Betting on NFL Games Online: Tips for Consistent Winnings

So, you want to try your hand at betting on the National Football League (NFL) games? You’re not alone. Millions of fans like to add some excitement by putting a bit of money on the line. Earning some cash while watching your favorite teams compete amplifies the viewing experience.

However, if you’re hoping to turn this hobby into a profitable activity over time, you need to approach NFL betting thoughtfully. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into online sports betting, here are some key tips and strategies when placing bets on America’s most popular sport. Let’s start by looking at what you’re getting into.

NFL and Sports Betting

Over 40% of Americans consider football as their favorite sport. And where there’s a popular game, wagering opportunities aren’t far behind. Moreover, with online sports betting getting a legal nod in more states, NFL betting is expected to get bigger. For reference, some 68 million people, representing 26% of American adults, bet on the Super Bowl last February 2024—a 35% bump from the previous season. (1)

The 2023 NFL season also saw 73.5 million adults planning to bet throughout the 18-week games. Of these, about 35.1 million likely turned to online betting, while 13.6 million wagered through traditional sportsbooks or bookmakers, based on the American Gaming Association (AGA) survey. (2)

If you’re lucky enough to be in a state where online sports betting is legal, consider the tips enumerated below for a more thrilling yet mindful experience.

Leverage Expert Opinions

Knowledge is power in the world of online betting, and NFL game predictions can be your secret weapon. These forecasts, made by seasoned analysts and industry experts, can provide valuable insights that might not be immediately obvious from stats alone. They serve as an excellent starting point for your own analysis.

These projections often consider factors including:

• Historical matchups
• Current team dynamics
• Weather conditions
• Intangibles like team morale

Incorporating them into your betting strategy lets you tap into a wealth of collective wisdom. This can be especially helpful when you’re dealing with teams or matchups you’re less familiar with. No prediction is guaranteed but using them wisely can boost your chances of placing smart, profitable bets over the long run.

Find Your Home Field Advantage

You need a solid home base for your betting action. There are several NFL betting sites and sportsbook apps out there, but not all are created equal.

When you’re hunting for the best NFL betting apps, look for a combo of:

• Competitive odds
• User-friendly interface
• Rock-solid customer service.

Some of the top football betting sites offer sign-up bonuses for new customers. Just be sure to read the fine print on those bonus bets and bonus codes. For peace of mind, stick to legal sports betting options in your area.

Know Your Playbook

Before you start filling out that bet slip, know the playbook inside and out. Familiarize yourself with all the bet types:

• Point spreads: Wagering on whether a team will win by more than a specified number of points (if favored) or lose by less than that number (if underdogs)
• Moneyline bets: A straightforward bet on which team will win the game outright, with no point spread involved
• Over/under totals: Whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a predetermined number set by the sportsbook
• Game parlays: A single bet that links together two or more individual wagers, requiring all of them to win for the parlay to pay out.
• Futures: Bets placed on outcomes that will be decided in the future, such as which team will win the Super Bowl or who will be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the season
• Player props: Wagers are focused on individual player performance, such as how many passing yards a quarterback will throw in a game.

Get cozy with how NFL odds work and what they mean for your potential payouts. Most importantly, learn some key stats.

Dig Deeper Than the Box Score

Total yards and points matter. But if that’s all you’re looking at, you’re leaving money on the table. You need to go full stat-nerd mode. Yards per play, third-down conversion rates, and turnover differential—these pieces of information separate the sharps from the squares.

How do teams perform in specific situations? What about their home/road splits or how they fare in different weather conditions? The more homework you do, the better equipped you’ll be to spot opportunities when they pop up.

Shop Those Lines Like a Black Friday Pro

Different books often have slightly different NFL odds on the same games. Half a point here, a few cents there on the moneyline. These might not seem like much, but they can add up big time over a season.

In other words, never settle for the first line you see. Take a few minutes to compare across multiple legit sports betting sites. Always be on the hunt for the best possible number. Doing so can be the difference between a winning and losing season.

Become a Specialist, Not a Jack-of-All-Trades

The 2024 NFL season kickoff match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens amassed 28.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched opening game in the history of the NFL. Beyond this opening, there’s a full slate of games every week.

But how do you pick the teams to bet on? Handicapping every game is a fool’s errand. You’re much better off zeroing in on a handful of NFL teams or specific types of matchups that you know inside and out. Maybe you’ve got a great feel for how the Miami Dolphins match up against the San Franciso 49ers, or you’ve cracked the code on West Coast teams traveling east.

Either way, narrowing your focus lets you develop some serious insights that the average Joe might miss. Quality beats quantity. It’s better to have a deep knowledge of a few games than surface-level takes on every matchup.

Manage Your Bankroll Like a Pro

Some 2.5 million Americans have a severe gambling problem, while up to eight million either have mild or moderate issues. So, how can you avoid falling prey to this vicious and costly habit? Manage your bankroll like your future depends on it. (3)

Figure out how much real money you can afford to risk for the NFL season and stick to it like glue. A good rule of thumb is to spend up to five percent of your total bankroll on a single bet. For example, if you’ve allocated USD$300 for the entire NFL season, you should only wager USD$ 15 or less at a time.

It’s tempting to go all-in after hitting a few game parlays or try to dig yourself out of a hole. However, discipline is key if you want to be in this for the long haul.

Keep a Betting Diary

You need to track your bets if you’re serious about improving. Beyond reviewing your wins and losses, log your reasoning behind each play. What factors influenced your decision? How did the game actually unfold compared to what you expected?

Regularly reviewing your betting history refines your skills. Maybe you crush it with totals but struggle with Thursday Night Football games. Perhaps you’re a wizard at live betting but tend to overvalue favorites. The more data you have, the better you can fine-tune your approach.

The Path to Consistent Profits

There’s no other way to put it: Becoming a winning NFL bettor is a grind. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to learn from both your wins and your losses. There’s no magic system or foolproof strategy. If it were easy, we’d all be doing it full-time from a beach somewhere.

The good news is that applying these tips and constantly refining your approach helps you gain a real shot at long-term success. With the right mindset and strategies, you can potentially fatten your wallet while adding an extra shot of adrenaline to your NFL Sundays. However, always bet responsibly. After all, wagering exists to enhance your love of the game, not ruin your life.