Bettors in Illinois consistently prefer to place their sports bets on the National Football League, making it the top choice for sports betting in the Prairie State.

During the NFL regular season, the majority of sports bets are placed on the games each week, making it the busiest time for sportsbooks. Bettors have the opportunity to focus on and improve their NFL betting strategies with only one game per team per week.

With the NFL playoffs on the horizon, the level of intensity ramps up. Players, coaches, and fans are all zeroed in on the weeks ahead and the road to the Super Bowl.

As the postseason advances, the popularity of sports betting grows, reaching its peak during the Super Bowl. Legal sportsbooks are bustling during the NFL postseason, offering a wide range of bets including moneylines, point spreads, totals, prop bets, in-game betting, and futures.

Read on for a quick overview of how to bet on the NFL playoffs using legal and regulated sportsbooks in Illinois.

NFL playoff lines at Illinois sportsbooks

Below, you can find the latest live odds at online sportsbooks in Illinois for the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl 57. Simply click on any odds to be directed to the online sportsbook where you can take advantage of bonuses and place your bets! Use the drop-down menu to switch between different odds boards.

Bet on the NFL online in Illinois

There are a variety of bet types available in Illinois, but when betting on NFL games, there are a few that are more commonly used.

• Moneyline bets are a straightforward wager where you select the team you believe will win, making it a perfect choice for those new to sports betting.
• Point spreads are set by oddsmakers to predict which team will win and by how many points. If you pick the favored team, they must win by the predicted points or more. Conversely, if you choose the underdog, they must either lose by fewer points than predicted or win the game outright.
• Totals Betting, also referred to as over/unders, is a wager where bettors predict the combined score of both teams in a game, as determined by the oddsmakers. The final outcome of the game does not affect the bet, only whether the actual score is higher or lower than the predicted total.
• Parlays involve placing multiple bets on one slip, requiring all predictions to be correct in order to win. Consider the potential reward in relation to the risk before making a decision.
• Proposition bets are wagers that focus on specific outcomes involving a team or player, such as predicting the first scorer, halftime leader, or number of interceptions thrown by the quarterback. These bets are all considered proposition bets.
• Teasers offer the advantage of adjusting the point spread in your favor, but they may also result in a smaller return on your bet.
• Betting on futures entails wagering on outcomes that have not yet happened, such as forecasting the Super Bowl champion or the MVP of a sports league.
• Live betting, also known as in-game betting, involves placing wagers on events that occur after a game has started. These bets can usually be placed through your favorite sports betting app or online platform.

Some things to consider before placing an NFL playoff bet

Make sure to do your homework before betting on an NFL playoff game in Illinois. This rule applies to all sports and seasons: Always conduct a thorough investigation before placing any sports wager.

When conducting research on your NFL postseason teams, take into account the following factors:

• Teams with bye weeks in the playoffs have the advantage of extra rest compared to their opponents, who are still competing on the field. This can lead to fewer injuries, more time for recovery, and less strain on the players.
• Is the team you’re betting on showing strong performance as they near the postseason? Are they on a winning streak as the season comes to a close, aiming for playoff success? Momentum is crucial for a team, especially in the NFL.
• Teams with a wealth of playoff experience, especially those with a winning track record, are usually well-prepared, focused, and ready to perform from the start. Keep an eye on teams that have had recent postseason successes and have kept key players on their roster.
• Oddsmakers are experts in their field for a reason – if they show strong favoritism towards a team, it’s worth paying attention to. While sportsbooks typically don’t make many mistakes in their NFL playoff lines, if you find an opportunity to take advantage of an underdog, look for the oddsmakers and sportsbooks that offer the best potential return on your investment.

NFL playoff odds and betting lines

Illinois sportsbooks are known for setting strong betting lines during the regular season, which allows them to perform exceptionally well during the playoffs when there are fewer games to focus on.

When analyzing the odds and lines for NFL playoffs betting, take into account these two factors.

The primary factor to consider in NFL playoff betting is line movement, which occurs after sportsbooks release their initial lines for a specific game. As bets start coming in, these lines may shift based on the betting activity observed by the sportsbooks. If there is a heavy imbalance of bets favoring one team, the sportsbook may adjust the lines in order to even out potential payouts. Ultimately, sportsbooks are in the business of making money and aim to maximize their profits. For bettors, tracking line movement can provide valuable insights into public sentiment and the betting patterns of others.

Next, let’s discuss the topic of public betting. There are several websites available that can help you track betting percentages from reputable sportsbooks in Illinois. If you notice that a majority of bettors are leaning towards one side, it’s important to delve deeper into the reasons behind this trend. Staying informed about public betting and understanding line movements is essential for developing a successful betting strategy.

