How To Pick Football Winners
Full transparency: I had a bad year last year.
Seriously. I went 19-22, which included a national championship prediction of Clemson beating Oklahoma (how'd that turn out?), only one correct New Year's Six prediction (Wisconsin over Miami) and gems such as SMU over Louisiana Tech (Louisiana Tech won 51-10) and Toledo over Appalachian State (Appalachian State won 34-0). I don't even pick against the spread. Imagine the horror if I did.
The best NFL picks and predictions for Mar 06, 2021. Get our best pro football bets for today as well as news, scores, odds, consensus, and more! The Science of Picking Football Winners Purpose: Many have developed systems for picking the winning team in a football game. For some, its a matter of accounting for weather conditions, average weight of the offensive line, yards let up per game, average first downs and millions of other stat tidbits. Sunday 10/4 – Saints vs Lions Free Pick WIN. Thursday 10/1 – Broncos vs Jets Free Pick LOSS. Monday 9/28 – Chiefs vs Ravens Free Pick WIN. Sunday 9/27 – Raiders vs Patriots Free Pick WIN Sunday 9/27 – Rams vs Bills Free Pick WIN. Thursday 9/24 – Dolphins vs Jaguars Free Pick LOSS. Monday 9/21 – Saints vs Raiders Free Pick LOSS. The Grand National is biggest horse race of the year and everyone loves a bet on it. Our betting guide contains all you need to know to find the winner!
But redemption is in the air. Myriad factors contribute to a win or loss in football, and trying to factor in external factors (coaching changes), motivation (was it a disappointing season?), players (will they play? Skip?), statistics and a ton of other things can make the selection of a winner be a more daunting task than one would think.
I hope my predictions are better this year, but college football can be a fickle thing.
Ready, set, bowl!
Dec. 15
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl: North Carolina A&T vs. Alcorn State
(Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
I can't go against North Carolina A&T and my man Sam Washington, whose 'tell them to bring me my money' remains one of the quotes of the year in college football. This game is always close, and Noah Johnson keeps Alcorn State close, but Darryl Johnson and the A&T defense will swarm down the stretch.
Prediction: North Carolina A&T 27, Alcorn State 20
Score: North Carolina A&T 24, Alcorn State 22
New Mexico Bowl: North Texas vs. Utah State
(Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Utah State already has lost its coach (Matt Wells) and North Texas might, if Seth Littrell lands the Kansas State job. Expect plenty of points with two dynamic quarterbacks in Utah State's Jordan Love and North Texas' Mason Fine, but I like the Aggies to prevail.
Prediction: Utah State 38, North Texas 29
Score: Utah State 52, North Texas 13
AutoNation Cure Bowl: Tulane vs. Louisiana
(Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida)
It's an all-Louisiana matchup in central Florida between two teams that finished the season well. The Ragin' Cajuns return home happy, as productive running tandem Trey Ragas and Elijah Mitchell find gaps in the Tulane defense.
Prediction: Louisiana 31, Tulane 27
Score: Tulane 41, Louisiana 24
Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl: Fresno State vs. Arizona State
(Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada)
I love what Jeff Tedford has done at Fresno State, which won the Mountain West because of disciplined defense and efficient offense. Herm Edwards did a solid job at ASU, but with wide receiver N'Keal Harry entering the draft and uncertain to play, Fresno State will buckle down and Marcus McMaryion throws two second-half touchdowns.
Prediction: Fresno State 36, Arizona State 24
Score: Fresno State 31, Arizona State 20
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Eastern Michigan
(Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama)
Eastern Michigan's incredible bowl plea paid off as the Eagles are headed to their second bowl in the past three seasons. Both teams defend well but Georgia Southern's option attack, behind quarterback Shai Werts and running back Wesley Fields, is the difference.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 34, Eastern Michigan 27
Score: Georgia Southern 23, Eastern Michigan 21
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. Appalachian State
( Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans)
With Scott Satterfield at his alma mater Louisville when the game kicks off, App State will be helmed by interim coach Mark Ivey, who was the assistant head coach and defensive line coach. Appalachian State is an excellent team, but the coaching change leads me to go with Middle Tennessee and the stable Stockstills (coach Rick and quarterback Brent). Brent Stockstill throws two late touchdown passes in his final college game to rally the Blue Raiders to victory.
