The global expansion of American Football is evident, and Nigeria is actively taking part in this trend. In recent times, the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) has been established to foster the sport's development, beginning with initiatives in Secondary Schools. As this sport gains traction, it opens up avenues for individuals to potentially earn from online sports betting. True to our reputation, BetKing is at the forefront, offering the best odds ahead of the upcoming NFL season. But before we delve into a season preview, here's a beginner’s handbook to NFL betting in Nigeria, designed to help you become familiar with the concept. **American Football Betting Explained** As the best betting site in Nigeria, BetKing has taken steps to simplify the betting options for Nigerian bettors, making the process more user-friendly. While there are many betting offers per game to choose from, we have focused on the key ones that are familiar to customers who frequently place bets on football (soccer) and basketball. They are: 1. **1-2 (Popularly called Moneyline):** This is a straightforward bet on which team will win the game. Odds are assigned to each team based on their perceived chances of winning. Just like in soccer, “1” refers to the home team while “2” refers to the away team. 2. **Total Points (Over/Under):** This involves betting on whether the total combined score of both teams will be over or under a specific number set by the sportsbook. Think of it as the NFL version of Over 2.5 Goals, Over 3.5 Goals, etc. 3. **Touchdowns (Over/Under):** Just like the Total Points betting, this involves betting on whether the total combined touchdowns scored by both teams will be over or under a specific number set by the sportsbook. 4. **First-Half/Second-Half Betting:** You can bet on the outcome of just the first half or second half of a game, rather than the entire game. 5. **Handicap (Popularly called Spread Betting):** This is the trickiest of the bunch but don’t worry, we’ll break it down. The point spread is a handicap given to the underdog team to balance the odds. You can bet on whether a team will cover the spread (win by more points than the spread) or the favorite will win by less than the spread. Here’s an example. Let's say the **Kansas City Chiefs** are playing the **Detroit Lions** , and the oddsmakers set a point spread of **-6.5 in favor of the Chiefs.** This means that the Chiefs are the favorite, and they would **need to win the game by at least 7 points** for bets placed on them to be successful. On the other hand, if you were to bet on the Lions with the same point spread, they **would need to win the game outright or lose by 6 points or less** for your bet to win. 6. **Player Performance Betting:** This focuses on individual player statistics, such as yards gained, touchdowns scored, or passes completed. 7. **Futures:** These are long-term bets on events that will happen later in the season, like which team will win the Super Bowl, the divisional titles, conference titles, or which player will be named MVP. Now that you have a hang of it, let’s look at some Futures available on BetKing, and offer the betting tips. **Divisional Title Winners** **AFC Division North - Winner** **Teams:** Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers The **Cincinnati Bengals** are the betting favorites to win the AFC North and it’s easy to see why. Spearheaded by one of the league's premier Quarterbacks, Joe Burrow, they have clinched divisional titles in the past two seasons and clinched spots in the AFC Championship game on both occasions. They’re the closest team to an equal for the reigning Super Bowl champions, Kansas City Chiefs, as evidenced by their victory in three out of their last four encounters. The Bengals have also kept their core players together, further taking advantage of the team-friendly rookie contract Joe Burrow is on. In the event of any unforeseen setbacks, the Ravens appear poised to take Bengals’ title. Last year, the Ravens were on track for a good season until their former MVP, Lamar Jackson, faced a season-ending injury. Presently, he has made a full recovery and secured a new contract, yet concerns linger about his susceptibility to injuries, particularly as the season nears its crucial stages. The Ravens have bolstered their roster with notable improvements, including the acquisition of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. However, our projection remains in favor of the Bengals retaining the title. **Bet Prediction:**
**AFC Division South - Winner** **Teams:** Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans Last season, the **Jacksonville Jaguars** took advantage of the turmoil within their division by winning it. While their 9-8 record didn't exude total dominance, it sufficed given the lackluster performances of the Titans at 7-10 and the collective meager 7 wins from the Colts and Texans. The strategic move of bringing in Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson proved to be a stroke of genius for the Jaguars, especially in providing young quarterback Trevor Lawrence with invaluable guidance. Beyond simply surpassing expectations and clinching the division title, the Jaguars achieved an impressive feat by securing a playoff victory against the LA Chargers. Their dramatic comeback, which was the third-largest in NFL history, highlighted their resilience. Looking ahead, as the Colts, Texans, and even the Titans look to integrate their rookie quarterbacks this season, the Jaguars are the standout team among a less competitive bunch. It's highly plausible that they will maintain their hold on the title. **Bet Prediction:**
**AFC Division West - Winner** **Teams:** Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers We will not waste your time, the **Kansas City Chiefs** are going to win it. As reigning Super Bowl champions and regular participants in the AFC Championship for five consecutive seasons, their track record speaks for itself. While the common sentiment might include a caveat like “unless Patrick Mahomes is injured,” last season showcased his exceptional resilience. Despite a severe knee injury, he carried his team to the Super Bowl on a single leg, earning both the Regular Season MVP and Super Bowl MVP awards - the first person since Kurt Warner in 1999 to win both in the same season. The man is a wizard. So, here’s our prediction: **except Patrick Mahomes has a leg amputated, the Kansas City Chiefs will win the AFC West.