Understanding NFL Betting Trends
When betting on any NFL game, it’s useful to be aware of statistical trends about the players and teams involved. Instead of betting simply on which team you perceive to be better, it's helpful to dig deeper into short-term and historical trends that could factor into the outcome.
For example, if you're betting on a Week 12 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, it pays to know whether those teams have a winning or losing record on short rest or whether either has a player who's performed like a star in recent weeks due to a change in role.
For every single game during the NFL season, there are countless intricate details about each team, their player stats, injury reports, and historical win-loss records. Basic statistics and advanced analytics give you insight into the factors that can affect a game, such as quarterback play, defensive prowess, and situational performance. All these data points allow you to make more informed and potentially more accurate predictions — even on relatively simple bets, like which team will win a game outright.
Pro bettors and amateurs now have more access to real-time odds, stats, and analytics than ever before. The goal of this guide is to give you information on the type of trends worth looking out for while refreshing you on the NFL odds you're likely to see and some responsible gambling principles that should be applied to all betting, no matter how much statistical trends back it.
Check out this guide on the RG Game Changers Podcast
NFL Betting Odds Are The Foundation of Any Strategy
NFL odds are the foundation of all betting on the sport. Before you start diving into statistical trends, it's important to understand the odds to make informed decisions.
These odds indicate the probability of different outcomes in the games, from simple win/lose scenarios to more complex event predictions. The American odds format uses positive and negative numbers, each meaning different things for payout and betting requirements.
American Odds
Positive numbers identify the underdog in the matchup. The number is how much you would win on a $100 bet if the underdog wins. For example, if the odds are +150, a $100 bet would return $150 in profit plus your $100 bet for a total of $250.
Negative numbers identify the favorite. The number is how much you need to bet to win $100 in profit. For example, if the odds are -150, you would need to bet $150 to win $100 in profit, a total of $250 when you add your original bet back.
NFL Examples
Example 1: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Cowboys Odds: +200
- Eagles Odds: -240
- Meaning: Eagles are favorites. To win $100 on the Eagles, you need to bet $240. To win $200 on the Cowboys, if they win, you would bet $100.
Example 2: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
- Packers Odds: -175
- Bears Odds: +155
- Meaning: Packers are favorites. A $175 bet on the Packers would win $100 if they win. A $100 bet on the Bears would earn $155 if they win.
Takeaways
- Positive odds are higher reward but higher risk as they are the underdog.
- Negative odds are safer bets on favorites but require a bigger initial investment for a smaller return.