Moneyline vs. Spread: How Popular NFL Bets Work

With games now regularly played across Europe – this season, certain teams visit London, Dublin, Berlin and Madrid – one thing is clear: the NFL is here to stay. 

The fixtures planned for the 2025/26 season only cement the European expansion, and create more opportunities for those looking to get in on the action. 

If you’re new to betting on American football, you’re in for a treat. The betting landscape differs from traditional UK sports, but the core principles remain the same. It's about entertainment and adding excitement to your sports viewing. 

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of popular NFL betting markets and their closest UK equivalents (where relevant), so you can transfer your sports betting knowledge more seamlessly to America’s favourite game. 

Moneyline Bets 

A no-fuss bet, the moneyline is the NFL’s equivalent of a match result bet. 

Here, you’re just betting on which team you think will win. Draws in NFL games are a rarity, and so aren’t usually factored into the wager, which is why this is more akin to a match winner than a 1X2 bet.  

It’s for that reason that this bet works particularly well for any beginners transitioning from football betting. 

Point Spread Bets 

Point spread betting works like handicap betting in football or rugby. You’re wagering on a team to win, or not lose by, a certain point margin, known as ‘the spread’. 

The mechanics are simple enough: the favourite carries a minus sign (and so must win by more than the spread), while the underdog carries a plus sign (can lose by less than the spread or win outright).  

Example: New England Patriots –5.5 means they must win by 6+ points for your bet to land. Taking Carolina Panthers at +5.5 means they can lose by 5 or fewer points and you’d still win.  

This type of wager is popular with experienced bettors, since it can create more balanced odds between the two teams and requires a bit more thought than simply who is likely to win. And with the sheer volume of statistics a single NFL game generates, there’s plenty of material for those who like to crunch numbers before wagering to dive into. 

Totals (Over/Under) 

Totals betting mirrors the over/under goals markets in football. 

With one of these, you’re predicting whether the combined score of the two teams exceeds or falls short of a book’s pre-set number.  

If the total is set at 43.5, for example, the teams must have a combined score of 44+ points for the over to land. The under wins if the combined score is 43 or fewer. 

With a totals bet, you’re focusing more on the flow of the game – and offensive/defensive matchups – as well as external factors like weather conditions to decide whether you think it’ll be a high-scoring affair or not. 

Other Popular NFL Markets 

Parlays  

Parlays are practically identical to football accumulators, where you link multiple selections for enhanced payouts, but increased risk. A possible multi-game parlay might look like a wager on a Rams moneyline win, the over for an Eagles-Cowboys game and the Bills to cover a –15.5 spread, for example. 

A same-game parlay mirrors a bet builder, which is where you combine multiple markets within a single game. In the NFL, that could hypothetically be a wager on the Steelers to win, Aaron Rodgers to throw 198.5+ yards and D.K. Metcalf’s receptions to exceed 3.5, though not all selections need to be for the same team. 

Both variations follow the pattern of higher-risk, higher-reward propositions, since you’re merging bets and all of them must land for you to win. 

Want to learn more about the ins and outs of accas? Check out our What's An Acca Bet? article.

Prop Bets 

Prop betting is one of the NFL’s most sophisticated markets, with a wide range of selections available for both team and player performances. 

Examples include total yards passed by a quarterback, number of rush attempts by the running back and team to score in both halves.  

These kinds of bets typically receive less attention here in the UK. But prop betting over in the US is extremely popular, in part due to the rise of daily fantasy sports (and interest in individual performance) there.  

Futures = Outrights 

Futures operate like standard outright betting. They’re season-long wagers on things like division winners, conference champions and Super Bowl winners, though you’ll find a few player-specific futures, like league MVP, in the mix too. 

The terminology differs, but the approach remains identical to backing the Premier League or Champions league winners. And because of that, they’re a good shout for those who like playing the long game. 

Live & in-play NFL betting 

The stop-start nature of NFL is ideal for live betting. Unlike football’s continuous flow, American football provides natural breaks between plays, which allows bettors time to assess developing situations and adjust accordingly. 

As a result, someone betting on an NFL game live can react to injury developments and momentum shifts with more thought than in sports played at a faster pace.  

Common live markets for the NFL include adjusted spreads and totals, as well as next-score propositions, which shift and change based on the real-time flow of the game. 

Essential knowledge for UK bettors 

Know the basics 

NFL games consist of four 15-minute quarters, with potential overtime. 

Understanding possession rules, clock management and tactical timeout usage will help with any live betting you’re thinking of doing. 

Start smart 

Begin with moneyline bets while you develop your understanding of team tendencies and league dynamics. Graduate to other bets once you’ve established a foundation. It wouldn’t hurt to familiarise yourself with American odds format either, alongside the fractional and decimal systems. 

Closing thoughts 

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to bet on the NFL, with the complexity of wagers ranging from beginner-friendly to more advanced.  

There’s a sense of familiarity with these types of bets, owing to similarities to their UK counterparts. That said, it’s not a bad idea to acquaint yourself with each one and make sure you’re clear about how they work. That’s especially true if you’re still getting to grips with American football as a game.  

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you do it responsibly and play within your means. Outcomes are never guaranteed, and you should only wager amounts you can afford to lose. 

Swot up on all the latest sports betting news by visiting the Bally Bet Sports & Casino blog, filled with helpful tips for the most popular sports and leagues.