Top NFL Teams to Watch This Season: Predictions and Betting Tips

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Many people say that the 2024 NFL will be one of the most exciting in a long time due to the number of notable players and teams. Our guide will present the best NFL teams to watch this coming season. We’ve offered a mix of predictions for these teams and some betting tips for maximizing potential winnings. We’d encourage you to refer to this guide to gain insights that can inform your 2024 NFL betting decisions.

Overview of the NFL Season

As the 2024 NFL season kicks off, there are several important dates to keep in mind and specific teams that you’ll want to keep a close eye on as the season progresses. This helpful overview of the upcoming 2024 NFL season will give you a rough guideline of when it’s appropriate to place future bets and show you what aspects of these teams you’ll want to examine to choose the best bets possible when the odds become available at your favorite football betting apps.

Key Dates

What are the most important dates this NFL season? Don’t miss a single minute of the action. We’ve covered you from the start of the season through the playoffs and Super Bowl in February!

September, 2024

September 1—The final day of preseason training camp for all clubs
September 2-7—All clubs are required to file a Practice Report and a weekly regular-season Game Status Report with the NFL Communications Department
September 5-6 + 8-9—The first week of regular season games
September 6—NFL International Game at Corinthian Arena (São Paulo, Brazil), Green Bay vs. Philadelphia
September 27 + 30—Clubs can begin practicing players on “reserve/physically unable to perform” or “reserve/non-football injury or illness” for a period not exceeding 21 days, following the day after a club’s fourth regular season game

October, 2024

October 1—Clubs can begin practicing players on “reserve/physically unable to perform” or “reserve/non-football injury or illness” for a period not exceeding 21 days, following the day after a club’s fourth regular season game
October 6—NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, United Kingdom), New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings
October 13—NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, United Kingdom), Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears
October 15—Deadline to file a grievance for any players who claimed the 2024 Injury Protection benefit
October 15-16—Fall League Meeting (Atlanta, Georgia at the Whitley)
October 20—NFL International Game at Wembley Stadium (London, United Kingdom), New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

November, 2024

November 5—All 2024 trading ends
November 6—Players are subject to the waiver system for the rest of the regular season and postseason; those that have at least four previous pensions-credited seasons
November 10—NFL International Game at Allianz Arena (Munich, Germany), New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers
November 12—The signing period ends for franchise players who are eligible to get Offer Sheets
November 12—Deadline for clubs to sign their unsigned franchise players, transitional players, or franchise players who are eligible to get Offer Sheets
November 12—Deadline for clubs to sign their unrestricted free agents
November 12—Deadline for clubs to sign their restricted free agents

December, 2024

December 10-11—Special League Meeting/Front Office Accelerator at the Ritz-Carlton-Las Colinas in Irving, Texas

January, 2025

January 6—Clubs can start signing free-agent players for the 2025 Season, including CFL players
January 6—Clubs can negotiate or extend the contract of a drafted rookie player who was picked in any round of the 2022 College Draft (or for undrafted rookies who were signed in 2023)
January 6—Clubs can exercise fifth-year options for players who got picked in the first round of the 2022 Draft
January 8—Rosters are frozen for clubs participating in the postseason following the final regular season weekend
January 11-13—Super Wild Card Weekend
January 18-19—Divisional Playoff Games
January 20—NCAA National Championship Game at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
January 26—AFC and NFC Championship Games
January 30—East-West Shrine Bowl

February, 2025

February 1—Senior Bowl at Hancock-Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
February 2—Pro Bowl Games
February 9—Super Bowl 59 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
February 18—Clubs may designate franchise or transition players
February 24-March 3—NFL Scouting Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

March, 2025

March 4—Deadline for clubs to designate franchise or transition players
March 10-12—Clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2024 player contracts
March 12—Prospective, unrestricted free agent can execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 PM EST
March 12—The 2025 League Year and Free Agency signing period begins at 4:00 PM EST
March 12—After all 2024 contracts expire at 4:00 PM EST, the trading period for 2025 begins
March 12—Clubs will get a personnel notice that includes all transactions submitted to the league office following the end of the first day of the 2025 league year at 11:59:59 PM EST
March 30-April 2—Annual League Meeting at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida
March 31—Deadline for clubs to meet 2025 funding requirements for guaranteed or deferred compensation in NFL players contracts (and for non-player club employee contracts)

