When it comes to sports betting on football, the rules are really quite simple, and there is never any reason to not figure out what the most suitable wager is in any given situation. If a team is considered the favorite, then they must win by more than the amount of the point spread listed by the pay head bookies. If a team is listed as the underdog, then they have to stay within that number and find a way to “cover”. While the spread is the most popular option when it comes to wagering on football, it isn’t the only one as players can also bet on the total amount of points that can be scored by both teams combined. If the total number of combined points exceeds the number then it is considered an over, if its less then it is an under, and if it is right on then it is considered a “push”.

While the most popular types of wagering on the NFL usually apply to the entire game, there are other situations where the game does not have to be final in order for a wager to go through. There is now the ability to bet on a single half, or even lay on individual quarters at a time. There are also several props listed for both teams, where players can bet on individual players on everything from sacks, to total yards, to touchdowns and even more. While these wagers can be a little more complicated to keep track with, they can add another element of excitement to any game.

Perhaps the most concerning issue in the rise of the Denver Broncos since quarterback Tim Tebow became the team’s starter is how regardless of how well he plays the media seems opposed to giving him the credit that he deserves. After all, Tebow only took over a team that had just a single win through five games and were in the basement of the AFC West, then led them to a 6-1 record from that point forward and carried them to the top of the division. If it wasn’t for Tebow, the Broncos wouldn’t even be in the equation, nor would they be sports betting favorites this week against the Chicago Bears.

Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos (-3.5)

Sunday, 4:05 PM ET

While a defense that does rank fifth in the NFL in sacks does deserve credit, it’s more than a little strange how a D that ranks in the bottom third of the league in most of the other statistical categories continues to get the majority of the credit for the Broncos’ turnaround. After allowing Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Christian Ponder and running back Toby Gerhart to set career highs in passing and rushing yards respectively, the Denver defense will need to do better against Caleb Hanie and the Bears. Chicago has lost consecutive games to the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs, and they could be in trouble if the reason why the Broncos have been winning (Tebow), continues to do the things that he needs to do to win. Denver is finally the favorites according to the pay head bookies, and they should be considering the way that they continue to get the job done.

NFL Betting Pick: Denver Broncos – 3.5

The NFL regular season could be a funny thing at times for the sports betting experts, especially when a team that everyone feels is left for dead comes out of nowhere to go on a dominant winning streak and somehow become relevant again. After losing their first seven games including a couple of brutal collapses against the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos, the Dolphins have come out of nowhere to win three straight, all of which have been clinched by double-digit margins. Heading in to this weekend’s clash against the Dallas Cowboys, Miami remains one of the most unpredictable teams in the NFL, and it will be interesting to see how they fare with a trip to Arlington, Texas.

Miami Dolphins @ Dallas Cowboys (-7)

Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

While the Dolphins have heated up as the weather in South Beach has begun to cool off a bit, the Cowboys have done just as well over their last three games, only they now lead the NFC East. Dallas is tied with the New York Giants for the top spot in the division, with Tony Romo performing at an elite NFL level with a little help from rookie running back DeMarco Murray. In just five games, Murray has rushed for 747 yards and two touchdowns to emerge as the top option in the Cowboys’ rushing attack, with an average of 6.5 yards per carry. It is no coincidence that over the same span Romo has thrown 11 touchdowns compared to just one interception. The Dolphins have played above their potential in three straight wins and are due for a loss, and it should come against a Dallas team fighting for a pay head division crown at home.

NFL Betting Pick: Dallas Cowboys - 7

For as good as the Steelers have been this sports betting season, they just haven’t been able to find a way to beat the division rival Baltimore Ravens, and that could cost them in the long run in their fight for the AFC North. While a second loss to Baltimore hurts, that defeat will be amplified if the Steelers aren’t able to bounce back this week on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been one of the surprise stories in the AFC at 6-2 and tied for the division lead at the midway mark in the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Steelers were able to handle their pay head business the first time that they fell to the Ravens, bouncing back with a 24-0 shutout win over the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately for Ben Roethlisberger and company, it will be the Ravens that play Seattle this Sunday, while the Steelers draw the tough task of taking on a division rival that is hungry to prove that their strong start isn’t a fluke. While the Pittsburgh defense consistently draws praise for rankings so high overall, the Bengals’ have quietly put together a defense that ranks second in the NFL against the run and 10^th against the pass. Cincinnati will face perhaps their toughest challenge of the season this week as Roethlisberger and company look to bounce back in a major way, and how well they hold up could determine how close the final score is as Cincinnati pins its rookie quarterback against a talented Steelers’ group.

NFL Betting Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers – 3