NFL spread betting requires a team to win by more than a specified margin (or lose by fewer points than the line suggests). In football, spreads carry added weight compared to lower-scoring sports because margins of victory cluster around key numbers — particularly 3 and 7, which correspond to field goals and touchdowns. A half-point difference between books on a line of -3 or -7 can dramatically shift expected value, making line shopping on NFL spreads more consequential than in almost any other market.
Strategically, the spreads market offers the most value early in the week when lines first open and again late in the week once injury reports crystallize. Bettors should monitor line movement closely — steam moves driven by sharp action often signal mispriced spreads before the market corrects. Regarding vig, NFL spreads are among the most competitive markets in all of sports betting. Standard juice sits at -110 on both sides, but reduced-vig books frequently offer -105 or better. Even small differences in vig compound significantly over a full 18-week season, making it essential to compare pricing across multiple sportsbooks before placing a wager.
Spreads Vig Rankings
| # | Sportsbook | Vig | Grade | Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LowVig.ag | 2.42% | A | 17 |
| 2 | Pinnacle | 2.93% | A | 16 |
| 3 | theScore Bet (ESPN Bet) | 4.70% | B | 20 |
| 4 | BetMGM | 4.71% | B | 20 |
| 5 | BetOnline.ag | 4.71% | B | 17 |
| 6 | Fanatics | 4.72% | B | 18 |
| 7 | Bovada | 4.73% | B | 18 |
| 8 | DraftKings | 4.73% | B | 75 |
| 9 | BetUS | 4.73% | B | 62 |
| 10 | FanDuel | 4.80% | B | 18 |
| 11 | Bally Bet | 4.93% | B | 17 |
| 12 | betPARX | 4.93% | B | 17 |
| 13 | BetRivers | 5.50% | C+ | 17 |
| 14 | Caesars | 5.94% | C+ | 74 |
| 15 | ReBet | 7.29% | D | 20 |
Upcoming Spreads Lines
| Matchup | Time | DraftKings | BetUS | FanDuel | Fanatics | Bally Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks | Sep 10, 12:15 AM | -3.5 (-115) | -4.5 (-115) | -4.5 (-105) | -4.5 (-110) | -4.5 (-110) |
| San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams | Sep 11, 12:35 AM | +2.5 (+100) | +3 (-110) | +2.5 (-105) | +2.5 (-110) | +2.5 (-108) |
| Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh Steelers | Sep 13, 5:00 PM | -3 (-118) | -1.5 (-120) | -2.5 (-115) | -2.5 (-115) | -2.5 (-114) |
| Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts | Sep 13, 5:00 PM | +3.5 (-110) | +3.5 (-110) | +3.5 (-105) | +4 (-110) | +3.5 (-108) |
| Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans | Sep 13, 5:00 PM | +1.5 (-122) | +1 (-110) | +1.5 (-122) | +0.5 (-110) | +1 (-112) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a point spread bet?
A point spread bet levels the playing field by giving the underdog a head start. If the spread is Patriots -7, they must win by more than 7 points for a spread bet to pay. Spreads are the most popular market in football and basketball, which means they attract the most volume and typically have the lowest vig.
Why do spreads usually have lower vig than moneylines?
Spreads attract the highest betting volume because they create a roughly 50/50 proposition regardless of team quality. This balanced action means sportsbooks don't need wide margins to manage risk, resulting in tighter vig — often the best value available.
Why is NFL vig typically lower than other sports?
NFL games attract massive betting volume, which forces sportsbooks to compete on price. Higher liquidity lets books operate on thinner margins. The result is that NFL moneylines, spreads, and totals usually carry some of the lowest vig in all of sports betting.
What markets are available for NFL betting?
We track three core NFL markets: moneyline (who wins), point spreads (margin of victory), and totals (over/under combined points). Each market has its own vig profile — spreads tend to have the tightest lines because they see the highest volume.
When does NFL season start and end?
The NFL regular season runs from early September through mid-January, with playoffs extending through the Super Bowl in February. Preseason odds typically appear in August. During the off-season (March–August), sportsbooks may post futures but per-game lines are unavailable.
How do NFL spreads affect vig?
NFL point spreads are the most heavily bet market in American sports. This intense competition among both bettors and sportsbooks drives spreads to their most efficient prices. You'll often see NFL spreads at -110/-110 or better at sharp books, translating to vig under 5%.
Does vig change closer to NFL game time?
Yes. Early-week NFL lines often carry higher vig as books manage exposure with limited information. As kickoff approaches and sharp money flows in, lines tighten and vig tends to decrease. Betting closer to game time often means better prices, especially at sharp-friendly books.
What is vig (vigorish) in sports betting?
Vig — short for vigorish, also called juice or overround — is the margin a sportsbook builds into its odds. It's the difference between the true probability of an outcome and what the odds imply. Lower vig means you keep more of your winnings on every bet. For example, a standard -110/-110 line has about 4.76% vig.
How often is this data updated?
We pull fresh odds from The Odds API three times per day — at 6:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 10:00 PM UTC. Each snapshot captures the latest lines from every sportsbook that has posted odds. The timestamp at the top of the page shows the most recent refresh.
How is the vig grade calculated?
Each sportsbook is graded on a letter scale based on average vig: A+ (under 2%) is exceptional, A (2–3%) is excellent, B+ (3–4%) is above average, B (4–5%) is the industry standard, C (5–6%) is below average, and D (above 6%) indicates high-juice markets.
How We Calculate These Numbers
- Data Source
- All odds on this page come from The Odds API, which aggregates real-time lines from licensed US and offshore sportsbooks. We track moneyline, spread, and totals markets across every sport with active betting lines.
- Update Frequency
- We pull a fresh snapshot of every tracked market three times per day — at 6:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 10:00 PM UTC. Each snapshot captures the latest lines from every sportsbook that has posted odds for a given event. The timestamp at the top of each page tells you exactly when the data was last refreshed.
- Vig Calculation
- Vig (short for vigorish, also called juice or overround) measures the margin a sportsbook builds into its odds. We calculate it by converting the odds on each side of a market to implied probabilities, summing those probabilities, and subtracting 100%. For example, a market priced at -110/-110 implies 52.38% on each side — a total of 104.76%, meaning a vig of 4.76%. Lower vig means better value for bettors because you keep more of your winnings.
- Per-Market Breakdown
- We compute vig separately for each market type: moneyline (h2h), point spreads, and totals (over/under). The "average vig" shown for each sportsbook is the mean across all market types weighted by the number of events sampled in each market.
- Grading Scale
- Every sportsbook receives a letter grade based on its average vig: A+ (under 2%) is exchange-level pricing. A (2–3%) is very competitive. B+ (3–4%) is above average. B (4–5%) is the industry standard — a -110/-110 line is 4.76%. C+ (5–6%) is slightly below average. C (6–7%) is below average. D (7–8%) is high vig. D− (8–10%) is very high vig. F (10%+) is predatory pricing. See the full Vig Index Methodology for formulas, worked examples, and known limitations.
- Trend Tracking
- We store daily snapshots for 30 days, allowing us to show 24-hour and 7-day vig trends. A downward trend (improving) means sportsbooks are tightening their lines — often in response to increased competition or higher betting volume as a season heats up.