Learn how to read NFL betting odds. Our video tutorial explains football odds in simple language. Use this knowledge hone your NFL betting skills. Below, we’ll discuss NFL point spreads, totals, and moneylines. Use SportsBetting3.com’s Live NFL odds example to learn how different bets from upcoming NFL matchups win, lose, or push.
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Table of Contents
Watch the following video to understand NFL Odds
NFL Matchup Betting Odds
Markets
Game |
BetRivers Bet |
BetMGM Bet |
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How to Read NFL Odds
NFL betting odds indicate risk and win amounts for each side of a bet. Minus odds indicate how much you risk to win $100. Plus odds indicate how much you win if you risk $100. Standard odds of -110 mean you risk $100 to win $100. +120 odds mean you risk $100 to win $120.
NFL Point spread and total bets both have a line followed by odds for each side of the bet. Moneyline bets do not have a line. Instead, you’re picking the outright result. The way you read the odds for each of these NFL bets is the same.
Point Spreads
Point Spread Game |
Line & Odds |
---|---|
Steelers
Bengals
9/11/22 1:00pm EDT
|
+6.5 -110
-6.5 -110
|
NFL Point Spread Basics
09/11/22 is the game date. 1:00 PM is the game time. You must place a point spread bet before gametime.
The visiting team comes first. In the example, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the visiting team. The home team follows below. The Cincinnati Bengals are the home team.
NFL Point Spread Line
Teams with a plus line are the underdog. In the example, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the +6.5 point underdogs.
Teams with a minus line are the favorite. The Cincinnati Bengals are the -6.5 point favorites.
Why Does the Point Spread Line Have a ½ Point?
A ½ point spread means no tie bets. Either Steelers bettors or Bengals bettors will win. Oddsmakers use ½ points strategically to avoid pushing players.
A tie is possible when the point spread line is a whole number like 3, 6, or 7. If the final score difference ties the spread, your bet will be refunded. Neither Steelers bettors nor Bengals bettors will win.
NFL Point Spread Odds
The numbers next to each point spread line are odds. These numbers determine your bet’s risk and win amounts.
Minus numbers indicate how much you lay to win $100. In the example, -110 means you lay $110 to win $100 on either team.
Plus numbers indicate how much you win for risking $100. +120 would mean you win $120 for risking $100.
PK, short for “Pick’em”, equals a 0 point spread. The point spread becomes a moneyline bet with the odds indicating risk and win amounts for each side.
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Total Bets
Total Game |
Line & Odds |
---|---|
Steelers
Bengals
9/11/22 1:00pm EDT
|
44.5 o -110
44.5 u -110
|
NFL Total Bet Basics
09/11/22 is the game date. 1:00 PM is the game time. You must place a total bet before the game starts.
The visiting team appears over the home team. The over-under total bet is made against the sportsbook’s total line. This differs from the point spread or moneyline, where you pick a team to win.
NFL Total Bet Line
Sportsbooks set a over-under total line that combines the estimated final scores of each team. In this example, the sportsbook has set a 44.5 point line for Pittsburg Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals matchup.
o is an abbreviation for “over”. u is an abbreviation for “under”.
You decide whether the actual point total will be over or under the sportsbook’s line.
Why Does the Total Line Have a ½ Point?
A ½ total line means no tie bets. The actual point total will be either over or under the sportsbook’s line.
A tie is possible when the total line is a whole number like 42, 45, or 49. If the actual point total equals the sportsbook’s line, your bet will be refunded. Neither the over nor the under will win.
NFL Total Bet Odds
The numbers next to each total bet line are odds. These numbers determine your bet’s risk and win amounts.
Minus numbers indicate how much you lay to win $100. In the example, -110 means you lay $110 to win $100 on both the over and under.
Sometimes the numbers will differ. The over might have -115 odds while the under has -105. In this case, you would lay $115 to win $100 on the over. Or, you would lay $105 to win $100 on the under.
Plus numbers indicate how much you win for risking $100. Suppose the under had +120 odds. That means you win $120 for risking $100 on the under.
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Moneylines
Moneyline Game |
Line & Odds |
---|---|
Steelers
Bengals
9/11/22 1:00pm EDT
|
+215
-275
|
NFL Moneyline Bet Basics
09/11/22 is the game date. 1:00 PM is the game time. You must place a moneyline bet before the game starts.
The visiting team comes first. In the example, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the visiting team. The home team follows below. The Cincinnati Bengals are the home team.
NFL Moneyline Bet Odds
The moneyline favorite will have a minus value. The moneyline underdog will have a plus value.
Minus numbers indicate how much you lay to win $100. In the example, the favorite Bengals have a -275 moneyline. That means you risk $275 to win $100.
Plus numbers indicate how much you win for risking $100. The underdog Steelers have a +215 moneyline. That means you win $215 for risking $100.
Rarely, both sides will have -110 moneylines. That means there’s no favorite or underdog. The sportsbook regards this game as an equal matchup. Risk $110 to win $100 on either team.
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Finding value
Given two equal point spreads or totals, bet at the sportsbook charging less juice. A lower commission means you won’t have to risk as much to bet on the favorite.
