Sports bettors who are serious about making cash work hard at creating matchups that give them an accurate picture of how a game will actually play out. Accurate matchups cannot be done by simply glancing at some stats or comparing quarterback completion percentages. It takes time, labor, and effort to create a viable picture of how a game will progress from beginning to end. By answering some simple questions about each team, you can create great matchups.

Offensive Line

How good is each team’s offensive line? How many sacks have they allowed? Is the quarterback constantly being rushed? What about the running game? Is it consistently gaining yardage? Is this a solid wall that protects the QB and opens the defensive line up, allowing backs to make big gains? Are there any injuries to be concerned about? If a replacement is playing, can he fill the gap? The O-line is an essential part of any football team’s success. Get to know it.

Defense

Is the secondary secure or porous? How much experience do they have? Do they possess enough speed? How many big plays have they given up, especially late in the game?

Is there anyone on the frontline or in the linebacker unit who is a sack threat? How good is the team at stopping the run? How many points have they given up and how successful are they at stopping an opponent once a team gets into the red zone? Answer all of the questions in this section, and you’ll start to get an idea about the defense.

Special Teams

Punt returns and kickoffs can be a major factor in a game. How is each club’s punter and kicker? Does the team see a lot of runbacks? What’s the average punt and how often does the kickoff float above everyone – prohibiting a runback? Have the special teams given up any points? Have the return guys been inferior, adequate, or stellar?

Field Goal Game

Although people like to make fun of the field goal kicker, the fact is that a good one can win a lot of games. How accurate is he, and what’s the longest field goal that he’s kicked? How is he at home and in away games? If the game is indoors, might this be an advantage? These are important questions in games that have low totals and small spreads.

QB as Leader

Of course, a dynamite quarterback with a strong and accurate arm and a great group of receivers can be a huge boost to any team. But just as important, and maybe more important, are his leadership skills. How good is the QB in tight situations, in bringing a team back, and in utilizing the two-minute drill? Can he effectively manage the clock, game, and team?

Weather and Travel

Finally, will weather be a factor? Is there going to be a lot of wind that may affect the passing or kicking games? Will there be rain or snow that may affect passing or running? Is a warm weather team going to play in a cold weather environment? Is a team on short rest going to travel a long distance? Is there anything else that might influence the outcome of the game?

Use the Latest Information

Make sure that you use the latest information possible when creating your matchups. Check out websites such as the NFL.com, ESPN.com, and FoxSports.com. Also, take some time to read matchups and power ranking provided by various online sources. Be as thorough as you can be, and you’ll make solid picks.