Prediction: Middle Tennessee 29, Appalachian State 27
Score: Appalachian State 45, Middle Tennessee 13
Dec. 18
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl: UAB vs. Northern Illinois
(FAU Football Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida)
Two Group of 5 conference champions meet at the house Lane Kiffin built (well, not exactly). Both defenses are extremely talented, so expect a low-scoring game with highlights from star defenders such as UAB's Jamell Garcia-Williams and NIU's Sutton Smith. It's hard to go against the Blazers and coach Bill Clark, especially given NIU's bowl struggles under Rod Carey.
Prediction: UAB 26, Northern Illinois 13
Score: UAB 37, Northern Illinois 13
Dec. 19
DXL Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs. Ohio
(Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas)
The game pits two older coaches who repeatedly show they haven't lost their touch in San Diego State's Rocky Long (68) and Ohio's Frank Solich (74). While the Aztecs' defense is stingy as usual, their poor finish seems tough to ignore, especially when Ohio won five of its final six behind surging running back A.J. Ouellette (739 rushing yards, seven touchdowns in the final five games).
Prediction: Ohio 31, San Diego State 20
Score: Ohio 27, San Diego State 0
Dec. 20
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl: Marshall vs. South Florida
(Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida)
USF is at home and boasts superior athletic talent, but this Bulls team has been thoroughly unimpressive, dropping its last five regular-season games after an inflated start. Marshall has a talented defense that will cause enough trouble for USF and get a big game from wide receiver Tyre Brady and other native Floridians in their return to familiar ground.
Prediction: Marshall 38, South Florida 30
Score: Marshall 38, South Florida 20
Dec. 21
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl: Florida International vs. Toledo
(Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas)
Toledo burned me in last year's predictions, but I'm a loyal guy. The Rockets scored 45 points or more in four of their last five games, and emerging running back Bryant Koback helps his team outlast James Morgan and FIU in a high-scoring game in the islands.
Prediction: Toledo 42, Florida International 38
Score: FIU 35, Toledo 32
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Western Michigan vs. BYU
(Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho)
The teams have a common opponent in Northern Illinois -- Western Michigan won, BYU lost -- but the Cougars' offense showed improvement down the stretch, and I don't buy that the Broncos' defense has turned things around. BYU is more talented and physical, and gets Kalani Sitake his second bowl win.
Prediction: BYU 36, Western Michigan 27
Score: BYU 49, Western Michigan 18
Dec. 22
Jared Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs. Wake Forest
(Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama)
Both offenses are capable of scoring in bunches, and Memphis running back Darrell Henderson and Wake Forest wide receiver Greg Dortch are two underrated national stars. Tulane is a common opponent (Wake Forest squeaked by while Memphis lost). This is a tough one but Wake Forest rides young quarterback Jamie Newman to a late rally.
Prediction: Wake Forest 42, Memphis 38
Score: Wake Forest 37, Memphis 34
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs. Army
(Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas)
No Ed Oliver or D'Eriq King for Houston. Army's relentless triple-option offense and underrated defense (which held Oklahoma to 21 points in regulation). A military-themed bowl game. It all works in Army's favor, and Jeff Monken's team frustrates the Cougars for three hours.
Prediction: Army 35, Houston 24
Score: Army 70, Houston 14
Dollar General Bowl: Buffalo vs. Troy
(7 p.m. ET on ESPN at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama)
Buffalo didn't have the finish it wanted, squandering a 19-point lead in the second half against Northern Illinois in the MAC title game. I love Lance Leipold and the Bulls' talent and experience, but they'll be playing a virtual road game against a Troy team equally well-coached by Neal Brown. Troy's bowl experience under Brown (2-0) pays off in this one.