Also shop positive juice numbers. Under 35 +118 at one book is less profitable than +120 at another. You’ll get an extra $2 reward for making this bet at the other book!
NFL Futures Bets
The following are the most popular NFL futures bets. These bets are the most commonly placed by recreational and professional bettors alike. Use the odds to guide your handicapping throughout the season.
- Super Bowl
- AFC Futures
- NFC Futures
- NFL Team to win Most Regular Season Games
- NFL Team to win Fewest Regular Season Games
- NFL Regular Season MVP
Team | BetRivers | BetMGM |
---|---|---|
49ers | +550 Bet | +550 Bet |
Chiefs | +650 Bet | +650 Bet |
Ravens | +950 Bet | +900 Bet |
Bills | +1200 Bet | +1200 Bet |
Lions | +1300 Bet | +1200 Bet |
Bengals | +1300 Bet | +1400 Bet |
Cowboys | +1500 Bet | +1800 Bet |
Eagles | +1600 Bet | +1600 Bet |
Packers | +2000 Bet | +2000 Bet |
Texans | +2000 Bet | +2000 Bet |
Dolphins | +2200 Bet | +2500 Bet |
Rams | +2800 Bet | +3000 Bet |
Falcons | +3000 Bet | +3000 Bet |
Jets | +3000 Bet | +3000 Bet |
Chargers | +3300 Bet | +3000 Bet |
Jaguars | +3500 Bet | +4000 Bet |
Bears | +4000 Bet | +4000 Bet |
Browns | +4000 Bet | +4000 Bet |
Steelers | +6000 Bet | +5000 Bet |
Colts | +6000 Bet | +6600 Bet |
Seahawks | +7000 Bet | +6600 Bet |
Buccaneers | +7000 Bet | +6600 Bet |
Vikings | +7000 Bet | +8000 Bet |
Raiders | +8000 Bet | +8000 Bet |
Saints | +8000 Bet | +8000 Bet |
Cardinals | +10000 Bet | +10000 Bet |
Broncos | +10000 Bet | +10000 Bet |
Commanders | +12500 Bet | +15000 Bet |
Patriots | +15000 Bet | +12500 Bet |
Giants | +15000 Bet | +15000 Bet |
Titans | +15000 Bet | +15000 Bet |
Panthers | +20000 Bet | +25000 Bet |
FAQs
NFL betting odds indicate risk and win amounts for each side of a bet. Minus odds indicate how much you risk to win $100. Plus odds indicate how much you win if you risk $100. Standard odds of -110 mean you risk $100 to win $100. +120 odds mean you risk $100 to win $120.
-110 odds mean you risk $110 to win $100. -110 odds are considered standard sports betting odds.
PK stands for “pick ’em”. It means that the point spread is 0, so the wager is essentially the same as a moneyline bet. The odds indicate each side’s risk and win amounts.
When both teams have a -110 moneyline there is no favorite. The sportsbook has set equal odds for each side. Risk $110 to win $100 on either team.
“o” stands for Over. “u” stands for Under. Choose whether the actual result will be over or under the sportsbook’s line.
A half-point line, or betting line with .5, means that no tie bets are possible. One side or the other will win.
A game result that ties the spread results in a push. The sportsbook will refund your bet.
Betting lines and odds change as the sportsbook balances its action. Bookmakers want equal action on either side of the line.
The most common NFL key numbers are 3, 7, and 10. These numbers are the most common final score difference between teams.
A big point spread favorite will be a less expensive than a big moneyline favorite. You’ll risk less money and have more room for error.
NFL Betting Resources
- How to Bet on the NFL – An in-depth look at how to place bets on the NFL, including common straight bets and exotics like parlays, teasers, and props.
- NFL Betting Sites – Our list of the best NFL betting sites features licensed and legal US sportsbooks, just in time for the action on the gridiron.
- NFL Betting Odds – Current NFL odds for upcoming matchups, including the preseason and postseason. Review futures odds, the greatest all-time teams, regular-season standings, and valuable handicapping strategies.
- NFL Prop Bets – Prop bets from upcoming NFL matchups, including a complete NFL prop betting tutorial. Learn how to bet on NFL props.
- NFL Futures Odds – Odds for popular NFL Futures, like the Super Bowl, AFC and NFC conference winners, each division winner, and offensive and defensive player awards. Learn how to bet on NFL futures in minutes.
- NFL Win Total Odds – Review regular season win total lines and odds for each team. Remember to place you bet before each team’s first game of the regular season.
- Undefeated NFL Teams – See which teams are still undefeated in the current regular season.
- Super Bowl Betting – The latest Super Bowl odds for every NFL team, plus a great guide to how to bet on the Super Bowl. Review how to bet Super Bowl props and recent winning teams.
- Quarterback Props – Review each quarterback’s regular season performance props. Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line.
- Running Back Props – See performance props for the league’s top running backs. Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line.
- How to Read NFL Odds – Great for beginners: learn what the numbers for each bet mean.
- Super Bowl National Anthem Prop Bet Trends – Review recent Super Bowl National Anthem prop bet trends before placing this exciting prop bet.
- NFL Team Betting Odds – Betting odds and bonuses for each NFL team, including their Super Bowl, Conference, and Division futures, plus historical standings going back to before you were born.