What Is Moneyline in NFL Betting? [With NFL Teams Examples]

How Does The Moneyline Work in NFL?

Any seasoned NFL bettor will tell you that NFL money lines are, without a doubt, the most beginner-friendly way of wagering on NFL games. Point spreads and over/under are popular as well, but there’s a lot more room for error since you also need to take into account what the final score will be. With the moneyline, you keep it simple – If the team you bet on wins, you win. So, for those who prefer a more direct approach, it’s the go-to form of NFL betting.

Now, understanding the odds is key when it comes to moneyline matches. For favourites, you’ll see a minus sign (-) next to their number, indicating the amount you need to bet to win $100. Underdogs, on the other hand, have a plus sign (+) next to their number, indicating the amount you would win by betting $100. When the odds have a plus sign, it means you stand to win more for every $100 wagered, but it’s usually on riskier bets. The larger the odds, the bigger the underdog, and the more you stand to win if they prove everyone wrong.

For example, let’s look at the 2023 NFL season opener between the Detroit Lions (+225) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-275). In this instance, the Chiefs would be the favourites at -220, displaying that you would need to bet $275 to win back $100 if they claimed victory. Whereas, the Lions are listed at +225, offering a potential $225 payout with just a $100 bet, assuming they can pull off the upset. But remember, they need to win the game outright, not just come close.

Moneyline Winning: Explained

Now, let’s tackle the essence of a winning moneyline bet and answer the all-important question: “Is Moneyline a Win or Loss?”

So, picture this: Monday Night Football is heating up with the Buffalo Bills facing off against the New York Jets. You’ve got that gut feeling that the Bills are going to emerge victorious, so you place a moneyline bet on Buffalo. In this case, it doesn’t matter whether they win by one point or 50 points so long as they win.

But of course, we have to face the reality of sports and sports betting. Not every game goes the way we hope. So, if the Jets pull off a surprise win, your moneyline bet takes a hit.

To put it simply, NFL money lines are all about wins or losses. If your team triumphs, you’re celebrating right along with them. However, if they fall short, so do you. The beauty of moneyline betting lies in its simplicity. You’re not worrying about point spreads or exact scores, just backing your team and hoping they bring home that sweet victory.

NFL Moneyline Favorites: Winning Statistics

Positive moneyline odds represent the underdog, offering lucrative payouts if they win. For example, a +250 moneyline means a $100 bet could yield $250 in winnings. Thus, betting on underdogs could be tempting due to the potential for big paydays, but it’s essential to consider the odds of an upset and weigh the actual chances of it happening.

Now, the big question: “How often do moneyline favourites win in NFL?” History shows that favourites do win more frequently, thanks to their favourable odds. However, sports are unpredictable, especially football, and upsets can happen at any time. This is part of the reason why the NFL is the most widely bet on sports league in the world, and the NFL Super Bowl is the most watched event in the United States.

So, while favourites typically have the upper hand statistically, it’s crucial to balance the potential risks and rewards and conduct thorough research before placing your bets.

Moneyline Payouts

Next up, let’s talk a little bit about moneyline payouts to uncover the secrets behind those sweet cash rewards and answer that burning question: “How does moneyline payout?”

Let’s break it down using a real-life NFL example. Say you’re eyeing a matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. The moneyline odds show the 49ers as -150 favourites and the Seahawks as +200 underdogs.

When betting on the favourite, the 49ers, at -150, you’d have to bet $150 to win back $100. Keep in mind that this ratio applies to any amount you bet. So, if you wagered $75, you’d win $50, or if you bet $300, you’d win $200, and so on.

On the flip side, betting on the underdog, the Seahawks at +200, means you’d win $200 for every $100 bet. Again, this payout holds for any amount you wager. A $50 bet could yield $100 in winnings, a $200 bet would result in $400 in winnings, and so forth.

Keep in mind that most sportsbooks include the initial bet in the payout amount. So, if you win a $100 bet with +200 odds, you’d receive $300 total (your initial $100 bet plus the $200 in winnings).

As you can see, NFL money lines are all about risk and reward. Betting on favourites may give you better odds of winning, but the payouts are much smaller. Whereas betting on underdogs can lead to some massive rewards, the chances of winning are a lot lower.

NFL Moneyline Tiebreaker

At this point, you may be wondering, “Does an NFL moneyline lose in a tie?” Well, when it comes to ties in NFL games, your moneyline bet typically isn’t lost.

In some sports, like soccer, you can bet on a tie (three-way moneyline bet), and if you do, the other two options (win or loss) would be considered losses if the game ends in a tie. However, in sports like football, you typically can’t bet on a tie (except as prop bets). So, in this case, if the game ends in a tie, most sportsbooks would treat your moneyline as a “push,” meaning you’d get back your initial stake with no profit or loss.

Now, in regular season NFL games, ties are quite rare, so you might not encounter this scenario often. But in some cases, ties might result in a losing bet, so it’s always important to check the specific policies of your sportsbook to stay in the game.

Moneyline Bets with Overtime

In an NFL moneyline match, overtimes often include the outcome of your moneyline bet. When a game goes into overtime, your bet stays in play, and the suspense builds with every moment that passes. If your chosen team wins during overtime, your moneyline bet is a winner, but if the opposing team pulls off a comeback, it’s a loss. Although, it’s important to note that specific sportsbooks might have varying rules on overtime.

So, to answer the big question: “Do moneyline bets include overtime?” In the NFL, many moneyline bets do! So, place your bets strategically, cheer on your team, and let’s celebrate those thrilling moneyline wins – no matter how long it takes!

Spread vs. Moneyline in NFL Betting

Catering to different betting preferences, spread betting and moneyline betting are easily the two most popular types of NFL bets. While spread betting offers a more strategic approach, moneyline betting provides simplicity for a broader audience of bettors. Let’s compare these two in more detail to get you equipped to conquer the betting arena.

In spread betting, oddsmakers set a point spread to even the odds between the two teams. The favoured team is given a negative spread, while the underdog gets a positive spread. To win a spread bet wagering on the favoured team, they must win by more points than the spread. For example, if the New Orleans Saints have a -7.5 spread, they must win by 8 or more points for your bet to succeed.

On the other hand, to win a spread bet wagering on the underdog, they must either win the game outright or lose by fewer points than the spread. If the Atlanta Falcons have a +3.5 spread, they need to win the game or lose by no more than 3 points for your bet to pay off.

With moneyline betting, you simply bet on the team you think will win the game, with no point spread involved. The odds for the favoured team has a minus sign (-) next to them, while the underdog team’s odds have a plus sign (+). The negative odds represent how much you need to bet to win $100, while the positive odds indicate how much you can win by betting $100.

So, what’s the difference between spread and moneyline in NFL betting? Spread betting involves predicting the margin of victory or defeat, making it more challenging but potentially more rewarding. While moneyline betting focuses solely on picking the winning team, making it simpler but with lower payouts for favourites.