NFL betting is sweeping America. Want to learn more? These are the main NFL bet types. 

Since 2020, NFL betting has become huge. If you don’t believe it, the American Gaming Association predicts that $35 billion will be bet on NFL games this year, a 30% increase from the previous year. The picture is clear: NFL fans are flooding the betting market in crazy numbers. There’s a good reason for it, too, as NFL betting has (traditionally) always been a fun thing to do. However, the past five years have seen this activity reach a whole new level, driven largely by social media and a huge influx of advertising campaigns from the likes of BetMGM and FanDuel. 

So, what are the main types of NFL bets? This might be something you’re wondering, especially if you’re a beginner. Here, we’re going to take a look at five NFL bet types in total, which will provide you with the foundation to get started. Whether you’re a 49ers, Chiefs, or Packers fan, here’s what you need to know. 

The Main Types of NFL Bets 

1. Moneyline

According to expert US gambling site gamble-usa.com, moneyline bets are still the most popular type of NFL bet. Why? Well, it’s because they’re easy. All you’re doing is betting on which team you think will win the game — simple. For example, if we look at Week 5 action from the 2024 NFL season, the Falcons have just beat the Buccaneers 36-30. Before the game, placing a $100 moneyline bet on the Falcons (-135) to win would have got you $174.07 back (thanks, Kirk Cousins). With any NFL moneyline, all you’re doing is looking at the two teams and deciding who you think will win, so make sure you pick wisely and start by playing it safe. 

2. Parlay 

Parlay bets have exploded in popularity throughout the US. The NFL parlay market is especially exciting, with approximately 35% of NFL gamblers engaging with this type of bet. You can’t blame them, either, as NFL parlays are very exciting. In a nutshell, you combine multiple wagers (“legs”) into one single bet. What this does is drastically increase the odds and potential payout — but the trade-off is that parlays are less likely to win. 

Here’s an example of an NFL parlay for Week 6: 

✅ Chicago Bears (-200) beat the Carolina Panthers

✅ New York Jets (+116) beat the Minnesota Vikings

✅ Kansas City Chiefs (-250) beat the New Orleans Saints

When you combine all of these odds together based on a $5 parlay, the payout would be $22.68. Naturally, the benefit is that you’re winning more money than if you had simply just bet on one of the games. For instance, betting $5 on just the Bears to beat the Panthers would return $7.50, which is significantly less. 

Generally, parlays are recommended for NFL fans who enjoy bigger payouts and are more confident when it comes to taking risks. Remember, though, that you should never be too ambitious with the parlays you make. If you have a 10-leg parlay and one of those legs involves the Titans beating the 49ers, it’s highly unlikely to be successful. This is why you should focus on building parlays that have good profit margins but also come with a solid chance of winning. 

3. Totals (OVER/UNDER) 

Next, there’s the total bet. Also known as an OVER/UNDER bet, this involves betting on whether a specific in-game statistic will be higher or lower than the pre-agreed number from the sportsbook. For example, FanDuel might list 46.5 points as the OVER/UNDER amount for a game between the 49ers and Packers. If the game finishes 25-20 and you bet on UNDER, this means you’d be, as the total number of points (45) is below 46.5 points. Historically, UNDER bets have proven to be slightly more profitable for bettors, so it’s recommended you start with those first before progressing to making OVER bets, too.

4. Teasers

A teaser bet is a special type of parlay bet where you get to change the point spread for a game, with the most common being a 6-point teaser. Essentially, this allows you to shift the lines in your favor and boost the chances of winnings. The trade-off, though, is that potential payouts are reduced. If you want a little experimental fun with your NFL betting, a teaser is definitely worth trying. 

5. Futures

The fifth (and final) main type of NFL bet you might want to give a shot is the future. As the name suggests, a future is when you bet on an event that will be determined later in the NFL season. Some popular examples of this include MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year. For instance, you might want to bet on Patrick Mahomes to win MVP for the 2024 NFL season, who is currently the leading favorite with most sportsbooks. In this case, MVPs aren’t announced until just before each Super Bowl, so you’d need to wait several months for the outcome. If you have a good amount of patience, though, NFL futures can be extremely fun when they pay-off. 

Getting Started with NFL Betting 

If any of the above-mentioned NFL bet types appeal to you, the next step is to actually get started. Whether you want to bet on the regular season action or place a future on who you think the Super Bowl LIX winner will be, simply: 

• Join an officially licensed sportsbook (e.g. FanDuel or DraftKings)
• Make your first deposit (e.g. $10) and activate any bonuses
• Navigate to the NFL section and start placing bets 

Remember, you must be above the legal gambling age to do this, which is 18 or 21 in most US states. And as always, play responsibly and stay within your gambling budget.