Best Football Bets To Make

Posted onby
Best Football Bets To Make 4,4/5 9275 votes

Best Bets Against The Spread College Football The most popular college football bet is betting against the spread (ATS). Against the spread betting isn’t about picking a winner of the game, it’s about. Bet With Your Head, Not Your Heart. It may sound obvious, but avoiding emotion when wagering. An example of my small unit stakes bets will be say 10p/20p Heinz, and for those who don't know, a Heinz is a multiple made up of 57 bets consisting of 6 selections combining for doubles, trebles, 4.

© Provided by Fansided© Provided by Fansided Tennessee Titans

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 19: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

What are the best bets for each NFL heading into the 2020 NFL season?

The frontrunners to win the Super Bowl in 2020 are unsurprising — all are teams that played admirably in 2019 and have their returning rosters predominantly intact. The Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens are the three favorites to do trophy-hoisting down in Tampa Bay this February.

The outlook for MVP candidacy is also fairly customary in that the top five players favored to take home the award are quarterbacks. Indeed, NFL quarterbacks have achieved MVP honors in seven straight seasons. This year, the MVP favorites are as follows: Patrick Mahomes (+350), Lamar Jackson (+600), Russell Wilson (+800), Deshaun Watson (+1400), and Tom Brady (+1600).

Those bets are merely of the popular, birds-eye-view variety. One can wager on team wins, division titles, rookie of the year, and individual player prop bets, to name a few.

Using a site like FanDuel as a baseline for the landscape of NFL betting in 2020, thousands of bets are available to lay some money on the line. The following analysis details sensible bets for all 32 NFL teams.

Most can be considered safe bets whereas a few are true longshots. Although, these longshots are not all-out silly. They're just more of a stretch than one might expect. But, that's what makes sports wagering intriguing.

© Provided by Fansided Arizona Cardinals

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 20: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football during an NFL team training camp at the University of State Farm Stadium on August 20, 2020, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals

The Bet: DeAndre Hopkins over 8.5 Receiving TDs (-120)

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury fancies an Air Raid style offense, and you don't ground-and-pound the football when you attach a title like that to your reputation. Kyler Murray will fling the football all over, and Hopkins is the most talented player on the Cardinals offense. He's caught over 8.5 touchdowns three times in his career. He'll do it again in 2020.

Atlanta Falcons

The Bet: Over 7.5 Wins (-130)

This is not an endorsement to a deep playoff run for Atlanta, but the Falcons are poised to finish with at least a .500 record. Head coach Dan Quinn is probably in a make-or-break season as the team has failed to meet expectations after their Super Bowl meltdown four years ago.

Atlanta is one of the 'those teams' that can go out in 2020 and achieve a 12-4 or 4-12 record and, nobody will be too shocked either way. Go with them to be mediocre or better.

Baltimore Ravens

The Bet: J.K. Dobbins to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (+2800)

Go bold or return to your flock. This is the first longshot of the analysis.

Sure, quarterbacks are favorites for this award, but let's do something intelligible here. The Ravens run the football more than any other team in the business. Take the brand new shiny running back to thrive in a run-happy offense. It makes sense, right?

All Dobbins needs is the touches. To do that, he must convince offensive coordinator Greg Roman that he is more viable than the 30-year-old Mark Ingram.

© Provided by Fansided Buffalo Bills

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 23: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Buffalo Bills

The Bet: Stefon Diggs over 6.5 Receiving TDs (+105)

Stefon Diggs departed the Minnesota Vikings presumably to be an alpha male elsewhere. That elsewhere is in western New York. So long as Josh Allen can mature and develop into an accurate passer, Diggs is going to snag more than six touchdowns.

Carolina Panthers

The Bet: Over 5.5 Wins (-120)

The Panthers only won five games in 2019 with Kyle Allen mostly at the helm. The team upgraded at the position with Teddy Bridgewater's return to a starting role for the first time since 2015. Christian McCaffrey will get his touches as only he does.

