How to Bet on NFL Point Spreads
NFL point spread betting is one of the most popular options among football bettors, especially online. The best sports betting sites offer a wide range of NFL spread markets, many of which serve up attractive odds.
If you’re eager to learn everything there is to know about NFL spread betting, you’ve certainly come to the right place. On this page, we explain how NFL spread betting works, share our top tips for beginners, and highlight the best site for football spread betting.
How Does NFL Spread Betting Work?
Football spread betting is fairly easy to understand. Also known as NFL handicap betting, this market helps balance out an uneven matchup. The bookies give the favorite a point deficit, while the underdog receives a head start.
Here’s an example of a typical NFL spread:
| Team | Point Spread | Odds |
|---|---|---|
Kansas City Chiefs  | -7.5 | -110 |
Las Vegas Raiders | +7.5 | -105 |
In this example, the Kansas City Chiefs are favored to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders. The negative point spread signifies Kansas City as the favorite. To win the bet, the Chiefs must win by eight or more points.
As the moneyline underdog, Las Vegas has a positive point spread. Betting on the Raiders to cover the spread means you predict that they’ll lose by seven points or fewer. Even if the Raiders lose the game, the second bet would land because the Chiefs failed to cover the spread.
If you want NFL spread betting explained in a different format, check out the video below.
Essentially, there are two main options for NFL handicapping. The first is betting against the spread (ATS). The second is betting on the spread (covering the spread). It’s time to take a closer look at how each market works.
Betting Against the Spread
NFL betting against the spread involves wagering on a team to perform better than the bookies’ point spread. For the bet to succeed, the moneyline favorite must win by a margin greater than the spread. The underdog must also win or lose by a margin smaller than the spread.
Example of Betting Against the Spread:
Let’s use the same example from before. If you bet on the Chiefs ATS, they must win by eight points or more for your wager to be successful. If you bet on the Raiders ATS, they must either win the game or lose by seven points or fewer.
With the Chiefs priced at -110, you must wager $110 to win $100. If you want to back the Raiders at -105, a $105 wager would return $100 as well.
Covering the Spread
When betting on the spread, NFL sportsbooks try to level the playing field by introducing a virtual points handicap. So, when you bet on a team to cover the spread, you’re backing them to perform well enough to make your bet successful.
Example of Covering the Spread:
For example, the New England Patriots (-6.5) are favored to defeat the Miami Dolphins (+6.5). If the Patriots win 27-20, they win by seven points, covering the spread. If the Dolphins lose 24-20, they lose by only four points, covering the spread.
Half-Point and Full-Point NFL Spreads
If you’re already familiar with NFL point spread betting, you might notice that sportsbooks offer half-point and full-point lines. Of course, it’s impossible to score half a point in football. But it makes sense from a betting perspective.
Bookmakers use half points to eliminate the possibility of a “push,” which returns a bet if the outcome is tied. When full points are used, there is a chance that neither team will win the spread market.
Half-Point & Full-Point Spread Examples:
Let’s say that the Pittsburgh Steelers (-4) are favored to defeat the Baltimore Ravens (+4). If the Steelers win by four points, they cover the spread. If the Steelers win by only two points, they fail to cover the spread. However, if the Steelers win by exactly three points, the bet will be pushed.
Meanwhile, a different sportsbook may list the point spread at 2.5. If the Steelers win by three points, they cover the spread. If the Steelers win by two points, they fail to cover the spread. There is no possibility of a push in this instance.
Alternative NFL Spread Lines
Bookmakers normally offer one main spread line, with odds ranging from -110 to +110. However, you can also find several other lines with higher and lower handicaps. These bets give you the chance to be more adventurous or conservative, depending on the odds.
Generally speaking, smaller point spreads have lower odds, while bigger point spreads have higher odds. Smaller spreads are easier to predict, meaning the bookies won’t offer big payouts. Larger spreads are more difficult to predict, so you can expect to find more attractive odds.
Types of NFL Spreads
Now that you understand the NFL spread, let’s check out the other types of bets available. The traditional NFL point spread line relates to the entire game, but there are also alternative lines on specific portions of the game. Bovada in particular has a large collection of alternate spreads to choose from, including those below.
How are NFL Spreads Determined?
For bookmakers, determining the spread of football betting lines is a multistep process. First, they study both teams by analyzing large sets of historical data. They look at current form, recent trends, head-to-head records, and other factors like injuries and home advantage.
For example, the bookmakers’ projections indicate that the Buffalo Bills will likely score 22.4 points against the New York Jets, who’ll likely score 17.5 points. The difference between the expected points is 4.9, so the bookies will initially set the main spread line at four points.
Sportsbooks also need to figure out how much money to place on each side of the spread. If they expect the same amount for both sides, they will keep the line around the initial mark and offer relatively close odds.
