This page is going to walk you through everything that you need to know about NFL sports betting action. From how to read NFL betting lines and NFL odds to frequently asked questions about which NJ sportsbooks to use… we’ve got you covered.
What are the best NFL betting sites?
Are you ready for some football? There are a number of really good online sportsbook sites & sports betting apps in the state of New Jersey.
Top 6 football betting sites:
Get $150
NFL Betting In NJ
Now that sports betting is legal in the state of New Jersey, there are a number of ways that you can bet on the action. Of course, you can drive down to Atlantic City for a number of land-based NJ sportsbooks, and place your bets.
But again, the most convenient betting option is the variety of NJ online sports betting sites & apps to choose from.
If you’re a resident of the state of New Jersey and are at least 21 years old, these NJ online sportsbooks are available to you, along with any free bet offers, deposit rewards, NJ sports betting bonuses and promo code specials they may be offering.
It takes just a couple of minutes to register and open an account, and once you get going, you’ll have access to NFL odds & NFL lines from your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.
Best NFL Betting Apps in NJ
If you plan to bet on the NFL on the go – whether you’re at a sports bar, at the game or anywhere else – you’ll want to have the latest NFL NJ betting app from your sportsbook.
The good news is that companies like DraftKings, FOXbet (Formerly BetStars), FanDuel and PointsBet have excellent products for betting on the go. With just the swipe of a finger, you’ll be able to deposit, peruse the lines or place bets on any of the live action.
Here are the best NJ betting apps to bet on the NFL:
- Caesars Sportsbook – $1,000 First Bet on Caesars / Use Code: LEGALDYW
- DraftKings Sportsbook – You’ll get $50 just for joining and up to $1,000.
- FanDuel Sportsbook –Get up to $150 at FanDuel.
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook – Claim up to $250
Betting On The NFL – Online In NJ
Best NFL Odds In NJ
NFL odds will vary when it comes to the variety of NJ online sportsbooks, so it’s important to have accounts at multiple NJ sports betting sites, so you can always find the best NFL odds and take advantage of the bets that suit your wager.
This is a common example of how lines might vary.
DraftKings
New York Giants +9.5
Philadelphia Eagles -9.5
FOX BET
New York Giants +10
Philadelphia Eagles -10
- If you like the Eagles to win outright, you’re better off betting them at DraftKings.
- They only need to win by more than 9.5 points for you to cash in without a tie.
- At FOX BET they would have to win by more than 10.
- Meanwhile, if you like the Giants, you’re better off betting at FOXBET.
- That way you’re covered by an extra half-point.
- If the Giants lose by exactly 10, you’d lose your bet at DraftKings… But you would tie (and get your stake back) at FOX Bet.
Getting the best price on each bet is going to have a huge impact in the long run. Since it doesn’t cost you anything, it’s always best to have accounts at multiple NJ online sportsbook apps/sites.
What Are NFL Lines?
Before you start betting on NFL football games, you’ll want to understand the basics of reading the NFL betting odds. Sportsbooks will post moneyline odds on their betting boards online, but if you’re new to betting, it might seem a bit confusing. So, let’s go over a few things:
NFL Pre-season Betting
Although many people discount NFL preseason action, it’s very important for bettors who want to get early clues on how the regular season will play out. If you’re planning on betting the preseason, make sure to follow these three steps:
1. Study The Preseason Coaching Records
When it comes to the exhibition games, some coaches care about these contests and take them seriously. Others don’t.
For example, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is 33-12 in the preseason, Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden is 33-17 and Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is 17-4. They clearly tell their players to try in these games.
Meanwhile, some coaches like Sean Payton (26-28) and Jason Garrett (12-21) don’t care as much. They’d rather get through the preseason healthy.
It’s important to take that into account when you’re placing your bets.
2. Take Note Of Depth, Rotations
Remember that in preseason action, starters won’t play the whole game. That means you’ll want to take note of the rotations and depth of each team – specifically at the quarterback and running back position.
For example, let’s say one team has a pair of quarterbacks who have started NFL games vying for the lead job, and then a quality youngster waiting in the wings. That means they should have a solid rotation at the position throughout the entire game.
On the other hand, let’s say a team is set at the position with a veteran and that player will only play a quarter. After that, it’ll be a quarterback or two that have no experience. Clearly, one team will have an edge.
That’s what you want to look for in terms of the rotations and depth charts.
3. Not All Preseason Weeks Are Equal
The way the preseason typically works is that teams will play their starters the most in Week 3. That’s typically considered the regular season warmup. That means that in Week 1, you can expect to see starters sit out or play very little. The same goes for Week 4 as it’s usually all backups that play. Keep those subtle differences in mind as that’s a factor when you’re handicapping these preseason games.