New head coach Matt Rhule may not return the Panthers to 2015 form instantly, but Carolina is good enough to win six games.

Nfl

Chicago Bears

The Bet: Under 8.5 Wins (+130)

The Bears will have to scuffle with the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers four times. The best they will do in that endeavor is a 2-2 split. The team hasn't even decided on a quarterback for 2020 yet. Then, the offensive playmaker roll call is quiet. A sub-.500 season is upcoming.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bet: Joe Mixon over 1,149 Rushing Yards (-115)

Joe Burrow will probably be relatively poised as a first-year starter. Joe Mixon is in a spot of his career where he's due for his best season yet. The team has a respectable balance with Burrow in charge. Mixon rushes for north of 1,150 yards.

© Provided by Fansided Cleveland Browns

BEREA, OHIO – AUGUST 18: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns watches a play like wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. #13 and Jarvis Landry #80 stand behind him during NFL training camp on August 18, 2020, at the Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns

The Bet: Reach the Playoffs (+125)

A new, competent head in Kevin Stefanski has entered the chat. Baker Mayfield's bonafide sophomore slump will prove to be an outlier. The firepower on offense with Odell Beckham, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and Jarvis Landry will actually jell in 2020, unlike last year. Because of the expanded playoff format, the Browns will play postseason game(s) for the first time in 18 years.

Dallas Cowboys

The Bet: Win NFC East (-110)

This has to happen. The Cowboys have one of the most talented teams, on paper, in the NFL. Dak Prescott is entering his prime years of play — so is Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas has playmakers galore at wide receiver. The defensive line should generate tremendous pressure. Head coach Mike McCarthy has a history of success with beefy rosters. Dallas wins the NFC East.

Denver Broncos

The Bet: Win AFC Championship (+2500)

It's not a typo; it's an intrepid prediction. Much like the Cowboys, the Broncos have oodles of marvelous football players on their depth chart — both offensively and defensively. Head coach Vic Fangio stimulates a defense mindset while boss John Elway buttressed the roster with offensive playmakers. In a stunner, the Broncos reach Super Bowl LV.

© Provided by Fansided Detroit Lions

DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 29: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions makes a catch in the first quarter of the game in front of Kevin King #20 of the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 29, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Detroit Lions

The Bet: Kenny Golladay over 1,000.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

No-brainer here. Matthew Stafford is back and healthy, and the Lions historically don't run the football worth a damn. The Lions will throw the pigskin, and Golladay is reaching an age when it should be mandatory he notches over 1,000 yards given his skill set. Go gobble this prop bet up.

Green Bay Packers

The Bet: Win over 8.5 Games (-125)

The Packers will likely regress from their 2019 win total of 13 games. Most 13-win teams do. But 13 wins to eight wins is too drastic. Although Green Bay did absolutely nothing to accrue more weaponry for Aaron Rodgers, they did not relegate themselves to mediocrity. At the very minimum, the Packers finish 2020 with a 9-7 record.

Houston Texans

The Bet: Win 9-12 games (+155)

Bill O'Brien has done his best to reinvent the roster is interesting ways. He traded DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona and a king's ransom to Miami for Laremy Tunsil. Houston will be decent but could see a dip in performance without Hopkins' playmaking zeal. 9-7 or 10-6 records feel realistic.

Indianapolis Colts

The Bet: T.Y. Hilton over 1,025.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

General manager Chris Ballard finagled a plan to bring Philip Rivers to Indiana for a one-year experiment. The Colts like to think they have virtually every position covered and that the quarterback was the missing link.

Regardless if that is true or not, T.Y. Hilton should exceed 1,025 receiving yards. With Rivers, Keenan Allen has done that in three straight seasons, so Hilton has a reasonable opportunity to follow suit.

© Provided by Fansided Jacksonville Jaguars

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up before the game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on December 15, 2019, in Oakland, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Bet: Leonard Fournette under 1100.5 Rushing Yards (-110)

Fournette is a terrific running back, make no mistake. But he only scored three touchdowns in 2019 (to 1,152 rushing yards), and the Jaguars could very well be trailing in games often in 2019 (meaning — rushing the ball may be an afterthought).

