Training camps are winding down, the first preseason games are in the books and football fans are already looking ahead to Week 1. While preseason results rarely tell the whole story, they haven’t slowed interest in NFL futures betting. Fans continue to wager on everything from division winners and season win totals to MVP awards and the Super Bowl champion. For Patrick Glose, Director of Fanatics Sportsbook at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, those early wagers provide an interesting look at what bettors believe before the games start counting.
Unlike weekly betting, futures wagers are shaped over months. One of the biggest dates on the sportsbook calendar isn’t the NFL Draft, it’s the release of the regular season schedule. According to Glose, that’s when sportsbooks really begin fine-tuning season win totals because they can better evaluate each team’s path through the season. While many fans focus on roster changes after the draft, he says the schedule often has a much bigger impact on how sportsbooks view a team’s outlook.
Before many of those odds are widely available, sportsbooks also seek feedback from experienced bettors, allowing them to test where numbers may be too high or too low before opening the market to everyone else. Once betting begins, the lines continue to move as money comes in, creating what Glose simply describes as “a market.” Sportsbooks aren’t just predicting outcomes, they’re constantly watching where money is flowing and where bettors believe they’ve found value.
Those early betting patterns have already revealed several interesting trends. One of the more intriguing markets has been the New York Giants’ season win total, with significant action on both the over and the under. The Kansas City Chiefs have also generated plenty of interest, although much of the early money has come in on the under despite the franchise’s recent success.
Division races are attracting attention as well. Glose says Cincinnati has become a popular pick to win the AFC North, while the AFC West has drawn considerable interest thanks to optimism surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers. Bettors have not only backed the Chargers to have a strong season but have also shown interest in quarterback Justin Herbert as an MVP candidate, believing changes to the offense could unlock another level of production. The NFC West is another division bettors are watching closely. Glose says he’s seeing interest in both the Rams and Seahawks, while some bettors have faded San Francisco after several seasons of overcoming injuries and remaining among the league’s elite.
While team futures account for much of the preseason excitement, bettors are also looking at individual awards. Offensive Rookie of the Year and MVP remain popular every year, but Glose says Defensive Rookie of the Year often offers opportunities for bettors willing to dig a little deeper. Edge rushers tend to receive the most attention because sack totals are one of the easiest statistics for award voters to recognize, making pass rushers a popular preseason selection.
No futures wager, however, attracts more attention than predicting the Super Bowl champion. Along with strong support for the hometown Eagles, the Giants also draw plenty of action from local bettors. Beyond the regional favorites, Glose says the Rams and Bills have attracted significant Super Bowl action, while the Chargers have emerged as another popular choice among bettors looking for value. Like many fans, bettors often back their favorite team as much as they do the odds.
Although mobile betting has become increasingly popular, Glose believes many football fans still enjoy making the trip to a sportsbook. Watching every game on giant screens, following live odds and sharing the excitement with fellow fans creates an atmosphere that simply can’t be duplicated from the living room. Having knowledgeable ticket writers available to discuss betting options and strategies adds another dimension that many fans enjoy.
That passion for football is reflected throughout the sports betting industry. While the Super Bowl and March Madness remain the busiest events on the calendar, Glose says regular-season NFL weekends account for six or seven of the sportsbook’s 10 busiest weekends each year, underscoring football’s unmatched popularity among bettors. As excitement builds for another NFL season, he reminds fans that sports betting should always be about having fun. Set a budget, know your limits and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
