There’s no denying that American football is more than just a sport in the U.S. — it’s a national obsession. And here’s the best part: while millions are glued to their screens every Sunday, you could be turning that excitement into cash. Betting on American football lets you take your love for the game to the next level, where every touchdown, field goal, and fumble can mean big wins for you.

If you’re new to betting and American football in general, there are quite a few things to learn before you place a successful bet, including types of bets, the main leagues, and the nuances of wagering on them.

The best way to start is to understand why American football is such a big deal.

A brief history of American football

American football, as we know it today, has deep roots in the late 19th century. It all started with college football, a rough-and-tumble affair back in the day. The first college game that resembles modern football was played on November 6, 1869. Rutgers won that historic match 6-4, but the game looked more like a mix of soccer and rugby than what we know today.

Things started to change in the 1870s when Walter Camp, often called the "Father of American Football," came onto the scene. Camp was a player and coach at Yale, and he introduced several rules that shaped the game. For instance, he invented the line of scrimmage and the system of downs, which are pretty much the backbone of American football today. He also reduced the number of players on each side from 15 to 11.

By the 1880s, Camp's ideas were widely adopted, and the sport began distinguishing itself from rugby. The game continued to evolve through the early 1900s, but it was still dangerously rough, with injuries and even deaths occurring on the field. President Theodore Roosevelt, a huge fan of the sport, stepped in around 1905 and urged colleges to reform the game to make it safer. This led to the formation of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and new rules, like the forward pass, which completely changed the game.

Fast forward to the 1920s, and we see the birth of the National Football League (NFL). The NFL began as a small league with just ten teams, mostly in the Midwest, but it grew rapidly. One of the key events that helped boost the NFL’s popularity was the 1958 NFL Championship Game, often referred to as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." The Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants 23-17 in the first-ever sudden-death overtime game, and it was broadcast nationwide. The game helped turn the NFL into the giant it is today.

The Super Bowl era kicked off in 1967, and from there, American football became not just a sport but a cultural phenomenon. Today, millions of people worldwide watch the Super Bowl every year, celebrities feel honored if they’re invited to perform, and brands pay millions of dollars to broadcast their ads. So, it’s safe to say that American football has come a long way from those rough-and-tumble college games in the 1800s.

One more important thing: even though American Football is mostly associated with the NFL, it’s not limited to this league only. There are a few other leagues that are worth your attention as a fan and a bettor.

American football leagues

When it comes to American football, there are a few key leagues that you should know about. Each league has its own history, teams, and fan base, making them unique in their own right.

National Football League (NFL)

We’ve already mentioned the NFL, which is the crown jewel of American football, but let’s add a few details to give a full picture. Today, the NFL consists of 32 teams split between two conferences: the AFC (American Football Conference) and the NFC (National Football Conference). Each conference is further divided into four divisions — North, South, East, and West — each with four teams.

Throughout the regular season, teams play 17 games, facing off against both conference and non-conference opponents. The goal is to secure the best record in their division or grab one of the wild card spots, earning a ticket to the playoffs, where the best teams compete in a single-elimination format to reach the Super Bowl. The team that comes out on top in the Super Bowl is crowned the NFL champion.

College football (NCAA)

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) governs college football, which is hugely popular, especially in certain regions like the South and Midwest. College football teams are organized into conferences like the SEC (Southeastern Conference), Big Ten, and Pac-12. Each conference has its own schedule, with teams playing a mix of conference and non-conference games throughout the season.

The goal is to secure a top spot in the conference standings, which can lead to an invitation to one of the prestigious bowl games or a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP). The CFP features the top four teams in the nation, who compete in a semi-final round and then the championship game to determine the national champion.

The NCAA is a career start for many football players, as the NFL and other big leagues draft them to play for their teams.

Canadian Football League (CFL)

While not American, the CFL deserves a mention because of its similarities to American football. The CFL has been around since 1958 and is Canada's top professional football league. The game is played on a larger field with 12 players per side instead of the NFL’s 11, and there are some different rules, like three downs instead of four.

The league is divided into the East and West divisions, with teams playing an 18-game regular season. The top teams from each division advance to the playoffs, competing for a spot in the Grey Cup, Canada’s version of the Super Bowl, which has been played since 1909. The Grey Cup is one of Canada's most celebrated sporting events, drawing fans from all over the country.

Other leagues

You might have heard about the Arena Football League (AFL), United States Football League (USFL), and XFL — the leagues that don’t have that much fan attention.

The AFL brought a faster, indoor version of the game from 1987 until it closed in 2019. The XFL, after several relaunches, including in 2020 and 2023 under new ownership, tries to make the game quicker and more exciting for fans with tiered extra points, innovative kickoffs, and a faster play clock. The USFL, originally active in the 1980s, was only revived in 2022 as an alternative to the NFL and will merge with the XFL.

These leagues aren’t that popular, so most sportsbooks and bettors choose to wager on the NFL, NCAA, and CFL. You can join them if you learn how the most popular types of bets work.

Popular types of American football bets

There are quite a few types of bets for you to choose from, and they all are pretty easy to understand. Let’s look at some of the most common ones.

Point spread

With the point spread, you’re betting on how much a team will win or lose by.

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are favored by 7 points against the San Francisco 49ers, the Chiefs need to win by more than 7 points for you to win the bet. A bet on them would win if the 49ers lose by less than 7 or win outright.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet is simply betting on which team will win the game, regardless of the score.