April, 2025

April 7—New coaches hired at the end of the 2024 regular season can begin offseason workout programs
April 16—Deadline for clubs to test, interview, visit, time, or conduct a physical examination with draft-eligible players at a club facility
April 18—Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 21—Returning coaches can begin offseason workout programs
April 23—Deadline for clubs to exercise the Right of First Refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets
April 23—Deadline for clubs to test, interview, visit, time, or conduct a physical examination with draft-eligible players at any location
April 24-26—Annual Selection Meeting and the NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin

May, 2025

May 1—Deadline for clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players picked in the first round of the 2022 Draft
May 2-5 or 9-12 (Tentative)— Clubs can hold minicamps for three-day post-Draft rookies on one of the two following weekends after the Draft (Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday)
May 12—Rookie Football Development Programs begin
May 20-21—Spring League Meeting/Coach Accelerator at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Teams to Watch

When it comes to looking out for the top teams this season, there are several criteria that you’ll need to keep in mind:

  • Last Season’s Performance: While it’s not always a clear indicator of things for the upcoming season (mainly due to offseason moves), the team’s prior season performance gives bettors a clear idea of where they currently stand going into the year. Bettors already understand the pros and cons of the team and whether they built up momentum through the last season or lost steam. Bettors can make predictions on the team’s future trajectory using prior performance as the basic framework and any offseason moves to color their predictions.
  • Offseason Moves: Between the Super Bowl and the beginning of a new season, teams can retain or trade current players on their rosters, or they can accept and sign new players from other teams or the CFL. A bad trade could cost teams a strong performance for the upcoming season, while a good trade could be just what a team needs to perfect its current lineup.
  • Coaching Staff: Keep on eye on who is coaching the team is important because coaches and team management are responsible for developing the overall game plan and strategy for their team. Coaches’ duties include personnel decisions, play calling, adjustments through the game, and setting the tone for the team’s discipline, energy, and mentality. Teams with better coaches tend to perform stronger throughout the season.

As we dive deeper into this guide, we’ll give you our playoff and Super Bowl 59 predictions, and the dark horse candidates will make a deep run into the season. We suggest you look into these three factors for any team you’re placing bets on to get a rough idea of how they’ll perform in the coming season.

Top NFL Teams to Watch

There are five big teams to keep your eye on this NFL season—we’ll give you all the key details you need to know about these teams to make the best NFL bets you possibly can. Get a prior season recap, a rundown of offseason moves, and some predictions for the coming season. You can also find out the primary strengths and weaknesses of each time and some suggestions on which players will do well this year.

Team 1—Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs Logo

Last Season Recap

The most significant event for the Chiefs’ prior season was making it to Super Bowl 58 and winning against the 49ers in overtime (25-22). Here are a few other notable achievements the Chiefs attained in 2023:

  • Kansas City finished the season with a record of 11-6
  • The Chiefs became the division champions for the eighth consecutive season
  • This was the least successful season for the Chiefs under quarterback Patrick Mahomes
  • They scored 39 touchdowns during the regular season
  • Yards Statistics: Mahomes (4,183 passing years), Pacheco (935 rushing yards), and Kelce (984 receiving yards)

Offseason Moves

The Chiefs’ off-season moves have been seen as largely positive, including a few contract extensions, a few re-signings, and drafting key offensive players for the 2024 campaign:

  • Extending Chris Jones: Perhaps the biggest and best offseason move was the Chiefs giving a long-term extension to Chris Jones. Because of his powerful play during key moments of big games, he’ll play a critical role in the future of Kansas City’s defense. Not only is he one of the best defensive tackles on the Chiefs’ roster, but he continues to improve as a pass rusher.
  • Extending Creed Humphrey: The Chiefs decided to extend Creed Humphrey right before their final preseason game, the timing of which was perfect. As one of the best, younger centers out there (and beginning the final year of his rookie deal), Humphrey is a terrific blocker and a great leader for KC’s offensive line, which will give the Chiefs increased confidence in this season’s performance.
  • Re-Signing Mike Danna: The Chiefs re-signed this Defensive End, and many consider him to be one of the most hardworking, underrated players on the team. The Chiefs have been known to execute many different, interesting blitzes due to Danna’s physicality, versatility, and unique set of pass rush hand counter moves. The choice to re-sign him is seen by many as a long time coming and well worth it for a strong 2024 push.
  • Re-Signing Drue Tranquill: Tranquill has become a prime part of the Chiefs’ defense despite only playing with them for one year, coming from the rival Chargers. Re-signing him was wholly expected due to his versatility and innovative, physical approach to the game. As one of the best defenders for the Chiefs, Tranquill possesses a strong ability as a blitzer, which will play a key role in KC’s defensive plan for 2024.
  • Drafting Xavier Worthy: Clinching Worthy this year might prove an excellent move for Kansas City’s offensive game. He’s predicted to open up opportunities for pass catchers and execute offensive attacks on the competition using horizontal stretch routes.

