NFL futures odds are always available at the online sportsbook.
What’s an NFL Futures Bet?
An NFL futures bet is exactly as it implies: a bet on the outcome of an event or series of events in the future.
Unlike a straight bet on an upcoming game (e.g., the Ravens -3 vs. the Browns), a futures bet most often includes an end-of-the-season individual or team result that, most often, pertains to a championship, award, or finish.
Betting on the winner of the AFC North, for example, is a futures bet for NFL division betting. The most commonly cited and popular divisional futures bet is wagering on the division winner. The odds might be:
- Bengals: +115
- Ravens: +250
- Steelers: +350
- Browns: +650
There are other futures bets available for the AFC North, including second-, third-, and fourth-place finisher, and exact outcome of finish, in which case you bet on the exact order for the final division standings.
How To Place an NFL Futures Bet
Once you spot favorable odds for an NFL futures bet, it’s extremely easy to place your bet.
If you like the Bengals and Ravens to battle for the title, you could place one bet on each team. A $50 wager, for example, on the Bengals has a potential payout of $107.50 (including stake), while a $50 wager on the Ravens has a potential payout of $175.
If the Ravens win, the Bengals won’t win, obviously, therefore you’d win the Ravens’ bet (+$125) and lose the Browns’ bet (-$50), leaving you with a profit of $75.
Regardless of a Ravens’ or Browns’ division title, you’re winning money. There is, however, another option to win more money by wagering on another type of AFC North future.
You can also bet on Super Bowl odds, NFL win totals, and more before and during the season.