Let’s say Alabama is playing against Auburn in college football, and you bet on Alabama. Then you win if they come out on top. However, betting on the favorite (Alabama) might require risking more money, while betting on the underdog (Auburn) could result in a bigger payout if they win. Why? Because the odds are designed to encourage you to bet on underdogs and give you smaller rewards if you bet on a team that is very likely to win.

The same simple principle also works if you want to bet on a winner of a half-time or first quarter.

Over/under

In an over/under bet, you’re betting on whether the total combined score of both teams will be over or under a set number.

For instance, if the over/under for a CFL game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes is set at 48.5 points, you might want to bet over, as both teams won several Grey Cups and often end with high scores.

Over/under bet also works for a total of one team, so you might find this type of wager in sportsbooks.

Parlay

A parlay bet involves combining multiple bets into one, with all bets needing to win for the parlay to pay out.

Suppose you want to bet on the Green Bay Packers to cover the spread, the San Francisco 49ers to win their game, and the Philadelphia Eagles to hit the over. If all three bets win, you get a larger payout due to the combined odds of a parlay bet. However, the entire parlay bet is lost if one of these bets loses.

These are the most common types of bets, although you can find a few more options in different sports books. For example, with a futures bet, you can wager who will win the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff, or the Grey Cup in the long run. Or choose props bets to wager on specific events within a game, like who will score the first touchdown.

But as the probability odds of such events are pretty difficult to predict and calculate accurately, we suggest you stick with more straightforward bet types. We also have a few more tips that can help you improve your betting.

Betting tips for American football

Here are some insights to help you choose the right bet type, determine the winner, and gain the maximum profit from your stake.

Bet early in the week for value

Odds can change as the week progresses, so placing your bets early can sometimes give you better value.

Monitor line movements in the CFL

In the CFL, betting lines can move significantly due to the smaller market and fewer teams. Pay attention to the line movement if you notice early sharp money coming in on a team like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. If the Blue Bombers open at -3 and move to -4.5 quickly, this could indicate that smart bettors see value in Winnipeg, so consider betting before the line shifts further.

Focus on conference games in college football

College football teams usually play harder in conference games, and these matchups can be good for betting. For example, in the SEC, when Alabama faces a strong rival like LSU, the game might be closer than people think. Betting on a smaller point spread or picking the underdog with points can be smart.

Bet on experienced teams in the CFL playoffs

CFL playoff games can be unpredictable, but teams with lots of playoff experience usually handle pressure better. For example, suppose the Calgary Stampeders, who have a strong playoff history, are playing a less experienced team like the Ottawa Redblacks. In that case, it might be wise to bet on the Stampeders, especially if the odds are close or they’re slight underdogs.

Earn money on early-season mispricing in college football

In the first few weeks of the college football season, sportsbooks might make mistakes in setting odds because they don’t have much data on new players. If a team like Ohio State, known for quickly bringing in new talent, is undervalued against a smaller team, betting on Ohio State early could pay off before the odds get adjusted.

Bet on American football with Bitcoin and crypto

Betting on American football with crypto is a great option because it’s secure, fast, and comes with low fees. Using blockchain technology and smart contracts ensures your bets are transparent and tamper-proof. Plus, you get faster transactions and lower fees since all funds go directly from your crypto wallet to your account without bank involvement. This means more of your money goes towards your bets instead of transaction costs.

But what do you do to place your bet with crypto? Just follow a simple instruction.

How to bet on American football with crypto on Sportbet.one

Betting with cryptocurrency is a piece of cake if you do it with Sportbet.one. Here is what you do:

Start by visiting Sportbet.one and sign up using your email, social media, or an existing crypto wallet. The registration is quick and easy since the platform doesn’t require the KYC procedure.
Head to the deposit section. If you already have cryptocurrency, simply transfer it from your wallet to your account. If not, you can buy crypto directly on the platform using a built-in exchange.
Once your deposit is complete, explore the sports betting options and find the American football league and a game you want to bet on.
Choose your bet type, enter the amount you want to wager, and confirm your bet.

These are the only steps you need to follow to place your bet. Withdrawing is as simple, but you’ll have a chance to check it only after you win your first bet. And since you now know everything to bet on American football, there is no reason to wait any longer.

Betting on American football: Translate the love of millions into personal benefits

American football is a game that has become bigger than just a sport. It’s a passion shared by millions of fans across the country. The excitement, the rivalries, and the unpredictability of the game make it a perfect arena for betting.

By betting on American football, you can turn this widespread love of the game into personal benefits; specifically, you can win money while enjoying the games. This is not that difficult if you know the rules of the league you bet on, examine the types of bets, research teams before wagering, and use cryptocurrency. So, take your chance and bet on the next American football game.

FAQ

How do you bet on American football?

You can place bets on American football through traditional sportsbooks at online crypto casinos or online betting sites. However, crypto betting is a much better choice because it provides quicker transactions, lower fees, and better security.

What trends should I consider when betting on NFL games?

When betting on NFL games, track team performance trends over the season, including their wins at home versus on the road, head-to-head stats, recent transfers, and injuries of key players. Also, consider weather conditions, as they can influence scoring and overall gameplay.

Can you explain how to read a money line bet?

A money line bet shows the odds for a team to win outright. Positive numbers, like +150, mean you win $150 on a $100 bet. Negative numbers, such as -200, indicate how much you need to bet to win $100.