This American Football (NFL) betting guide is designed to offer you invaluable insights into the sport, shedding light on the essential factors that shape game outcomes. Additionally, it features several NFL betting tipsters, as well as the best sites for statistics. Armed with this wealth of information, you’ll be empowered to make well-informed decisions when placing American Football bets.
About American Football Betting
American Football betting refers to wagering on the outcome of professional (NFL) and college (NCAA) football games. This can include betting on which team will win the game, the total number of points scored, the winning margin, and various prop bets such as the first team to score.
The vast majority of UK and European betting sites offer sportsbook odds for NFL betting. However, in the USA, the legality of American Football betting varies by state, with some states having legalised sports betting and others still prohibiting it.
American football has a strong tradition and is deeply rooted in American culture, making it one of the most popular sports in the country.
Why Bet On American Football?
Popular American Football Competitions
American football is a very popular sport in the United States, and there are many competitions available for fans to enjoy. Some of the most popular American football competitions include:
- National Football League (NFL): This is the highest level of professional American football in the United States. The NFL is comprised of 32 teams and the season culminates with the Super Bowl, which is one of the most watched television events in the world.
- College Football: This is the highest level of amateur American football in the United States. The NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) is comprised of 130 teams and the season culminates with the College Football Playoff National Championship.
- High School Football: This is the foundation of American football, with thousands of high schools across the country fielding teams. State championships are held in many states and are highly anticipated events.
There are also semi-professional leagues, such as the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and the XFL, that are gaining popularity among fans.
Best Bookmakers For NFL Betting
I recommend the following bookmakers for placing American Football bets:
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Considerations For NFL Betting
American football is considered a complex sport due to its many rules, strategies, player positions, physical demands, and impact of injuries. It requires a high level of knowledge and understanding to follow and bet on effectively.
Rules & Regulations
The rules and regulations of American football play a critical role in shaping the outcome of games. Some ways in which rules and regulations can impact the sport include:
- Scoring: The rules for scoring in American football determine how many points can be earned and how they can be earned.
- Player conduct: The rules for player conduct, such as penalties for fouls and unsportsmanlike behavior, can impact the outcome of a game by altering the number of points scored and player availability.
- Ball possession: The rules for ball possession, such as downs and first downs, determine the length of time a team has to score and can impact the outcome of a game.
- Time management: The rules for time management, such as clock management, can impact the outcome of a game by limiting the time available for teams to score.
- Play review: The rules for play review, such as instant replay, can impact the outcome of a game by allowing or disallowing certain scoring plays and penalties.
Tactics
Tactics play a crucial role in American football and can greatly impact the outcome of a game. Some ways in which tactics can be deployed include:
- Play design: Teams design plays that take into account the strengths and the weaknesses of the opponent, with the goal of gaining yards and scoring points.
- Player alignment: The alignment of players on the field, such as the positioning of offensive and defensive players, can greatly impact the outcome of a play.
- Blocking: Blocking tactics, such as the use of double teams and chip blocks, creates running lanes and protecting the quarterback.
- Pass rush: The pass rush, or the pressure applied on the quarterback, forces interceptions, sacks, and incomplete passes.
- Coverages: Coverages, such as man coverage and zone coverage, dictates how the defense will respond to the offense.
- Special teams: Special teams, such as kick returns and punt returns, provides teams with good field position and opportunities for scoring.
Form
In American football, a player’s form can greatly impact their individual performance and the success of their team. The form of a player can be influenced by various factors, including physical ability, mental state, and external factors like injury or fatigue.
- Confidence: Players in good form typically play with confidence and a positive attitude, which can result in improved execution of plays and reduced mistakes.
- Physical Demands: Players who are in good form are typically able to handle the physical demands of the game better, allowing them to perform at a high level.
- Precision: Good form often leads to improved precision in execution of plays, resulting in fewer penalties or turnovers.
- Mistakes: Conversely, poor form can lead to more mistakes on the field, negatively impacting the team’s performance.
- Injury: An injury can greatly impact a player’s form, limiting their ability to perform at their best.
- Fatigue: Fatigue can also impact a player’s form, affecting their reaction time and overall performance.
- Mental Health: Mental health issues, such as stress or anxiety, can also negatively impact a player’s form.
Weather
Weather can greatly impact American football and play a significant role in the outcome of games. Here are some ways weather can affect the sport:
- Field Conditions: Wet or muddy conditions can make it difficult for players to maintain their footing and make accurate passes or kicks, leading to mistakes.
