NFL Prop Bets
NFL prop bets allow you to wager on player, team, and game statistics such as if a player will score a touchdown or not, the number of passing yards, or the longest field goal. They are bets that aren’t related to the final score or outcome of a game.
NFL props are extremely popular because they are fun and interesting bets, but they can also be quite profitable.
In this guide, we’ll show you how football propositions work, where to place your bets safely, and more, so keep reading!
NFL Prop Bets Table of Content
Best Sites To Bet NFL Props
NFL Prop Betting Explained
NFL prop bets are wagers made on “to-be-determined” events during the course of a game.
Props have exploded in popularity over recent years, partially due to their moneymaking nature and partly because they offer bettors interesting and fun alternatives to NFL sides and totals.
The following are the kind of prop markets you can find out there:
- Number of tackles by a player
- Which team will win the coin toss
- The number of receptions by a receiver
- The number of yards gained by a running back
- Which team will score first in the game
You can also find this type of wagers tied to specific events, like Super Bowl props or even NFL draft prop bets.
Like all proposition sports bets, NFL props are heavily geared towards recreational gamblers, perhaps even more so than other sports.
The sportsbooks are putting them out there for average bettors that want interesting and fun wagers on their favorite players and teams. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not beatable and profitable.
Best NFL Prop Bets
NFL props can be classified into three types: player props, team props, and game props, being player prop bets the most popular ones.
Betting options with props will vary depending on your sportsbook, but every online betting site will have some selection of propositions.
Let’s take a look at how these types of props work, why they’re considered the best NFL prop bets, and the well-known markets for each of them.
NFL Player Prop Bets
These prop bets are centered on a player’s performance in a particular game.
The most common type of player prop bet is the over/under based on a player’s passing yards, receiving yards, rushing yards, or a combination of both rushing and receiving.
Also, almost every sportsbook offers odds for each player to score a touchdown.
Here are some NFL player prop bet examples:
Tom Brady – Total Passing Yards
- Over 310.5 (-115)
- Under 310.5 (-115)
A bet here should be pretty self-explanatory. We can wager on Brady to throw for more than 310.5 yards or under 310.5 yards.
Just like any other type of wager, if the bet was 310.0 rather than 310.5, this would open up push possibilities. A push on a prop bet works the same as any other: bettors’ stakes are returned.
Odell Beckham Jr. – Total Receiving Yards
This is an example of a prop bet on receiving yardage:
- Over 102.5 (-115)
- Under 102.5 (-115)
Basically, here you are betting on the player receiving over or under 102.5 yards during a specific game.
There are odds for just about every player in every game, for example:
- Who scores a touchdown
- Props that pit two players against each other
- The number of receptions in a game
Some sportsbooks even offer player props based on fantasy point performances.
NFL Team Prop Bets
Team props are going to have a larger range of possibilities. The most common prop that is available at just about every sportsbook is “Which NFL team will score first?”
There are so many in this regard, such as, “Will a team score three unanswered times?” and so on.
Like player props, the limits on these markets are what the oddsmakers feel putting out there.
Let’s look at an NFL team prop example:
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots
Will there be a field goal of 46.5 yards or longer?
- Yes (-120)
- No (-110)
In this example, we’re betting on if there will be a field goal by either team that is longer or shorter than 46.5 yards.
Again, it’s a straightforward wager. We can either bet that the kick will be longer than 46.5 yards with the ‘Yes’ at -120 or we can wager on ‘No’ at -110 that the kick will be less than 46.5 yards.
If the longest field is longer than 46.5 yards (it must be 47 yards), then the ‘Yes’ will be graded as the winner. If the longest kick goes 46 yards or shorter, then the ‘No’ is the winning side.
NFL Game Prop Bets
Another subset of prop bets is game props. These props are not player or team specific but instead focus on other aspects of the game.
These can be wide-ranging and are especially popular with the Super Bowl, where bettors may see hundreds of game props.
One of the most popular game props is “Will there be a special teams touchdown in the game?” The market would look like this:
Will There Be A Special Teams Touchdown?
- Yes (+250)
- No (-300)
Other game props include the number of field goals kicked in the game, the number of sacks allowed in the game, the number of touchdowns scored, and so on.
Game props are almost always listed with team and player props with the full menu of propositions.
Best NFL Props Sportsbooks
Ready to place your NFL prop bets? Picking a trusted sports betting site is essential. Here are our top recommended sites:
Rank | NFL Sportsbooks | Deposit Bonus | Highlights | Get Started |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bovada | Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 |
Highlights
|
Bet Now |
2 | BetUS | Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $2,500 |
Highlights
|
Bet Now |
3 | Betonline | Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 |
Highlights
|
Bet Now |
Check Our Review Of The Best NFL Betting Sites
NFL Proposition Betting Strategy & Tips
Betting Tip #1Finding Value In NFL Prop Bets
Breaking down individual matchups, particularly in the case of player props, is going to help bettors uncover some serious value.
This is one area in sports betting where extensive knowledge of the sport should turn into direct profits.
Daily fantasy sports prices don’t change once they are released earlier in the week. They can be an excellent way to find value or diamonds in the rough on your rosters. The key will be using a site that has sharp odds on player props.
Our page on NFL advanced statistics is an excellent start when it comes to breaking down and analyzing props.
Betting Tip #2Line Shopping NFL Props
Line shopping is vital for better results when prop betting.
Players can find a lot of value by line shopping if they want to get money down on a particular prop. Player props may also have some value for those playing daily fantasy football.
It’s important to note that prop odds, more than any other market, will differ wildly between betting sites.
Betting Tip #3NFL Prop Betting Limits And Soft Markets
Most sportsbooks will take up to $500 on player props and $1,000 on team props. However, this varies heavily depending on the betting site.
Props have substantially lower betting limits than larger NFL markets. The larger the betting limit, the more confident the oddsmakers are with their lines.
The truth is sportsbook managers don’t put a lot of time into their proposition markets.
They’re still juiced heavily with -115 base pricing on both sides, but since there’s little thought put into them – there is plenty of potential for profitable wagers.
NFL Prop Bets FAQ
What are prop bets in NFL?
An NFL proposition or prop bet is a wager on the betting market that is not related to the final score or outcome of the game. It is typically centered around a player or team performance but can also be related to the announcers, crowd, or any other factors.
Where to bet NFL props online?
You can place NFL prop bets at most online sportsbooks. However, not all of them are safe and legit. Make sure to check our review of the best NFL sportsbooks to have a great experience.
Are proposition bets graded and settled as soon as they win or lose?
In almost all cases, no. Prop bets are graded and settled once the game ends, even though they are not related to the final scoreline. You should make sure of the rules before you place your prop bet.
When do NFL prop bets come out?
NFL props can come out the day of the game, but could also be released a few days before a very important game is scheduled. It will depend on the sportsbook, but a day to a week before the game kicks off would be a good estimate.