Heck, Fournette was rumored to be traded last season, so the franchise may not be too in love with him. Shoot for the under on his rushing total.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Bet: Patrick Mahomes over 36.5 Touchdown Passes (-110)

Last season, Patrick Mahomes 'only' notched 26 touchdowns passes. In an odd way, Mahomes won a Super Bowl in a 'down year' by his individual standards. In 2020, he will reaffirm his aerial supremacy and account for more than 36 touchdowns. He better — he's the half-billion-dollar man.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Bet: Henry Ruggs under 800.5 Receiving Yards (-145)

This prognostication does not mean Ruggs won't be good or explosive. He probably will be. Yet, 800+ receiving yards in a rookie season sounds achievable, but it seldom occurs. In fact, only two first-rounders have achieved this since 2015, Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper.

Ruggs will be fun to watch, but he'll check in south of 800 receiving yards during his maiden voyage. After all, Derek Carr already has Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, Tyrell Williams, Nelson Agholor, and Josh Jacobs to accommodate.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Bet: Under 7.5 Wins (+100)

Cleveland tried a Tyrod Taylor experiment in 2018. It lasted for about three weeks.

The Chargers are giving it a whirl with Justin Herbert awaiting a patch-over at some point in the near future. Los Angeles indeed has an assortment of playmakers, but uncertainty at the quarterback position will level them out at a 6-10 or 7-9 record

© Provided by Fansided Los Angeles Rams

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Defensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams leads the team on to the field for the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Rams

The Bet: Aaron Donald to win Defensive Player of the Year (+700)

Aaron Donald has won two of these trophies already, but let's sign him up for one more. He totally transcends the defensive tackle position and adds an unholy strategic advantage to the Rams defensive line. In terms of his versatility, his skill set is akin to a tight end than can go up and grab deep balls like Randy Moss on a consistent basis.

Best College Football Bets To Make This Week

Donald to win Defensive Player of the Year any in a given year should feel like an astute bet. And, he's only 29.

Miami Dolphins

The Bet: Under 6.5 Wins (-120)

Miami is amidst an admitted rebuild. Of course, they drafted Tua Tagovailoa but when will he play? The talent on their depth chart is no-frills; that's what typically happens during a rebuild. The Dolphins won't necessarily be trashy, but they will not reach seven wins. Not yet, anyway.

Minnesota Vikings

The Bet: Win NFC North (+165)

The Vikings enter 2020 with an undisputed starter at quarterback for the third straight season. This continuity hasn't happened in Minnesota since the days of Daunte Culpepper.

Yes, they lost a dynamic playmaker in Stefon Diggs, but the team replaced him with the electric rookie Justin Jefferson from LSU. Head coach Mike Zimmer will ensure the defense is stingy. Because the Packers will slightly regress, the Vikings will win the NFC North.

New England Patriots

The Bet: Win Division (+110)

Tom Brady is gone. He isn't coming back.

The Patriots lost an alarming chunk of players to COVID opt-outs and then they're trying to resurrect Cam Newton. For a normal team, these ingredients have 4-12 written all over them.

But let's not be foolish. The Patriots will find a way. Bill Belichick wants you to think the team is rotten. In the meantime, he will continue to beat up on the AFC East and find a pathway to another division title.

© Provided by Fansided New Orleans Saints

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints scores a 20-yard receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter as he is defended by Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints

The Bet: Under 10.5 Wins (-115)

One of these days or games, Drew Brees isn't going to have 'it' anymore. Or, he will be retired by then. Reference Peyton Manning's individual performance in 2015. Legends that unceremoniously find their abilities diminished typically don't win Super Bowls as did Manning.

Brees could regress (finally) this season or the Saints could be upended by the new-look Buccaneers a couple of times. In any event, New Orleans won't reach 11 wins.