Strengths & Weaknesses

  • Kansas City Chiefs RBs were targeted 8 times in the red zone in the last 4 weeks of the regular season — most in the NFL
  • The Chiefs were 1-2 (.333) against the spread (-4.1% ROI) vs top 10 defenses last season — T-3rd-worst in NFL; League Avg: .539
  • The Chiefs are 6-2 (.750) against the spread (54.5% ROI) after a loss since the 2022 season — T-2nd-best in NFL; League Avg: .503
  • The Chiefs were 8-4 (.667) when rushing less than 25 times last season — best in NFL; League Avg: .281
  • The Chiefs were undefeated (3-0) when allowing less than 100 rushing yards last season — T-best in NFL; League Avg: .664

Key Players to Watch

Since Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins two years ago, Kansas City has been short in the offense department—they’ve been missing a fast wide receiver with good receiving ability. This is why Xavier Worth has a vital role to play for Kansas City, and he’ll prove to be a dynamic asset to the team’s overall offensive play. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.21-second 40-yard dash ( a record for that event) and caught over 50 passes for over 600 yards during his time with the Texas Longhorns. During the preseason, he caught 3 passes for 62 yards.

Predicted Season Performance

According to the odds posted at our favorite online sports betting apps, Kansas City is the favorite to win Super Bowl 59. We predict that the Chiefs will be the conference winner, just as they were in 2023.

Super Bowl Future Odds

SportbookOdds

DraftKings

+475

FanDuel

+500

Caesars

+575

BetRivers

+500

BetMGM

+450


Team 2—San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers

Last Season Recap

The 49er’s biggest accomplishment in the 2023 season was making it to Super Bowl 58, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime (25–22). In addition to clinching a spot at the Big Game, the 49ers accomplished quite a bit in their notable 2023 season:

  • The team scored 491 in the 2023 season (the second most in the franchise’s history and the third most in their league)
  • The 49ers were ranked eighth in the league in defense
  • Notable victories included beating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5 (42-10), bearing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11 (27-14), and beating the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12 (31-13)
  • Christian McCaffrey had the most rushing yards: 1,459
  • Brandon Aiyuk had the most receiving yards: 1,342

Offseason Moves

  • Losing Arik Armstead: This defensive tackle left the 49ers when a deal couldn’t be agreed upon with his contract restructure. He signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
  • Signing Jordan Elliot: The 49ers signed Elliot to a two-year deal to address the loss of Arik Armstead.
  • Signing Leonard Floyd: The 49ers signed this defensive end to a two-year contract, and he completed a goal that the team has had for some time now: to fortify the defensive line opposite Nick Bosa.

Strengths & Weaknesses

  • The 49ers averaged 9.3 yards per attempt (4,571 yards/490 attempts) last season — best in NFL; League Avg: 7.0
  • The 49ers are 7-4 (.636) against the spread (20.9% ROI) vs bottom 10 run defenses since the 2022 season — 5th-best in NFL; League Avg: .479
  • The 49ers are 8-4 (.667) against the spread (35.1% ROI) vs bottom 10 pass defenses since the 2022 season — T-6th-best in NFL; League Avg: .503
  • The 49ers were winless (0-5) when scoring less than 22 points last season — T-worst in NFL; League Avg: .253
  • The 49ers were 9-3 (.750) after a win last season — best in NFL; League Avg: .496

Key Players to Watch

  • Dee Winters (Linebacker)—Many are noting that Winters has developed into a noticeable presence during training camp on the second level as he’s worked primarily with the second team. He even beat Christian McCaffrey in one-on-one coverage drills, kicking the ball away. Though he’s only in his second year, many say he will develop into an excellent blitzer who can perform competitively with plays that stretch the perimeter.
  • Cody Schrader (Running Back)—Following a competitive college career at Missouri, Schrader is now a determined running back for the 49ers, who earned the SEC rushing title in 2023. Position coach Bobby Turner has high hopes for his success in an actual game and sees him as a possible leading charge and example for all running backs on the team due to his tenacity.
  • Robert Beal Jr. (Edge Rusher)—This edge rusher is working toward earning a spot in the team’s fourth and final defensive end. He is perhaps best known for logging a 4.48-second 40-yard dash before entering the NFL, only weighing 247 lbs.

Predicted Season Performance

We expect great things from the 49ers this season, and most of it is due to their competitive roster. We see a few records being set this year and the possibility that the 49ers win a Super Bowl ring!

