5 Keys To Success Betting NFL Preseason Football

Backup QBs like former Eagles pivot Tim Tebow can make a huge difference in NFL preseason betting.

NFL preseason betting is like hooking up with an ex-girlfriend. You know it’s probably not a great idea, but the thought of a fun night is too much to pass up.

At least with NFL preseason betting, it’s possible to have your fun and not pay too big of a price. You may even make a little cash.

Just be sure to follow these 5 NFL preseason betting tips first:

1. Pay attention

With all the variables in the NFL preseason, the sportsbooks often don’t know much more than you until game day. If you pay attention to coaches in press conferences or what they say in the newspaper, you might catch a hint about how they plan to use their starters. Maybe you can get your bet down on the game before the oddsmakers adjust the betting lines.

The biggest factor in preseason handicapping is predicting how much the starters will play and what the coach’s focus will be. If coaches are looking to work on the running game, that favours the under since the clock will be running a lot as well. If coaches are concerned about their starting offence, you may see the starters in the game longer, creating mismatches against backup defenders.

It’s also good to know if any players are nursing injuries. With hardly anything on the line in the preseason, coaches will have a quick hook for their starters if they think they might make an injury worse by playing.

2. Look for QB depth

NFL preseason betting tips

Here’s a news flash: quarterbacks are really important to football teams. With a good one, teams can control the ball and put up points. With a bad one, they’re either turning the ball over or punting the ball away a lot, putting a lot of pressure on their defence.

Since starting QBs won’t see much playing time in the preseason, it’s crucial that the team you’re betting on has good depth at the position. The backups will likely be in the game when your bet is decided, so you don’t want the guy who looks like a deer in the headlights.

Teams with experienced backup QBs are excellent choices to bet on during the preseason. Even better is if you can bet on a team which has a battle for the QB position, since you know whichever pivot is playing will have something to prove.

3. New coaches are motivated

Teams with new coaches are also a great preseason bet. Exhibition games may not matter too much to the players, but they do matter to the fans, and that’s who the new coach might feel pressured to impress.

New coaches are also looking to put their stamp on the team, so they’ll be cracking the whip and keeping their players more motivated than a veteran coach who knows what he has.

One other point about new head coaches: they’re usually coaching teams that underachieved the previous year and are looking to turn things around. That’s another motivator in the preseason, which is exactly what you’re looking for.

4. Every point matters

A point spread of 3 is the most important number in NFL betting, but that isn’t quite as true in preseason betting.

You won’t find many games that are tied near the end and take a field goal to win, because coaches aren’t playing to be tied. It’s hard enough to get through a preseason game without injuries, so they don’t want to risk things going to overtime. You’ll see teams go for 2 points or gamble on fourth down more, rather than playing it safe.

During the regular season, those 1 or 2 point spreads won’t matter as much. But pay attention during preseason and get yourself the best possible line, because a lot of games are decided by 1-2 points. Having accounts at multiple sportsbooks pays off at this time of year, since you can shop for the best betting line.

5. Be Patient

Yeah, you’re excited for NFL football. We all are. But don’t lose your shirt on the preseason.

In a month, there will be a lot more meaningful NFL games to bet on. They’ll be more predictable as well.

There’s nothing wrong with some preseason NFL betting, especially if you think you can find an edge. Week 3 and 4 are the best two weeks of the preseason for betting, since that’s when the starters play the most.

Just make sure you don’t lose your bankroll for the entire season on an interception thrown by a guy who will be bagging groceries in a couple of weeks.