Bet Sports

When it comes to handicapping the NFL, many NFL betting enthusiasts like to create systems. For ultimate capper, one such system, that is rather time consuming but accurate is the NFL Point Differential System. For fans new to betting on NFL, the PDS is a great indication of a team’s offense and defense leading into a given week. Here is a look at how the PDS works using the road team in a week 7 matchup where the Houston Texans are facing the New England Patriots in New England.

Through the first six games of the season, the Houston Texans have only scored 104 points while giving up a disastrous 148 points. To calculate the Texans average points scored and points allowed we will be dividing 104 by six and 148 by six. After doing so, we discover that the Texans are averaging 17.33 points for a game while giving up 24.67 points a game. Putting the PDS to use, there are four steps for us to consider.

• 1. List all of Houston’s opponents in the first six weeks and their per game averages

Indianapolis 22.3 – 20.5

Green Bay 18.5 – 20.33

Cincinnati 23 – 17.83

Tampa Bay 18.83 – 17

Pittsburgh 26 – 18.16

Buffalo 16.33 – 19.17

• 2. Add up all the totals for points scored and divide by six and then do the same for points allowed.

Points Scored: 22.3+18.5+23+18.83+26+16.33 = 125.17 / 6 = 20.86 Points Allowed: 20.5+20.33+17.83+17+18.16+19.17= 110.83 / 6 = 18.47

• 3. Divide Houston’s average points scored by the average points allowed.

Points for / Points Allowed = 17.33/ 18.47 = 0.94

In essence, this number tells us that the Texans offense operates at 94 percent of the league’s average offense.

• 4. Divide the number of points the Texans have allowed to that of which their opponents have scored.

Points Allowed/ Points Scored = 24.67/20.86= 1.18

This number tells us that the Texan defense gives up 18 percent more points than that of the league average.