Bettors know that there are many different ways to gamble on the NFL. There was a time when people would largely make their bets in the pre-season as it was logical and easier. This is before the days of betting online!
It was once the case that sportsbooks were in-person, requiring money to change hands from one individual to another. Now, the way that NFL betting works has changed a lot. People can place their bets in a matter of minutes based on what is happening. Individual games even have in-play betting, so something like a player getting injured can impact and make sure people change how they bet.
Individual Games – Pre-Season Versus Regular Season
Most people who want to know the difference between pre-season and regular season are talking about some outright bets and season-long markets, such as which teams will make the playoffs or who will win the Super Bowl. However, we must discuss the difference between individual games and betting on these markets.
People who look at individual pre-season games with a betting eye will see that there are not nearly as many markets. This is partially because there are just so many different variables, and teams don’t necessarily play their top squad. Pre-season is mainly about fitness, and though some sportsbooks might offer odds, many will not. If they do, the markets will be much more limited compared to competitive games as the season progresses.
The markets will be everywhere once we’re in the swing of the season. Okay, that is a potential exaggeration, but on the sportsbook markets, you will see an incredible number of betting options for each game.
These include:
- Moneyline. People can choose to bet on which team will win the game outright.
- Point Spread. Wager on whether a team will cover the spread by winning or losing within a specific margin.
- Over/Under (Total Points). Predict whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a set number.
- Player Props. Bets on individual player performances, such as passing yards or touchdowns. The sportsbook will often create these markets in the run-up to a game.
- Team Props. Focus on team-specific outcomes, like first-to-score or total touchdowns.
- Parlays. Combine multiple bets into one; all must win for a payout.
- Live Betting. Some sites allow people to place bets during the game as it unfolds.
Many of these markets will only be available when the real season begins.
Season Markets and Futures
Some call them outright markets, and some call them futures. We’re referring to the markets that last the length of the season and will be decided at the end.
This is where we see the most dramatic changes in betting. Some examples of the seasonal markets and futures include:
- Super Bowl Winner. Bettors gamble on which team will win the upcoming Super Bowl. This is always the hottest ticket, and people want to get tickets to attend, but calling it before the season can be tough.
- To Reach the Super Bowl. This market is based on whether a team will get deep into the playoffs and actually reach the Super Bowl.
- Conference Champions. Predict the winners of the AFC and NFC conferences.
- Division Winners. Wager on teams to win their respective divisions.
- Season Win Totals. Bet over or under on a team’s total wins for the season.
- MVP. Predict the player who will win the NFL MVP award.
- Rookie of the Year. Wager on the top-performing rookie (offensive or defensive).
- Coach of the Year. Bet on which head coach will be awarded Coach of the Year.
- Player Statistical Leaders. People can bet on the season leaders in categories like passing yards, rushing yards, or touchdowns.
To decide some of these things at the start of the season is very difficult. For starters, there are still a lot of trades that are happening. The deadline was November 5th this year, meaning the season was well underway. Some people choose to bet on a specific team before the season, and then they lose one of their stars in a trade. This makes it even more uncertain how their season will go.
On top of that, pre-season has a lot of other unknowns. As well as playing personnel, the coaches can change. Sometimes, they don’t gel and get on with one another; sometimes, their methods just don’t work.
The longer you go into a season, the more likely it is that injuries will also impact things for a team. Pre-season can be a difficult time to judge the strength of the roster and whether a team has enough to go to the Playoffs or even go all the way. If the star quarterback gets injured, it can somewhat ruin a team’s chances.
Surprise packages are also a big thing in the NFL. Things can turn around in the course of a season. This can be good for betting pre-season in terms of the odds but not for making accurate predictions.
The 1999 St. Louis Rams had gone 4–12 the year before winning the Super Bowl, and the 2001 New England Patriots had gone 5–11 the year before. These modest records would not have seen many people predicting either team to win the competition, but sometimes, it happens in sports, and momentum can go a long way.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons to every timescale for gambling in the NFL. Getting in early can potentially bring the best odds, but predicting what will happen can also be tricky. Many people like to wait until the season is underway and have an excellent chance to check out what the teams are looking like before making any predictions.
