The new NFL season is almost upon us; something as eagerly anticipated in North America as the beginning of the new football campaign is in the UK.
Punters have been weighing up the pre-season trades and free agent signings as they plot their bets, with a handful hoping to win huge sums via some rather optimistic big punts on outsiders and underdogs.
But if their bet does land, they could join the NFL betting hall of fame – topped by one individual who won a cool $4.8 million (£3.5 million) when the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl back in 2018.
Hope Springs Eternal
Some of the biggest potential wins come courtesy of teams that are considered little more than also-rans.
According to Yahoo Sports, one of the biggest liabilities currently standing is a $50,000 (£37,000) punt on the Seattle Seahawks at 60/1 to win Super Bowl LX, which was placed with BetMGM.
If that lands, the individual in question could walk away $3 million (£2.2 million) to the good. And they’re not on their own in backing the Seahawks to exceed expectations, with the Betfair Exchange charts confirming that Seattle have been supported from 110.00 down to 65.00.
That is perhaps down to the signing of talented quarterback Sam Darnold, as well as strengthening both in their attacking and defensive departments.
Seattle’s new QB Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/lOniXvyVuP
— NFL (@NFL) March 13, 2025
Elsewhere, two separate punters are sweet on the Las Vegas Raiders, having placed wagers of £7,500 and £18,500 respectively on the 100/1 outsiders – in a bid to win £750,000 and £1.85 million.
They will need to improve considerably on a W4 L13 record from the 2024 season, while a record of one play-off appearance since 2016 does not inspire confidence – nor does the fact that they haven’t won the Super Bowl since 1983.
Again, there’s market support for an unlikely Raiders run to the Super Bowl – at the time of writing, more than £450,000 had been matched on the Sin City franchise, pushing their price in from 290.00 to 110.00 on the Betfair Exchange.
The Raiders have brought in quarterback Geno Smith and star-in-the-making Ashton Jeanty, while Pete Carroll brings experience and nous as their new head coach.
Anyone wanting to follow in those long odds bets, or at least follow their progress, can do so in the UK via Sky Sports, who have retained the live broadcast rights. Meanwhile, Paddy Power have been named as the NFL’s official betting partner in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Biggest Winning Bets in NFL History
It would be fair to say that the NFL provokes strong feelings in fans of American football – some of whom put their money where their mouth is… placing bets the size of which would be refused without a second thought in the UK.
During the 2024/25 season, one individual wagered a staggering $3.1 million (£2.3 million) on the Philadelphia Eagles to beat the Carolina Panthers – a selection that would have seen them net a relatively paltry $442,000 (£330,000) in winnings.
Talk about getting a sweat on. The Panthers led 14-16 after the third quarter, and while the Eagles rallied to lead 22-16 with just a minute to play, Carolina were in possession of the ball and approaching the Philadelphia endzone with just seconds left to play.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young picked out Xavier Legette, who made his way to the goal line. However, the pass was adjudged to have been incomplete, after replays showed the ball slipping out of his hands and hitting the ground.
The play was chalked off, which would have otherwise seen the Panthers draw level at 22-22 with a chance to notch an extra point with a conversion kick… with just 45 seconds left on the clock.
The punter was left breathing an almighty sigh of relief.
Deep pockets are not uncommon amongst the American betting community: one individual, known as ‘Bettor X’, placing a series of bets totalling $3 million (£2.2 million) on the Philadelphia Eagles to beat the New England Patriots at Super Bowl LII… they obliged, as underdogs, in a 41-33 slobberknocker – netting the punter $4.8 million (£3.6 million) in profit.
Smaller stakes punters have also had their way. Back in 2017, one punter placed a parlay – the UK equivalent of an acca – on 12 teams to win their respective games.
After parting with $5 (£3.70), they watched on in disbelief as their delightful dozen all came home – netting a shade over $200,000, or around £150,000, for their troubles.