NFL Odds – Regular Season Betting
There are 17 weeks of regular season action in the NFL. Each week presents action on multiple days, usually starting with a Thursday Night Football contest, a full slate of games on Sunday and then one more contest on Monday Night Football.
If you’re betting on the games, here are five tips to help you win:
Shop For The Best NFL Line
One of the most basic mistakes a bettor can make is not to shop for lines. Different NJ sportsbooks will have different spreads on different games and while they’re almost mostly similar, a half-point or a point difference can change a loss to a win. Make sure you have accounts at a couple of shops and choose the best line before betting.
Look For Edges & Advantages
The key to handicapping NFL games is to find the edges. Is a West Coast team traveling across the country? Is a warm-weather team being forced to play in the snow? Is there a certain revenge factor with a coach or quarterback coming to face their former team?
Beyond that, take a look at different trends like teams playing at home versus playing on the road. How teams play early in the season versus in the month of December.
There are all sorts of trends, stats and storylines. Stay attuned to the news so that you can find that edge.
Monitor Injury Reports
Injuries have a huge impact on the NFL as players can either miss games outright or play through pain. Both scenarios have significant impacts as injuries like concussions can keep a player sidelined or injuries like a separate shoulder might drop a player down to about 70% healthy, but they can play through that.
NFL injuries can swing lines several points based on a player’s status, so make sure you’re on Twitter, reading the fantasy news and reviewing the game-time reports to see who is in and who is out.
Use Live Betting
15 years ago, bettors would have to make a decision and stick with it through the game. Nowadays, bettors have the advantage of live betting, so use it.
If you’re not sure which team to bet on before the game, just watch a little bit of action to see how things are shaping up and then make your decision. Another way to use live betting is to buy your bets back. For example, if you’ve placed a bet and it’s not looking so good, you can go in and bet the other side to hedge and get some money back.
Don’t Get Too Emotional
A lot of bettors are able to remain cool and collected when they win but they lose a grip when they lose. Emotions come into play and bettors quickly want to make their money back. That’s the worst time to start doubling up to win back what you’ve lost or making any other rash decisions like that.
Have a plan going into the week and stick to it. Don’t let the emotions get the best of you.
NFL Playoffs Odds & Betting Lines
Only 12 of the 32 teams make the playoffs in the NFL. When we get to that point, it’s important to take into account a number of factors as handicapping the postseason is different than the regular season.
Let’s take a closer look:
12 Teams Make The NFL Playoffs
There are 12 teams that qualify for the playoffs each year. That includes the four division winners and two wild card spots.
The two teams with the best record overall will receive bye weeks (a week off) and then host a game in the Divisional Round. The other four teams square off in Wild Card week to determine who moves on.
Easier To Find Value In The Regular Season
A lot of bettors love to handicap the playoffs and of course, it’s a lot of fun. However, it’s worth noting that you’re more likely to find value on any given Sunday rather than the playoffs. Remember, in the playoffs, the schedule whittles down to just four games per weekend at most. On a regular Sunday, there can be as many as 16. More options lead to more value on the board.
Bye Weeks Matter
The bye weeks in playoffs matter. While the eight wild card teams in each conference duke it out in the first round, the top two seeds in each conference rest and recover.
The NFL is a long, grueling grind. Having that bye week right as the playoffs begin is a huge advantage as it allows for rest and recovery. That’s crucial as the playoff teams gear up for their Super Bowl run.
Weather Can Be A Factor
Remember that the playoffs take place in late December and January, so in many places around the country, it’s winter. That means that teams may have to deal with snow, ice and wind. Of course, other games will be hosted in domes or warmer conditions, so it’s not a factor.
Take note of where the game is played and whether the teams are used to wintery conditions or not.
Bye Week Before Super Bowl
After the conference championship games, both teams get a bye week to rest up for the Super Bowl. That means both teams have two weeks to prepare for the championship game.
NFL Props During Super Bowl
One of the best parts of betting on the Super Bowl are the prop bets. Sportsbooks will post a huge array of lines ranging from how long the anthem will run, what will the halftime performers wear to what color the Gatorade bath will be.
The props offered will also include a large selection what will happen in the game in terms of player and term performances.
If you don’t want to bet on the spread, moneyline or total, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from with the props.
Types of NFL Bets
NFL Point Spread Bets
The point spread is a number that represents a margin of victory. A team has to clear it or be within it for you to win your bet.
