American football is the most bet-on sport in the United States, and one of the most betting-rich sports in the world. Every NFL game features dozens of markets, from the simple moneyline to deep player prop menus covering every position, every player statistic, and every game scenario imaginable.
The NFL's structure, a 17-game regular season, single-elimination playoffs, and one of sport's most watched championship events, creates year-round betting opportunities at Duelbits Sportsbook. This guide covers every major market, how the odds work, and the strategies that experienced NFL bettors use to find a consistent edge.
Every American football bet comes down to a few fundamental questions: who wins, by how much, and how many points get scored? These fundamentals generate every market available on NFL games.
All odds on Duelbits are displayed in decimal format:
Decimal odds = total return per $1 wagered (including your stake)
| Decimal Odds | Risk | Return | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | $100 | $150 | $50 |
| 1.91 | $100 | $191 | $91 |
| 2.20 | $100 | $220 | $120 |
| 4.00 | $100 | $400 | $300 |
The standard NFL spread and totals price is approximately 1.91 on both sides, representing the sportsbook's built-in edge (the "vig" or "juice") of roughly 4.5% on even-money wagers.
The point spread is the most important and widely bet market in American football. It exists specifically because NFL teams are rarely evenly matched, the spread creates a level playing field that generates two-sided market action.
How it works:
The favourite is assigned a minus number (e.g., -6.5), they must win by more than that many points. The underdog receives a plus number (e.g., +6.5), they cover the spread by losing by fewer points than the number, or winning outright.
Example:
| Team | Spread | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | -7.5 | Chiefs must win by 8+ points |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +7.5 | Raiders must lose by 7 or fewer, or win outright |
If the Chiefs win 28-20 (margin of 8), the Chiefs cover -7.5. If they win 27-20 (margin of 7), the Raiders cover +7.5.
Why half-points matter: Most NFL spreads include a half-point to prevent pushes. The most important half-points in NFL betting are around 3 and 7, the most common margins of victory (field goal and one touchdown). A spread of -3 vs -3.5 is statistically significant because so many games end with a 3-point margin.
Key spreads and their frequency:
| Margin | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 3 points | Most common NFL winning margin (~15% of games) |
| 7 points | Second most common (~9%) |
| 6 points | Third most common (~8%) |
| 10 points | Also common |
Always check whether a spread crosses 3 or 7 before placing, the difference between -2.5 and -3.5 is more statistically significant than any other adjacent spread movement.
The moneyline is the simplest NFL bet: pick which team wins the game outright. No spread, no margin, just the winner.
How it works:
| Team | Moneyline Odds |
|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers (favourite) | 1.55 |
| Dallas Cowboys (underdog) | 2.50 |
Bet $100 on the 49ers at 1.55 and they win: you receive $155 ($55 profit). Bet $100 on the Cowboys at 2.50 and they win: you receive $250 ($150 profit).
When to use moneyline vs spread:
The moneyline is best when backing a significant underdog, taking a team at 2.50 or 3.00 to win outright rather than covering a spread at 1.91. Underdog moneyline bets offer better pure return when you believe a team can win regardless of margin.
The totals market is a bet on the combined points scored by both teams, nothing to do with who wins. You pick whether total scoring will go over or under the line set by the sportsbook.
Example:
Line: 47.5 total points
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins. Final score: 28-24 (total: 52 points). Over wins.
If the final score was 17-14 (total: 31 points). Under wins.
What drives NFL totals:
Player props are the most popular growth market in NFL betting and the highest-skill-ceiling market in American football. You're not picking a winner, you're predicting individual statistical performances within a game.
Common NFL player prop markets:
| Prop Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Passing Yards (Over/Under) | Patrick Mahomes Over 287.5 Passing Yards |
| Passing Touchdowns | Josh Allen Over 2.5 TD Passes |
| Rushing Yards | Derrick Henry Over 87.5 Rushing Yards |
| Receiving Yards | Tyreek Hill Over 74.5 Receiving Yards |
| Receptions | Travis Kelce Over 5.5 Receptions |
| Anytime Touchdown Scorer | Justin Jefferson to Score Anytime |
| First Touchdown Scorer | Saquon Barkley First TD |
Why player props are the most skill-intensive NFL bet:
Sportsbooks set player prop lines based on season averages and recent form. But individual game outcomes are driven by factors season averages don't capture:
A parlay combines two or more individual selections into a single wager. All selections must win for the parlay to pay, but the odds multiply together, creating significantly larger potential payouts.
How parlay odds compound:
| Legs | Individual Odds | Parlay Return |
|---|---|---|
| 2-leg parlay | 1.91 × 1.91 | 3.65x |
| 3-leg parlay | 1.91 × 1.91 × 1.91 | 6.97x |
| 4-leg parlay | 1.91 × 1.91 × 1.91 × 1.91 | 13.32x |
| 5-leg parlay | 1.91⁵ | 25.44x |
A $20 four-team parlay at 1.91 per leg returns $266.40 if all four win.
Parlay strategy: The most disciplined parlay approach uses selections you're already confident in individually, combining them for enhanced return rather than adding uncertain legs purely for payout potential. Two or three confident spread plays combined is more analytically sound than a five-leg parlay built primarily around the payout number.
A teaser is a parlay where you can move the point spread on each selection by a fixed number of points, typically 6 or 6.5 points, in your favour, in exchange for reduced odds.