Meanwhile, if the bookmakers expect players to wager more money on one of the teams, they’ll move the odds or the line in the necessary direction. Ultimately, bookies aim to balance the books and spread the bets equally. This ensures they make a profit, irrespective of the game’s outcome.
It is also worth remembering that football spreads nearly always fluctuate in the lead-up to the game. Sportsbooks will change their odds based on betting activity, so keep an eye on the NFL point spread days, hours, and minutes before the game. For example, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the biggest fanbases in the NFL, and a lot of money comes in on them. That means the sportsbooks have to balance the lines to get equal money on both sides.
Best Sportsbooks for NFL Spread Betting
Bovada Best Football Betting App
We have chosen Bovada as one of the best football betting apps available. In addition to great coverage of the NFL, Bovada offers a wide range of betting options on alternative ‘American football’ leagues like the XFL, UFL, college football, and the CFL. Bovada has 52 football wagering opportunities for pigskin fans.
Sports Welcome Bonus 100% Up To $1,000 with BV1000
Crypto Welcome Bonus 75% up to $750
Includes NFL, XFL, USFL, CFL and NCAAF
Wide range of odds and lines
Extensive prop builder
Restricted states: DE, MD, NJ, NY, NV, CO, MI, WV, CT, DC, OH, PE, KA, LA, MA
Everygame Top Betting Event Coverage
Everygame’s NFL betting options are fantastic, but even football season comes to an end eventually. That’s why Everygame’s incredible range of betting lines for other markets is so helpful. Football fans can wager on tons of exciting competitions while waiting for the next kick-off, or throughout the off-season.
With Everygame’s global coverage, it stands out among competitors as one of the top sportsbooks for fans of every sport, not only the NFL. You’ll find a mix of moneylines, spreads, props and futures for leagues across the world, including the FIFA World Cup, Europa League, and most crucially, the Super Bowl.
Sports Welcome Bonus 100% up to $500
Crypto Welcome Bonus 50% up to $1,000
Reload Bonus 100% up to $300
Global Coverage for Betting Lines
Low minimum deposit of $20 for bonus eligibility
Restricted states: KY, LA, MD, MO, NJ, NY, WA
Point Spread Betting Tips
Building a profitable NFL spread betting strategy is possible, but you must consider several factors. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of beginner tips to help you get started.
1. Look at Offensive and Defensive Data
Studying offensive and defensive numbers will help visualize how the game might pan out. Some teams regularly score plenty of points, while others keep things tight in defense. Your job is to learn about the traits of the teams you’re betting on.
Key offensive stats include total yards, passing, and rushing. Notable defensive stats include yards allowed, sacks, and turnovers. The official NFL website and ESPN are great resources for NFL stats.
2. Check the NFL Point Spread Stats for Both Teams
Thanks to the popularity of NFL point spread betting, there are tons of spread-specific stats available. You can find historical spread stats for every team in the NFL and consider their status as both favorites and underdogs.
EV Analytics has data for each team’s ATS record and cover percentage. Before betting on NFL spread lines, check the historical data and evaluate each matchup individually.
3. Account for the Latest Trends
Sometimes, historical data isn’t enough. Once you’ve assessed the bigger picture, we recommend examining the latest trends. Teams frequently dip in and out of form, so you must be aware of the current situation.
Just because a team has recently dominated a matchup doesn’t mean the same outcome will occur next time. If you stay on top of the latest trends, you could get the better of the bookies in the spread betting football markets.
4. Follow the Latest Team News
Injuries and suspensions can have a big say in the outcome of NFL games. The absence of star players can negatively impact their team, so make sure to check the latest NFL injury report before betting.
As mentioned before, bookmakers usually consider injuries and suspensions when setting their football spread betting odds. Still, keeping up to date with the latest team news will only enhance your chances of winning money.
5. Account for Potential Stat Padders
Certain players, especially quarterbacks, use “stat padding” to improve their statistics for non-winning purposes. This involves players boosting individual metrics, despite their actions having little benefit to their team’s chances of success.
Stat padders can influence spread betting, so we suggest looking out for these players and accounting for their potential stat-padding patterns. For example, if the favorite’s QB is known for boosting his stats in winning games, you might want to bet on the favorite to cover the spread.
Free NFL Spread Picks
See All NFL PicksHere at The Sports Geek, we have our own AI NFL picks. Our picks delivered a 61% success rate for the 2023 NFL season, and we’re excited to provide more winning bets throughout the 2024 season. Stay tuned for our completely free NFL spread picks.
NFL Point Spread Betting Takeaways
It’s easy to understand why NFL point spread betting is one of the most popular options among football bettors. Since the market levels the playing field from a betting perspective, football spread betting always has plenty of value.
We’ve covered how NFL handicapping works, how bookies determine the spread, and how to make the most of different spread bets. Now, you’re ready to give it a go yourself. So, why not head to one of our top-ranked NFL betting sites and get started?
