NFL Betting at Virginia Sportsbooks

When it comes to sports betting, the NFL is the biggest game in town at every legal and regulated US online sportsbook. And Virginia is now in on the action. From the start of the season through to the last bet on the Super Bowl, every single game attracts a deluge of betting action. There are dozens of ways to bet on NFL games so you’ll have no shortage of opportunities all season long.

Sportsbooks release NFL lines and odds for the upcoming week well in advance, so bettors have plenty of time to study the numbers and make their picks. Once game day rolls around, there are even more bets to consider thanks to NFL props and live betting markets.

Betting continues into the offseason with the next season’s futures odds, plus betting lines for the Draft, free agency, and more. Our complete guide to NFL betting has everything you need to know, from the various types of football bets to handicapping tips to the best sportsbooks and apps to legally and safely bet the NFL online in Virginia.

Best NFL betting apps in VA

Live NFL Odds at VA Online Sportsbooks

Check the live feed below for current NFL futures odds at Virginia online sportsbooks. Use the toggle menu to change between odds boards (Super Bowl winner, AFC or NFC winners & NFL MVP). Click on any odds to go directly to the online sportsbook, claim your free bets and get your NFL futures bets in.

 

How to bet on the NFL in Virginia

The U.S. Supreme Court decided individual states could each decide what to do with sports betting back in May 2018. It took some time for things to be sorted out here in VA, but the green light was officially given in April 2020. Here are the best online sportsbooks currently available on the market:

Best NFL betting apps

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

The same things that made DraftKings a daily fantasy sports leader carry over to its sports betting app. DraftKings offers up a slick platform with everything you need to hit the ground running with NFL betting. Betting live on NFL games with DK’s FlashBet is a must.

2. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel helped make daily fantasy sports a household name, and the company is now pushing to bring sports betting to the masses. The user-friendly app interface is among the most visually appealing in the industry and makes betting on the NFL — pre-game or live — super simple.

3. BetMGM Sportsbook

The iconic MGM brand has gone all-in with sports betting, and while the navigation is a little less slick, you’ll find all of the markets and bet types you need for the NFL. You’ll also find very good odds to take advantage of plus lots of ongoing promo offers.

4. BetRivers Sportsbook

An outstanding rewards program is something that bettors of all shapes and sizes can appreciate. BetRivers offers that alongside a stellar platform of NFL betting markets.

5. Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars also has one of the top programs in the industry. The simple interface allows you to get down to business with NFL betting quickly and easily.

You can access every bet available at any of these online sportsbooks via the downloadable app. Once you click through on our links to create an account, you’ll be eligible for all our bonus offers and be up and running on both formats quickly.

Can you bet on the NFL in Virginia?

Sports betting was officially legalized in Virginia in April 2020. Final rules and regulations are still being sorted out, but the official rollout is expected to take place before the end of the year.

You’ll be able to place your NFL bets both online or via a mobile app on your iPhone or Android. There’s no in-state residency requirement, but you must be physically located within state lines to make a real-money NFL bet at an online VA sportsbook.

You can also create and register your account from your home in DC (or any neighboring state) and simply cross the border into Virginia to make your bet. You can then ultimately cash out your winnings from your home state as well.

Betting in Virginia will be permitted on all of the major sports, including NFL. College sports teams betting is prohibited in-state, including prop betting, but you’ll be able to place your bets on each of the 32 NFL teams in a variety of different ways without issue.

How to bet on NFL games

For each NFL game, you’ll have several different ways to bet. The major NFL bet types are all easily found under the NFL tab in your online sportsbook or sportsbook app.

Moneyline bets

The moneyline bet is simple and straightforward. You’re simply tasked with picking the winner. The favorite will have negative odds; odds are positive for underdogs. The closer the range, the tighter the matchup. The opposite is true for big spans in the numbers.

• Carolina Panthers +150
• Tennessee Titans -130

Point spread

Oddsmakers install a point spread on each game which is their estimated margin of victory. Bettors account for this by taking the favorite minus the points or going with the underdog plus the number. To cover, the final margin has to be greater than the spread for favorites, and less than the spread for underdogs.

• Atlanta Falcons +2.5 (-110)
• Indianapolis Colts -2.5 (-110)

Totals

A totals or over/under bet has to do with the total combined points that will be scored in the game. Sportsbooks set an estimated number, and bettors pick where they think the number will land at the end of the game – either Over/Under the estimate.

• Over 50.5 (-110)
• Under 50.5 (-110)

Prop betting

There are other bets offered at legal online sportsbooks. If you click through on the NFL game listings in each book, you’ll find a wide range of prop bets in numerous categories.

Props are basically like placing a side bet on something that may or may not happen during the game. There will be bets offered on things like specific player milestones (receiving yards gained, rushing yards gained, etc.) or a game scenario that might come up.

