It’s that time again. The 2019 NFL season is fast approaching, and with it come the betting lines and prop bets. In this article, we will discuss the key matchups, key players to watch, and most importantly, how you can easily place bets on the 2019 NFL season and win big!
How to Bet on the NFL
If you’re looking to place bets on the NFL this season, you have a variety of options. One of the best places to do so is Bovada.lv. We have extensively reviewed the Bovada sportsbook, and you can read our in-depth report here. Suffice it to say, they’re a great option for those seeking to place bets on the NFL.
You may also consider trying one of the many other online sportsbooks, including but not limited to, Draft Kings, FanDuel, and the online versions of the ever popular bookies like William Hill and Paddy Power.
Finally, you may want to consider checking out your local bookie for the most up-to-date lines. Many bookies are now offering the option for online bettors to place wagers directly from the game itself. Doing so means you can get the lines and action while watching your favorite games on TV. If you’re a fan of the Baltimore Ravens, you can get the best of both worlds by placing a bet on them during the game and seeing how it turns out. Bookies typically offer better deals to players, and it’s a great way for punters to get involved in the action.
Which Teams to Watch This Season
Let’s take a quick look at the AFC and NFC conference standings from last season.
The AFC was mostly dominated by Kansas City, with reigning champion and 4-time champion New England finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. There were a few other contenders, including the Bills, who upset the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs before succumbing to Tom Brady and Co. in the next round. The Chargers also made the playoffs as a Wild Card team before losing to Kansas City in the Divisional Round.
The Panthers made the playoffs as well but were quickly dispatched by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles. While New York City and Los Angeles battled it out in the NFC, the Cardinals and 49ers once again proved to be the class of the NFC, going 13-3 and 14-2, respectively, in 2018. The 2nd-place team in the NFC West was almost certainly the 49ers again this season. What is interesting is the fact that the 2nd and 3rd place teams in the NFC East both went 12-4 last season. This suggests that the New York Giants and Washington Redskins could be a lot closer than we think this year. Both teams could very well make the playoff. It is also possible that the two teams could even meet in the Super Bowl. If so, it would be the first time in history that the NFC Champion would make it all the way to the game!
It’s fair to say that almost nobody expected the 2019 NFL season to shape up the way it did. With the exception of a few fan bases, the majority of the league was struggling through a disastrous 2018 season. However, through a combination of great coaching and some incredible team chemistry, a few teams were able to avoid total disaster and play above average football. As a result, they were able to put themselves in a great position to have a successful NFL season. This trend continued as 9 of the 12 teams won more than 7 games last season. Needless to say, this season is going to be very interesting to follow.
Key Matchups to Watch This Season
With the 2019 NFL season fast approaching, the spotlight will be squarely on the star quarterbacks and a few of the premier matchups. Here is a short list of some of the most intriguing rivalries this season:
Patriots vs. Colts
Speaking of rivalries, the Patriots will be looking to avenge last season’s blowout loss to the Colts. While Brady & Co. were not able to vanquish Andrew Luck and Co. in last season’s playoffs, they are definitely not forgiven. The Patriots will be looking to get back on track after an offseason full of change, most notably the retirement of tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught 101 passes for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.
Meanwhile, the Colts will be looking to continue their reign as the top dog in the AFC. Last year, the Colts went 12-4 and beat the Patriots in the AFC championship game. However, the 2019 NFL season is going to be extremely interesting between these two teams. In fact, you could make a case that the Patriots are the clear favorite. After all, the Colts have had 4 years to get ready for this matchup, while New England is coming off the greatest season in their history. It would not be a surprise to see the Patriots go back-to-back. As for whom you should watch out for in this matchup, we would recommend avoiding all underdogs but going rather large on the favorites.
Redskins vs. Eagles
The battle for the NFC East crown is going to be a fierce one. Let’s not forget about the addition of star quarterback Nick Foles to the Eagles. Last year, Chip Kelly’s squad went 8-8 but still managed to qualify for the playoffs as a wild card team. If anything, that experience proved that being the 11th-most valuable team in the NFL isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The fact that Philly was able to pull off such a feat speaks to their strength as a team and the quality of their players.
What’s interesting about this matchup is that the Redskins were the favorites in the division last season; however, they fell flat on their faces. Hoping to turn things around, they replaced their head coach, hiring Robert Griffin III’s former offensive coordinator, Sean McVay. McVay, who also happens to be a father-to-be this offseason, will be looking to keep his squad from falling too far behind in the division. The Redskins have a number of new players, including former Patriots tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, who signed with the team this offseason.
As for the overall 2019 NFL season, be on the lookout for these top rivalries. We have provided a short list below:
AFC vs. NFC Rivalry
This is the most likely scenario in the entire NFL. Thanks in part to the new television contract in the USA, we are going to be treated to some fantastic matchups. The AFC Championship game is going to be a clash of titans, with the Raiders defending their crown and looking to prove that last year was no fluke, and the Patriots seeking to dethrone New England’s dynasty. The game will be played in Foxboro and will be a selling point for the entire NFL season. If you’re looking to place a wager, there are plenty of possibilities this season. First-place finishers in the AFC and NFC are automatically in, while the other 4 participants will play in a postseason tournament. The winner will advance to the Super Bowl, and the loser will play in the Pro Bowl. Naturally, you’ll want to avoid picking against the spread as much as possible. The bookies are already starting to line these games up, so it’s time to get your wagers in.
AFC vs. NFC East Rivalry
Speaking of rivalries, the NFC East is about to be revived. Many expected the New York Giants to contend for the division crown last season but were defeated by the Rams, who made a late push. However, this offseason, they reloaded, adding a number of high-quality players to an already deep roster. Led by head coach Pat Shurmur, the Giants look to continue their dominant 2018 season and seek to end the Rams’ 2-year reign in the NFC East. The game is going to be an exciting one, and New York fans should be especially excited about this matchup, as they will have the opportunity to see their team compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles are the next most likely to join the Giants in a heated battle for the division title. This is an important season for both franchises. Philadelphia was devastated by the retirement of star quarterback Carson Wentz, who tore his ACL last year and was unable to return. The team’s starting quarterback, Nick Foles, is also coming off of a torn ACL, and he, too, might not be back to full strength this season. The Redskins, on the other hand, are trying to replace departed running back Derrius Guice and are looking to secure their spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. If you’re looking to place a wager on this game, the NFC East is the division to do it in. For a full 2019 NFL schedule, visit our homepage.