Prediction: Troy 28, Buffalo 25
Score: Troy 42, Buffalo 32
Hawai'i Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Hawai'i
(10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu)
Both teams went through swoons this season but Hawai'i finished stronger with a win at San Diego State, and I like Cole McDonald (35 touchdown passes) and coach Nick Rolovich's team to defend its home turf.
Prediction: Hawai'i 36, Louisiana Tech 26
Score: Louisiana Tech 31, Hawaii 14
Dec. 26
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl: Boston College vs. Boise State
(1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Cotton Bowl in Dallas)
Both defenses are very solid, but Boston College's offense really ran out of gas late in the season. Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien, meanwhile, can spread the ball around to four or five receivers and stress a talented Eagles secondary. I like Rypien and Boise State to follow Syracuse's game plan to outlast the Eagles.
Prediction: Boise State 31, Boston College 28
Game was canceled because of severe weather
Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech
(5:15 ET on ESPN at Ford Field in Detroit)
I like where Minnesota is going under P.J. Fleck, whose late-season defensive coordinator switch paid off as the Gophers dominated Purdue and Wisconsin. But Georgia Tech wants to send coach Paul Johnson out with a win, and the triple option clicks in the second half as the Yellow Jackets rally for CPJ.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 42, Minnesota 34
Cheez-It Bowl: Cal vs. TCU
(9 p.m. ET on ESPN at Chase Field in Phoenix)
Two defense-minded coaches (Cal's Justin Wilcox and TCU's Gary Patterson) will have their respective units ready. But Patterson's bowl track record (10-6) and Cal's woeful offense -- tied for 119th in offensive points scored (19.2) and 118th in yards per play (4.96) -- make TCU the pick here.
Prediction: TCU 23, Cal 10
Dec. 27
Walk-On's Independence Bowl: Temple vs. Duke
(1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana)
I loved what I saw from Temple down the stretch. Geoff Collins' team showed it could win points fests (59-49 over Houston) and grinders (24-17 over Cincinnati). Duke, meanwhile, dropped four of its final six contests. Temple's balanced offense surges while Duke's offensive slump continues.
Prediction: Temple 34, Duke 17
Score: Duke 56, Temple 27
Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl: Baylor vs. Vanderbilt
(9 p.m. ET on ESPN at NRG Stadium in Houston)
Both coaches (Matt Rhule and Derek Mason) deserve a lot of credit for getting their teams bowl-eligible. Vanderbilt was better down the stretch, though, winning three of its last four and pushing Kentucky and Missouri in losses. Kyle Shurmur displays his trademark efficiency against a vulnerable Baylor defense, and Vanderbilt limits familiar face Jalen Hurd and the Bears' offense.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 37, Baylor 24
Score: Baylor 45, Vanderbilt 38
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Miami vs. Wisconsin
(5:15 p.m. ET on ESPN at Yankee Stadium in New York)
They should call this the Disappointment Bowl as two preseason top-10 teams fell massively short of expectations. The environment should favor Wisconsin, but Miami is clearly the superior defensive team. In a game someone has to win, I'll go with the Badgers behind running back Jonathan Taylor.
Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Miami 21
Score: Wisconsin 35, Miami 3
Dec. 28
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Purdue vs. Auburn
(1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee)
Motivation should be a factor here. Purdue is energized with coach Jeff Brohm staying at the school to keep building with stars like wide receiver Rondale Moore. Auburn, a preseason top-10 team, envisioned much grander goals and has plenty of tension swirling around its coaches. Brohm calls an aggressive game, Moore scores three times and quarterback David Blough sparkles in his final college game.
Prediction: Purdue 35, Auburn 31
Score: Auburn 63, Purdue 14
Camping World Bowl: West Virginia vs. Syracuse
(5:15 p.m. ET on ESPN at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida)
A Big East rivalry is renewed with two fun-loving coaches -- Dana Holgorsen and Dino Babers -- who love to sling the ball around. Senior quarterbacks Will Grier (WVU) and Eric Dungey (Syracuse) both put up big numbers but Grier and his receivers will be the difference in a high-scoring game.