• How many combined yards will Christian McCaffrey have: Over/Under 119.5?
• Will the Eagles score a defensive or special teams TD: Yes/No?
• Which side will have more passing yards in the game: Raiders or Chargers?

How does NFL live betting work?

The betting doesn’t stop once the game kicks off. That’s thanks to live betting, a fast-growing part of the sports betting landscape. Live betting allows you to place bets in real-time based on what’s happening on the field.

The odds and markets move fast, but a good sportsbook app makes it simple to stay on top of things. Live betting functions similar to the prop market in terms of offerings, but you’ll also find new opportunities to bet on the outcome with updated odds. A few examples of betting on live odds:

• Which side will have more rushing yards by halftime: Cowboys or Cardinals?
• Will Dustin Hopkins make this field goal: Yes/No?
• Who will win the game: Ravens or Chiefs?

Moneylines, spreads, and totals can also be bet on for the game but with shifting odds that reflect how the game is taking shape on the field.

Bet on the Super Bowl in Virginia

All of the above bets plus an epic slate of on-field and off field props will be available at every major sportsbook when the Super Bowl comes around.

Not only will the props cover virtually everything you can imagine on-field from a player perspective (First TD scored, rushing yards in first half, total TD receptions, etc) there’s a really fun selection of unconventional props including:

• Doink Special (kick to hit the uprights)
• Double Doink Special (kick to hit upright twice)
• Fat Man TD (Lineman scores TD)

Other popular bets include winner of the coin toss, Super Bowl MVP and parlay bets that stack up a couple of specific occurrences (Mahomes Scores TD + Chiefs win, etc).

In short: It’s a complete blast; read more about it on our dedicated page here:

• Super Bowl Betting in Virginia

NFL futures odds

NFL futures odds keep the betting action going throughout the year. Futures are bets you can place on an outcome that will happen at a later date. Odds are listed for all of the available choices within any one category (ie. player or team) and the odds will move based on betting action.

Some of the biggest futures odds markets stay very active all year while others will see spikes in interest at certain times. Futures make for a great way to stay on top of how the betting public sees the NFL season as a whole playing out.

NFL futures odds you can expect to find at any VA online sportsbook include:

• Odds on Super Bowl winner, Conference winner, Division winner.
• Team regular-season win totals.
• Individual awards: MVP, Rookie of the Year, Passing yards leader, etc.

NFL schedule explained

From August through the Super Bowl in early February, there’s live pigskin action every week. Here’s how the NFL schedule breaks down.

Preseason

The preseason typically kicks off with the annual Hall of Fame game, which is a standalone contest. Afterward, it’s four weeks of games with all teams in action. Books provide odds for preseason games, but betting on them can be tricky due to the unpredictable nature and questions about playing time. For 2020, the NFL preseason has been eliminated.

Regular season

The regular season spans 17 weeks. Each team plays 16 games and gets one week off as a bye. The schedule is structured like this: each team plays its division rivals twice, four against a division in the same conference, four games against a division in the other conference, with the final two based on standings from the season before. NFL games are played on Sundays, Monday nights, Thursday nights and Saturday nights.

Postseason

The four division winners in each conference make the playoffs, as do three Wild Card teams from each side. The top overall side in each conference receives a bye, while the others play in the opening round with winners advancing and so on through the tournament. The ultimate winner of each conference makes it to the Super Bowl.

Betting action is massive throughout the regular season and takes off even further once the postseason and Super Bowl roll around. Sportsbooks do a solid job of setting competitive NFL betting odds and lines for each game — but remember to shop around to find the best prices.

How to watch or stream NFL games in VA

NFL games are appointment viewing for many, so finding them on TV or via streaming options isn’t too challenging. The actual place to watch will vary depending on which part of the slate is on tap.

Thursday Night Football

TNF games can be found on FOX and NFL Network. Amazon Prime also provides a stream of the game for subscribers.

Sunday Afternoon

The main part of the slate belongs to CBS and FOX. The former has the AFC package, while the latter handles the NFC. NFL RedZone provides wraparound coverage of all the games, while DirecTV Sunday Ticket carries all contests. The last two options require a subscription.

Sunday Night Football

As the week winds down, fans can tune into NBC to catch SNF, which is generally one of the big marquee games of the week.

Monday Night Football

The final game of the week can be found on ESPN. MNF is a tradition that traces its roots back to 1970.

Each of the aforementioned networks can be found as part of cable, satellite, and streaming packages. For streaming purposes, you can also visit the website or app of the broadcaster for options, but you’ll have to log in with provider credentials to access those features. Yahoo also provides streams of primetime and local games.

For games that are on the three broadcast networks, they can be picked up via local affiliates.