** **Bet Prediction:**
**AFC Division East - Winner** **Teams:** Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets With a remarkable record of 62-35, Sean McDermott holds is the most successful coach in the history of the **Buffalo Bills** franchise. However, swirling rumors suggest that falling short of a Super Bowl appearance might lead to his dismissal this season. This sentiment is not entirely unfounded. While the team has secured playoff berths five times during his tenure, there's a noticeable drop in his winning percentage, from 64% in the Regular Season to 44.4% in the playoffs (4-5). The upcoming season places them in a position of favor to once again conquer the AFC East, anchored by star Quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. However, a formidable opponent looms on the horizon. During the off-season, the **New York Jets** have undergone a shift in their fortunes. Their acquisition of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, along with the addition of Running Back Dalvin Cook, has altered the landscape. The Jets' project carries the potential for either spectacular failure or unforeseen success that could reshape the franchise's trajectory, leaving little room for middle ground. They’re currently on a 12-year playoff drought - the longest in the league - and feel this is their year to end the streak. It won’t be a surprise if they win the division but, till we actually see them take to the field as a team, it’s best to bet on the known and go with the Bills. **Bet Prediction:**
**NFC Division North - Winner** **Teams:** Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings For the first time in three decades, the **Detroit Lions** are favored to clinch the NFC North and head coach, Dan Campbell, is well aware of this golden opportunity. Following years of mediocrity (and this is putting it mildly), they finished with a respectable 9-8 record last year while putting on some of the best offensive performances in the league. What was most notable about their season is that 5 of those 9 wins came against their divisional rivals, as they ended up with a 5-1 record. Only reigning Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs, surpassed this feat with a perfect 6-0 divisional record. The departure of Aaron Rodgers has notably weakened the Green Bay Packers, and the Vikings are unlikely to replicate the same level of success in closely contested games as they did last year. With these factors in mind, the expectation is that the Lions will clinch the NFC North title for the first time since 1993. **Bet Prediction:**
**NFC Division South - Winner** **Teams:** Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers This division presents an especially challenging puzzle to solve, considering the significant quarterback changes across all four teams. The Carolina Panthers secured the top overall draft pick with Bryce Young, but his transition to high-level play is expected to require a few more years. The Buccaneers are faced with the departure of the legendary Tom Brady, a shift that typically results in a notable decline in productivity (ask the New England Patriots). The Falcons underwent a quarterback switch mid-season, with Desmond Riddler assuming the role. The Saints, too, have introduced a fresh face with Derek Carr's arrival from the Raiders. It’s anyone’s guess who’s going to come out tops but, on paper, the New Orleans Saints look like the best bet given that Derek Carr is a veteran in the league and brings the least uncertainties. Carr's career has yet to experience the support of an above-average defensive unit, and this is where the Saints excel–defense. Additionally, Carr's reunion with his first NFL head coach, Dennis Allen, holds potential advantages, and the array of offensive weapons in New Orleans further adds to the appeal. **Bet Prediction:**
**NFC Division West - Winner** **Teams:** Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks Defense. The **San Francisco 49ers** has the best of it in the league and that helped them finish with an impressive 13-4 record last season. Their journey to the Super Bowl, however, was derailed by a unique challenge–a cascade of injuries that sidelined all three of their quarterbacks by the conference championship second half. The situation forced them to improvise by utilizing running back Christian McCaffrey as an emergency quarterback in a few plays. It was akin to a scenario where a football powerhouse like England fields their top striker, Harry Kane, as a goalkeeper in a World Cup semi-final due to all three regular goalies being injured. Such was the extraordinary situation they faced. With a defense poised to replicate its dominant performance from the last season and the quarterbacks back in optimal health, the expectation is that the 49ers will regain their championship momentum. **Bet Prediction:**
**NFC Division East - Winner** **Teams:** Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders No team has won back-to-back NFC East division titles since the **Philadelphia Eagles** did so 4 times in a row between 2001 and 2004. However, one of our betting tips today points towards them as potential game-changers this year, aiming to break this trend after they secured the division title last season. Notably, their division was likely one of the most competitive in the entire league, featuring strong contenders in the Cowboys, Giants, and, of course, the Eagles–all of whom secured playoff berths. The Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl, albeit ending up on the losing side with a score of 38-35 against the Chiefs. “Super Bowl hangovers” is a legitimate concern, and the Eagles have taken proactive measures to guard against this. Their swift actions include rewarding QB Jalen Hurts with a new contract and making remarkable draft choices that have garnered widespread acclaim. Admittedly, the division's competitive nature suggests that the path to victory won't be an easy one. However, boasting a significantly better roster than their counterparts, the Eagles are expected to rise above the challenges and secure the division title. **Bet Prediction:**
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