Prediction: West Virginia 48, Syracuse 45
Score: Syracuse 34, West Virginia 18
Valero Alamo Bowl: Iowa State at Washington State
(9 p.m. ET on ESPN at Alamodome in San Antonio)
It would have been great to see Uncle Rico (Gardner Minshew) and the Pirate (Mike Leach) in the New Year's Six, but this isn't a bad consolation. Iowa State is extremely well-coached and boasts a solid defense led by lineman Ray Lima and others. But after struggling in a snowy Apple Cup, Minshew shines in the dome as the Cougars finish 11-2.
Prediction: Washington State 41, Iowa State 34
Score: Washington State 28, Iowa State 26
Dec. 29
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Florida vs. Michigan
(Noon ET on ESPN at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
The Wolverines are better, but will they be motivated after the Ohio State meltdown? While Michigan will be without several draft-eligible defensive standouts, the offense steps up as Shea Patterson and Karan Higdon each account for two touchdowns and the Wolverines avoid a second straight bowl face-plant.
Prediction: Michigan 31, Florida 21
Belk Bowl: South Carolina vs. Virginia
(Noon ET on ABC at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina)
Bronco Mendenhall will really need his defense to step up against Jake Bentley, Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards and a South Carolina offense that looked very productive down the stretch. After two brutal Virginia losses to end the regular season, it's hard to see the Cavaliers keeping up with Will Muschamp's team.
Prediction: South Carolina 37, Virginia 21
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Nevada
(5:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona)
Only two spots separate these teams in FPI (Nevada is 85th, Arkansas State is 87th). Jay Norvell has done an excellent job getting Nevada on track in Year 2, but Arkansas State played really well down the stretch and boasts the superior quarterback in Justice Hansen (27 touchdowns, 67 percent completions, one interception in his past six games).
Prediction: Arkansas State 33, Nevada 28
College Football Playoff semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Notre Dame vs. Clemson
(4 p.m. ET on ESPN at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas)
Notre Dame's defense and Ian Book's arm will make this game competitive, but the Irish haven't faced a team with as many elite-level athletes as Clemson. Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne shine in the second half, and the front four shuts down Dexter Williams and pressures Book, as Clemson advances.
Prediction: Clemson 35, Notre Dame 27
Score: Clemson 30, Notre Dame 3
College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Alabama
(8 p.m. ET on ESPN at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)
Kyler Murray will give Alabama's defense by far more trouble than any quarterback Quinnen Williams and the Tide have seen all season. The problem for OU: Alabama might score on every single possession. I'm still not buying the Sooners' defense against Tua Tagovailoa & Co.
Prediction: Alabama 55, Oklahoma 37
Score: Alabama 45, Oklahoma 34
Dec. 31
Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman: Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech
(Noon ET on ESPN at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland)
One of these teams is extremely fortunate to be in a bowl. The other had a breakthrough season behind a versatile and talented defense, and a surprise star in freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder. Virginia Tech's future is still bright with Justin Fuente but Cincinnati wins this one.
Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Virginia Tech 17
Score: Cincinnati 35, Virginia Tech 31
Hyundai Sun Bowl: Stanford vs. Pittsburgh
(2 p.m. ET on CBS at Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas)
Both of these offenses are unbalanced -- Pitt is a heavy run team, while Stanford can stretch the field with its big receivers and tight ends -- and both teams lost at Notre Dame (Pitt played better). Still, I like how Stanford responded from a really rough October. Expect a big game from K.J. Costello and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in El Paso.
Prediction: Stanford 37, Pitt 27
Score: Stanford 14, Pitt 13
Redbox Bowl: Oregon vs. Michigan State
(3 p.m. ET on Fox at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California)
Oregon's Justin Herbert, who some think will be the first quarterback drafted in 2019, faces a ferocious Michigan State defense led by end Kenny Willekes. It's just hard to believe in the Spartans' offense, though, and Herbert leads a late touchdown drive to lift his team to victory.
Prediction: Oregon 23, Michigan State 20
Score: Oregon 7, Michigan State 6
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Missouri vs. Oklahoma State
(3:45 p.m. ET at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee)
Oklahoma State might be the weirdest team in the country this season, with wins over Texas and West Virginia, a one-point loss to Oklahoma and blowout losses to both Texas Tech and Kansas State. Give me the more consistent team in Missouri, which finished really well down the stretch and gets a big performance from quarterback Drew Lock.
