The NFL consensus is a great tool to use when making your NFL picks because you can see what other football bettors are wagering on. This is the percentage of the general public betting on each side of a matchup or total. You can bet with or against the public. When you bet against the public, it is called “fading” the public.

Easily the most popular type of betting for NFL football is “spread” betting or more commonly known as betting against the spread. Bettors who are new to NFL betting or betting in general may be a little confused with NFL spread betting, but it is pretty easy to understand once it is explained to you. We will explain what betting against the spread means below.

A common phrase heard from experienced football bettors is: “I don’t bet teams, I bet numbers.” Picking the winning team in a football game isn’t easy. It’s even more difficult to place a winning wager on a game that involves a point spread or total. Bettors look for key numbers.These numbers in football betting (and to a lesser extent basketball) are the most common margin of. Get the latest NFL Super Bowl picks from CBS Sports. Experts weigh in with analysis and provide premium picks for upcoming NFL games.

What is Betting Against The Spread?

For each NFL game the oddsmakers set a number of points in which the favored team is favored by. Bettors can then either choose for the favored team to win by more than the number of points set, or bet on the underdogs to lose by less than the number of points they are underdogs by or win the game straight up. For example, the spread could be set on the favored team at 6.5 points. This would mean in order for a bet on the favored team on the spread to win they would need to win by more than 6.5 points (7 or more) in order to win the bet. It also means that a bet on the underdog team would win if the underdogs lost by less than 6.5 points (6 or less) or won the game outright.

Example of NFL Spread Bet

Below is an example of what NFL spread betting would look like:

Matchup

• TeamsSpread
• Dallas Cowboys -2.5
• New York Giants +2-5

The negative (-) sign indicates that the Cowboys are the favorites, while the positive (+) sign indicates that the New York Giants are the underdogs. With the spread set at 2.5 points, a bet on the Cowboys would mean that they would have to win by more than 2.5 points (3 or more) in order for you to win that bet. A bet on New York would mean that the Giants would have to either lose by 2.5 or less points (2 or less) or win the game outright in order for your bet to win.

Here is another example with a screenshot taken from 5Dimes.eu during Week 3 of the 2013 NFL season:

Here you can see that the Rams are +3.5, while the Cowboys are -3.5. So for this example the Cowboys are 3.5 point favorites, while the Rams are underdogs of 3.5 points. If you were to bet on St Louis you would need them to lose by 3 or fewer points or just win the game outright. If you were to bet on Dallas you would need the Cowboys to win by 4 or more points.

If the Cowboys were to win by 3 points, lets say 30-27, any bets on the Rams +3.5 would win. Even though the Rams didn’t win the game they covered the spread of 3.5 points.

Now if the Cowboys were to win by 4 points, lets say 31-27, the Cowboys have covered the spread and anyone who wagered on Dallas would win their bets.

Other NFL Spread Betting Information

You may often notice that the spread is sometimes set at an even number such as 3, 6 , 10, etc. In this case if the favored team won by the exact amount set for the spread the bet would be pushed, and all bets would be returned. For example, if the Patriots were 3 point favorites and they won by a FG (3 points) than this would results in a push, meaning no matter which side you bet on you would get your money returned to you.

The most common NFL spreads are usually set between about 2.5-10.5 points, but you will also almost always have games each week with spreads lower than 2.5 and higher than 10.5. In the event that the oddsmakers feel the game doesn’t need a spread, it would be set at 0 or what some call a pick’em (both teams are given even odds to win for this type of bet).

The odds given on the spread are usually -110 unless otherwise noted. It is not uncommon to see one side of the spread being -105, with the other side being -115. If you don’t see any odds listed for each side of NFL spreads you are supposed to assume the odds are -110 on each. Not sure how to read NFL betting odds? Check out our Sports Betting Odds guide.

Now that you know the basics of NFL spread betting you’ll want to check out our Sports Betting Strategy guide which has some great NFL strategy articles written by a professional bettor.

NFL picks and expert predictions as well as betting tips and parlays for all of this weeks games. All of our expert NFL predictions are against the spread. (ATS) This page will be updated weekly.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction, 2/7/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Super Bowl
by Tony Sink - 1/26/2021

The Kansas City Chiefs hit the road to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium (6:30 PM EST). The expected starters at QB are Patrick Mahomes for the Chiefs and Tom Brady for the Buccaneers. This matchup report includes NFL odds, predictions, and a free pick against the spread.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Green Bay Packers Prediction, 1/24/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, NFC Championship
by Tony Sink - 1/19/2021

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field (3:05 PM EST). The quarterbacks expected to start the game are Tom Brady for the Buccaneers and Aaron Rodgers for the Packers. This matchup report includes NFL odds, predictions, and a free pick against the spread.

Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs Prediction, 1/24/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, AFC Championship
by Guy Bruhn - 1/19/2021

The Buffalo Bills go up against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium (6:40 PM EST). The expected starters at QB are Josh Allen for the Bills and Patrick Mahomes for the Chiefs. This report includes betting predictions and our expert NFL picks for todays game.

Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs Prediction, 1/17/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Divisional Playoffs
by Josh Schonwald - 1/11/2021

The Cleveland Browns hit the road to play the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium (3:05 PM EST). The probable starting quarterbacks are Baker Mayfield for the Browns and Patrick Mahomes for the Chiefs. This matchup report includes football betting lines and our pick of the day for this game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints Prediction, 1/17/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Divisional Playoffs
by Parlays Pundit - 1/11/2021

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the road to take on the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome (6:40 PM EST). The expected starting QBs are Tom Brady for the Buccaneers and Drew Brees for the Saints. We have included an expert NFL pick and parlay for todays game against the spread.

Baltimore Ravens vs Buffalo Bills Prediction, 1/16/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Divisional Playoffs
by Guy Bruhn - 1/11/2021

The Baltimore Ravens take on the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium (8:15 PM EST). The QBs expected to start under center are Lamar Jackson for the Ravens and Josh Allen for the Bills. This report includes betting predictions and our expert NFL picks for todays game.

Los Angeles Rams vs Green Bay Packers Prediction, 1/16/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Divisional Playoffs
by Tony Sink - 1/11/2021

The Los Angeles Rams take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field (4:35 PM EST). The expected starters at quarterback are Jared Goff for the Rams and Aaron Rodgers for the Packers. This matchup report includes NFL odds, predictions, and a free pick against the spread.

Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints Prediction, 1/10/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Wild Card Playoff
by Guy Bruhn - 1/4/2021

The Chicago Bears take on the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome (4:40 PM EST). The expected starters at quarterback are Mitchell Trubisky for the Bears and Drew Brees for the Saints. This matchup report includes Vegas odds and a free NFL prediction for tonight.

Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans Prediction, 1/10/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Wild Card Playoff
by Parlays Pundit - 1/4/2021

The Baltimore Ravens hit the road to play the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium (1:05 PM EST). The expected starting quarterbacks are Lamar Jackson for the Ravens and Ryan Tannehill for the Titans. We have included an expert NFL pick and parlay for todays game against the spread.

Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks Prediction, 1/9/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Wild Card Playoff
by Guy Bruhn - 1/4/2021

The Los Angeles Rams go up against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field (4:40 PM EST). The expected starting quarterbacks are John Wolford for the Rams and Russell Wilson for the Seahawks. This report includes betting predictions and our expert NFL picks for todays game.

Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills Prediction, 1/9/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Wildcard Playoff
by Tony Sink - 1/4/2021

The Indianapolis Colts hit the road to take on the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium (1:05 PM EST). The expected starters at quarterback are Philip Rivers for the Colts and Josh Allen for the Bills. This matchup report includes NFL odds, predictions, and a free pick against the spread.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Football Team Prediction, 1/9/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Wild Card Playoff
by Josh Schonwald - 1/4/2021

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field (8:15 PM EST). The QBs expected to start under center are Tom Brady for the Buccaneers and Alex Smith for the Football Team. This matchup report includes football betting lines and our pick of the day for this game.

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction, 1/10/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Wild Card Playoff
by Josh Schonwald - 1/4/2021

The Cleveland Browns hit the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field (8:15 PM EST). The QBs expected to start under center are Baker Mayfield for the Browns and Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers. This games report has current odds, betting predictions, and free picks against the spread.

Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17
by Parlays Pundit - 12/29/2020

The Minnesota Vikings hit the road to play the Detroit Lions at Ford Field (1:00 PM EST). The probable starting QBs are Kirk Cousins for the Vikings and Matthew Stafford for the Lions. We have included an expert NFL pick and parlay for todays game against the spread.

Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17
by Tony Sink - 12/29/2020

The Miami Dolphins hit the road to take on the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium (1:00 PM EST). The QBs expected to start under center are Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins and Josh Allen for the Bills. This matchup report includes NFL odds, predictions, and a free pick against the spread.

Nfl Against The Spread Rankings

New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17
by Guy Bruhn - 12/29/2020

The New Orleans Saints play the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium (4:25 PM EST). The probable starting QBs are Drew Brees for the Saints and Teddy Bridgewater for the Panthers. This matchup report includes betting lines and our NFL pick of the day for this game.

Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17
by Josh Schonwald - 12/29/2020

The Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium (1:00 PM EST). The quarterbacks expected to start under center are Andy Dalton for the Cowboys and Colt McCoy for the Giants. This games report has current odds, betting predictions, and free picks against the spread.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17
by Josh Schonwald - 12/29/2020

The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the road to play the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium (1:00 PM EST). The QBs expected to start the game are Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers and Baker Mayfield for the Browns. This matchup report includes football betting lines and our pick of the day for this game.

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17
by Guy Bruhn - 12/29/2020

The Green Bay Packers hit the road to play the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field (4:25 PM EST). The probable starting quarterbacks are Aaron Rodgers for the Packers and Mitchell Trubisky for the Bears. This matchup report has your NFL football pick of the day as well as NFL football odds for the game.

Washington Football Team vs Philadelphia Eagles Prediction, 1/3/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 17
by Tony Sink - 12/29/2020

The Washington Football Team hit the road to take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field (8:20 PM EST). The expected starters at QB are Dwayne Haskins for the Football Team and Jalen Hurts for the Eagles. This matchup report includes odds, betting predictions and a free pick against the spread.

Please note that the NFL picks above for tonight's games are not computer based. All of these articles are written by our talented staff. If you have any comments or suggestions please email service@docsports.com

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