Author: Anton Johan
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Although American football is, well, an American sport, for years it has been
gathering growing support from sports betting fans in other countries, the UK
being one of them. Thanks to the availability of popular American TV sports
channels like ESPN, more people than ever before are taking an interest in the
sport and betting on it.
This is why in the UK specifically, the vast majority of bookmakers
(particularly those with a presence on the internet) publish a vast array of
American football betting lines each year, both for college football, and its
far more popular and lucrative "big brother", the NFL (National Football
League), which culminates in the coveted Super Bowl.
No doubt the closest sport the UK has to American football is rugby, as they
both involve two teams whose aim is to get an oblong ball over the opposing
team's try-line (or goal line as it is known in the American game) to score
points. Both sports boast a pair of uprights to field kicks, but that's pretty
much where the similarities begin and end.
American Football is a Big Hit in the UK
Where rugby is a very free flowing game, American football is far more stilted
and strategic, with more stops and starts than actual playing time, not mention
breaks every few minutes to accommodate adverts in televised games. But it is
true to say that American football is no less exciting, which is why its is
proving to be such a hit in the UK.
To be contested by 32 teams split into two conferences (the AFC and the NFC) and
within those into four divisions each, the 2012-13 NFL regular season
will get underway on Wednesday, September 5, in the form of a highly anticipated
game between defending Super Bowl XLVI champs, the New York Giants, and the
Dallas Cowboys.
And in anticipation of the new season, most UK sportsbooks have already posted a
wide variety of 2012-12 NFL betting markets, including outrights, match lines,
prop bets as well as a host of specials. One such UK sportsbook is William Hill,
which is offering comprehensive and competitive NFL odds at its betting shops
and on its website.
Packers and Patriots Current Favourites
Surprisingly, perhaps, despite their well-deserved, but upset Super Bowl victory
last season, the defending champions are way down the list at 20/1 odds to win
Super Bowl XLVII at William Hill Online and most other sites, while the Green
Bay Packers and the New England Patriots have been laid as the current 6/1 joint
favourites to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
No doubt part of the reason for this is that the Giants surprised everyone - not
least themselves - last year by limping into the playoffs with a lack-luster
record of 9-7. And because of that, many handicappers cannot see them repeating
the feat this season, especially with the reportedly major improvements made to
many of their biggest divisional rivals during the off-season, particularly the
Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.
This is what makes NFL betting in the UK so exciting, along with the knowledge
that during the off-season each team went "back to the drawing board" to be
either reinvented or bolstered through changes in management, coaches and
players, including the addition of a slew of young and talented players as part
of the NFL draft.
Long and Exciting NFL Season Expected
What this means is that UK betting fans can look forward to what should be a
long and exciting NFL season, and one with an abundance of wagering
opportunities. Being avid NFL fans ourselves, you can expect to find the latest
NFL betting lines, news and team reviews right here on Gambling Kingz, so be
sure to check back regularly.
Posted by Anton Johan at 11:08 on 16 August 2012
