Football
Betting
American football is the most popular sport in the United States for betting by volume. The NFL alone accounts for roughly 40% of all US sports betting handle, with Super Bowl Sunday the single biggest betting day of the year.
Football Leagues in the US
Explore betting guides for each major football league available at US sportsbooks.
NFL
National Football League
The NFL is the most-bet sports league in the United States. Its 17-game regular season runs across 18 weeks from September through early January, followed by th...
NCAAF
NCAA College Football
College football betting is massive in the US, particularly in SEC and Big Ten country. The 12-team College Football Playoff (expanded from 4 in 2024) has drama...
How to Bet on Football
The main football markets you'll find at any legal US sportsbook, with a one-line take on each.
Point Spread
The defining football bet. Standard juice -110 both sides. Spreads in the NFL cluster between -1 and -10; college football runs much wider (10+ point spreads are routine).
Moneyline
Pick the outright winner. Heavy NFL favorites (-350 or more) rarely offer value. NCAAF moneylines on top SEC programs vs Group of 5 schools can hit -2000 or longer.
Over/Under Totals
NFL totals run 36-56 depending on matchup; college totals 35-75. Wind over 15 mph and heavy precipitation push unders. Domes and warm weather push overs.
Player Props
QB passing yards/TDs, RB rushing yards, WR receiving yards, anytime TD scorer. Anytime TD is the most-bet football prop, typically priced +150 to +500 on skill players.
Same Game Parlays
Football has the deepest SGP market of any sport. Correlated legs (team ML + QB pass yards over + receiving TD) outperform random parlays. Avoid 5+ legs; EV drops fast.
Futures
Super Bowl winner, conference winner, division winner, win totals, MVP, and the College Football Playoff bracket. Best value preseason or in the first 5-6 weeks before markets sharpen.
Football Season Calendar
- Aug: NFL preseason + NCAAF Week 0
- Sep: NFL kickoff + college football Week 1
- Oct–Nov: NFL/NCAAF mid-season + Halloween + Thanksgiving slate
- Late Nov: NCAAF Rivalry Week
- Dec: NFL playoff push + college conference championships
- Late Dec–early Jan: 12-team CFP + NFL Wild Card
- Jan: NFL Divisional + Conference rounds
- Early Feb: Super Bowl
- Mid-Jan: National Championship
Most-Bet Football Markets
The markets that drive the bulk of football handle at US books.
- Point spread
- Anytime TD scorer
- Same Game Parlays
- Super Bowl + CFP futures
- Heisman Trophy
- Player passing/rushing/receiving yards O/U
Football Betting FAQ
How big is football betting in the US?
Massive. The NFL alone accounts for roughly 40% of all US sports betting handle. Super Bowl Sunday is the single largest betting event of the year ($1.39 billion wagered on Super Bowl 59 in 2025). College football handle has grown sharply since the 12-team CFP launched in 2024.
What's the difference between NFL and college football betting?
NFL spreads cluster -1 to -10 because of parity. College spreads run wider (15-30 points common) because talent gaps between programs are larger. Many states ban college player props or in-state college team betting; NFL has no such restrictions.
When does the NFL season run?
September through early February. Regular season is 17 games per team across 18 weeks. Playoffs run mid-January through early February, ending with the Super Bowl in early February.
Are NFL teasers actually profitable?
6-point teasers crossing through key numbers 3 and 7 (Wong teasers) have shown long-term positive ROI. Other configurations are usually -EV. Most teaser products are designed for the casual bettor, not the sharp.