NFL Betting Guide for Beginners: Navigating Through Odds and Trends

NFL betting has become one of the most exciting ways for fans to engage with the game. Every play, touchdown, and field goal can carry real stakes, adding another layer of intensity to Sunday afternoons. For beginners, though, the options can be overwhelming. What do odds like -120 mean? How do spreads work? What exactly is a parlay or a teaser?

If you're getting started with NFL betting, this guide will give you the information you need to make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes.

NFL Bet Types and Odds Explained

Most U.S. sportsbooks use American odds, which are displayed as either negative (e.g., -120) or positive (e.g., +110) numbers. A negative number shows how much you must bet to win $100, while a positive number shows how much you’d win on a $100 bet.

There are several key types of NFL bets, and understanding each gives you more ways to engage with the game.

• Moneyline Betting. Moneyline bets is simply betting on which team will win the game. For example, if Dallas is listed at -120, you would need to bet $120 to win $100. If Philadelphia is listed at +110, a $100 bet would return $110 if the Eagles win. This type of bet is ideal for beginners because it doesn’t involve point spreads or totals—just the outcome of the game. You can view live and upcoming NFL odds on FanDuel to see how moneyline prices vary across matchups each week.
   
• Totals (Over/Under) Betting. Totals bets involve predicting the combined score of both teams, regardless of who wins. If the total is set at 49.5, you’re betting on whether the combined final score will be over or under the set total. For example, if the game ends 30–27, the total is 57, and the over wins. Suppose it ends 24–20, the under hits. 
   
• Futures Betting. Futures are long-term bets on outcomes that will be decided later in the season. Common futures include betting on the Super Bowl champion, MVP winner, or division winners. These bets can be placed before or during the season and often offer higher payouts, but your money will be tied up for weeks or months until the outcome is decided.
   
• Parlay Betting. Parlays combine two or more bets into one. The catch is that all parts of the parlay must win for the bet to pay out. For example, if you bet on Dallas, Miami, and Seattle to win, and one team loses, the entire bet loses. Parlays are riskier than single bets, but they offer much larger potential returns.
   
• Prop Betting. Prop bets focus on specific events within a game rather than the final result. Player props might include bets like whether Patrick Mahomes will throw for over or under 299.5 yards. Team props could ask whether the Packers will score on their first possession.

Betting Trends

While odds set the baseline for expectations, betting trends reveal how the public perceives those expectations and where they’re placing their money in real time. One of the clearest snapshots of current sentiment can be found in FanDuel’s Top NFL Game Props This Week, which highlight the most popular player- and game-specific wagers among bettors.

Underdogs Perform Well in High-Stakes Games

Historically, underdogs have consistently performed well in the Super Bowl. In 59 games, underdogs have covered 29 times—slightly ahead of favorites (28 covers, with 2 pushes). From 2000 to 2017, underdogs covered in 12 of 17 Super Bowls, and recent matchups like the Eagles (LIX), Chiefs (LVIII, LVII), and Buccaneers (LV) have continued that pattern. In games where pressure is high and public hype leans toward favorites, underdogs often offer better value.

Over/Under Markets Are Balanced, but the Public Leans Over

Despite the public's preference for high-scoring games, Super Bowl totals have been evenly split, with 29 overs and 29 unders. Bettors tend to favor the over, especially when high-powered offenses are involved. However, recent history has shown that defense and game flow can suppress scoring. Super Bowl LIII, for instance, ended 13–3, far below the projected total. In regular season play, weather, travel, and late-season injuries often lead to value on the under in overlooked spots.

Bettors Are Fading Favorites in Divisional Futures

In 2025 division markets, favorites are not drawing the most bets. In the AFC East, the Bills are favored, but most of the money is going to the Patriots, driven by offseason moves such as acquiring Stefon Diggs and hiring Mike Vrabel. The AFC North shows a similar pattern, where the Ravens are favored, but the Browns and Steelers are attracting more action.

In the NFC North, the Lions lead the odds, but the Vikings carry the highest ticket percentage despite questions at quarterback. This trend suggests bettors are increasingly chasing upside and longer odds in futures markets, rather than backing the chalk.

Final Say

NFL betting is easier to manage when you understand the basics. Learn how odds work and start with simple bet types like moneylines or spreads. Avoid high-risk bets until you’ve done proper research. Use trends to inform your decisions, not to replace them. Start small, stay consistent, and track your results. Over time, you’ll get better at spotting value and making smarter bets.