The 2026 NFL season is almost here, with the Seattle Seahawks entering the new campaign as defending Super Bowl champions. The full schedule is being revealed in May, while Week 1 already includes a historic international fixture at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
At BettingPlanet, we cover NFL betting with weekly tips, game previews, futures markets, player props and sportsbook specials. Whether you are chasing sports betting sites, Super Bowl odds or help understanding point spreads, this guide explains the key parts of betting on American football.
If you are new to the sport, NFL betting can look confusing at first. Moneyline, spread, total points, touchdown scorer, player prop and futures markets all work differently, so it pays to understand the basics before placing your first wager.
This page breaks down how NFL betting works, which markets are most popular, when to bet during the week, and what to look for before wagering on the regular season, playoffs or Super Bowl.
Best bookmakers for NFL betting
Best bookies for NFL betting
Terms & Conditions Apply. Visit BetOnline for more information.
Most major online sportsbooks offer NFL odds throughout the season. If your bookmaker does not carry regular-season spreads, totals, player props, futures and Super Bowl markets, it may be worth comparing other online betting sites.
The best NFL betting site depends on your location. US bettors may have access to regulated state-based sportsbooks, while international punters can be shown different bookmakers, payment methods, odds formats and promotions.
A good NFL bookmaker should offer competitive point spreads, strong futures markets, reliable live betting, fast settlement, regular touchdown scorer markets and useful player props. It is also worth having more than one sportsbook account, as half-point differences on spreads and totals can matter across a long season.
BettingPlanet also publishes sportsbook reviews, so you can compare sign-up offers, mobile apps, banking options and sport coverage before choosing where to bet.
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2026 NFL outright odds
NFL outright odds are available throughout the offseason, but prices can move quickly after free agency, the NFL Draft, training camp, injuries and the full schedule release.
Fixed odds are not listed here because markets vary by region and bookmaker. BettingPlanet will update this page when geo-targeted NFL futures are available.
- Super Bowl winner: Pick the team to win Super Bowl LXI.
- AFC champion: Pick the AFC team to reach the Super Bowl.
- NFC champion: Pick the NFC team to reach the Super Bowl.
- Division winner: Bet on which team tops its four-team division.
- Regular-season wins: Bet over or under a team’s projected win total.
- Make or miss playoffs: Bet on whether a team qualifies for the postseason.
- Player awards: Markets can include MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
For current NFL odds, check the bookmakers listed in the table above or visit our NFL betting tips hub.
2026 NFL season schedule
The full 2026 NFL schedule is being revealed in May. The reigning champion Seattle Seahawks are set to feature in the Week 1 spotlight, while the league has also confirmed a historic Melbourne game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
The Rams and 49ers will meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 10:35am local time. It will be the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.
NFL bettors should always check the final schedule before placing futures or early-week bets. Short weeks, international travel, bye weeks, late-season weather and divisional rematches can all affect spreads, totals and player prop markets.
NFL teams and divisions
The NFL has 32 teams split evenly between the AFC and NFC. Each conference has four divisions, with four teams in each division. Division markets are popular with futures bettors because they can be easier to price than the full Super Bowl market.
| Division | Teams |
|---|---|
| AFC East | Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets |
| AFC North | Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| AFC South | Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans |
| AFC West | Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers |
| NFC East | Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders |
| NFC North | Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings |
| NFC South | Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| NFC West | Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks |
The Seattle Seahawks enter the new season as defending champions after beating the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. Running back Kenneth Walker III was named Super Bowl MVP after leading Seattle’s offence in the win.
NFL betting markets
NFL betting markets range from simple game-winner bets to detailed player props and live betting. New bettors should start with the basics before moving into more specialised options.
Moneyline betting is the simplest NFL market. You pick which team will win the game outright. The favourite will have shorter odds, while the underdog will return a bigger payout if they win.
This is a good starting point for beginners, especially when you are confident a team wins but unsure whether it covers the spread.
Point spread betting, also known as handicap betting, gives one team a points start and the other team a points disadvantage.
For example, if the Philadelphia Eagles are -6.5, they need to win by seven points or more for that bet to win. If the Dallas Cowboys are +6.5, they can win outright or lose by six points or fewer.
Total points betting asks whether the combined score will go over or under a number set by the bookmaker. This is often called the over/under.
