Making accurate NFL picks each week is the goal of every football fan and bettor. While everyone wants to correctly predict the outcome of NFL games, not everyone goes about it in the same way. There are three main approaches people use – making their own NFL picks, using NFL computer picks, and relying on NFL consensus picks. While all three aim to forecast game winners, there are some key differences between each method.
NFL Picks
NFL picks are predictions made by individuals, such as sports analysts, writers, or fans. These picks reflect that person’s research, knowledge, and instincts about the NFL teams, matchups, and other factors that may impact the outcome of a game.
To make sound NFL picks, it takes time and effort to study team stats, player injuries, coaching strategies, and other intel. This allows the picker to make educated guesses about how teams will perform against the point spread or predict the final score. Picks can be straight (picking the winner without a point spread) or against the spread.
The benefits of making your own NFL picks is that you can tailor the analysis to your own style. Some may crunch numbers and statistics, while others may evaluate matchups and emotions. The downside is the time required to make thoughtful picks for every NFL game each week. There is also no guarantee your picks will be better than the experts or computer models.
NFL Computer Picks
For those who don’t have the ability or desire to study all the NFL games in-depth each week, weekly NFL computer picks can be a helpful resource. Sports betting and analytics companies have designed computer models and algorithms to analyze historical data and make statistical-based predictions.
These computer programs examine factors like the teams’ previous performances, strengths and weaknesses, matchups between offenses and defenses, home and away records, weather forecasts, and more. The algorithms process all this data to calculate the probability of a certain outcome and make picks accordingly.
Computer picks eliminate human bias and take much less time to generate. The picks are based purely on statistical modeling rather than hunches or emotions. However, computer models lack the intuitive and strategic aspects that human analysts can provide. The picks are only as good as the algorithm’s design and the data it uses.
NFL Consensus Picks
For bettors looking to maximize insight into the NFL games, consensus picks take into account the wisdom of many different pickers. Consensus picks aggregate the selections of various experts, computers, and public opinion.
These picks are calculated by compiling predictions from dozens or hundreds of different sources. The consensus picks represent the most picked team or side of a game or point spread. A consensus does not mean all pickers agree, but that a majority lean a certain direction.
Consensus NFL picks allow you to see what the general betting market thinks of that week’s matchups. It helps even out outlier picks that may be too extreme in one direction. One downside is that public perception is not always accurate and consensus picks can sway the betting lines. It’s still wise to do your own research before blindly making picks based on consensus data.
In summary, while NFL picks, computer picks, and consensus picks all aim to accurately predict game results, they have distinct differences:
- NFL picks rely on individuals’ research and instincts
- NFL computer picks are generated from statistical models and algorithms
- NFL consensus picks aggregate predictions from many different sources
There are advantages and disadvantages to each method. Serious bettors may combine strategies or consider consensus picks as just a single source out of many before making their final NFL picks. Understanding these key differences allows football fans to determine which approach aligns with their goals, time commitment, and betting philosophies.