  • The 49ers will make the playoffs and secure a spot at Super Bowl 59
  • The NFL MVP Award will go to QB Brock Purdy
  • The team will incept at least 25 passes
  • Brandon Aiyuk will lead the NFL in receiving yards

Currently, the 49ers are the second-most likely team to win Super Bowl 59, but this is the year they will reign victorious in a rematch against the Chiefs (or whomever the other team might be).

Super Bowl Future Odds

SportbookOdds

DraftKings

+550

FanDuel

+550

Caesars

+625

BetRivers

+500

BetMGM

+550


Team 3—Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens Logo

Last Season Recap

The biggest feat for the Ravens in 2023 was winning the AFC North and clinching the No. 1 seed for the second time in franchise history, the last time occurring in 2019. Other notable accomplishments during the prior season include the following:

  • Finished the season with a record of 13-4
  • Won the Divisional Playoffs (1st place in the AFC North)
  • They had 10 wins over a team that finished with winning records
  • Defense led the league in points per game, sacks, and takeaways
  • QB Lamar Jackson won the season’s NFL MVP award
  • Defeated the Houston Texans 34-10 in the Divisional Round of the playoffs
  • The Ravens held a 24-game winning streak in the preseason, which was broken when they lost to the Washington Commanders in the second week

Offseason Moves

  • Signing Tyler Huntley: Signing this QB after the Browns cut him couldn’t have happened at a better time. Lamar Jackson couldn’t be happier with the situation because a backup quarterback was needed to fill the vacancy Huntley originally left behind, funny enough.
  • Drafting Nate Wiggins: This cornerback from Clemson has already shown ability and speed in the offseason, which is consistent with his career at Clemson, which will prove him to be a reliable asset right away when the season begins. He’s the 30th overall pick for the 2024 NFL Draft and looks to be a promising addition to the Ravens in his rookie season.
  • Signing Derrick Henry: Getting Henry is a huge win for the Ravens, who already hold the record for rushing yards, and the 1,000 yards he’s rushed in five of his last six seasons will help to keep Raven’s momentum going in this department.

Strengths & Weaknesses

  • The Ravens were undefeated (5-0) vs top 10 offenses last season — best in NFL; League Avg: .359
  • The Ravens are 9-1 (.900) against the spread (69.6% ROI) vs top 10 run defenses since the 2022 season — best in NFL; League Avg: .486
  • The Ravens were undefeated (5-0) against the spread (88.9% ROI) vs top 10 pass offenses last season — T-best in NFL; League Avg: .445
  • The Ravens were undefeated (5-0) vs top 10 offenses last season — best in NFL; League Avg: .359
  • The Ravens were undefeated (5-0) vs top 10 run offenses last season — best in NFL; League Avg: .424.

Key Players to Watch

  • Lamar Jackson was a near-unanimous MVP for his regular-season work in 2023. He has also had several of the highest-graded seasons for a Ravens quarterback in the past few years.
  • Zay Flowers is the first wide receiver listed on the Ravens’ depth chart, so he’s a name to look out for this season. Rashod Bateman is listed second and might be a key player for the Ravens in the coming months.
  • Keep an eye on Isaiah Likely, one of the more tenacious, workhorse tight ends at the end of the last season.
  • Derrick Henry is a top rusher for the Ravens and is well-known for his physicality and competitiveness. He will undoubtedly be a top contributor for the team this season.

Predicted Season Performance

  • Derrick Henry will take the rushing title back from Christian McCaffrey
  • The Ravens defense will lead the NFL in sacks once more
  • Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews will make the best tight-end duo in the league for the 2024 season
  • Rashod Bateman will get his first 1,000-yard season

The Ravens also have an outside chance of making it to the Super Bowl in February 2025. The major sports betting platforms have them just behind the Chiefs and the 49ers as contenders making it to the Big Game.

Super Bowl Future Odds

SportbookOdds

DraftKings

+1200

FanDuel

+1200

Caesars

+900

BetRivers

+1200

BetMGM

+1200


Team 4—Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles Logo

Last Season Recap

Many consider the Eagles’ late-season collapse in 2023 to be one of the most shocking in NFL history. It resulted in the firings of both the offensive and defensive coordinators and two retirements (Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox).

