The NFL returns this September, with defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, taking on rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, in the opening game. With a record-high seven games set to be played outside the USA this season, including three in London, the NFL’s fandom continues to grow around the world. Here at Spreadex, we have all the action covered with hundreds of markets for both fixed odds and spread betting. New to the NFL? Check out our Beginner’s Guide at the end of this article.

When does the NFL start?

The season opens with a Thursday Night Football game between the Eagles and Cowboys, kicking off at 01:20am on Friday, 5th September. The regular season runs through to January, with games every Thursday night, Sunday evening and Monday night*. The playoffs run through to February, with Super Bowl LX set for Sunday, February 8th.

Who are the favourites for the NFL in 2025?

The Baltimore Ravens are currently the favourites to be crowned Super Bowl champions. Their deep roster, spearheaded by the dynamic backfield duo of quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, has them at 5/1 to win it all. Last year’s Super Bowl champions, Philadelphia, along with the MVP led Buffalo Bills, both currently come in at 6/1. The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a tough loss in Super Bowl LIX, but their track record and star talent keep them among the favourites at 15/2.  

Spreadex also offers unique spread betting markets in addition to our traditional fixed odds markets. The Team Season Wins market allows punters to bet whether or not a team will win more or fewer games than our spread prediction. The Bills currently have the highest spread at 11.85-12.35 wins. At the other end of the spectrum, the New Orleans Saints are predicted to win just 4.15-4.65 games.  

Who are the key players to watch for the 2025 season?

Quarterbacks are always the centre of attention in the NFL, and this season will be no different. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow have established themselves as the top dogs at the position over the past few seasons and will likely be fighting for the MVP award at the end of the year. However, rising stars like Jayden Daniels and CJ Stroud are making strides towards breaking into the league’s elite.

Elsewhere, Saquon Barkley, Ja’Marr Chase, and Brock Bowers are some of the most dynamic offensive players in the league. The 2025 rookie cohort is also sure to be must-see television, with intriguing prospects like Travis Hunter, Cam Ward, and Ashton Jeanty set to make NFL debuts.

Where can I watch the NFL?

Sky Sports shows the Thursday and Monday night games every week, along with two games every Sunday during the regular season, and RedZone coverage, which provides regular updates on every game. They will also broadcast every playoff game, including the Super Bowl.

A new deal for the 2025 season also means that fans in the UK can now watch the NFL for free. 5 (formerly Channel 5) will show two Sunday games every week, along with three playoff games and the Super Bowl.

All odds correct at time of publishing

Please remember that unlike fixed odds betting, when spread betting losses can exceed deposits

Beginner’s Guide to The NFL

American Football is the most popular sport in the USA, and the National Football League, or NFL, is the pinnacle of the sport. However, for newcomers, the NFL can be very confusing. That’s why we’ve created a beginner’s guide to the NFL, to help you understand the basics of the sport. From the format of the league to some common jargon you may encounter, we’ve got you covered. Read on for your introduction to the NFL.

What is the NFL?

The National Football League, or NFL, is an American Football league comprised of 32 teams from across the USA. The league is split into two conferences – the National Football Conference, or NFC, and the American Football Conference, or AFC. These conferences are then split further into four divisions each – the NFC and AFC North, South, East, and West.

How does the league work?

The league usually runs from September to February and has a couple of different stages: the regular season and the playoffs. All teams play 17 games during the regular season, with one bye week, before the playoffs begin. The winners of each division will qualify for the playoffs, along with the teams with the next three best records in each conference. This leads to 14 teams qualifying for the playoffs, with seven in each conference.

The number one seed in each conference gets a bye, while the other six teams play off against each other, with the higher seeded teams facing the lower seeds. The ultimate winners of both the NFC and AFC playoffs meet in the Super Bowl.

How do NFL games work?

Games are split into four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. There are scheduled breaks at the end of each quarter, as well as a break two minutes before the end of each half, known as the “two-minute warning”. Teams can also call up to three time-outs per half.

What are the rules of American Football?

American Football can look complicated for the uninitiated, but it ultimately comes down to one key goal: get the ball to the other team’s endzone – this is called a touchdown.

Everything in-between is a little more confusing – the offence, i.e., the team with the ball, has four attempts to advance the ball ten yards up the field. Each attempt is known as a “down”, with teams aiming to reach the “first-down line” every play. Reaching the first-down line resets your attempts, giving you another four downs to advance the ball ten yards. If the offence fails to reach the first-down line, they turn the ball over to the opposition. Many teams will opt to punt the ball back to the opposition on the 4th down to gain territory.

How does NFL scoring work?

A touchdown (i.e., being in possession of the ball in the opposition endzone) is worth six points, and the “point after touchdown” or PAT is worth one extra point. This is a kick through the sticks, similar to a rugby conversion. Teams can also opt to go for a two-point conversion after a touchdown, which requires them to score another touchdown from the 2-yard line in one attempt. Teams can also kick field goals (kick through the sticks) at any point to score three points. If teams are tied at the end of a game, the game goes to overtime.