NFL Spread Betting Explained – Tips, Variations, and Where to Bet

If NFL spread betting is new or confusing to you, you’ll be happy to hear we break it down to pieces and dissect every one of them on this page. We show you how it works and highlight the most popular variations on the concept that you might find interesting.

In addition, we give you key tips on betting on the spread in the NFL to improve your chances of winning. Finally, we share the best places online to make these popular football wagers. If that sounds appealing, let’s dive in to find out how NFL spreads work!

• What Does Spread Mean in NFL Betting?
• Variations of NFL Spread Betting
• Basic Tips for Spread NFL Betting
• Where to Bet on NFL Spreads?

Betting against the spread means you are backing the team with the handicap in an NFL game to either win or lose by fewer points than the spread. Let’s use our example above and imagine that you want to bet against the spread, meaning you want to choose Baltimore +3.5 points.

Let’s explore a few scenarios to make it even easier to understand.

• Baltimore wins the game 21:20: You win your spread bet because the score of the game for the purposes of the spread line you picked is 24.5:20 for Baltimore (actual score + handicap).
• Pittsburgh defeats Baltimore 14:12: You win your spread bet because the score of the game, with the spread included, is Baltimore 15.5:14.
• Pittsburgh defeats Baltimore 27:7: You lose this bet because Baltimore lost by more than 3.5 points.

If you bet on an NFL team to cover the spread, it means you need the team to win the game by more points than the given handicap. Let’s form a new example. Here is another typical spread:

• Minnesota -10.5
• Green Bay +10.5

If you believe that Minnesota is going to cover the spread, that means you believe that they’re going to win the game by 11 points or more. Here is how that might turn out:

• Minnesota wins 42:7: You win your spread bet because the final margin of 35 points is greater than 10.5.
• Minnesota wins 14:10: You lose your spread bet. Even though Minnesota won the game outright, they only won by four, which isn’t enough to cover the 10.5 handicap.

The examples of point spread betting in the NFL we’ve given so far have included half-point lines. There can also be full point spreads in football games. A full point line makes it possible that the score can be tied for the purpose of the spread, which is also known as a push or void. In the case of a push/void, your bet is returned.

Take a look at the following NFL spread line:

• Dallas -7
• Philadelphia +7

Let’s imagine that you bet against the spread and take Philadelphia. Here are some possible outcomes:

• Dallas wins 35:31: You win the bet because Philadelphia lost by fewer than seven points.
• Dallas wins 28:17: You lose the bet because Philadelphia lost by more than seven points.
• Dallas wins 21:14: Since the margin is exactly seven points, this bet is a push. You don’t win, but you don’t lose either, so your wager is returned.

Half-point lines eliminate the possibility of a push, because there’s no way the outcome is tied for the NFL spread line you picked.

The classic NFL point spread line is based on the entire game (which includes overtime, if it happens.) However, there are certain spread bet variations based on partial portions of the game. In addition, live betting and alternative spread lines are often available at online sportsbooks:

• Quarterly Spreads: Each NFL game is broken into four quarters. NFL sportsbooks may include spreads based on just one quarter of play.
• Half-Time Spreads: You can also make NFL spread bets based on the result of each half. Keep in mind, if you’re betting on the second half spread, this will only include the third and fourth quarters, and not potential overtime.
• Alternative Spread lines: The main NFL spread line for each game usually is set at odds of around -110/-110 for both outcomes, meaning the probabilities of both outcomes are around 50%-50%. However, most bookies offer alternative lines with bigger and smaller handicaps. Choosing an alternative spread line allows you to either make a conservative bet that’s more of a sure thing or go out on a limb with a wager that could pay more, even if it’s riskier.
• Live NFL Spread betting: Live betting occurs during the NFL games. Football sportsbooks will usually offer all types of spread bets mentioned above in the live betting format. The live odds will change based on what’s happening in the game.

Forming a winning strategy for betting on the spread in the NFL is hard but possible. You should start with the basics. Consider paying attention to the following factors to give you a foundation for making your football spread wagers.

Statistical information on the three main parts of each team’s performance (offense, defense, special teams) can pave the way to finding an advantage on your spread bets. For example, if you find that the passing game of one team is particularly strong, while the pass defense of their opponent is a weakness, it could be an edge that will be exploited in the game.

Many websites feature up-to-date NFL stats to help you with this process. ESPN provides excellent information that’s updated regularly. For a site that goes a little bit deeper into historical NFL stats, Pro Football Reference is an excellent choice.

It can be helpful to find stats for each team that are focused on betting numbers. For example, there can be a team that has an excellent win-loss record. That doesn’t matter much when it comes to the spread, however, and if they struggle to cover the spread as a favorite, it could be time to go with the underdog.

By the same token, some teams with losing records have a knack for rallying late for scores that have little to do with the outcome of the game but can help them against the spread. In addition, some quarterbacks will try to pad their stats at the end of a game, which can help their teams cover the spread. Spread records can bring all of this to light and help you when it’s time for you to make a bet.

It’s easy to get carried away with long-term records. You should also be focused on short-term trends, either in terms of game stats or records against and with the spread. There are times when a team that’s been struggling can turn the corner and go on a hot streak, which could carry over to the game you’re betting.

You might also find a team that has a  good reputation but is struggling. If they haven’t been playing well in recent weeks for whatever reason, that could be an indication of a trend that’s useful for your bets. Always check the most recent results to help you spot these streaks, good or bad.

You always have to check the most current information on each team involved in a game you’re planning to bet. That goes beyond knowing what players are out of the game due to injuries or suspensions. It might also relate to players who are playing but could be affected.

For example, imagine a scenario where the favorite in a spread bet has a quarterback playing who is dealing with a bad ankle. That could affect his mobility, and the underdog, especially if they have a strong pass rush, can exploit that. Following the injury reports closely can make a huge difference with your spread bets in NFL games.

This tip is especially relevant for divisional matchups. In the NFL, teams within their own division play each other twice a season. In some cases, that first matchup can be a good indicator of how the second matchup will go.

The further back you go with head-to-head matchups for your NFL spread betting, the less reliable they’ll be. However, there are some cases where a team having an edge over another over the course of several years can be useful. For example, if one coach consistently outsmarts another, no matter how the teams stack up, you might be able to trust it to happen again and again.

This is an underrated strategy, but it’s one that savvy spread bettors know how to utilize. Comparable games means facing teams with similar styles of play.

For example, imagine that Team A is getting ready to play Team B, which is led by a defense that likes to blitz a lot. If Team A has had success against other blitzing teams recently, it could mean that they’ll have a better chance of being a winning spread bet.

All sports betting sites offer NFL spreads, but we suggest you choose Bovada first when considering which of them to use. They feature the best variety of alternative lines and excellent odds with only 5% margins.

If you want more alternatives for NFL spread betting, all top football betting sites are worth your attention

If you like our page on how to make NFL spread bets, we have you covered with much more NFL betting information. Check out the following pages:

• NFL Betting Strategy: The best basic strategies for making all kinds of NFL wagers.
• In-Game NFL Betting: How live NFL betting works and tips for successful in game bets
• NFL Totals Betting: Guide to over/under NFL bets.
• NFL Halftime Betting: How halftime NFL bets work and strategy for winning these specific wagers.
• NFL Line Movement: An explanation of why line movement happens in NFL games and how you can use it to your advantage.
• NFL Forecasting Lines: A look at how predicting NFL lines can help you win your bets.

In addition, don’t forget to check out our NFL blog, which features evergreen NFL betting content and articles on current events.