We understand that NFL preseason football games are normally boring and don’t feature the team’s stars, but there are still plenty of betting opportunities to be had. Here’s a guide for anyone who is to betting on the NFL preseason.
Understanding the Odds
Each NFL team will play three preseason games with the exception of the two teams that play in the annual Hall of Fame Game. Those teams will have four exhibition games. Because preseason games are unpredictable due to most teams teams throwing out new players and schemes, you’ll see oddsmakers set point spreads close to key numbers like 3. Betting on the NFL preseason involves the usual types of wagers like point spreads, moneylines and totals.
What is Point Spread Betting?
The most common type of bet is wagering on the margin of victory. Bookmakers set a spread, and you bet on whether a team will win by more than that spread or if the other team will lose by less than the spread – or even win outright.
Example: If the Philadelphia Eagles are favored by 3 points against the Baltimore Ravens, the point spread will look like this:
- Eagles -3: If you bet on the Eagles, they must win by more than 3 points for your bet to win.
- Ravens +3: If you bet on the Ravens, they must win outright or lose by less than 3 points for your bet to win.
If the Eagles win by exactly 3 points, it’s called a ‘Push’, and all bets are refunded.
In the case with some preseason football games, like the 2024 Hall of Fame Game, weather can be a factor and team’s decide just to call the game early. Check with your sportsbook and their rules, but most places will refund all bets if an NFL game doesn’t go at least 55 minutes.
What is Moneyline Betting?
A moneyline bet is the most straightforward of bets like Baseball and Hockey. You are betting on which team will win the game. Easy, right? Well, the odds reflect the strength of each team, with favorites requiring a larger bet to win a smaller amount and underdogs offering a bigger payout for a smaller wager.
Example: In a game between the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs would look like this:
- Chiefs -150: You need to bet $150 to win $100 if the Chiefs win.
- Seahawks +130: A $100 bet on the Seahawks would net you $130 if they win.
Moneyline bets can be fun to watch and makes things simple when you don’t have to worry about a point spread.
How to Bet Totals (Over/Under)
Another simple and fun way to bet a game is predicting whether or not the set number of total points scored by both teams will go over or under.
Example: If the total for a game between the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos is set at 36.5:
- Over 36.5: If you bet on the over, you need the combined score of both teams to be 37 or more points.
- Under 36.5: If you bet on the under, you need the combined score to be 36 or fewer points.
NFL Preseason Prop Bets
Prop bets, or proposition bets, are wagers on specific outcomes within a game. They can range from margin of victory for a team or an individual player performance.
Example: Common prop bets in the preseason might include:
- Will a specific wide receiver catch a certain amount of passes. These types of bets work much like the over/under wager.
- Will there be a defensive or special teams touchdown in the game?
You’ve all seen the list of prop bets leading up to each Super Bowl, but the preseason options are limited and sportsbooks will set a lot lower limits on them.
Preseason Live Betting
Live betting is also known as in-game betting and it allows you to place wagers while the game is ongoing. These types of bets are getting more and more popular. It also requires you to pay attention to a game more closely and to have a fast trigger finger on your mobile device, as odds change by the second.
Example: If a team is down by a touchdown early, you might bet on them to comeback and win or cover the spread based on adjusted odds.
NFL Preseason Betting Tips & Strategies
It’s not easy betting preseason games. You need to know quarterback rotations and how long each starter will play, if at all. Teams with stronger quarterback depth will have an edge over teams with rookies under center, or players with limited experience.
Coaching styles will vary also. Some coaches like John Harbaugh, love to win preseason games, while guys like Sean Payton and Sean McVay could care less. A veteran coach whose team is coming off an unsuccessful season and whose job may be in jeopardy, may go all out in preseason to win. This coach may play his starters longer in an attempt to get them ready for the regular season.
A rookie coach almost always tries to impress and win games in the preseason, in order to build their own confidence, the confidence of the team, and the confidence of the ownership, media and fans. You have to remember, the players are starting over with a new coaching staff and may have to justify their playing time.
Stay updated with the latest news on various social media outlets including each team’s official X account. Lines can move quickly, especially when a head coach announces he will not play any of his starters.
Handicapping the NFL Preseason requires the ability to recognize each teams needs and what the coach wants to accomplish during the Preseason as he prepares his team for the regular season. Try to back head coaches who care about the outcome of the Preseason games and bet against those that dont. Keep these factors in mind and you will be well on your way to building your bankroll for the 2024 Football Season.
