NFL betting is the practice of wagering real money on professional football games, individual player performances, and season-long outcomes through a licensed sportsbook. It’s one of the most popular forms of sports wagering in the United States. This guide covers what you need to get started, including how NFL odds work, the main bet types available each week, how to place your first wager on Caesars Sportsbook, and how to manage your bankroll through a full season. Whether you’re picking a Sunday spread, building a Same Game Parlay for the late game, or locking in a Super Bowl futures bet before training camp, this guide gives you a strong starting point for NFL betting.
What Is NFL Betting?
NFL betting means placing wagers on National Football League games, statistics, and events through a licensed, regulated online sportsbook. You can bet on which team wins, the final score margin, individual player statistics, and season-long outcomes like which team wins the Super Bowl.
The NFL regular season runs 18 weeks from September through early January, followed by a 4-round playoff bracket that ends with the Super Bowl. That schedule creates consistent betting activity throughout the fall and winter. Game lines are available for every matchup on each Sunday slate, plus Thursday Night Football and Monday Night Football.
NFL betting is legal in over 30 states as of 2026, with each state operating its own licensing framework. Bettors must be 21 years of age or older and physically located in a state where sports wagering is legal at the time a bet is placed. Caesars Sportsbook holds active licenses in over 25 states, giving many NFL fans access to a regulated, legal betting platform.
Pregame vs. Live Betting
There are 2 main betting windows for each NFL game. Pregame betting means placing your wager before kickoff, usually earlier in the week or on game day before the game starts. Live betting (also called in-game betting) means placing wagers while the game is in progress, with odds continuously updating based on the score, game clock, and field position.
Caesars Sportsbook has live betting markets on regular season and postseason NFL games.
Season-long Futures
Beyond game-by-game wagering, NFL futures markets let you bet on season-long outcomes at different points during the year. Super Bowl winner, conference champions, division winners, NFL MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year are among the most popular futures markets. Futures odds open in the offseason and adjust throughout the season as team performance becomes clearer.
How to Read NFL Odds
NFL odds represent the probability of an outcome and determine how much a winning bet pays. Caesars Sportsbook displays odds using positive (+) and negative (-) numbers to indicate underdogs and favorites. Reading those numbers correctly is one of the first things you should learn as an NFL bettor.
Every bet type, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals, uses the same American odds format. The math works the same way each time: negative numbers require larger bets to win a fixed profit, while positive numbers return larger profits on a fixed bet.
Negative Odds: Betting the Favorite
A negative number means the team is favored to win. The number shows how much you must wager to win $100 in profit.
Example: The favorite is listed at -160 on the moneyline
You must bet $160 to win $100 in profit
Total payout on a $160 bet: $260 (your $160 stake returned plus $100 profit)
The larger the negative number, the heavier the favorite
Positive Odds: Betting the Underdog
A positive number means the team is an underdog. The number shows how much profit a $100 bet returns.
Example: The underdog is listed at +140 on the moneyline
A $100 bet wins $140 in profit
Total payout on a $100 bet: $240 (your $100 stake returned plus $140 profit)
You don’t need to bet exactly $100. The ratio is proportional. A $50 bet at +140 returns $70 in profit.
The -110 Standard and the Vig
On point spread and totals bets, the odds are often listed at -110 on both sides. This is called the juice or vig—the sportsbook’s built-in margin on the bet.
Example: Favorite -6.5 (-110) vs. underdog +6.5 (-110)
You wager $110 to win $100 at -110
The spread means the favorite must win by 7 points or more for a spread bet on that team to win
The underdog covers if that team wins outright or loses by 6 points or less
If the favorite wins by exactly 6 on a whole-number spread, the bet grades as a push and your stake is refunded. A half-point spread eliminates that possibility
Main Types of NFL Bets
NFL betting markets offer a full range of wagering options each week, from straightforward game-result bets to advanced statistical propositions. Caesars Sportsbook carries all of the following bet types for every NFL game throughout the regular season and postseason.
