Many sports bettors don’t take advantage and decide to pass on betting in
NFL Preseason. More than likely, they've done battle with NFL Preseason games in past and have started their football seasons in hole. The number one reason why they failed is because they used same handicapping methods in exhibition games that they use during regular season games. As it turns out, NFL Preseason is one of best times to bet on football. Winning edges can be found in deciphering available information heading into game giving edge to astute handicapper over books. Information is key in NFL Preseason and it’s only time of year when coaches are willing to reveal their game plans.
Among items to look for when handicapping NFL Preseason games is to assess intentions of head coach. An established veteran head coach’s primary objective is to prepare his team to win during regular season. If coach is a veteran, look at his exhibition record in past seasons to gather clues as to how he prepares his team for preseason games and how seriously he takes games. If a veteran coach is secure in his job and with stable personnel, it can reasonably be expected that he will not be looking to win at all costs, will rest his starters and key reserves to avoid unnecessary injuries, especially in first two exhibition games. However, as preseason wears on and regular season looms, look for this type of team to step it up in their third preseason game.
A veteran coach whose team is coming off an unsuccessful season whose job may be in jeopardy may go all out in preseason to win a few games and appease ownership, media, and fans. This coach may play his starters longer in an attempt to get them ready for regular season. Such a coach tends to be dangerous early in preseason.
A rookie coach almost always tries to impress and win games in preseason, in order to build their own confidence, confidence of team, and confidence of ownership, media and fans that right man was hired for job. A new coach is often in a “honeymoon period” with his new team and they may play harder for him.
The major decision that any coach must make is who is going to play quarterback and for how long. When handicapping NFL Preseason games, you must pay attention to how deep quarterback position is with each team and how many snaps each quarterback will see. This has a huge bearing on how well a team will perform. If a team is embroiled in a quarterback controversy, possibly a situation where two veterans are competing for starting job, one could expect both quarterbacks to play well. This situation could have a seasoned NFL quarterback playing against opponents second or third string defense in early preseason games – Advantage veteran quarterback. When a team is not deep at quarterback, or is hurt by injuries or hold outs, it might find itself in trouble playing young and inexperienced signal callers that may have trouble moving ball when facing complex, speedy NFL defenses while directing an offensive scheme in which they might not be familiar with.
