The NFL season is almost over and the Super Bowl is behind us. While most books have already been closed, football betting remains popular as ever. For those seeking to place a wager on the 2018 NFL season, here’s a quick guide to what is under 3.5 in the NFL betting markets.
Over/Under Under 3.5
One of the most popular over/under wagers for the NFL season is Oregon vs. Utah. The line for this game has Utah favored by 1.5 points under 3.5. If you’ve ever seen the TV show, “Full House,” you may know that the Over/Under under 3.5 is based on the number of bedrooms in the house. If you think the under is the better bet, then go with it. Otherwise, fade the over.
Other popular over/under bets include:
- Michigan State vs. Penn State (Nittany Lions are 7-1 ATS this year) under 7.5
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee (the home team is 5-2 ATS this year) under 7.5
- Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay (this game has the potential to be a track meet) under 7.5
- Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans (two teams fighting for position in the NFC West) under 7.5
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England (if you’re looking for a game with high scoring potential, this is the one to bet on) under 7.5
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia (the defending champion is 7-1 ATS this year) under 7.5
- Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants (this game has the potential to be a shootout) under 7.5
Teasers
Most major sportsbooks offer teaser odds on football games, too. These are the betting odds that laypeople typically see when they open an online betting account. They’re easy to understand and less confusing than the standard betting odds provided by the bookmakers. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know what teaser odds are (or worse, think they know but actually they don’t).
Speaking of surprises, you may be surprised to learn that the New England Patriots are the favorite to win the Super Bowl. The odds for this historic season are currently available in a number of different styles, from 2-to-1 to 5-to-1. That’s quite a jump from the 5-to-1 odds they were listed at the beginning of the season. It’s also a good indication of the public’s trust in Bill Belichick and Co.
Here’s a rundown of the top five favorite teams to win the Super Bowl, along with their current odds:
- New England Patriots (2-to-1)
- Kansas City Chiefs (5-to-1)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (5-to-1)
- Philadelphia Eagles (7-to-1)
- Atlanta Falcons (7-to-1)
It should come as no surprise that the New England Patriots are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. After all, they are 13-0 this year, with their only loss coming against the Atlanta Falcons by a touchdown. In that game, the Patriots scored 41 points.
Of course, odds are always subject to change. The NFL odds for the 2018 Super Bowl are certainly reflective of the early part of the season. But if you’re looking for the best odds available online for a Super Bowl wager, you can’t go wrong with the New England Patriots.
Point-Spread & Total
If you’re seeking to wager on the outcome of the game, you may be tempted to look for betting options that don’t require much thinking. One of the main attractions of the NFL is the ability for fans to follow their favorite teams closely, and they often do that by looking at the betting lines. When games are close at the end, teams will often play spoiler, as the Detroit Lions did in 2017 when they defeated the Green Bay Packers in a tight game by 3 points.
You could look at the point spread, which is the difference in the scores of the two teams, as a good indicator of how the game will end. If you’re getting the feeling that the Lions will be a winning team again this year, then you can bet on them at +3 points. As for the total, which is the sum of the scores from each team, you can use that, too. For example, if you believe that the Miami Dolphins will cover the spread, you can bet on them at +3, since they are favored to win by 3 points.
Most people looking to wager on the NFL would be very hesitant to wager on either the point spread or the total alone. However, if you’re a fan of a team that hasn’t been favored in several years, then you may have found a way to make some money. Just remember: point spreads and totals change from week to week, so if you want to make sure you’re getting the best odds available, look for spreads and totals that don’t change from week to week.
Over/Under Combined
For most people, looking at the point spread and total for an NBA game might be the best indicator of how the game will end. But for those seeking to wager on the NFL, there’s another option: Over/Under combined. This is where you combine the point spread and the total and use that as the basis of your wager. For example, if you believe that an under/over combo will happen in an NFL game, you can take advantage of that and put down a wager on Michigan State vs. Penn State under 7.5.
As you’ll see in the examples below, this is one of the best ways for sports bettors to make money. If you’re looking for an easy way to win, then combine point spreads and totals for the NFL are the way to go. Just remember: this is still football, so you’ll need to learn to trust your gut and have some fear of getting a bad idea and losing your hard-earned money.
Tracking Stats
Tracking stats are essentially a combination of points scored and points allowed in an effort to accurately predict the outcome of a game. While they can be helpful in understanding the scoring tendencies of a team, they’re more relevant when it comes to wagering on NFL games. The idea is that since stats can be somewhat subjective (e.g. defensive stats), they may vary from one bookmaker to the next, making it hard to get a good feel for a team’s overall tendencies. With that in mind, it’s best to look for a bookmaker that provides reliable data so that you can properly gauge a team’s statistical output.
In-Game Stats
In-game stats give you the chance to follow the game live as it unfolds. If you’re planning on attending the game, this is the best way to get all the stats you need. Whether you want to wager on the game or just follow along to see how it all shakes out, in-game stats are essential for anyone interested in betting on the NFL.
To learn more, you can click here to visit OddsShark’s NFL page, where you can find all the in-game stats you could want, including NFL odds, live betting, and more.
Odds
Besides the lines, which are typically pretty consistent from one sportsbook to the next, you’ll also find odds for almost every game. These are essentially the bookmakers’ opinions on the outcome of the game. While they don’t always predict the actual results correctly, they can give you an idea of whether or not you’ll be able to profit from betting on that game. They can also help put things in perspective. For example, if you’re looking for a game with high scoring potential, then you may find it more beneficial to take the under on odds, since they’ll usually be lower than you’d find for a more pedestrian game.
With all that information at your fingertips, placing a wager on the NFL becomes much easier than you’d imagine. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can have all the information you need at your fingertips so that you can make the right wager. With the right information at your fingertips, it’s easier to place a winning wager than you’d think. Just make sure you do your homework before you place that bet though-you may be surprised by what you find once you begin to study the books.