In addition to traditional bets on individual games, you can also place long-term wagers on the Super Bowl, the AFC, and the entire division. Odds compilers evaluate the relative strength of individual teams and assign prices to them. For example, you can bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, while the Washington Football Team is an +10000 outsider. With a better chance of winning the game, the Chiefs are considered a safe bet to make it deep in the postseason, while the Bengals would likely struggle to make an impact.
The most popular way to bet on NFL games is against the spread. Spreads are a way for the sportsbook to level the playing field by removing a certain amount from each team’s final score. For example, a New England -7 spread would mean that the Patriots are better than the Jets by seven points, and therefore should win by that amount. If the spread is high, it is a good bet to go against the spread.
Line movement is an excellent way to maximize your profits. By monitoring the movements of the lines, you can determine which teams have the best chances of winning. This is especially helpful in betting on the NFL. Often, betting lines move in opposite directions, so a savvy fan will recognize when a team is winning and place a bet accordingly. The reverse line movement can be a signal of sharp bettors who are predicting a big upset.
