettors winning. If a total is a whole number, like 44, and the final score adds up to 44 points exactly, it’s a push. Scores in overtime will count towards the over/under.

NFL Against The Spread Betting

Betting against the spread is a popular option that helps keep even lopsided matchups intriguing. Oddsmakers set a margin for the game, say 3.5 points, and you bet on if the favorites will win by more than that, or if the underdog can keep the final score closer. So if the New York Giants were -3.5 against the Philadelphia Eagles, they would need to win by at least 4 to cover the spread. A 24-20 win by the Giants would be a win against the spread for the Giants. A 23-20 win by the Giants would be a win against the spread for the Eagles. If the underdog wins the game outright, that also counts as a win against the spread for the underdog.

NFL Prop Betting

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, are bets on things happening that don’t necessarily reflect the outcome of the game. They’re fun ways to get into the action and root for your favorite players and teams outside of winning and losing the game. Which player will score a touchdown, how many yards a player will get, and which team will score first are just a few of the popular prop bet options. NFL prop bets are particularly popular for the Super Bowl, with sportsbooks offering a massive selection of all sorts of game events.

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NFL Parlay Betting

With most NFL games played on Sunday, NFL parlay bets are popular for bettors trying to win big. By adding more legs to your parlay, you can increase your odds of a potential payout if you win. Of course, every leg of the parlay needs to be hit, so it becomes increasingly difficult to win with each added part. Still, NFL parlays are popular on NFL Sundays and are fun to play.

NFL Futures Betting

Placing a bet on NFL Futures is taking a shot at predicting end-of-season results. Futures typically open in the preseason and remain open with updated odds until the outcome is determined. Whether it’s an award, division winner, or eventual Super Bowl champion, there are plenty of Futures options available to bettors.

NFL Odds, Picks, and Predictions

Find all of the NFL odds for the week and season to price out potential bets. These are our expert NFL picks for this week, including full NFL predictions for the season. This is a great way to get professional insight into what to expect this week.