
NFL for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know for New Season
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The NFL is one of the world's biggest sporting competitions, with millions tuning in each week right through to the Super Bowl showpiece final. Every year, the appeal of American football reaches new audiences, and the game continues to soar in popularity.
Many fans enjoy placing wagers to add an extra layer of excitement to games and online sports betting BetUS features a wide range of options to enhance your experience. If you are keen to get involved in following the NFL, this article will tell you everything you need to know so that you can swiftly become an expert.
How does the NFL work?
The NFL consists of 32 teams divided into two conferences. There is the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC), and the difference between the two is which teams were part of the American Football League and which were part of the NFL when the leagues merged way back in 1970.
The NFC and AFC each feature four divisions of four teams. The competing sides are based across the United States, and they are divided by the region in which they play. The divisions are as follows:
NFC North
Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC East
Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
AFC South
Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
AFC West
Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
The league consists of 17 regular season games and one bye week, with the 18-week campaign typically starting on the second weekend of September and ending in early January ahead of the playoffs.
Based on the previous season's standings, the NFL utilizes a scheduling algorithm to determine when teams face each other.
The NFL Play-Offs Explained
Fourteen teams qualify for the play-off stage of the competition, with seven advancing from the NFC and seven from the AFC. These are the eight division winners plus six wild cards, who are the three best teams from each conference who failed to win their individual division. The one top-ranked side from each conference receives a bye and is also awarded a home tie in the second round, while the other teams are seeded based on their season record.
The Super Bowl
The winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the team victorious in the National Football Conference (NFC) meet in the NFL Super Bowl, which is one of the most watched sporting events on the planet.
The 2024 showpiece featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers was the most popular TV program of all time in the United States, with a massive 123 million viewers tuning in across the nation. Another 60 million people watched around the world.
Since 2022, the game has taken place on the second Sunday in February, though this hasn't always been the case. Between 2004 and 2021, the Super Bowl was played on the first Sunday of the second month of the year. The first twelve installments of the fixture, which dates back to 1967, were played in mid-January, and the games between 1979 and 2003 occurred in late January.
This season's Super Bowl, known as Super Bowl LIX, will be played at the Superdome in New Orleans, and it will be the eleventh time the showpiece has taken place in the Louisiana city, though this will be the first time since 2013.
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are the most successful teams in the history of the Super Bowl, with six triumphs each, while the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys have five wins. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texas are yet to feature in the Super Bowl.
Backing Different Teams Throughout the Campaign
There are several strategies to utilize throughout the NFL season when betting on teams and the outcome of matches. Building a strong knowledge of the teams, star names, and route to the Super Bowl is essential so that you can make smart and informed decisions from a place of real expertise.
It's always a wise move to stay updated on team news, as being aware of which star names are expected to take to the field on gameday can help you to properly compare and assess teams when they go head-to-head. Coaches will update the media at news conferences days ahead of games, while instant updates can be found on social media. Being aware of injuries and suspensions is imperative. For instance, if a team's main quarterback is sidelined through injury, it could impact the side's performance levels and ability to win. Knowing ahead of time that he will be missing can give you an edge when it comes to predicting the final score.
Another tactic is keeping track of the form guide. A team that has won five straight games will be seen as favorites when taking on a struggling side, while another team that has lost five on the bounce will be underdogs as the lack of results will be noted by sportsbooks. Also check out historical data, as some players may find it difficult against particular opponents or play at certain venues.
International Matches
The NFL is popular all around the world, and there have been games played outside of the United States, and this is the case again in 2024. In Week One, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers at the Corinthians Arena in what was the first NFL matchup played in Brazil.
There will also be three games taking place in London in October, with the New York Jets' clash with the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars showdown with the Chicago Bears each taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Wembley will host the Jacksonville Jaguars when they meet the New England Patriots.
Germany will welcome the NFL for a third consecutive year, with the New York Giants playing the Carolina Panthers at Allianz Arena in Munich on November 10.
Wrapping Up
The NFL continues to attract new followers all over the world, and it is a good time to watch the action with the Super Bowl supreme when it comes to stunning sporting events. With iconic teams and global superstars, the NFL combines skill and talent with drama and unpredictability, making for a thrilling spectacle from the start of the campaign right through to the showpiece final.
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