Point Spread
NFL betting markets have a full range of options each week, from straightforward game-result bets to more detailed player and season-long markets. Caesars Sportsbook offers the following bet types across regular season and postseason NFL games:
Point Spread
The point spread is the most common NFL bet. The sportsbook assigns a handicap to the favored team. You choose whether the favorite covers (wins by more than the spread) or the underdog covers (wins outright or loses by less than the spread).
Example: Favorite -4.5 (-110) vs. underdog +4.5 (-110)
A bet on the favorite wins if that team wins by 5 points or more
A bet on the underdog wins if that team wins the game or loses by 4 points or less
A win by exactly 4 would be a push on a whole-number spread, and the half-point eliminates that outcome
Point spread betting accounts for the largest share of NFL wager volume each week, in part because it creates a balanced proposition between two teams of different ability levels.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is a straight wager on which team wins the game. The odds reflect the probability gap between the 2 teams.
Example: Favorite -175 vs. underdog +148
A $175 bet on the favorite returns $100 in profit
A $100 bet on the underdog returns $148 in profit
Moneyline bets on heavy favorites return less profit because the implied probability of winning is higher. Moneyline underdogs return more profit, but you have to correctly identify the upset.
Over/Under (Totals)
An over/under bet, also called a totals bet, is a wager on the combined final score of both teams. The sportsbook sets a line, and you choose whether the combined score will go over or under that number.
Example: A game total is set at 53.5
A bet on the over wins if both teams combine for 54 points or more
A bet on the under wins if both teams combine for 53 points or less
The winner of the game doesn’t matter for a totals bet. Only the combined final score determines the outcome.
Parlays and Same Game Parlays
A parlay combines 2 or more individual bets into a single wager. Every selection must win for the parlay to pay. The potential payout increases as you add more legs. But so does the risk.
Example: A 3-leg parlay combining a favorite -4.5, another team on the moneyline, and the under 46.5 in a third game would pay around +550 to +650 combined odds, depending on the specific price for each leg. All 3 bets must win.
A Same Game Parlay (SGP) is a parlay built entirely from bets within the same game. Caesars Sportsbook lets you combine a point spread, a totals bet, and a player prop from the same matchup into a single SGP ticket. SGP odds can be lower than traditional parlay odds because the outcomes affect each other, but SGPs still let you build a single-game view into one wager.
Player Props
Player prop bets are wagers on individual player statistical outcomes, independent of the game result. Caesars Sportsbook offers player props for passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdown scorer markets, and more.
Example: Quarterback passing yards, O/U 289.5
A bet on the over wins if the quarterback passes for 290 yards or more
A bet on the under wins if the quarterback passes for 289 yards or less
Player props are popular during high-profile games, and the menu often includes a wide range of individual statistical markets.
NFL Futures
NFL futures are bets on season-long outcomes placed in advance of the result. The most active markets include Super Bowl winner, AFC Championship and NFC Championship odds, division winners, NFL MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year.
Futures odds are available throughout the year on Caesars Sportsbook. A team listed at +2500 to win the Super Bowl before the season may move to +600 by Week 14 if that team is performing well. Some bettors choose to place a 2nd wager later in the season to adjust their position as the market changes.
Live Betting
Live betting lets you place wagers while a game is in progress. Odds adjust in real time based on the score, game clock, field position, and game events. Caesars Sportsbook offers live point spreads, live moneylines, live totals, and live player props during NFL games.
Live betting gives you access to markets that aren’t available before kickoff. For example, a team trailing by 10 points at halftime may have improved moneyline odds in the 3rd quarter as the game situation changes. You can place live bets through the Caesars Sportsbook app or website.
How to Place an NFL Bet on Caesars Sportsbook: Step by Step
Placing your first NFL bet on Caesars Sportsbook takes under 5 minutes from account creation to confirmed wager. The process is the same on the app and desktop site. You must be 21 years of age or older and located in a state where online sports wagering is licensed.
