Handicapping when NFL betting is the quickest way one can go from being a square to becoming an expert. In essence, handicapping is when NFL fans betting online put in an extra effort to research everything there is to know about each game. By doing so these fans give themselves an advantage over the rest of the gambling world when placing their wagers. Here are eight steps to help you become a better handicapper.

1.      Watch the Games - This is the simplest method to handicapping, as a fair majority of football fans will bet on games, and then go do something else the day of the games. As well, many fans simply follow the box scores rather than the game itself. This is not a good indicator of how well your picks are doing. Instead if you do not have the stations for the games, it would be worthwhile to invest in the NFL package, watch the games online or go to a bar.

2.      Selectively Pick - The main difference between squares and expert football bettors, is that the squares bet every game. In order to improve your chances at success each Sunday, pick only a handful of games. On any given Sunday at least 20 teams are playing, of the 10 games, pick between three to five of the games.

3.      Get Informed - Perhaps the most important aspect to handicapping not only in football but in all sports is to get informed. What we mean by get informed, is to essentially know everything there is to know about all 30 NFL teams. This will help you greatly when placing your wagers.

4.      Find Trustworthy Stats- Although there are multiple sites to choose from, every internet site is going to try and sell you with their stats. We suggest you shop around and look for one site that day in and day out provides the most accurate football statistics. Look for the top fantasy football sites as they will have the best statistics.

5.      Track Teams - Even though they wear a lot of padding, football players get injured more than any other professional athlete. As a tip we suggest that when you are getting informed as we suggest in point three, you stay constantly updated and track the progress of every player. If a star player goes down on one team you may want to bet their opponent.

6.      Feel Safe with Top Teams - Annually there are four teams in each conference that dominate. These are the teams you should feel safest betting with as a team such as Indianapolis has been fantastic for the last decade and will be a safer pick then a team such as Jacksonville who makes a play once every three years.

7.      Variety Betting - Many fans stick to the classic win straight up, point spread and over under totals. We suggest on top of betting this way, you also bet via the parlay, teaser and halves bets as these are quite exciting options as well.

8.      Stick with It - Like anything, betting is no easy task. By sticking out the whole season, you may find that you enjoy betting on football, as opposed to leaving after one bad week. Further what you lose in one week can be made up in another.