The best way to explain this is with an example, so let’s look at the following:
New York Jets +6.5
New York Giants -6.5
The first thing you’ll want to note is the plus or minus sign. The minus sign means that the team needs to win by more than that amount to “cover” or win on the spread. In this case, the Giants would have to win by seven or more points for you to win your bet.
On the other hand, the plus sign means that you’re getting points, so you have a bigger safety net. In other words, the Jets can lose by 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, tie the game or win outright, and you win your bet.
The minus sign denotes the favorite while the plus sign denotes the underdog.
NFL Moneyline Bets
The moneyline is a type of bet that allows you to bet on the outright winner of the game. That way you don’t need to worry about the points. You might see a line like the following:
New York Jets +250
New York Giants -300
Again, the first thing to look for is the plus or minus sign. If there’s a ‘+’ sign, as you see here with the Jets, that indicates the amount of money you’ll win if you bet $100. In other words, a $100 bet on the Jets would payout $250 if they won.
On the other hand, the ‘-‘ tells you the amount of money you’d need to bet win $100. With the Giants, you’d have to bet $350 to win $100.
Of course, you’re free to bet whatever amounts you want but this is how the odds are listed so that you understand how much you’ll win betting each side.
NFL Over-Under (Totals) Bets
The over-under (or total, as it’s also known), is a different way to bet on a football game. This line allows you to bet on the combined score of the two teams and you choose whether the final score will be over or under that number. Let’s use the following example:
New York Jets at New York Giants
Total: 55.5
In this case, the over under is set at 55.5. For the game to go over, the two teams have to combine to score at least 56 points. So a final score of 40-21 or 33-23 or 40-17 would mean that the game went over.
On the other hand, the game would go under if the final score was 55 points or less. So scores like 30-20 or 17-10 would mean the game stayed well under the number.
This gives you a different way to bet on the game rather than choosing a side. It’s a good strategy to think about if you don’t have a good feel about who will win but you have a feel for how the game flow will be (high-scoring shootout or a low-scoring grind).
NFL Futures
Futures are a type of bet that’s decided further down the road. That might bet something like betting on who will win the Super Bowl in the preseason or in the middle of the season. You’re placing the bet now but it won’t be graded until the Super Bowl is over.
Some other examples of futures are regular season win totals, betting on a team to win their division or betting on which player will win the MVP award.
The downside of betting futures is that they can be kind of risky as a lot can change over the course of a season. At the same time, futures often pay out a pretty penny, so if you accurately predict the Super Bowl winner early, you could win 10 or 30 times your money.
Football Betting 101 Videos
Watch as PlayPicks & The Lines run down a variety of NFL bets for your viewing pleasure.
Online Betting vs Retail Sportsbook
In the state of New Jersey, you have the option to bet on sports either online or at a retail sportsbook (at a casino). In almost every case, betting online trumps betting at a sportsbook.
- When you bet online, you can place your bets from wherever you are.
- You don’t have to get in your car, drive to a casino, give them cash and leave.
- You can place your bet from the comfort of your own home.
- If you win, you don’t have to run back to the casino to collect your winnings; it’s simply added to your account.
- Online betting gives you a much more robust live betting product. It’s really hard to get into live betting at a land-based casino simply because by the time you stand in line, give the tell your bet and wait for a ticket to be printed, the lines will have changed.
- Online betting is far more convenient and advanced than betting at a casino.
The lone benefit of betting at a retail sportsbook is usually the atmosphere there is a lot of fun.
For example, the FanDuel location at the Meadowlands is very vibrant on a football Sunday. It’s fun to spend time there, get a bite to each and watch the games.
Legal NFL Betting Sites vs. Offshore
Make sure that when you’re betting online, you’re placing your bets at a legal, regulated sportsbook in New Jersey and not one of the illegal offshore sites.
- First of all, it’s illegal to bet offshore.
- Secondly, it’s riskier. Offshore sportsbooks sometimes keep a player’s money, give you the run around or close up shop to never be heard from again. Since they are illegal and unregulated, they can do whatever they want.
The good news is that there are plenty of legal options in the state of New Jersey like DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel, FOXBet, Caesars and PointsBet. They’re all regular, legal and safe to use.
Get $150
Live betting in NJ
Live betting on the NFL is one of the most exciting ways to bet on football. Sure, you can place your bets before the action has started; that’s the traditional way.
However, another option is to place your bets once the games have started.
- The lines will shift depending on who is in the lead, who is playing well and how much time is left in the game.
- If you’re not sure which team to bet on, you can watch the first quarter of action and get some insight into the game flow before jumping in and making your decision.
Another good way to use live betting is to hedge your bets.
- Let’s say you placed a bet on a team that isn’t looking so good.