New York Giants

The Bet: Over 6.5 Wins (+100)

Aside from fumbles, Daniel Jones was quite good for a rookie last year. We know Saquon Barkley cannot be tamed. And there's a new sheriff in town with Joe Judge from New England.

If Judge can shore up the Giants defense and Jones-Barkley mature into the duo New York hopes, the Giants will have not have difficulty going at least 7-9.

New York Jets

The Bet: Under 7 Wins (-140)

Put simply, there are too many moving pieces that need to happen for the Jets to be above .500. Sam Darnold has to take the next step, Le'Veon Bell must play better than he did in 2019, and somebody has to anchor the defense as we thought C.J. Mosley would. Mosley opted out due to COVID concerns.

Oh, and they traded their best football player, Jamal Adams. This team screams 5-11 or 6-10.

© Provided by Fansided

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 18: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during training camp at NovaCare Complex on August 18, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Szagola-Pool/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles

The Bet: Miles Sanders over 1,000.5 Rushing Yards (-115)

This is dicey. Sanders is a dual-threat scatback type, so he could rack up one of those David Johnson statlines from a few years back. Indeed, Sanders will break out into stardom, but a lot it could come via pass-catching.

However, with Jordan Howard gone, Sanders should get the bulk of the carriers. Bet on him surpassing the 1,000-yard barrier. File this one under 'least certain' of this analysis.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Bet: Win AFC North (+400)

Gutsy prophecy. All non-Pennslyvania humans have the Ravens already celebrating an AFC North title in 2020.

Not so fast — have you forgotten the wherewithal of Mike Tomlin? Roethlisberger is back, and we will soon find out if that's a good or bad thing. Also, Tomlin's defense never struggles.

In a surprise, the Steelers rip away the division from the heavily-favored and hated Ravens.

San Francisco 49ers

Best Bets To Make College Football

The Bet: Jimmy Garoppolo under 3,950.5 Passing Yards (-110)

Head coach Kyle Shanahan likes to run the football. Couple that with Deebo Samuel's injury status up in the air and new wideout Brandon Aiyuk 'just a rookie,' and the 49ers will not be a team seeking to light up the air with a bunch of pass attempts.

The 49ers will be an intimidating team, but it won't be because of an aerial offense.

© Provided by Fansided Seattle Seahawks

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 12: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks walks to the sideline during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks

The Bet: Russell Wilson Wins MVP (+800)

It's time. The man owns the second-best passer rating of all-time. When a game is close late in the fourth quarter, you know Russell Wilson will win the thing. We pretend, for the past couple of years, that the Seahawks have a great defense to complement Wilson. Nope. They used to, but the Legion of Boom is dead.

Wilson has received nary a single MVP vote in his eight-year career. Voters have some makeup work to do. He wins the award in 2020.

Best Football Bets To Do

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bet: Win the NFC Championship (+800)

Alas, Tom Brady has artillery aplenty for the first time since Randy Moss played in Boston. When that happened, Moss only set the single-season record for receiving touchdowns.

Now, Brady has two scaled-back versions of Moss in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Head coach Bruce Arians is due to bust through to a conference championship, and the Buccaneers run defense in 2019 was secretly wonderful.

Tampa Bay wins the NFC and hosts Super Bowl LV.

Tennessee Titans

The Bet: Win the AFC South (+170)

Mike Vrabel's team is not a fluke. They have a running back that maintains a time-of-possession advantage for the team. A.J. Brown had a tremendous rookie showing. And, Vrabel will ensure the defense is top-notch.

Tennesse fights off the Texans and Colts and wins the division.

Washington Football Team

Best Football Bets To Make Friends

The Bet: Under 5.5 wins (-130)

Whether it's Alex Smith or Dwayne Haskins, the Redskins will look more efficient on the field in their anonymous uniforms. That's because Ron Rivera is in charge. However, the Football Team still doesn't have enough talent to surpass six wins.

No matter what, Washington will play Dallas, Philadelphia, and the New York Giants six times. At best, they make it out of that with a 2-4 record.

Rivera will transform this team in time — just not yet.