  • They ended with a record of 11-6, falling short of the prior season, where they finished with a record of 14-3
  • Placed 2nd in the NFC East
  • The Eagles’ defense was ranked 26 out of 32 for the entire season
  • 8/11 victories fell within one score
  • Eliminated in the wild card round by Tampa Bay in a 32-9 loss

Offseason Moves

  • Drafting Quinyon Mitchell: Mitchell can begin immediately and be considered the best defensive player in the draft class. He was a key get for addressing the Eagles’ desperate need for a cornerback.
  • Drafting Cooper DeJean: Getting DeJean goes a long way to filling the gap left behind by the retirements of both Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. DeJean can contribute significantly to defenses and as a returner.
  • Signing Saquon Barkley: A replacement for D’Andre Swift, who signed with the Bears, Barkley is a running back that the Eagles might view as a unique player due to their history of not investing heavily in running backs.

Strengths & Weaknesses

  • The Eagles are undefeated (11-0) when tied at the end of quarter 1 since the 2022 season — best in NFL; League Avg: .500
  • The Eagles are 7-13 (.350) against the spread (-23.9% ROI) when playing in cold weather since the 2022 season — 4th-worst in NFL; League Avg: .500
  • The Eagles are 5-3 (.625) against the spread (32.3% ROI) vs top 10 pass offenses since the 2022 season — T-5th-best in NFL; League Avg: .470
  • The Eagles were 7-2 (.778) when intercepting at least 1 pass last season — 5th-best in NFL; League Avg: .629
  • The Eagles were 6-2 (.750) at home last season — T-5th-best in NFL; League Avg: .558

Key Players to Watch

Quinton Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Saquon Barkley are all critical in keeping the Eagles strong this season, following a string of devastating losses at the end of the 2023 season. A severely lacking cornerback spot has been filled, and the Eagles’ intentionality in investing in their running backs could pay off in dividends as they look to remain competitive once this season starts.

Predicted Season Performance

  • Philly will make the playoffs, but they might get off to a slow start this season
  • This could be a rebuilding season for the Eagle with new offensive coordinator Kellen Mooer and Cam Jurgens and Jordan Davis replacing Kelce and Cox, respectively

Super Bowl Future Odds

SportbookOdds

DraftKings

+1000

FanDuel

+1100

Caesars

+900

BetRivers

+1100

BetMGM

+1100


Team 5—Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions Logo

Last Season Recap

  • The Lions finished the 2023 season on a record of 12-5, an improvement over the prior season’s record of 9-8
  • A win over the Broncos in Week 15 gave them their first 10-win season since 2014
  • Their 2023 record tied a franchise record for wins
  • Their 2023 record ended in a three-way tie with the 49ers and the Cowboys for the best record in the NFC
  • Detroit’s winning percentage of .706 was their best since 1991
  • A win over the Bears in Week 11 had the Lions record sitting at 8-2, the first time since 1962
  • A win over the Vikings in Week 16 has the Lions winning their first division title since 1993
  • The Lions had their first playoff appearance since 2016
  • Detroit defeated the Buccaneers 31-23 to advance to the NFC Championship for the first time since 1991
  • They yielded a 24-7 lead and lost the NFC Championship Game to the 49ers (34-31)

Offseason Moves

  • Returning Offensive Coordinator: Ben Johnson returned for a third season as offensive coordinator with the Lions despite interviewing with Los Angeles, Washington, Atlanta, and Tennessee. He was a finalist for AP Assistant Coach of the Year after guiding Detroit to an amazing season. The Lions came in second for passing, third for total offense, and fifth for points per game and rushing.
  • Returning Defensive Coordinator: Aaron Glenn also interviewed but ultimately returned to Detroit to serve as the defensive coordinator. Detroit’s defense currently ranks second against the run and sixth in total QB pressures.
  • Re-Signing Penei Sewell: This correct tackle was Brad Holmes’ first draft pick, No. 7 overall, after he began as general manager in 2021. He’s become an integral part of the team over the past few seasons, and retaining him with the Lions helps the franchise stay laser-focused on making the playoffs once more and, hopefully, Super Bowl 59.
  • Re-Signing Amon-Ra St. Brown: This wide receiver was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft after 16 receivers went before him, but he’s since become a core player on the Lions’ roster, which could lead them to the Big Game this season.
  • Re-Signing Jared Goff: This QB was traded to the Lions from the Rams for Matthew Stafford and draft picks, but he’s been another valuable addition to the franchise that embodies everything they want to be about on and off the field.

