With the NFL regular season now 17 games, there are even more NFL point spread bets you can make each season. Massachusetts sports betting has recently been approved, and retail sports betting began in late January.

Now, football fans in the state can make bets at MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino. In addition to retail betting at Massachusetts casinos, MA betting apps could launch in late February or early March.

Here’s what you need to know about betting on NFL point spreads in Massachusetts.

This Week’s NFL Point Spreads

See below for live NFL point spreads as posted at legal Massachusetts online sportsbooks (when launched). Click on any odds to go straight to the sportsbook, claim your bonuses and get betting.

Best Sportsbooks for NFL Point Spreads

The popularity of NFL point spread betting means you’ll have little trouble finding NFL spreads at Massachusetts online sportsbooks.

Most online sportsbook have NFL spreads listed right on the main page. They’re tough to miss. If they’re not right up front, you’ll find them under the NFL tab or through a simple search for the term “NFL.”

Here’s a quick list of the top platforms to use when betting NFL point spreads:

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings posts a ton of NFL promos every week. The promos have long included odds boosts on Single Game Parlays and 1st Touchdown Scorer Props.

Its selection of NFL betting options is the largest and includes the most live NFL betting options thanks to Simplebet’s unique micro-betting tech. DraftKings also integrates its live odds into the NFL’s RedZone channel.

Competitive and unique NFL lines in addition to point spreads at DraftKings MA Sportsbook include:

• Alternative Spreads, Moneylines, and Totals
• Quick Single Game Parlays
• Drive Result Betting
• Next Play Betting and Live Props
• Head to Head Prop Matchups and Player Parlays

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Massachusetts is known for its betting content on NFL Media properties like the NFL Network, hosting NFL highlights on its own platform, and its data-rich game-tracker.

It also runs the biggest free NFL contest in the country with the FanDuel $1,000,000 Hi Lo NFL prop game and all kinds of NFL promos and odds boosts.

FanDuel Sportsbook’s NFL spreads are always competitive. The most popular odds markets include:

• Spreads, Moneylines, Totals and Alternatives
• Parlay Builder Bets, Live Parlays, and Live SGPs
• Buying/Selling Points Markets
• Game Specials

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM MA is known for the NFL insurance promos it runs and regular NFL odds boosts.

Hundreds of very competitive NFL betting lines are posted every week including a large variety of ready-made prop combinations and the following:

• Spreads, Moneylines, Totals and Alternatives
• One Game Parlays
• Race To Betting

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook is known for integrating its betting content into NFL.com and the NFL App.

NFL promos on the platform always include frequent odds boosts, unique parlay boosts and a First TD prop profit boost. Caesars’ NFL lines are competitive.

Unique NFL lines available include:

• Spreads, Moneylines, Totals and Alternatives
• Same Game Parlays
• Odds Boosts
• Home and Away, and Double Result Betting
• Drive Outcome and Live Odds Markets

How do NFL point spreads work?

NFL points spreads are some of the most common wagers out there. Here’s how they work:

Prior to any given NFL game, sportsbooks and professional oddsmakers determine the favorite and the underdog in the game. The point spread refers to the number of points the favorite is expected to win by. The favored team is followed by a minus sign (-) and the point margin. Conversely, the underdog is followed by a plus (+) symbol and the point margin.

If you place a bet on the favored team, they would need them to win by more than the listed amount of points for you to win the bet. If you bet on the underdog, you would need them to either win the game outright, or stay within the listed amount of points for you to win the bet.

For example, consider a game in which the New England Patriots are playing against the New York Jets and the Patriots are favored by 4.5 points. If you bet on the Patriots odds at -4.5, you would need them to win by five points or more in order to win your bet.

On the other side, if you bet on the Jets +4.5, you would need them to either win the game outright, or lose by four points or less, thus covering the spread.

How To Bet On NFL Point Spreads

Betting on NFL point spreads is a simple process. The first step is to register at a legal NFL betting site. When sports betting apps launch, new users can sign up for some great Massachusetts sportsbook promos.

Once you have created your account and deposited funds, you are ready to place your wagers.

To find NFL bets, simply select the NFL tab on the main page of the sportsbook. Then, you will be able to see the odds and lines for all of the upcoming games.

Most NFL point spread bets are listed with -110 odds, although they can vary slightly. Licensed and regulated US sportsbooks will show you your potential winnings before you lock in your bet.

NFL point spread bets can be found on all licensed and regulated US sportsbooks, so bettors have plenty of options to choose from. You will also be able to bet on NFL point spreads in-person at MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino.

For more info, check out our complete look at NFL betting rules at online sportsbooks and see the latest USFL point spreads here.

Who Sets NFL Point Spreads?

Point spreads generally come from the sportsbook that’s offering odds on the game, but some books may use an outside service. In either case, the professional oddsmakers behind the scenes get all of the possible variables together to help set the line with computers and algorithms doing a lot of the work.

