Have you ever wanted to bet on more than just the winner or loser of an NFL game? Look no further than NFL prop bets. Prop bets (or propositions) allow bettors to wager on the myriad events occurring within a game. Prop bets spanning everything from the winner of the Superbowl’s coin toss to how many yards a QB throws in a given game.
What are prop bets in the NFL?
Prop bets in the NFL allow you to wager on events within an NFL game. Prop bets span individual player performance and various statistics (team or player related). Some sportsbooks offer props on outlandish in-game events not directly linked to on-field play, such as the color of Gatorade used in the customary post-Super Bowl celebration.
When learning how to bet on NFL football, It’s important to note that prop bets, by definition, are not related to the outcome of a game. Most props do not rely on the winner or loser of an NFL game, nor are they linked to the total points scored within a game.
The three most common types of prop bets are player props, team props, and game props.
NFL player props
The most common type of NFL prop bet, player props, allow bettors to wager on what individual NFL players will accomplish within the confines of a game. Player props link to a player’s individual in-game statistics or accomplishments. Most frequently, player props are wagers on whether a player will hit the Over or Under (O/U) on a specific statistic or event.
Let’s explore some common iterations of NFL player props below.
Touchdown props
Touchdown proposition bets revolve around a player scoring a touchdown within a single game. Depending on the specifics of the wager, this may be a rushing touchdown, a passing/receiving touchdown, a special teams touchdown, a defensive team touchdown, or simply any touchdown rendered as a single broad category. Always scrutinize the terms and conditions of the player prop bet you’re selecting before putting your money down to ensure you’re selecting the desired touchdown category.
The NFL player prop odds you receive on touchdown props vary widely, depending on each player’s resume and the statistical probability of scoring. You’d get shorter odds on a well-known star with a proven body of work than a relatively unknown player.
Suppose you’re betting on a star (think Derrick Henry or someone with a similar reputation). In that case, your odds might not be altogether different from a moneyline bet (as in anywhere from -150 to +200). Of course, the odds attached to any player prop will vary wildly depending on the player’s quality and their opponent’s strength.
First-time touchdown props allow you to wager on the player who will score the first touchdown of the game, and sportsbooks will allow you to select from a list of players within the game.
Anytime touchdown props allow you to wager on whether a player will score a touchdown within a game—a simple yes/no proposition.
| Yes | -175 |
In the table above, a sportsbook offers odds for Henry to score a touchdown at -175. In this instance, the sportsbook isn’t offering odds on the No option.
Finally, total touchdown props allow you to bet on the number of touchdowns a select player will score in a game. Bettors would wager on the Over or the Under of a total set by the sportsbook.
Passing props
Passing props are relatively straightforward. They allow you to make bets linked to a quarterback’s total number of thrown passing yards, the number of times they make a pass attempt, or the number of touchdowns a QB throws. Sportsbooks assign a total number of passing yards, attempts, or touchdowns to a player (i.e., 250 passing yards for Derek Carr) and then allow betters to pick the Over or the Under.
| Over 250.5 yards | -110 |
| Under 250.5 yards | -110 |
Rushing props
Rushing props are similar to passing props, but for rushing yards instead passing yards. Think Jonathan Taylor, not Tom Brady. Sportsbooks allow you to wager on the Over/Under of a player’s total rushing yards, rush attempts, and total rushing touchdowns.
| Over 116.5 yards | -110 |
| Under 116.5 yards | -110 |
Receiving props
Receiving yards follow the same structure. NFL receiving props allow you to bet on the Over/Under of a player’s receiving yards and a player’s number of receptions within a game. It is also possible to bet on the Over/Under of the longest reception within a game and the player on the receiving end of said longest reception.
| Over 105.5 yards | -110 |
| Under 105.5 yards | -110 |
Defensive props
Finally, it’s possible to bet on a player’s defensive acumen through defensive props. These props allow you to bet on a player’s number of sacks, interceptions, tackles, or other standard defensive statistics tracked during a game.
| Yes | -135 |
| No | +115 |
NFL team props
Team prop bets work nearly the same as player props, but they relate to what the entire team accomplishes within a game, not just a single player.
For example, a team prop would allow you to bet on the total number of field goals a team scores within a single game, such as the Patriots scoring Over or Under 3.5 touchdowns.
| Over 3.5 | -135 |
| Under 3.5 | +115 |
In this instance, if you bet the Over, you’d hit your bet as long the Patriots scored four or more touchdowns. Of course, team props can also link to other typical scoring and defensive plays that you’ll see during NFL games.
In team props such as the example above, anyone on the team can contribute to the total number of touchdowns, not just a single player.
NFL game props
A game prop bet is very similar to a team prop bet, but it spans the events occurring within the game and does not link to a player or a specific team. For example, a game prop would allow you to bet on the total number of touchdowns during a game scored by either team. Game props commonly link to statistical totals or whether a specific event will happen, such as betting on whether a touchdown is scored off an interception during the game.
In this example, a sportsbook offers odds on the method of the first scoring play.
| Touchdown | -185 |
| Field Goal | +135 |
| Any Other | +4,500 |
Here bettors wager on whether the first scoring play by either team will be a touchdown, a field goal, or something else.
