Your Guide to NFL Spreads, Moneylines, and Totals

For fans of football and sports betting, understanding NFL odds is the key to maximizing your enjoyment and, potentially, your winnings. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just starting out, it’s crucial to grasp the basics of popular bet types like spreads, moneylines, and totals.

This guide will help you understand these concepts, so you can place bets with confidence - and get even more from your NFL fan experience.

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NFL Spreads Explained

Point spreads are one of the most common ways to bet on NFL games. Their purpose is to level the playing field between teams by factoring in the expected margin of victory. This makes games between unequal teams more interesting and requires close attention to strategy when betting.

How Point Spreads Work

The favorite team, expected to win, will have points subtracted from their final score (displayed with a minus sign). The underdog, expected to lose, will have points added to their score (shown with a plus sign).

Here's an example:

Baltimore Ravens -9.5

Houston Texans +9.5

If you bet on the Ravens, they need to win by more than 9.5 points (10 points or more) for your bet to succeed. If you bet on the Texans, they can win outright or lose by 9 points or fewer for your bet to hit.

Spreads require an understanding of team strengths, weaknesses, and other variables like injuries or weather conditions. It’s worth noting that spreads don’t factor in who ultimately wins the game but instead focus on the score margin.

NFL Totals (Over/Under)

NFL totals, also known as over under NFL bets, revolve around the combined score of both teams in a game. This type of wager doesn’t require you to pick a winner; instead, you predict whether the total score will be higher or lower than a set number.

How Totals Work

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have an over/under total set at 45.5:

Betting the over means you believe the combined final score will exceed 45.5 points.

Betting the under means you expect the total will stay below 45.5 points.

This type of bet is ideal for games between evenly matched teams or when strong offenses go head-to-head. Researching team stats like scoring averages and defensive effectiveness can guide your decision-making.

NFL Moneylines Simplified

If spreads feel complicated, moneylines are the simplest type of NFL bet. With a moneyline, you’re solely betting on which team will win the game—no point spreads involved.

How Moneylines Work

Moneyline odds display the favorite with a negative number and the underdog with a positive number. For instance:

Detroit Lions -295

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +240

Here, betting $295 on the Lions would result in a $100 profit if they win. Conversely, placing a $100 bet on the Buccaneers would net $240 in the event of an upset.

Moneylines are great for bettors who want to focus on picking outright winners without worrying about score differentials. They’re especially appealing in games with close matchups, where spreads might be harder to predict.

Other Popular NFL Betting Options

While spreads, moneylines, and totals are staples of NFL betting, there are other options to explore:

NFL Player Props

Player props allow you to bet on specific player performance metrics, such as the number of touchdowns, passing yards, or successful field goals made during a game.

This type of wager is perfect for fans who geek out about player stats and love tracking individual performances.

NFL Parlays

A parlay combines multiple bets into one, offering the chance for higher payouts. You could create a parlay by mixing bets from different games or making an NFL Same Game Parlay with a variety of bets on a single matchup.

Keep in mind that all legs of the parlay must hit for you to win, making it a high-risk, high-reward option.

How to Maximize Your Betting Success

Betting on the NFL can be thrilling, but it’s also important to approach it with strategy and discipline. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Do Your Research: Analyze team and player stats, injury reports, and recent performance. The more informed you are, the better your betting decisions will be.

Compare Odds: Different sportsbooks might offer slightly different spreads, moneylines, or totals. Always shop around for the best value.

Set a Budget: Betting is meant to enhance your enjoyment of the game, so establish a budget and stick to it.

Start Simple: If you’re a beginner, start with straightforward bets like moneylines or totals to build your confidence.

The next time you’re watching the NFL, consider putting your betting knowledge to the test - and remember, the more you understand these different wager types, the better your chances of success.

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!