NFL Football Spreads: Go From Rookie To Guru Of NFL Football Lines In 5 Minutes

Start your watch. I’ll assume you’re a football betting newbie who wants to understand NFL football spreads. You’re lucky. Understanding NFL football odds is a piece of cake with the right instructions.

Do you want to know a secret? Most sports bettors think that NFL football spreads predict outcomes. For example, if they see the New England Patriots favored by 14 over the Indianapolis Colts, they think that means the Patriots should win by 14.

That’s not what the NFL betting line means at all. I’ll tell you what it means and why those in the know make more money betting on the NFL than those who don’t.

Example of NFL football lines

Here is an example of a soccer line that you will see at any bookmaker you visit.

New York Giants

Dallas Cowboys – 15 (44)

So what the heck does this mean? Well, let’s make you an NFL football line guru in 5 steps.

1. The last team is the home team. This game is played in Dallas.

2. The team with the minus sign is the favorite (Dallas in this case). Bet on them and you will be “laying” points.

3. The team with no points on the list or with a plus sign (+15 for example) is the loser. Bet on them and their “get” points.

4. If you bet on the favorite (Dallas), that team must win by more than the points listed for you to win your bet. In this case, Dallas must win by 16 or more. If it’s a tie (15), you shove and get your money back.

5. If you bet on the underdog (Giants), that team can win or lose the game by as many points as you have. In this case, if the Giants win or lose by 14 points or less, you win the bet. If the Giants lose by 15, you pay back. And if the Giants lose by 16+, you lose your bet.

And that’s all there is to the NFL football spreads. As you can see, it’s very easy. Many beginning sports bettors tend to make reading NFL betting lines more complicated than necessary. Now picking soccer winners, that’s another story.