Basically, if you can think of something that could impact the game, the sportsbook will factor it into the spread. Professional oddsmakers will consider the matchup, strengths and weaknesses on both sides, home-field advantage, weather, and much more to come up with a spread that aims to attract betting action.

After bets begin to flow in, the sportsbook may adjust the spread or odds in response as it tries to get the action even on both sides.

Best Times To Place NFL Spread Bets

Point spreads for the NFL are released well in advance of game time. In general, you can expect to see them as the current slate of games is winding down. But, the lines and odds can change throughout the week up until kick-off. This gives NFL bettors a decision to make: bet point spreads early in the week and maybe get a better number, or wait until later in the week when more information is available.

You can think of your options for when to bet as falling into three basic time frames: as soon as possible after the initial release, during the week but still well before kickoff, or on game day before the whistle blows.

Here are some of the main pros and cons of each approach:

• Early betting
  • Pro: You’re betting on the freshest possible spread straight from the sportsbook before it moves in response to betting action or other news.
  • Con: The numbers can shift to more favorable levels after you’ve wagered due to public betting or other developments, such as a key injury.

• Mid-week betting
  • Pro: The spreads and odds have responded to the initial wave of action, so you can see the sportsbook’s number and resulting market reaction.
  • Con: The initial spread could’ve been more appealing than where it is now, and there could still be more movement to come.

• Late betting
  • Pro: All of the information and adjustments for public wagering are in at this point.
  • Con: The spread is what it is at this point, and it could be less favorable than what you were hoping for earlier in the week.

As you gain experience with betting on NFL football spreads, you’ll get a sense of what works best for you. If you’re prepared enough to jump in early, you can do so, but you also have the flexibility of waiting it out to research and see how the betting market develops.

Are NFL Spreads Always The Same?

In a word, no. NFL point spreads can vary slightly from sportsbook to sportsbook. There may be slight differences at the initial release, and betting action and other developments can also impact where the numbers ultimately wind up before kick-off.

For the most part, you won’t find massive differences, as NFL betting markets are very active and efficient. The spread could move by a half-point or more, while the odds can swing up or down a bit on either side. If there’s a spread that’s seriously out of line, sharp sports bettors will jump all over it and bring it back in line.

Before you place your bets, you should always compare the spreads and odds at several sportsbooks. This is called line shopping. When you find the spread that you want at the most appealing odds, that’s where you should be placing your bets for that contest.

Why NFL Point Spreads Can Change

Like most wagers out there, the odds and numbers for NFL point spreads can fluctuate. NFL point spreads will generally move for one of two reasons: in response to betting action, or due to a new development. Here’s how that can play out in both areas:

• Betting action
  • There’s a heavy amount of betting action on one side.
  • Oddsmakers could simply shift the odds to make the less-attractive side more appealing.
  • They could also tweak the spread by a half-point or more in a bid to level it out.
  • This process can continue right up until kickoff.

• New developments
  • News that comes out after the spread is first available.
  • Injuries to a key player — starting QB, offensive lineman, etc.
  • Player trade or a coaching change.
  • Potential weather issues — heavy winds, torrential rains, etc.

At the end of the day, sportsbooks are hoping to see the action as close to even on both sides as possible. Shifts in the spread can help them get there, but it doesn’t always work out in their favor.

Key Numbers For NFL Spreads Bets

When you examine the market for NFL spread bets, there are key numbers to be aware of. Because of the way football scoring works, certain numbers are much more important than others. Scoring in football works in threes and sevens for the most part, so you’ll notice that many spreads hover around those amounts.

A spread that’s exactly at 3 or 7 opens up the possibility of a tie, or “push,” for spread betting purposes. An extra half-point, such as 3.5 or 7.5, makes that a non-issue. When comparing spreads, don’t overlook small differences like that, as even the smallest changes in odds can vastly impact your results.

This can even hold true for bigger spreads, such as 10, 14 or 17 points. If you want a clear-cut result, you’re always better off shopping for the extra half-point. Additionally, when shopping around, a little extra cushion on the spreads that you’re interested in is a big plus. For example, if you like a team to cover at -4.5 and see it listed elsewhere at -3.5, it makes sense to take the lower number, for instance.

Why Bet On NFL Spreads Instead Of Moneylines Or Totals?

For many NFL bettors, the point spread is the top choice. The odds are generally in a very tight range on both sides, which makes it seem as if you’re getting a decent deal no matter what. The spread can make even the most meaningless game more appealing due to the betting angles.

Over on the moneyline, the odds can be all over the map. There may be games with decent odds on both sides, but also plenty in which the numbers for favorites or underdogs are less than attractive. As for totals (over/under), it’s similar to spread betting in terms of the odds on both sides, but there are other variables to consider beyond the covering aspect.

The point spread aims to level the playing field and make betting on either team a viable option. As always, your personal preferences should point you in the direction of what you want to bet on, but NFL point spreads remain one of the most popular attractions for legal online sportsbooks.