- On one hand, you can just ride it out and lose the bet.
- On the other hand, live betting gives you the option to bet the other side and at least minimize your losses.
How to watch all NFL games in NJ
- US mobile streaming. For the first time this year, many NFL games are available to stream free via the NFL and Yahoo Sports apps
- US cable network streaming
- CBS All Access
- Amazon Prime
- US streaming TV
- NFL Sunday Ticket
- Outside the US: NFL Game Pass
Get $150
NFL Betting Tips FAQ
Is NFL Betting Legal in NJ?
Sports betting is now legal in the state of New Jersey. To participate, you have to be a resident of the state of New Jersey, be inside the state when you place your bets and be 21 years or older. If you meet that criteria (each sportsbook will likely ask you to verify that information), then you’ll be able to sign up and play at any sportsbook.
Why Does The NFL Betting Line Move?
When the lines open for the week, you might see New England favored at -9.5 but later in the week, it could by -10, -10.5 or -11. There’s a number of reasons as to why the line moves.
- The most basic is that people are betting on New England.
- Think of it as supply and demand: the more people bet on New England, the more the sportsbooks will want to get money on the Jets.
- To get money on the Jets, they have to entice you to do so by offering a better number. If nobody is betting the Jets at +9.5, maybe they’ll starting considering them at +10 or +10.5.
- Another reason the line could move is injuries.
- If quarterback Tom Brady is probable to play when the line opens but is later announced out, the Patriots could drop to -6.5 or -7 as Brady is a key player. Injuries will frequently impact the lines.
- Another common reason for line moves is the weather.
- If the line opens on Monday and the game is expected to be played in clear weather, the line is set based on that. If the weather changes and now a snowstorm is in the forecast, that will have an impact as well.
How does the spread work in NFL?
The point spread is a margin of victory. That means that a team needs to win by a certain margin for you to win your bet.
For example, if the New York Giants are -3.5, they have to win by four or more points for you to win your bet. If the Giants are +3.5, they can lose by three, two or one point, tie or win the game and you’d win your bet.
What does the underdog mean?
The underdog is the opposite of the favorite: they are the team that’s not expected (or less expected) to win by, according to the odds.
What is NFL futures betting?
Futures refers to bets that will be decided further down the road. That could include betting on who’ll win the Super Bowl before the season starts, betting who’ll win the division after Week 2, regular season win totals and much more.
The opposite of futures are the spreads, moneylines and totals that are decided as the games are played.
How do you bet the NFL spread?
When you bet on the point spread, you’re betting on a team to “cover” or win by that margin. For example, if you bet the New York Jets on the point spread and they are favored by 2.5 points, they would need to win by three or more points to “cover” the spread. Then you’d win your bet.
You can also bet on an underdog. Let’s say the Philadelphia Eagles are getting 2.5 points. That means they can lose by two, by one, tie or win the game, and you’d win your bet.
Betting on the underdog can also be referred to as “betting against the spread” or “taking the points”. Betting on the favorite can be referred to as “laying points”.
How does NFL regular season work?
The regular season consists of a 17 weeks of action on a 16-game schedule. Each team will play 16 contests and have one bye week. Games will take place on Thursday, Sunday and Monday, and occasionally Saturday.
When is the NFL draft?
The NFL Draft always takes place in the spring time, usually at the end of April. The 2019 NFL Draft took place on April 25-27.
When does the NFL regular season start?
The regular season starts in early September. Usually, the action gets underway the immediate week following Labor Day.
When do the NFL playoffs start?
The NFL playoffs start at the conclusion of the regular season. That means that the postseason start date is dependent on the start of the regular season. Usually, the playoffs either start at the very end of December or if not then, then early January.
Who is the highest paid player in the NFL?
In the 2019 season, Russell Wilson will be the highest paid player. His average annual salary is $35 million.
How many teams are in the NFL?
There are a total of 32 teams in the NFL.
How many players are in the NFL?
There are 53 players per team on the official roster and there are 32 teams in the league. That means that there are 1,696 players in total in the NFL.
How much revenue does the NFL make?
According to the 2018 numbers, the NFL reeled in $8.1 billion in revenues. The league distributed that to the 32 teams, which means that $255 million was received by each team.
How much money is bet on the NFL in NJ? / How much revenue do NJ sportsbooks make during NFL season?
In the 2018 season, there was about $319 million of sports bets per month on during each month.
We don’t know exactly how much of that was specifically on the NFL. The sportsbooks will usually have a hold percentage of about 5-6.5%, so they won about $21 million per month. The NFL runs from September until the end of January/early February.