NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

When the NFL Season Starts—and When You Should Start Betting

Mark it down: NFL season begins in early September with the NFL season opener on a Thursday night. But real ones know the betting fun kicks off way earlier with NFL preseason bets and juicy futures markets.

The regular season rolls for 18 wild weeks. Each team plays 17 games, and then it’s playoff time. So if you’re still asking when does football season end, the answer is February. But why wait to get in? Week 1 lines are already calling your name.

How NFL Betting Odds Actually Work (Without the Nerd Talk)

Alright, here’s the deal. NFL betting odds tell you two things: who’s favored, and how much cash you’re stacking if your pick hits. You’ll see stuff like:

• Ravens –3.5 vs. Browns
  
  
• Total: 45.5
  
  

That –3.5? That’s the point spread. If you take the Ravens, they gotta win by 4 or more. Browns cover if they lose by 3 or win outright. (Yes, there’s a glossary—point spread betting—for your buddy Dave who’s pretending he gets it.)

The 45.5? That’s the over/under. You’re betting on points. Smash the over, root for chaos. Bet the under, root for punts.

Want to just pick the winner? That’s called a moneyline bet. Great for dogs. Great for flexing when you call the upset.

Weekly Odds, Daily Schedule, and Your Shot at Glory

If you're betting NFL football, the football schedule for today is your playbook. Each week, we’ve got lines, movement, props, and injury chaos. And guess what? You don’t have to scroll through forums to figure out what’s hot. Just open the app, pick your spot, and fire.

Lines drop every week like clockwork—Sunday night or Monday morning. That’s when you want to grab early value. Our tool shows NFL odds by week, plus line moves so you know when the public’s being dumb.

Example:
Jets +7.5 on Monday. Down to +5.5 by Thursday. You locked the best number early. We clap for you.

NFL Odds and Predictions: Smart Picks, No Homework

You don’t need to dig through 12 spreadsheets or become a weather expert. We’ve got picks, trends, and NFL odds and predictions based on models that actually win.

Say there’s wind in Cleveland (again). That’s probably an under. Injuries? We flag ‘em. Bad travel spot? We call it. We don’t give you a 500-word breakdown. We give you the pick and the receipt.

And if you do like digging into the weeds? Our weekly predictions are still sharper than your bookie’s haircut.

NFL Betting Props: More Fun, Less Waiting

Forget spreads—NFL betting props are where things get spicy. Will McCaffrey score twice? Will Mahomes throw a pick? Will a tight end catch a 40-yarder?

Props are fast, fun, and feel personal. You root for moments, not just wins. That’s what we call social betting fuel.

Also, ever want to bet on season records? Like the NFL season rushing record? Hell yeah, we’ve got odds for that too.

The Long Game: Futures Bets You Can Brag About All Year

Wanna look smart in September and smug in January? Get on futures early. That means MVP picks, win totals, and “I told you the Texans would go over 6.5” type bets.

Here’s one:

• Lions win total: 10.5
  
  
  
  • Over: –110
    
    
  • Under: –110
    
    

Smash the over if you believe in Goff & Co. Just don’t blame us if they collapse in Week 15. That’s the rollercoaster we all signed up for.

Need a deeper dive on season bets? Here’s our futures guide. You’re welcome.

Timing Is Everything: When to Place Your Bets

Lines move. Sometimes fast. Injury news, public money, and your buddy who bets drunk on Friday night all shift things.

Best advice? Bet early in the week for value. Bet late for info. Do both if you’re feeling spicy.

And yes, betting NFL online means you can shop around. We even show you where the best lines are. Because why leave money on the table?

Example:
You want Chiefs –2.5 but your book has –3. Bet smarter, not harder. Our tool helps you find that 2.5. That’s the kind of edge that wins over time.

Key Dates to Circle on Your Betting Calendar

Here’s the cheat sheet:

• NFL season opener: Chiefs vs. Bengals (fireworks incoming)
  
  
• Thanksgiving Day: Lions, Cowboys, and a third game to ruin your parlay
  
  
• Christmas Week: Football on Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday
  
  
• Week 18: Chaos. Tanking. Seeding. Let’s go.
  
  

Check the football schedule games every week. We’ll have picks and props ready so you don’t miss your shot.

So… What Should You Bet?

You’ve got options:

• Spreads: Classic, always fun
  
  
• Totals: Root for offense or defense
  
  
• Moneylines: Upset season
  
  
• Props: Player stats, moments, chaos
  
  
• Futures: Long-term flex bets
  
  
• Live betting: Get spicy mid-game (we’ve got tools for that too)
  
  

Still lost? Don’t worry. We made a live betting and over under glossary for this exact reason.

Final Whistle: Bet Like You Mean It

Betting should be fun. Fast. Something you brag about on Monday. With Shurzy, you don’t get lectures. You get sharp tools, clear picks, and a shot to beat the books—and your group chat.

Check out our full betting toolset to start spotting profitable lines.