Top Thursday Night Football Odds & TNF Betting Options

8 min read
Jul 26, 2024, 6:54 PM

Understanding Thursday Night Football Odds

Thursday Night Football (TNF) has become a staple of the NFL season, offering fans and bettors an exciting midweek matchup.

Understanding Thursday Night Football odds is crucial for those looking to place wagers on these games. Odds for TNF games are typically released early in the week, giving bettors time to analyze and make informed decisions.

Thursday Night Football odds can be more volatile due to the short week, creating unique opportunities for savvy bettors.

2024 Thursday Night Football Schedule

Bettors looking to target the upcoming TNF slate have 16 matchups to wager on. The schedule for the upcoming season is as follows:

Week 1 (Sept. 8): N/A
Week 2 (Sept. 12): Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Week 3 (Sept. 19): New England Patriots at New York Jets
Week 4 (Sept. 26): Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Week 5 (Oct. 3): Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
Week 6 (Oct. 10): San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Week 7 (Oct. 17): Denver Broncos at New Orleans Saints
Week 8 (Oct. 24): Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
Week 9 (Oct. 31): Houston Texans at New York Jets
Week 10 (Nov. 7): Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Week 11 (Nov. 14): Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 12 (Nov. 21): Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Week 13 (Nov. 29): Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 (Dec. 5): Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Week 15 (Dec. 12): Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Week 16 (Dec. 19): Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17 (Dec. 29): Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
Week 18: TBD

Streaming Options

Knowing where to watch Thursday Night Football is essential for fans and bettors alike.

TNF games are typically broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, with occasional games on NFL Network. The schedule is released well in advance, allowing viewers to plan accordingly.

TNF Betting Tips and Strategies

When approaching Thursday Night Football betting, it's essential to consider the unique circumstances surrounding these games.

The short week can impact team performance, especially for road teams. 

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Detroit Lions on a Thursday night, the home team's familiarity with their surroundings may have provided an advantage.

While home teams tend to win the majority of TNF games, betting the home team isn't a surefire strategy. During the 2023 season road teams surprisingly won 3 of the first 5 Thursday Night Football games.

Key Factors to Consider in TNF Betting

Several elements can influence the outcome of TNF games:

  • Rest and recovery: Teams playing on Thursday have less time to prepare and recover from the previous week's game.
  • Travel: Road teams may face additional challenges due to the limited time they have to travel and potentially adjust to a new time zone.
  • Injuries: The short turnaround can exacerbate existing injuries or limit players' recovery time.
  • Weather: Intense rain or snow could have a significant adverse on teams' ability to pass the ball, which disadvantages some teams more than others.

Home-field advantage can be particularly significant in TNF matchups for certain teams. For instance, the Baltimore Ravens have historically performed well at home during Thursday night games.

The Baltimore Ravens are 8-1 all-time in Thursday home games and their one loss came back in 1999.

Responsible NFL Betting Practices

Perhaps the most important factor to consider with TNF betting, is how to do it responsibly.

Here are some tips to ensure a healthy betting approach:

  • Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to wager and stick to that amount.
  • Avoid Chasing Losses: Don’t try to recover losses with bigger bets. Stick to your strategy.
  • Take Breaks: Regularly step away from betting to maintain a balanced perspective.
Taking and maintaining a responsible betting approach can help NFL bettors make more informed and strategic bets and avoid problematic gambling patterns.

Staying Ahead of the Curve in TNF Betting

To gain an edge in any NFL betting, consider:

  • Advanced statistics: Look beyond basic stats to metrics that provide deeper insights, some sites like Pro Football Focus specialize in providing in-depth data.
  • Coaching tendencies: Some coaches may alter their strategies for TNF games due to the shortened week.
  • Recent form: Teams' performances in the weeks leading up to the TNF game can be indicative of their readiness.

While there are ways to make more informed NFL bets, it's important to remember that it's not necessarily possible to gain an edge on sportsbooks. It's best to conceive of betting as a form of entertainment rather than an income stream.

Common TNF Betting Mistakes to Avoid

Bettors should be cautious of:

  • Overreacting to previous week's results
  • Ignoring the impact of travel on road teams
  • Failing to account for the short week's effect on game plans
One of the biggest mistakes in TNF betting is assuming teams will perform similarly to their previous Sunday game. The short week can make an enormous difference, particularly when it comes to injury recovery.

Best Thursday Night Football Bonuses and Promotions

Many sportsbooks like Bet365, BetMGM, and BetRivers, offer special promotions for TNF games. These may include bonus bets or enhanced odds.

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a sportsbook might offer boosted odds on a certain player prop, like the Mike Evans touchdown over.

Thursday Night Football

Mike Evans has been one of the NFL's most reliable TD producers for years. Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Odds boosts and special bets are unlikely to be available far in advance, so bettors should check in with their favorite NFL sportsbooks on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday prior to the game.

Expert Picks and Predictions for Thursday Night Football Games

While expert picks can provide valuable insights, it's important to conduct your own NFL betting odds research.

Analysts often focus on key matchups, such as the San Francisco 49ers' elite defensive line against an opponent's offensive line, when making predictions for TNF games.

Thursday Night Football

Nick Bosa makes the 49ers defensive line extremely difficult to handle. Credit: Wallpapers.com

You can find expert picks on numerous sportsbook websites and major media outlets. These resources provide valuable insights to enhance your betting strategy:

Podcasts for NFL Gambling Picks

Use expert picks and predictions as part of a broader research strategy for more informed betting.

By incorporating these resources, you can make more strategic and informed NFL bets.

TNF FAQ

Team Selection

How often do teams play on Thursday Night Football?

Most teams play one Thursday night football game per season, with some playing two.

Most TNF Appearances

Are there any teams that have played the most TNF games?

Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots have frequently appeared in TNF matchups due to their consistent success.

The Short Week

How does the short week affect player performance?

The short week can lead to increased fatigue and potentially impact player performance, especially for teams traveling on a short week.

Home-Field Advantage

Do home teams have an advantage in Thursday Night Football?

Home teams often have a slight advantage in TNF games due to reduced travel and familiar surroundings, but this can vary based on other factors.

Betting Strategies

Are there specific betting strategies unique to Thursday Night Football?

Some strategies for TNF betting include focusing on teams with good home records, considering the impact of injuries more heavily, and paying close attention to line movements throughout the week.

Everything You Need on NFL Betting

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