American Football Betting
Few sports can match the physicality, excitement, and skill of American football. While the NFL dominates, our coverage doesn’t stop there. We accept bets on the CFL and NCAAF, too. American football betting at Virgin Bet covers everything from the preseason to the Super Bowl.
We’re ready to show off our American football Bet Builder, score props, and handicap markets that will have football fans on the edge of their seats, along with competitive American football betting odds across the markets that keep up with the live action. We’ll also discuss our in-play markets and offer advice on analysing teams and players throughout the season.
How to Bet on American Football
If you’re new to American football, then it’s worth noting that games have 60 minutes of official playing time. However, due to broadcasting and halftime, you can expect to set aside over 3 hours to watch a full game. Don’t worry, online American football betting at Virgin Bet is much faster.
Fixtures are made up of four 15-minute quarters, with the ball in motion for just 11-15 minutes per game, on average. The battle for the first down follows the kickoff, with the offence then attempting to move the ball to the end zone by running or passing. Teams get four downs before the ball is turned over, during which they must progress at least 10 yards.
Teams are made up of offensive, defensive, and special players. The quarterback is often the star of the show, while running backs, guards, wide receivers, and tackles also have key roles as part of the offensive line. We make it easy for punters to follow the action because Virgin Bet’s American football betting page is as detailed as a coach’s playbook.
Understanding American Football Betting Odds
The on-field action can often look confusing. Our American football betting odds are anything but. Prices shown on our modern site are based on statistical probability. Odds compilers consider roster changes, team form, home field advantage, head-to-heading records, and standings to set accurate and competitive prices.
While we can’t tell you who will win and lose, it’s generally clear as to who is the favourite and the underdog. Keep a close eye on our “Promotions” page, because this is where you'll find the latest deals. They include £5 acca free bets and price boosts on upcoming NFL games.
Exploring American Football Betting Markets
The intense gameplay, hard-hitting tackles, and strict tactics allow us to offer a wide range of American football betting markets. Some are more complicated than others, but here’s what to expect before and during games:
- The Moneyline: It doesn’t get simpler than this. Just predict which franchise will win the game. The winning margin and total points are irrelevant. We even keep bets running when games go into overtime.
- The Point Spread: This is our American football handicap, where an expected points handicap is set based on the final score. Bet on the game result using the surplus or deficit given to the favourite and underdog, respectively. New England Patriots (-2.5 points) to beat the Cleveland Browns, for example.
- Total Points: How many points will the two teams combined score? Over/under 34.5 points is a common option.
Markets are often settled on fine margins and major plays. So, remember that your bet could hinge on a skilful touchdown dive, a crucial quarterback pass, or a key interception.
Live In-Play Betting on American Football
In American football betting, every play counts. That’s what makes in-play betting with us worth considering using your desktop or mobile app. Live prices change following touchdowns, field goals, fumbles, interceptions, and snaps.
Our simple in-play page makes it easy to spot value in American football betting markets and track the progress of your picks. Add selections to your digital betslip during timeouts, commercial breaks, and in-between plays in seconds.
Key Analytical Factors for American Football
There is an almost endless amount of data available to make informed decisions about American football franchises and superstars. So, be sure to look into these points before you wager on an online American football betting matchup:
- The Quarterback Element: The quarterback is the brains of the operation. They direct each play, read the defensive lineup, and ensure that teammates are in the correct positions. So, a team may falter if its starting quarterback is missing through injury. It’s not just the quarterback, of course. Check the latest roster news before kick-off, as key absentees will influence betting lines.
- Weather Dynamics: American football doesn’t stop for snow, high winds, or heavy rain. Such weather can affect games, making it particularly difficult for quarterbacks and receivers. Tricky weather at outdoor stadiums often leads to lower scoring and more mistakes.
- Schedules and Rest Advantages: In the NFL, teams play 17 games in an 18-week period. However, the schedule means that a franchise may be required to play on a Thursday night following a Sunday game. Travel across multiple time zones also takes a toll on players, coaches, and support staff.
How to Register and Bet with Virgin Bet
At Virgin Bet, we strive to make things easy for our members when it comes to online American football betting. That starts with our sign-up process, which often takes less than 5 minutes. Like a power run in the NFL, the instructions are basic but effective:
- Open our mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or join directly on our website.
- Click/tap “Join” to open the registration form.
- Complete our registration form by providing us with your account, personal, and contact details.
- We do everything by the book and ask all new members to set a deposit limit to help you stay in control of your betting habits. More tools are also available, including live chat support and a mobile app.
- Fund your account and browse our American football betting markets.
- Add picks to your bet slip and confirm your wager.
Professional and College American Football Leagues
Virgin Bet covers many forms of American football. Our markets span professional and collegiate games, from Ohio State vs Texas to the Super Bowl.
The NCAAF is home to many future stars and draft picks. Colleges from across the country battle it out to reach the 12-team playoffs (CFP) and ultimately win the National Championships. The NCAAF calendar runs from game week 1 in August to December, before bowl season takes over until January.
This compares to the NFL, which works like this:
- Preseason: 3 weeks in August
- Regular season: September to January
- Playoffs: January to February
- Super Bowl: Second Sunday in February