Before betting totals, consider offensive pace, quarterback form, injuries, weather, defensive matchups and whether both teams are likely to play aggressively.
Player props are bets on individual player performance. Common NFL props include passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, receptions, touchdowns, interceptions and sacks.
These markets require a strong understanding of player roles, injuries, game script and matchups.
Touchdown scorer betting is one of the most popular NFL prop markets. You can usually bet on anytime touchdown scorers, first touchdown scorers and sometimes last touchdown scorers.
Anytime touchdown bets are easier to land than first touchdown bets, but the odds are usually shorter. Look at red-zone usage, snap share, target share and goal-line carries before betting.
NFL futures are long-term markets settled later in the season. Popular futures include Super Bowl winner, conference winner, division winner, regular-season wins, MVP and other awards.
Futures odds can move heavily after injuries, trades, schedule announcements and early-season results, so timing matters.
Live betting lets you bet during an NFL game. Odds update after drives, turnovers, injuries, scoring plays and clock changes.
Live NFL betting can be useful if you spot something the pre-game market missed, but it is risky because momentum and game state can change quickly.
Beginner NFL betting tips
If you are new to NFL betting, focus on a few simple markets and build your knowledge over time. Point spreads and totals can look tricky at first, but they become easier once you understand how scoring, possession and game scripts work.
- Start with moneyline and spread bets: These are the easiest core markets to understand.
- Do not bet every game: NFL Sundays are busy, but selective betting is usually smarter.
- Check injury reports: Quarterback, offensive line and defensive injuries can shift a market quickly.
- Watch the weather: Wind, rain and snow can affect totals, passing props and kicking markets.
- Compare odds: A half-point difference on a spread or total can be important.
- Understand game script: Player props often depend on whether a team is expected to lead or trail.
- Use futures carefully: Long-term bets tie up your stake for months.
Recent NFL champions
| Season | Super Bowl winner | Runner-up | Super Bowl MVP | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Seattle Seahawks | New England Patriots | Kenneth Walker III | 29-13 |
| 2024 | Philadelphia Eagles | Kansas City Chiefs | Jalen Hurts | 40-22 |
| 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs | San Francisco 49ers | Patrick Mahomes | 25-22 |
| 2022 | Kansas City Chiefs | Philadelphia Eagles | Patrick Mahomes | 38-35 |
| 2021 | Los Angeles Rams | Cincinnati Bengals | Cooper Kupp | 23-20 |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Kansas City Chiefs | Tom Brady | 31-9 |
| 2019 | Kansas City Chiefs | San Francisco 49ers | Patrick Mahomes | 31-20 |
| 2018 | New England Patriots | Los Angeles Rams | Julian Edelman | 13-3 |
When to bet on the NFL
The best time to bet on the NFL depends on the market. Early-week spreads and totals can offer value before public money arrives, while player props often become clearer later in the week once injury reports and depth-chart news are available.
Regular-season NFL games are usually played from Thursday through Monday, so bettors should check lines throughout the week. Thursday night games create short turnarounds, Sunday games dominate the weekly schedule, and Monday Night Football often attracts heavy betting interest.
Playoff betting is different because teams are stronger, markets are sharper and injuries are heavily scrutinised. The Super Bowl also brings a larger menu of betting options, including novelty markets, player props, touchdown scorers, MVP betting and same-game parlays.
NFL betting FAQ
The full 2026 NFL schedule is being revealed in May, with the Seattle Seahawks set to feature in the Week 1 spotlight as reigning champions.
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 10:35am local time.
The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX, beating the New England Patriots 29-13. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III was named Super Bowl MVP.
The easiest NFL bet for beginners is the moneyline, where you simply pick which team will win the game. Point spread betting is also popular, but it requires understanding the handicap applied by the bookmaker.
The spread is a points handicap. A team listed at -6.5 must win by seven or more points for the bet to win. A team listed at +6.5 can win outright or lose by six points or fewer.
NFL player props are bets on individual player statistics, such as passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, receptions, touchdowns or interceptions.
Yes. Most sportsbooks offer Super Bowl futures before and during the NFL season. Odds will change as teams make roster moves, suffer injuries, win games or lose form.
NFL betting legality depends on your location. In regulated markets, bettors can use licensed sportsbooks. Always check local laws before creating an account or placing a wager.
Best bookies for NFL betting
Terms & Conditions Apply. Visit BetOnline for more information.