Create your Caesars Sportsbook account. Download the Caesars Sportsbook app. Enter your name, email address, DOB, and the last 4 digits of your SSN. You must be 21 or older and physically located in a state where Caesars Sportsbook is licensed.
Verify your identity and confirm your location. Identity verification runs automatically after sign-up. Enable location services to confirm you’re within a licensed wagering state at the time you place any bet. Location verification runs in the background and requires no additional steps beyond enabling the permission.
Make your first deposit. Accepted deposit options include ACH bank transfer, credit or debit card, PayPal, and other methods. [OFFER COPY REQUIRES VERIFICATION] for eligible first-time depositors.
Navigate to the NFL section. From the home screen, select NFL in the sport navigation bar. You’ll see the current week’s games with point spreads, moneylines, and totals for each matchup. Futures and player props are available in this same section.
Choose your game, bet type, and wager amount. Select the odds number next to the bet you want to place. Your selection shows up in the bet slip. Enter your stake amount. The bet slip shows your potential payout in real time before you confirm.
Review your bet slip and place your wager. Confirm your selection, odds, and stake a final time. Tap “Place Bet” to submit. You’ll see an on-screen confirmation that your bet was accepted. Your account balance updates right away.
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NFL Betting Calendar
NFL betting markets are available year-round, with different wager types taking center stage at different points in the calendar. Understanding this helps you see when futures open, when weekly markets get the most attention, and how betting activity changes over the season.
Offseason and Draft (February - April). Futures markets reset and new season odds are posted. The draft in late April also creates betting markets tied to draft position props and player selection outcomes.
Preseason (August). Futures markets reset and new season odds are posted. The draft in late April also creates betting markets tied to draft position props and player selection outcomes.
Regular Season (September - January). The 18-week regular season is the main betting window. Lines for each week’s slate often post on Sunday or Monday for the following week. Some of the most notable movements happen Wednesday - Friday as injury reports are released. Games are scheduled on Thursday nights, Sunday afternoons, Sunday nights, and Monday nights each week.
Playoffs (January). Wild Card Weekend, the Divisional Round, Conference Championships, and the Super Bowl all draw major betting interest. The Super Bowl is the largest annual betting event in the US, with markets across game outcomes, player props, team props, and other prop bets.
NFL Betting Strategy Basics
Good NFL betting starts with bankroll control and clear decision-making over the course of a full season. No approach removes the sportsbook’s built-in margin, but disciplined habits can help you make more consistent decisions over time.
Set a defined bankroll before the season. A bankroll is the amount you set aside for betting over a specific period. Choose an amount before you place your first bet and stick to it. Betting with money you can’t afford to lose isn’t responsible wagering.
Use a consistent unit size. Flat betting is wagering the same amount on every bet, usually 1-5% of your total bankroll. For example, on a $500 bankroll, your unit size would be between $10 and $25 per bet. Flat betting protects you from chasing losses with oversized wagers.
Understand implied probability. Every set of odds reflects an implied probability. Standard -110 pricing on a spread bet includes the sportsbook’s built-in margin, which is why winning consistently over time can be difficult.
Track your bets. A simple log of the game, bet type, odds, stake, and result can help you understand your habits over time instead of relying on memory.
Use responsible gaming tools. Caesars Sportsbook provides deposit limits, wager limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options directly within your account settings. If betting stops being enjoyable or starts to feel like an obligation, Caesars Sportsbook makes free tools available in your account settings.
Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. MA: Call 1-800-327-5050. NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).
Key NFL Betting Terms to Know
The following terms appear throughout NFL betting markets. Use this glossary as a reference before and during the season.