Strengths & Weaknesses

  • Detroit Lions RBs rushed for 7 TDs in the red zone in the last 4 weeks of the regular season — most in NFL
  • The Lions were undefeated (5-0) against the spread (89.8% ROI) after a loss last season — T-best in NFL; League Avg: .506
  • The Lions are 23-10 (.697) against the spread (32.6% ROI) since the 2022 season — best in NFL; League Avg: .500
  • The Lions were undefeated (3-0) vs the bottom ten offenses last season — T-best in NFL; League Avg: .624
  • The Lions were undefeated (9-0) when leading at the end of the first quarter last season — T-best in NFL; League Avg: .737

Key Players to Watch

Right tackle Penei Sewell, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and quarterback Jared Goff are the dynamic trio that has really become the face of the Lions and are the ones who have been primarily responsible for improving each season’s record. A few other notable Lions members to keep an eye on include the following:

  • Hendon Hooker: He’s trying to prove he has what it takes to become the No. 2 quarterback for the team.
  • Giovanni Manu: He’s a rookie offensive tackle who’s in no danger of being cut but still needs some improvement in speed and tackling.

Predicted Season Performance

Some sportsbooks have the Lions as the fifth likeliest team to make it to Super Bowl 59, which would be a terrific feat if they could pull it off, considering where this team has come from. It’s only been until quite recently that NFL fans have taken notice of the franchise. While it could be an excellent story for the season, here are a few more realistic predictions for the Lions in 2024:

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown finished in second place for the Offensive Player of the Year
  • Hendon Hooker gets to start in several games
  • The Lions make the playoffs again this season
  • Jahmyr Gibbs will touch the 2,000 mark for all-purpose yards
  • Aidan Hutchinson gets over 15 sacks

Super Bowl Future Odds

SportbookOdds

DraftKings

+1000

FanDuel

+1100

Caesars

+900

BetRivers

+1100

BetMGM

+1000


Betting Tips for the NFL Season

The NFL season is a big time of the year for avid sports bettors and punters, so it’s only natural that you can place bets on the 32 participating teams and individual players in several ways. We’ll highlight the best general betting strategies out there that can lead to competitive NFL betting sessions over the season.

Understanding the Betting Market

To bet on the NFL successfully, you need a basic understanding of the betting market. Three primary bet types offer bettors and punters the best chance at winning a payout, plus there are odds posted for each that bettors need to become familiar with reading. We’ll cover these topics below to familiarize you with how it works.

Popular Bet Types

In all three of these bet types, bettors stand a 50/50 chance of getting their predictions right because there are only two possible outcomes. This makes them the best type of NFL bets, though there are other kinds, like futures and parlays. We suggest that newer bettors avoid those as there are multiple outcomes, making them harder to predict.

  • Moneylines: These are bets placed on the winner of an NFL game. There are two outcomes: one team wins, and one team loses. Betting on the winner results in a payout (profit plus the original stake), and betting on the loser results in a loss.
  • Point Spreads: These are bets where you’re trying to predict the margin of victory. Winning bets are on favorite or underdog teams who cover the spread or when an underdog team wins outright over the favorite.
  • Totals: The bookmakers put out their prediction on the game’s final combined score, and bettors must stake money on the final combined score coming in over or under this number.

How Odds Work

NFL odds are the likelihood of teams or individual players winning the upcoming game or covering the point spread. There’s also totals betting, where bettors can stake on the final combined score coming in over or under the bookmaker’s predictions.

Let’s look at an example of a game between the Chiefs and the 49ers to give you an idea of how these odds will look and what they mean.

TeamMoneylinePoint SpreadTotal

Chiefs

-135

-2.5 (-110)

Over 30.5 (-110)

49ers

+115

+2.5 (-110)

Under 30.5 (-110)

  • Moneyline Odds: These odds show the likelihood of both teams winning the game. The Chiefs are the favorite to win because they have the negative number (-135), while the 49ers are the underdog due to the positive number (+115). They are betting on the favorite, meaning you must bet the amount shown in the odds: $135. If you’re right and the Chiefs win, you make $100 in profit for a total payout of $235 when you get your original $135 stake back. Betting on the 49ers means you must put up $100, but you will win $115 if you’re right for a total payout of $215.
  • Point Spread: With money line bets, you’re staking money on the winner of the game, but point spread bets involve getting the margin of victory correct. In this case, a bet on the Chiefs to cover the spread (-2.5/-110) means you’ll only win if they win by 3 or more points over the 49ers. For those betting on San Francisco, there are two scenarios where their bet is a win: the 49ers win outright over the Chiefs, or they lose by 2 points or less.
  • Totals: These are called over/under bets because bettors have the choice of betting over or under the bookmaker’s predictions on the final combined score of the game. In this case, the books predict a final combined score of 30, so bettors can bet on a game with less than 30 combined points or a game with more than 30 combined points.