- Physical Demands: Inclement weather, such as extreme heat or cold, can increase the physical demands of the game and affect the performance of players.
- Visibility: Poor visibility due to rain, snow, or fog can make it difficult for players to see the field and make accurate passes or tackles.
- Equipment: Weather can also impact the functionality of equipment, such as causing balls to become slippery in wet conditions or causing electronic equipment to malfunction.
- Strategies: Teams may need to adjust their game plans and strategies based on the weather conditions, such as opting for a ground-based attack in wet conditions.
Injuries
Injuries can greatly impact American football, affecting both individual players and teams. Here are some ways injuries can affect the sport:
- Player Performance: Injuries can limit a player’s ability to perform, impacting their form and overall effectiveness on the field.
- Depth Chart: Injuries to key players can force teams to rely on less experienced players, affecting the overall depth of the team.
- Game Strategy: Injuries can also force teams to alter their game strategy, such as relying more on the running game if a key receiver is out.
- Player Availability: Injuries can impact a player’s availability for games, forcing teams to play without key contributors.
- Post-Season Impact: Serious injuries can also impact a player’s future career and impact their team’s ability to compete in post-season games.
Coaching
Coaching plays a crucial role in American football as it can greatly impact the performance and success of a team.
- Planning and strategy: Coaches are responsible for developing game plans that take into account the strengths and weaknesses of their own team as well as the opposing team.
- Teaching techniques and skills: Coaches instruct players on proper techniques for blocking, tackling, catching, and running, among other skills.
- Leadership and decision-making: During games, coaches serve as the leader of the team, making decisions on play calls, timeouts, and other in-game strategies. They also motivate and encourage players to perform at their best.
- Player development: Coaches provide feedback and constructive criticism to help players improve. They also work with players on their mental preparation, including film study and visualisation techniques, to help players develop the right mindset for success.
- Team culture and morale: By fostering a positive environment and promoting teamwork, coaches can help create a winning attitude and build camaraderie among players.
NFL Betting Markets
Some of the most popular American football betting markets include:
- Point Spreads (Margin): This is a type of bet in which bettors wager on one team to either win by more than a certain margin (cover the spread), or for the other team to either win or lose by less than the same margin.
- Moneyline (Winner): This is a type of bet in which bettors wager on one team to win the game outright, with odds reflecting the perceived chances of either team winning.
- Over/Under: This is a type of bet in which bettors wager on the total number of points scored in a game being either over or under a predetermined number set by the sportsbook.
- Prop Bets: This is a type of bet in which bettors wager on specific events within a game, such as the first team to score, the total number of touchdowns scored, or the number of yards a particular player will rush for.
- Futures: This is a type of bet in which bettors wager on the outcome of a future event, such as the Super Bowl winner or the MVP award.
Bettors can also find markets for specific games, such as the number of yards a quarterback will throw for, or the number of tackles a defender will make.
Best Sites For NFL Stats
The following websites provide free, detailed American Football statistics:
You can learn more about these sites here: Best Sites For Free NFL Statistics
Best NFL Tipsters
The following table shows the top NFL tipsters. You can learn more about how these tipsters have been rated from my article: Best American Football Tipsters.
American Football FAQ
American Football is a sport played between two teams of 11 players each. The objective is to move an oval-shaped ball down the field and score points by carrying the ball into the opposing team’s end zone or kicking the ball through the opponent’s goalposts.
American Football is scored in various ways, including touchdowns (6 points), field goals (3 points), and extra point conversions (1 or 2 points). Safety (2 points) and two-point conversions are also possible, but less common.
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the NFL (National Football League) and is played annually in February. It is the most watched television event in the United States and is considered the biggest event in American sports.
NFL (National Football League) is the professional league of American Football, while college football refers to the amateur level of the sport, typically played by student athletes at universities and colleges. There are some differences in rules and gameplay between NFL and college football.
American Football odds are presented as either a positive or negative number and indicate the payout for a winning wager. For example, if the odds for a team are -200, a bettor would have to wager $200 to win $100. If the odds are +150, a bettor would win $150 for every $100 wagered.
A point spread is a number set by oddsmakers to determine the favorite and underdog in a game. The favorite is “giving” points, while the underdog is “taking” points. The bettor must either pick the favorite to win by more than the point spread, or the underdog to either win the game or lose by less than the point spread.
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