Term | What It Means |
Point Spread | The margin of victory a sportsbook assigns to the favored team. You bet on whether the favorite wins by more than the spread or the underdog stays within it |
Moneyline | A straight bet on which team wins the game, with no spread. Odds reflect each team's probability of winning |
Cover | When the favored team wins by more than the spread, or the underdog wins outright or loses by less than the spread |
Push | When the final margin equals the exact spread, resulting in a refund of both sides. Half-point spreads eliminate pushes |
Over/Under (Total) | A bet on the combined final score of both teams. The sportsbook sets a line, and you choose over or under |
Juice / Vig | The sportsbook's margin on a bet, typically expressed as -110. You wager $110 to win $100 at standard -110 pricing |
Parlay | A multi-leg bet combining 2 or more selections. All legs must win. Payouts are larger than single bets, but 1 loss eliminates the entire ticket |
Same Game Parlay (SGP) | A parlay combining 2 or more bets from the same game into a single ticket. Caesars Sportsbook offers SGP on all NFL games |
Player Prop | A wager on an individual player's statistical outcome in a game, regardless of the final score |
Futures | A bet on a season-long outcome placed before the result is known |
Live Betting | Wagering placed while a game is in progress, with odds updating in real time |
ATS (Against the Spread) | A team's win-loss record when accounting for the point spread, used to evaluate historical spread performance |
Opening Line | The initial odds posted when a market opens, usually days before a game |
Closing Line | The final odds at kickoff, after pregame wagering has moved the line |
Favorite | The team expected to win, indicated by a negative number in the odds |
Underdog | The team expected to lose, indicated by a positive number in the odds |
Handle | The total dollar amount wagered on a game or market |
Teaser | A parlay variant that adjusts the spread in the bettor's favor in exchange for reduced payout odds. 6-point NFL teasers are the most common |
→ See the full sports betting glossary for definitions of additional wagering terms.
Why Serious NFL Fans Use Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook gives NFL bettors access to a wide range of betting markets, along with Caesars Rewards benefits on eligible wagers.
Caesars Rewards on Eligible Wagers: Eligible wagers can earn Tier Credits to help you earn higher Tier Status and Rewards Credits for hotel stays, dining, entertainment, and resort benefits at participating Caesars Rewards destinations.
A Bet Slip Built for Every Experience Level: Caesars Sportsbook is for both first-time bettors and experienced ones with a bet slip that’s easy to use. Clear market labels like money lines and Same Game Parlays, live odds indicators, and helpful bet details make it easy to review your selections. Plus, you see the potential payout before confirming your bet, with no hidden math and no post-bet surprises.
Odds Boosts, Promos, and Same Game Parlays: Caesars Sportsbook offers odds boosts on select college football matchups, Same Game Parlays across the weekly slate, and promotions tied to rivalry weekends, conference championship games, and playoff rounds.
Available Across the Country: Availability varies by jurisdiction, and you must be physically located in a state where online sports betting is permitted.
Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. MA: Call 1-800-327-5050. NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you bet on NFL games?
To bet on NFL games, open an account with a licensed sportsbook such as Caesars Sportsbook, make a deposit, navigate to the NFL section, select a bet type and game, enter a wager amount, and confirm the bet.
What is the most popular type of NFL bet?
The point spread is the most popular NFL bet type, requiring the favored team to win by more than a set margin for the wager to pay.
How old do you have to be to bet on NFL games?
You must be 21 years of age or older to place wagers with Caesars Sportsbook. Age is verified during account registration before you can place a wager.
What does -110 mean in NFL betting?
Odds of -110 mean you must wager $110 to win $100 in profit. This is the standard juice often charged on point spread and totals bets
Can you bet on the Super Bowl at Caesars Sportsbook?
Yes. Caesars Sportsbook offers Super Bowl betting, including the spread, moneyline, total, team props, and player props.
What is a Same Game Parlay in NFL betting?
A Same Game Parlay is a single bet that combines 2 or more wagers from the same NFL game, paying at combined odds only if all selections win.
When do NFL futures odds open?
NFL futures odds are usually available starting in February during the offseason and continue updating as the new season approaches.