General Betting Strategies

While there are ways to tailor your betting strategy to fit the specific team you’re staking money on, there are several general betting strategies that universally fit most bets. Discover how value betting, responsibly managing your bankroll, and placing effective live bets can help you improve your odds of making a tidy profit.

Value Betting

Online sportsbooks and bookmakers want even action on either side of a bet. If one side of a bet isn’t bet on as heavily as the other side, the books will attempt to balance the action by offering a discount on the underrepresented side. You can get these odds for a better price as a result.

Value betting occurs when you place a bet where you feel the odds of an event happening are greater than the odds the book offers you.

Because the book will change the odds to even out the action on either side of the bet, you’ll find discrepancies in the numbers because they no longer reflect the actual likelihood of either outcome. Ideally, you want to make the correct bet, but do so while getting a discount on the odds!

Bankroll Management

Solid online bankroll management is a significant factor in successfully betting on the NFL. Control over your gambling funds is the key to maximizing your profits and minimizing your potential losses.

  • Have Money and Time Limits: Set aside an amount of money you can afford to lose for your NFL bets. Don’t go over your allotment. Also, place limits on the time you spend in each sports betting session. Limiting your time and money can minimize potential losses over time.
  • Use Conservative Betting Units: Never stake more than 1-2% of your total bankroll on any bet. You risk burning through your bankroll quickly if your predictions are way off. Scale the size of your betting unit up or down depending on the current state of your bankroll.
  • Never Chase Losses: While there are ways to recoup gambling losses, they can only really be successfully executed if you have deep pockets. If you’re an average sports bettor, it’s best to step away from a session if you suffer a string of losses. Chasing losses will only result in you digging yourself deeper into a hole.
  • Diversify Your Bets: You’re most likely to win bets where you’re betting on the final outcome (moneyline bets), the margin of victory (point spreads), or the final combined score (over/under totals) because these bets have two primary outcomes, offering you the best chance of getting them right. The best NFL bettors embrace various bet types on several teams or players for maximum profit.

Live Betting Tips

To make the most out of live betting opportunities during games, begin implementing these best practices during your online betting sessions. They can make all the difference between successfully raking in money on live bets or falling flat on your face.

  • Use Virtual Scoreboards: Many bookmakers and online betting apps have a virtual scoreboard that lets you keep track of the current score if you aren’t watching the game via live stream. This allows you to get the real-time data you need to make timely betting decisions on the current game without waiting for online or radio commentary to roll out.
  • Live Stream the Event: The perfect companion to live betting is live streaming the game you’re staking money on. Along with getting real-time data through the virtual scoreboards, you can watch the game to pick up on significant developments that might play a key role in your next bet decision.
  • Get Better Odds with Live Moneyline Bets: Live bettors can get more competitive odds during live games because the money lines move sharply as the event begins. The odds are much better than if you did a pre-match money line.
  • Know the Sport You’re Betting On: If you’re familiar with the NFL and how to bet on the sport, you’ll likely make quick decisions in a live betting atmosphere. One of the best live betting tips many people don’t consider is going with a sport they know. Knowing the ins and outs of each team’s recent performance, the condition of the players, and any building momentum throughout the season makes the process of live betting that much easier.

Potential Upset Teams

It happens every year—teams slated to lose a game outperform expectations and eke out a win that has the public betting a ton of money and those with the foresight to see the upset raking in a hefty little payout. Let’s talk about the dark horse candidates we expect to arise this season and how you can bet on these upset opportunities.

Dark Horse Candidates

If you’re wondering which teams could outperform expectations in the 2024 season, we’ve got you covered—here are our top dark horse candidates that we expect will be highly competitive and do some damage this year.

Los Angeles Rams Logo

Los Angeles Rams: Head coach Sean McVay remains one of the top coaches in the NFL, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the Rams made another run at the Super Bowl this season. Although they weren’t as competitive as they were in 2022, the Rams still looked good and appeared strong last season, making it to the postseason.

Atlanta Falcons Logo

Atlanta Falcons: With Arthur Smith replaced by Raheem Morris as head coach, Atlanta could turn things around this coming season despite not making the playoffs last year. While the team’s defensive lineup is strong, the Falcons would only need a solid quarterback to build the momentum they’d need to make the playoffs and possibly go to the Big Game.

Green Bay Packers Logo

Green Bay Packers: Last year, the Packers outplayed the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round, which seems like a good sign of things to come in 2024. The keys to Green Bay’s success would lie in quarterback Jordan Love’s continued performance and new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s building up the team’s defensive strategy for the upcoming season.