NFL statistics for Illinois sports bettors

Sports are abundant with statistics, and the NFL is at the forefront. Yet, determining which stats are useful for betting can be a daunting task.

The choice of which statistics to monitor is up to you, and will require research to determine what best fits your betting strategy. However, we have identified some key statistical categories that we believe are essential for your research process.

• Consideration of Points For and Points Against is crucial in your analysis. These factors represent the offensive and defensive capabilities of your researched team, highlighting their ability to both score points and prevent their opponents from doing so.
• Yards Per Play and Yards Per Play Against are akin to the previous concepts. The objective is for your team to move the ball forward while impeding the opponent’s advancement. This provides a glimpse into a team’s offensive and defensive prowess and their capacity to control a game.
• Additionally, it is important to take into account other statistics when evaluating a team’s capability. While we believe the previously mentioned statistics are crucial, don’t overlook factors such as passing and running proficiency, defense, average sacks per game, and turnover prevention or inducement.

Other factors in NFL playoff betting

As we mentioned before, it is essential to be aware of a team’s habits. It is equally important to keep track of their rest levels, stay informed about any updates, and be mindful of any major injuries. There are many online sources available to provide this information. Make sure to incorporate this into your regular research routine.

Monitoring the weather forecast for the home team’s stadium is a key factor in game preparation. Teams can face difficulties when playing in adverse weather conditions compared to when the weather is favorable. Take the Green Bay Packers, for example. Their home field, famously dubbed the “Frozen Tundra,” is notorious for extreme weather elements such as freezing temperatures, heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The Packers play their home games outdoors, without the protection of a dome, making weather conditions a critical component. The harsher the weather, the greater the likelihood it will play to their advantage.

Betting strategy for the NFL playoffs

While it is crucial to create your own betting strategy, we can still provide some initial suggestions to help you get started.

During the NFL season and playoffs, it is important to set a strict budget and adhere to it. Trying to recoup losses by betting more is not a smart strategy. Betting comes with losses, and trying to chase them away is futile.

Additionally, it is important to determine which types of bets align with your comfort level. If you prefer straightforward bets, then moneyline wagers would be the best option. However, if you are willing to put in extra effort in researching, you may find totals and point spreads to be more appropriate.

The playoffs are divided into four stages: wild card weekend, divisional round, conference championships, and the Super Bowl. Instead of worrying about the results of the wild card games, focus on the first round. Assess your performance after that round and then shift your focus to the next round of games.

If luck is on your side and you win, consider using your winnings to increase your budget for the following week. But if luck is not in your favor and you either lose or break even, it is advised to stick to your current budget and stay within your comfort zone for the divisional round.

If you want to try different types of bets, it’s important to budget your money wisely. Put most of your funds towards the bets you are most sure about, and only use the rest for other bets. Here’s an example to help you understand better:

• Allocate 75% of your budget to Moneylines and Totals.
• Prop Bets: 10%
• Point Spreads: 10%
• Parlays: 5%

Create a personalized strategy and stick to it, as it is the most successful method for any gambler. Recognize what works well and continue with it, while getting rid of what is not effective. You can always adjust your strategy and budget, but avoid changing it just for the sake of change.

Should you pay for expert NFL playoff picks?

While you might be tempted by a program that promises “expert” picks and weekly betting tips, keep in mind that anyone can claim to be an expert. In reality, the information you’re paying for is often readily available through your own online research.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. You may choose to save time by using readily available information or trust the guidance of a specific pundit. If you don’t have enough time for thorough research, it’s best to do what you feel is most suitable.

If you like to have control over your betting decisions, it’s best to avoid paying for services and information that is available for free. Just be willing to put in the effort to do your own research.

If you choose to use a paid service, make sure it is reputable, reliable, and open about its track record. Avoid services that do not offer verifiable data, as they are likely not worth your investment.

Super Bowl betting guide and tips

The Super Bowl is a massive gambling event worldwide, drawing a huge amount of bets for sportsbooks across the globe. In Illinois, you can make the same bets on the Super Bowl as you did during the regular season and playoffs, but you can anticipate a substantial uptick in the number of participants placing bets.

It is important to maintain consistency in your research methods when analyzing major games. Instead of changing your strategies, focus on proven methods and keep an eye on line movements. The bets placed by the public will influence the lines, so take advantage of this by identifying the most attractive odds for your bets.

Illinois sportsbooks that are legal and regulated will offer a wide variety of prop bets for the Super Bowl, including unique options like predicting the color of the energy drink that will be poured on the winning coach. This event will present an abundance of betting opportunities that may surpass any other time of the year.

It is important to set and stick to a budget for your regular season and NFL playoff bets, just as you would for any other expenses. Remember to have fun while doing so. Feel free to participate in props and live betting during the most important sports event in the United States.