Prediction: Missouri 41, Oklahoma State 27
How To Pick College Football Winners
Score: Oklahoma State 38, Missouri 33
San Diego Credit Union Holiday Bowl: Northwestern vs. Utah
(7 p.m. ET on FS1 at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego)
Two league title game losers meet in a game where points will be in short supply. Northwestern has the more experienced quarterback (Clayton Thorson, playing his final college game), a roster that should be getting healthy and better recent bowl performances. But you just can't bet against the bowl king Kyle Whittingham (11-1). Chase Hansen and the Utes' defense rises in the end.
Prediction: Utah 21, Northwestern 14
Score: Northwestern 31, Utah 20
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: NC State vs. Texas A&M
(7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida)
Clemson is a common opponent and Texas A&M fared much better in defeat to the Tigers than NC State did. The Aggies also have two top-15 wins (LSU, Kentucky), while NC State's record came against mostly weak competition. Quarterbacks Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) and Ryan Finley (NC State) both perform well, but coach Jimbo Fisher's team owns the fourth quarter to finish 9-4.
Prediction: Texas A&M 38, NC State 28
Score: Texas A&M 52, NC State 13
Jan. 1
Outback Bowl: Mississippi St. vs. Iowa
(Noon ET on ESPN2 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida)
Both of these teams underachieved a bit this season. Both are talented at the line of scrimmage and can shut down opposing offenses. Mississippi State is the pick because of defensive line tandem Montez Sweat and Jeffrey Simmons, who force Iowa's Nathan Stanley into some mistakes. Tight end Noah Fant's absence also hurts the Hawkeyes in this one.
Prediction: Mississippi State 28, Iowa 17
Best Way To Pick Football Winners
Score: Iowa 27, Mississippi State 22
VRBO Citrus Bowl: Kentucky vs. Penn State
(1 p.m. ET on ABC at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida)
Record-setting Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley takes on national awards candidate Josh Allen and a ferocious Kentucky defense. Expect a very tight game, but the Lions are a more complete team and McSorley goes out a winner after a highlight-reel touchdown scamper in the final minute.
Prediction: Penn State 28, Kentucky 23
Score: Kentucky 27, Penn State 24
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl: LSU vs. UCF
(1 p.m. ET on ESPN at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona)
I love the way UCF rallied behind new quarterback Darriel Mack to win another AAC title and post another perfect regular season, honoring injured QB McKenzie Milton in the process. But the streak ends in the desert as an LSU team, more motivated than Auburn was last year, uses its running game and defense to hold the Knights down just enough.
Prediction: LSU 40, UCF 33
Score: LSU 40, UCF 32
Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual: Washington vs. Ohio State
(5 p.m. ET on ESPN at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California)
Jimmy Lake's defense vs. Ryan Day's offense will be fun to watch, but Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins and his receivers make enough plays to outpace Jake Browning and the Huskies in coach Urban Meyer's Rose Bowl debut. Haskins throws for three scores on the talented Washington secondary in what likely will be his final college game.
Prediction: Ohio State 34, Washington 21
Score: Ohio State 28, Washington 23
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Texas vs. Georgia
(8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans)
Texas might be the more motivated team and Sam Ehlinger and his gifted receivers will test Georgia's talented secondary. But Bulldogs backfield tandem D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield, along with a bullying offensive line, overwhelm the Longhorns in the second half.
Prediction: Georgia 38, Texas 27
Score: Texas 28, Georgia 21
Jan. 7
College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T: Clemson vs. Alabama
(8 p.m. ET on ESPN at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California)
Some may be tired of this pairing, but the young quarterbacks, Tagovailoa and Lawrence, add a unique element. Expect both to put on a show along with their respective supporting casts, but Alabama's passing game will be the difference against a leaky Clemson secondary.