Example: 6-point teaser on two NFL games:
| Original Spread | After 6-Point Teaser |
|---|---|
| Chiefs -7.5 | Chiefs -1.5 |
| Bills +2.5 | Bills +8.5 |
Both selections are now much easier to cover. The trade-off: reduced odds compared to a standard parlay. Six-point teasers are most valuable when they cross the key numbers 3 and 7, moving a -9.5 to -3.5 crosses through 7 and 6 as well as reaching near 3.
Futures are bets on season-long outcomes, which team wins the Super Bowl, which player wins MVP, which division teams win. They're available from the preseason through to the final weeks before playoffs.
Common NFL futures markets:
Why futures offer value:
Futures markets are set before the season and often don't adjust efficiently as the season progresses. An injury to a division rival, a breakout performance by an unknown player, or a schedule that suddenly looks easier can all create value in futures markets that the opening price didn't reflect.
The trade-off: your stake is locked until the futures market resolves, potentially months away.
Beyond individual player props, NFL games offer a wide range of team and game-level props:
Common team props:
First-half and second-half markets:
NFL first-half betting is one of the most liquid markets in American football. The first-half spread and total operate independently from the full game. First-half markets are particularly useful when you believe a game's narrative will shift at half-time, a team that tends to build slow or a defence that typically improves with game adjustments.
Wind velocity is the single most powerful publicly available edge in NFL betting. Games with wind speeds exceeding 15-20 mph see measurable reductions in total points, particularly in passing games. Outdoor stadium games in November and December in cold-weather cities (Green Bay, Chicago, New England, Cleveland, Buffalo) can shift total lines dramatically when weather forecasts are released.
Always check AccuWeather or the Weather Channel for game-time conditions on totals bets at outdoor stadiums.
Home field advantage in the NFL is worth approximately 2-3 points in spread terms on average, less than college football but consistent. Loud stadiums (Kansas City's Arrowhead, Seattle's CenturyLink, New Orleans' Superdome) have documented advantages for the home team in close games. Factor home/away into every spread and total assessment.
The NFL schedule creates documented rest advantages:
Short weeks: Teams playing on Thursday Night Football (typically only four days after their previous game) perform measurably worse than opponents on a normal week. Back-to-back away games also create fatigue advantages for the home team.
Bye week advantage: Teams coming off their bye week (10-14 days of rest and preparation) historically outperform expectations versus teams on normal rest, particularly in points scored against.
The same game may be priced differently across sportsbooks. Even small decimal differences (1.89 vs 1.95 on the same spread) compound significantly over a season of NFL bets. Check the Duelbits price against your expectations and place bets where the odds are most favourable for your analysis.
The NFL's 17-game regular season plus playoffs creates a long, high-volume betting calendar. Set a per-game unit size (typically 1-3% of your total bankroll) and maintain it consistently rather than chasing losses or doubling down after a bad week.
Our Kelly Criterion guide explains the mathematically optimal approach to stake sizing across a full NFL betting season.
| Feature | NFL | NBA | Soccer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games per week | 15-16 | 10+ per night | Multiple leagues |
| Most common bet | Point spread | Point spread | 1X2 / Asian Handicap |
| Player props depth | Deepest | Deep | Moderate |
| Weather impact | High (outdoor) | None (indoor) | Moderate |
| Live betting value | High | Very High | High |
| Key numbers | 3 and 7 | N/A | 1 and 2 (goals) |
For basketball betting, our NBA betting guide covers the full range of basketball markets with the same depth as this NFL guide. For soccer, see our soccer betting guide.
Duelbits Sportsbook carries full NFL coverage including regular season and playoff markets. Navigate to American Football betting from the Sportsbook menu to find all current NFL betting markets, point spread, moneyline, totals, player props, team props, parlays, futures, and live in-play.
How do you bet on American football? Choose a game from American Football in the Sportsbook, select a market (spread, moneyline, totals, or props), add to your bet slip, enter your stake, and confirm. Duelbits shows decimal odds, multiply your stake by the decimal price to see your total return.
What is the point spread in NFL betting? The favourite gives points (e.g., -6.5, must win by 7+). The underdog receives points (e.g., +6.5, can lose by 6 or fewer). Most NFL spreads are priced at approximately 1.91 decimal on both sides.
What is the over/under in NFL betting? A bet on combined total points scored by both teams. The sportsbook sets a line (e.g., 47.5) and you pick over or under. NFL totals typically range from 38 to 54 points.
What are player props in NFL betting? Bets on individual player statistics, passing yards, touchdowns, rushing yards, receiving yards, receptions. The most skill-intensive NFL market, driven by matchup analysis, usage rates, and injury news.
What is a parlay? Combining multiple selections into one bet. All must win. Odds multiply for larger potential return. One losing selection loses the entire parlay.
What is a teaser? A parlay where you move the spread on each leg by 6 or 6.5 points in your favour, at reduced odds. Most valuable when crossing key numbers 3 and 7.
What are NFL futures bets? Season-long bets, Super Bowl winner, conference champions, division winners, MVP. Available from preseason to final weeks. Best value comes from early-season positions before the market fully adjusts.
Where can I bet on the NFL? All NFL markets, spread, moneyline, totals, props, parlays, futures, live, available on Duelbits Sportsbook under American Football.