Los Angeles Chargers Logo

Los Angeles Chargers: Now that the Chargers have a good coach and Jim Harbaugh as the face of the team, they’ll finally get the turnaround they need to go deep into the 2024 season. The pair of Harbaugh and Justin Herbert should have fans excited about the idea of a competitive year ahead.

Betting on Upsets

You can effectively spot potential upset teams this coming season in a few ways. As long as you’re knowledgeable about the NFL and the teams you’re interested in betting on, picking out these upset opportunities becomes like second nature.

Do Your Research Ahead of Time

While letting emotions or hunches inform some of your NFL betting decisions is not wrong, it’s best to root your bets primarily in research and statistics while allowing some room for hunches, too. You can do this by checking the difficulty of each team’s schedule, the weather for the day they’re playing, and the player roster to see if any injuries could affect the game’s outcome. Look at each team’s previous performance. If it’s a situation where one team has lost their last three games, and the other has won the previous three, you get a good idea of where the momentum is going.

Look Outside of Money Lines for Upsets

While you can make some money by correctly predicting the winner of the game, it’s important to diversify your bets and stake some money on point spreads or total bets, too. For instance, most experienced NFL bettors know that games in inclement conditions are generally lower-scoring games. Enter a total bet—you could bet the under on the upcoming game where snow is expected.

Two Teams with Good Defense

An excellent upsetting opportunity is when you have two teams that are strong defensively but lack the offensive grit needed to score many points. These games generally have lower scoring, and the final outcome is determined only by a few points. These are some of the best games where you can bet the dog and get a good payout when they eke out a win over the favored team.

Know When the Books Move the Line to Balance Action

After researching both teams involved in the bet, you should have a good statistical idea of how likely each team is to win. But you’ll get situations where the odds posted by the book don’t truly reflect the actual probability because they’ll move the line to balance out the action on both sides. If you know which team will pull off the upset and you can get a discount on the odds, you can increase your profit margin significantly!

Many online sportsbooks have released Super Bowl 59 odds for the 2024 NFL betting season. We paired a wide range of odds with our own research to create some playoff and Super Bowl predictions for this coming year. We’ve pinpointed the fourteen teams to clinch a spot in the AFC or NFC conferences, and we have the two teams we feel will make it to the Big Game, along with a wildcard pick.

Predictions for the Playoffs and Super Bowl

Playoff Contenders

There are fourteen playoff spots: seven for the AFC and seven for the NFC. You have four division champions for each conference and three wildcard picks. These are our official predictions for the playoff:

AFC

  • AFC West Champions—Kansas City Chiefs
  • AFC North Champions—Baltimore Ravens
  • AFC South Champions—Houston Texans
  • AFC East Champions—Miami Dolphins
  • Wild Cards—Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets

NFC

  • NFC West Champions—San Francisco 49ers
  • NFC North Champions—Detroit Lions
  • NFC South Champions—Atlanta Falcons
  • NFC East Champions—Dallas Cowboys
  • Wild Cards—Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl Predictions

Another rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers is imminent for Super Bowl 59. The Baltimore Ravens also appear to have a good shot at making the Big Game. An aspect of early betting on the Super Bowl to be aware of is that teams with more volatility in their odds can have better closing line value. It’s best to place these futures bets toward the beginning of the season.

If you’re betting on Super Bowl 59, it’s best to bet as early as possible to lock in a bigger potential profit. That money is worth more now than the same sum in the future because of the earning potential between now and February, when the bets will be graded. A successful way to bet on the Super Bowl and not have your personal money tied up for months on end is to use bonus bets you have earned from other sports bets. It ensures you keep funds in your account for a couple of months!

Share Your Thoughts with Us

Keep a close eye on the Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens, Eagles, and Lions this season—we expect these five to be the most competitive entities on the field. Your best bet is to focus on the three significant bet types this year (money lines, point spreads, and over/under totals) because you have a 50/50 chance of your predictions being correct. Do good research on the teams and players—incorporate current statistics, recent performances, injuries, weather conditions, and public sentiment into your bets and predictions for the best results.

We’d encourage any of our readers to share their personal predictions or betting strategies in the comments below. We’re interested to hear how people envision this NFL season shaking out! Subscribe to the blog to stay updated with the latest NFL news and betting tips.

Matthew Buchanan
Matthew Buchanan

Matthew specializes in writing our gambling app review content, spending days testing out sportsbooks and online casinos to get intimate with these platforms and what they offer. He’s also a blog contributor, creating guides on increasing your odds of winning against the house by playing table games, managing your bankroll responsibly, and choosing the slot machines with the best return-to-player rates.