Prediction: Alabama 41, Clemson 31
10 Smart Tips When Betting on the NFL
NFL football, which offers sports bettors hundreds of opportunities each season, is the most popular sport bet in America. Between spread and over/under bets, you have the chance to make about 32 wagers per week. That’s a lot of opportunity. Of course, you can’t wager on every game. That would be disastrous. What you want to do is find spreads and totals that you can exploit to your advantage.
Before betting on the NFL, you must know every part of the game. Remember that unlike college football, it does not matter how much a team wins by, as in pro football a win by one point has the same effect as win by 30. If you’re used to betting on college football, you may be thrown off by the fact that the spreads in the NFL tend to be fairly small. A two-touchdown spread is huge while a three- to six-point spread tends to be the norm in the pros.
Along with knowing and understanding how the game works, how it’s different from college football and the strengths and weakness of each team (there are 32 of them), there are 10 basic smart tips that sports bettors can utilize for success.
First, be sure to completely analyze each game, developing power rankings and creating accurate matchups. Do not bet on mere hunches. No one can win consistently by doing so. The NFL is a league that overall has parity and that makes betting difficult and extremely challenging to say the least.
Look to the underdog. Don’t discount them with the point spread in play. The smart money often goes on the team that’s not favored. Dogs win quite a bit in fact over 50% of the time. Look to them in the right spots.
Take advantage of the early point spreads, as these tend to be soft. You can find some great NFL deals late Sunday and early Monday. But before betting, do your homework. Don’t bet NFL games blindly. Remember that odds tighten up as the week goes on and a spread can change as much as a point or two and that movement can make a major difference. Spreads are altered for three reasons. And that leads to our fourth tip.
The first reason for the change is that as time goes on it becomes clearer to bookies exactly how big or small the spread should be. This altering of the spread gives the bookmaker an advantage. These are often not good bets. Also, point spreads may be artificially changed to push more bets towards the team that is being under-bet. Don’t follow the money on this one. Stay away from it. It a bookkeeping move not a performance one. The third reason a spread may move has to do with a change that may affect the outcome of a game, such as an injury, bad weather or a trade. Do pay attention to this and where the smart money is going on it. This may be a bet to make.
Matchups are essential to a NFL bettor’s success. A gambler must do their homework and that includes studying matchups and creating power rankings. This is key in understanding the potential outcome of a game and how accurate the point spread may or may not be. In creating your point spread information stats and inside info is key. Keep up on current events including illnesses, injuries and suspensions. Become an avid consumer of information on sports blogs, news sites and team websites.
After a few weeks, a smart bettor will start to notice two types of consistency. There will be clubs that rarely beat the spread and others that are able to do so almost willingly. Find two or three clubs that offer this consistency and either wager on them or against them. As an example, you could end up wagering against a team that rarely beats the spread and on one that does so almost all the time.
A top team that was hammered last week will tend to hammer back the next. Pay attention when a much weaker opponent beats a first-place team. Chances are last week’s loser will win bring their best effort the next.
Undefeated seasons are rare even in the NFL where a club plays 16 games. So when that team is headed into week 5 or 6 and they are still undefeated start looking for the time that they will stumble and fall. Try to discern what upcoming opponent may take them down. There’s a good chance it may be against a weaker team that has very few wins that they are overlooking.
Great defenses can win games or at least keep them close, causing a team to be beaten by the spread. Don’t discount topnotch defenses even when they are facing excellent offenses. The inverse is also important to consider—if a team puts a poor defense on the field, not matter how good their offense, they may very well have tough time beating the spread.
College Football Winners Today
This last tip concerns your using a premium handicapper and following their sage advice. A smart NFL handicapper can be huge in increasing your chances of making cash or between your winning a little money and cleaning your bookie out. Look for a NFL handicapper with a solid track record and years of experience. You’ll want to follow someone that actually bets the same games they give out since anyone that doesn’t do so is likely not winning over the long run.
How To Pick Football Winners
NFL sports bettors can use these 10 tips in this article to increase their chances of winning and their profits. Utilize these tips each and every week in a NFL season filled with amazing opportunities to make money.