Similar to big four sports the MLB and the NHL, the NFL training camps have a preseason in which their stars make appearances in at least one of the two exhibition games. Today we look at how preseason home underdogs can be misleading for regular season NFL betting.

Of the big four sports to bet upon, the NFL has by far the biggest attendance. Annually 28 of the 30 teams have over 94 percent attendance as football is taken the most serious of the big four sports. As a result, fans wanting season tickets can only assure they get the best seats if they pay for the two home preseason games. This is bothersome to a lot of fans as teams usually play their secondary teams at home during the preseason.

Nevertheless over the last decade the home team when bet as the underdog during the preseason, has accumulated a 61 percent winning percentage. But why is this?

Essentially, depending on who the home team is can dictate the outcome of games. For instance a team such as the Detroit Lions in order to entice their fans to come to regular season games may have all of their starters play at home during the preseason. As a result, in a game where they face the secondary roster of the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions although even an underdog at home in that game, will end up winning because of having their starters play.

Likewise good teams that had a disastrous season the year prior may have their best players play at home in the preseason to give their fans something to cheer about. Meaning to suggest that betting on the home underdogs can provide bettors with easy victories prior to the start of the regular season.