The 2023-24 NFL season is underway, and most teams have already played 8-10 games, so things are heating up! The Dolphins, Chiefs, Ravens, Jaguars, Eagles and Lions all look great so far and are leading their respective conferences. We can't wait to see how the action unfolds.
If you are an NFL fan, perhaps you want to place a few wagers this season but haven't had the greatest performances in recent years. Don't worry — we've put together some NFL betting strategies and tips below alongside mini-reviews of the best NFL betting sites so you can bet sensibly and maximize your profits.
NFL betting strategy and tips for 2023
There is no surefire strategy that will always result in a win, but you can do a range of things to improve your sports betting and place wagers sensibly on NFL games. This includes managing your bankroll, performing research, knowing the different bet types and finding the best odds.
Manage your bankroll
A big mistake many bettors make is to spend money without making use of any bankroll management. You need to set limits and stick to a plan regarding your NFL betting, otherwise it can soon spiral out of control.
The simplest thing you can do is to set a weekly or monthly limit for your NFL bets. For example, maybe you set a limit of $20 per week. By sticking to that limit, you will never drain your bank account and you will use your bankroll more effectively because you will only have a limited number of bets.
Some people also choose to only re-bet with their original deposit amount, such as the $20 per week, and put their winnings aside. This can help you build up a cash pot quite quickly.
Bet with your research, not with your heart
While betting on your favorite team or player can be fun and provide some success, if your team is playing poorly, or is up against an NFL giant they really shouldn't beat, where is the sense in betting on them?
If you want to maximize your profits gambling on NFL, you need to separate your emotions and bet solely based on research, current form and statistics. We advise studying NFL stats and keeping track of the current form of teams and players. This should also include injuries and absences from games, as this can have a huge impact on the outcome of games.
Understanding betting types
You need to know your different bet types too as NFL bets are typically not as easy to understand as other sports. You can still place simple bets on the outcome of a match and pick who you think will win, but there are other betting options too. The array of options include:
• Moneyline
• Point spread
• Game total
• Prop bets
• Futures
Futures bets allow you to place wagers on events happening in the future, such as who will win the Superbowl, division champions and conference champions. Alternatively, you can get more complex and choose things like NFL point spread bets where you are betting on the points difference at the end of the game between two teams.
Keep track of your NFL bets
Any savvy bettor will keep track of their bets and some even go as far as to make complex spreadsheets that show deviations and the bets that have given them the most wins. You can do this by all means, but a simpler thing to do is to regularly check your sports betting app bet history.
You should be able to see all the wagers you have placed together with the outcome. Spending a little time studying these results can help you see the bets that failed the most often, and the ones you had the most success with.
For example, you could spot a trend that shows you are better at picking point spread bets as opposed to props or money lines. Play to your advantages and use your bet history as a way to make continual adjustments and improvements.
Shop around for the best odds
Lastly, it's important to remember that different sports betting platforms offer different odds for the same bets! The biggest sports betting sites don't have much variance in odds because they have vast teams and resources dedicated to creating the best odds to win them money.
However, there can be variance and it pays to shop around to find the best odds. This could mean registering an account with several sportsbooks and switching between them depending on who gives the best odds for the NFL matches you want to bet on.
Our picks for the best NFL betting sites and apps
Picking the right sportsbook to place your wagers with is incredibly important. To give you a leg up, we have listed our top three picks for the current best NFL betting sites and apps.
FanDuel
FanDuel is an official NFL partner, so why would you not want to use this sports betting app? They have amazing NFL coverage and an excellent array of bets on all the games. The site is easy to use, and they have daily fantasy betting too. There is also a generous welcome offer that combines free bets and bonus bets if your NFL team wins.
Bet365
Following closely, we have Bet365 which is a renowned worldwide sportsbook that accepts US customers. It has a great range of payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard and PayPal, so you can easily make deposits and withdraw your winnings. The site also looks fantastic. You can expect complete NFL coverage including the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl, and there are plenty of promotions to be had too.
DraftKings
We love DraftKings because of the daily fantasy sports betting, but they also have a superb sportsbook and arguably one of the best NFL sections available. The bet slips are easy to understand, and their live in-play betting is excellent too. You get all your common bet types like spreads, totals and moneylines, as well as a range of individual bets and futures.
DraftKings
We understand that sometimes you just want to bet on your favorite team or player, but this NFL season, let's try something different! Use the tips we have given above and bet with enhanced knowledge and skill instead of letting your heart dictate your wagers. While you won't always win, by being sensible and tightening up on your NFL betting strategy, you can hopefully maximize your profits.