American Football Betting

American football combines complex play-calling, explosive athleticism, and high-stakes drama spread across a 17-game NFL season and the collegiate frenzy of NCAA Football. To bet on it, you have to think like a coach: this means looking at how players match up against each other, thinking about what happens when one player is injured, and understanding the pressure of games that must be won. Everything from the competition between the quarterbacks to the fierce battles on the field are important. It's a sport for people who love statistics, trends and the stories that happen every Sunday (and Monday and Thursday).

How to Bet on American Football

On the American Football section of your VivatBet account you'll find all the NFL games, NCAA college football matchups, and other leagues. Click on your chosen game to see all the available markets, from the point spread to player props. Pick the odds you want, enter how much you want to bet, and confirm. You can place bets days in advance or get involved with live betting as the clock ticks down in the last quarter of the game.

American Football Offers and Promotions at VivatBet

Start your season off on the right foot: check out our promotions page for special offers during the NFL and college football seasons. Keep an eye out for better odds on major games, bigger profits for combinations of games, early payouts and a welcome bonus to help you bet more. These promotions add significant value to your weekly card. Please read the full terms and conditions for each offer.

Key Terms to Know:

Against the Spread (ATS): When you bet on a team, you're not just betting on them to win; you're also betting on them to cover the point spread.
Over/Under (Total): You can bet on whether the total score of two teams will be more than, equal to or less than the set line for the sportsbook.
Moneyline: You can bet on which team will win the game
Prop Bet (Proposition Bet): A bet on a specific event within a game, not the final outcome (e.g., "Will a quarterback throw over 2.5 touchdowns?").
Futures: A long-term bet on season outcomes (e.g., Super Bowl winner, MVP).

Pros & Cons of American Football Betting

Pros:

The market is very big. From the usual spread to lots of player and team props, there's a bet for everyone. There is lots of information and analysis available. There is lots of data, film study and expert commentary to help you make decisions.

Clear weekly structure: The weekly schedule helps to keep research, betting and review in balance.

High-Stakes Drama: The game is always changing, with surprising new twists and turns, making it exciting to watch.

Cons:

The impact of an injury: Key players, especially the quarterback, can instantly alter the team's chances of winning and the betting odds.

Fairness & unpredictability: The NFL is designed to ensure fairness, making it possible for any team to win on any day, often leading to surprising results.

Weather effects: Outdoor games in rain, snow or strong winds can make planning and scoring difficult.

Betting Markets for American Football

Point Spread: The core market. Betting on a team to win by more than the spread or lose by less.
Moneyline: Betting on the outright winner.
Game Total (Over/Under): Betting on the total combined points scored.
Player Props: Bets on individual performances (passing yards, touchdowns, receptions).
Team Props: Bets on team totals (e.g., total team points scored).
Quarter/Half Betting: Bets on the results or totals for a specific quarter or the first half.
Futures: Bets on division winners, conference champions, and the Super Bowl winner.

Top Competitions in American Football

NFL (National Football League): The pinnacle: a 32-team league culminating in the Super Bowl.
NCAA College Football: The intense, passionate world of university football, with its own championship playoffs and bowl games.
CFL (Canadian Football League): A faster, wider-field version of the game with its own unique betting appeal.
XFL/USFL: Spring football leagues that provide additional betting opportunities outside the traditional fall/winter schedule.

How do American football odds work?

American football odds are mostly based on the point spread, which is a way of making sure that two teams that are not equally matched don't have an unfair advantage over each other. If the spread is -6.5, the favourite has to win by 7 points or more for you to win your bet. The over/under total is a bet on the combined score set by oddsmakers. Moneyline odds show the payout for an outright win. Favorites have negative odds (e.g., -250) and underdogs have positive odds (e.g., +210). The odds change based on news about injuries, the weather, and how much people are betting.

Betting tips for American football

Injury reports are very important: Always check the official injury lists (Questionable, Doubtful, Out) released before the game, especially for quarterbacks and star players.
Understand Home Field Advantage: This depends on the team and is usually stronger in the NFL (US) than in college football. Don't forget to think about how long it takes to get there, the time difference and what the weather will be like.
Divisional Games are Different: Games within a division are often closer and more fiercely contested, as teams know each other really well. The underdog often wins.
Bet against the crowd (but do it wisely): When most of the money is on one side, it can be worth taking the other side, as sportsbooks change the odds to balance their books.
The weather can have a big effect on the game: strong winds and heavy rain make it better for the defence, the running game, and the under. It's always a good idea to check the weather forecast for outdoor stadiums.

Betting types

Pre-Game Betting: Placing wagers from the opening line up until kickoff, based on your weekly research.
Live Betting (In-Play): Betting on spreads, totals, and props as the game unfolds. Momentum shifts after turnovers or scores create key opportunities.
Futures Betting: Placing long-term bets before or during the season (e.g., Super Bowl winner, season win totals).
Parlays/Accumulators: Combining multiple bets into one ticket for a higher payout (all selections must win).

Safe Gambling

It's important to manage how often you bet on football each week. Decide how much money you want to spend in total and how much you want to spend each week, and stick to it. Make the most of the tools in your account that help you manage your deposits and your time. Don't chase losses by making reckless bets late in the game. Remember, it's a form of entertainment linked to a sport you enjoy. If you feel you are losing control, use our responsible gambling tools to take a break.

Popular events and sports news

American Football Betting FAQ

What are the main types of American football bets I can make?

You can bet on the Match Winner, Point Spread, Total Points (Over/Under) and Moneyline. Other common bets include First/Last Touchdown Scorer, Winning Margin and Half-Time/Full-Time.

How does point spread betting work?

The point spread is a way to make the match more even. If a team is -6.5 points ahead, they must win by 7 points or more for your bet to win. If you bet on the underdog at +6.5, they can lose by 6 points or less, or win the match, for your bet to win.

What is a 'moneyline' bet?

This is a simple bet on which team will win the match. There is no point spread. The odds show you how much you can win. A favourite will have shorter odds (e.g., 1/4), while an underdog will have longer odds (e.g., 3/1).

How does the scoring system affect betting?

Touchdowns (6 points), field goals (3 points), and extra points (1 or 2 points) all add to the total score. This is important for bets on the total points scored in a game. A game with lots of touchdowns will be high-scoring.

Do bets include overtime?

Yes. For Match Winner, Point Spread and Total Points bets, all points scored in overtime count. For Half-Time winner, it's the first half only.