When betting on the NFL there are many different conditions you should consider. One condition that is commonly overlooked is how the weather can affect the outcome of a game. In the beginning of the season the weather plays little to no role on the NFL betting lines. However in the latter months of the season when the regular season ends and the playoffs begin the cold temperatures have a drastic affect on the odds lines.

For instance, in December when the weather is 35 degrees or lower, the point spread and total lines can be affected by two to three points. In cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati and Cleveland, three of the coldest cities in the US during winter, nine games went over the total in last year’s final few weeks of the regular season. Furthermore, generally most of the teams in the NFL use a pass offense and in the latter half of the regular season the wind tends to pick up, playing a pivotal role in the outcome of the games. As a result 13 games between December and January went under the total as the wind made it far more difficult for passes to be completed.

Bettors informing themselves of the weather conditions prior to wagering, should know that the cold weather tends to have a drastic affect on non-playoff warm weather road teams. This was none more evident than in 2007 when teams such as the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers combined with the other warm non playoff teams for an overall record of two wins in six losses.

By factoring in the weather when handicapping your bet, one should always consider the history of each team. Such being the case for the powerhouse San Diego Chargers, in the early stages of the winter they have an undefeated record. Yet when the winter progresses their success turns to dismay as they struggle mightily.