• CBS affiliates
  • WUSA – Washington D.C.
  • WCAV – Charlottesville
  • WSVF/WGSV – Harrisonburg
  • WTKR – Norfolk
  • WTVR – Richmond
  • WDBJ – Roanoke

• FOX affiliates
  • WTTG – Washington D.C.
  • WCAV – Charlottesville
  • WSVF – Harrisonburg
  • WWCW – Lynchburg
  • WRLH – Richmond
  • WFXR – Roanoke
  • WVBT – Virginia Beach

• NBC affiliates
  • WRC – Washington D.C.
  • WCYB – Bristol
  • WVIR – Charlottesville
  • WSVW – Harrisonburg
  • WAVY – Portsmouth
  • WWBT – Richmond
  • WSLS – Roanoke

Which NFL team is most popular in Virginia?

No NFL team makes its home here in VA, but many fans have latched on to one that’s not too far away. The newly named Washington Football Team (formerly the Washington Redskins) is the squad of choice for many residents.

The team’s biggest rivalry games come against fellow NFC East squads: The Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles.

The DC football team is well-removed from its glory days of winning three Super Bowls in the 1980s under head coach Joe Gibbs, but optimism is high that Ron Rivera will be the right man for the job.

• Home Stadium: FedEx Field, 1600 FedEx Way, Landover, MD 20784
• Capacity: 82,000
• Opened: September 14, 1997

Washington Football Team Results for 2019/20 Season

Date	Opponent	Result	Record
Sept. 8	at Philadelphia Eagles	L, 37-27	0-1
Sept. 15	vs. Dallas Cowboys	L, 31-21	0-2
Sept. 23	vs. Chicago Bears	L, 31-15	0-3
Sept. 29	at New York Giants	L, 24-3	0-4
Oct. 6	vs. New England Patriots	L, 33-7	0-5
Oct. 13	at Miami Dolphins	W, 17-16	1-5
Oct. 20	vs. San Francisco 49ers	L, 9-0	1-6
Oct. 24	at Minnesota Vikings	L, 19-9	1-7
Nov. 3	at Buffalo Bills	L, 24-9	1-8
Nov. 17	vs. New York Jets	L, 34-17	1-9
Nov. 24	vs. Detroit Lions	W, 19-16	2-9
Dec. 1	at Carolina Panthers	W, 29-21	3-9
Dec. 8	at Green Bay Packers	L, 20-15	3-10
Dec. 15	vs. Philadelphia Eagles	L, 37-27	3-11
Dec. 22	vs. New York Giants	L, 41-35 OT	3-12
Dec. 29	at Dallas Cowboys	L, 47-16	3-13

It was a trying campaign for Washington last time around, but the team does have some intriguing youngsters to build around. Included on that list are QB Dwayne Haskins, and DE Chase Young, the team’s first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Best NFL players from Virginia

More than 200 players who were born here in VA have gone on to play in the NFL. That makes for an interesting debate on who is the best of the best, but there’s no arguing that these five stars made a serious mark on the game.

• DB Ronde Barber: Born in Roanoke, Barber holds the mark for most NFL games played by a VA-born player at 241.
• LB James Farrior: A native of Ettrick, Farrior terrorized opponents during stints with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
• TE Ben Watson: The Norfolk-born Watson is not only one of the finest players to come out of VA, but also one of the most respected across the NFL.
• RB Tiki Barber: Ronde’s brother, Tiki Barber was electrifying with the football in his hands during his time with the New York Giants.
• QB Michael Vick: The best player to ever come out of Newport News had his share of controversy during his career, but there’s simply no denying Vick’s talent.

NFL betting tips

Betting on the NFL can be equal parts challenging and fun. The same holds for devising a handicapping strategy that ultimately leads to success.

For starters, it helps to stick to the basics. You’ll want to examine each weekly matchup in full detail, have a sense of recent play and relevant injuries for each team, and also have a full understanding of the odds board. Once you have that down you can get more detailed and add on other facets such as advanced stats and team splits by bet type.

There are also plenty of football betting resources that you can lean on, many of which are free. There are paid options as well but shop carefully and stick to those with great reputations if you go that route. Here are some other tips to keep in mind for NFL sports betting.

1. Don’t bet over your head

This applies to both the amounts you are betting per contest and the number of games you wager in. In both cases, stick to your comfort level. You should have a clear budget in mind and stick to it no matter what. On the game front, don’t try to tackle more games than you can reasonably handle each week.

2. Don’t rely on rooting interest

Having a rooting interest is a big part of the fun with the NFL, but you need to leave that at the door when it comes to betting. For each wager you place, you should be able to build a concrete case that’s built on reason and data. If you can’t leave your emotions out of it, then pass in the game and move on to others.

3. Don’t chase your losses

Losses are a part of football betting, no matter how skilled you are. While they can be annoying and painful, you need to learn to accept them. No one will be right in every NFL game. Resist the temptation to try and ‘get even’ and instead focus on what went wrong and what you can learn from it.