Getting Started

Learn how to use Gridiron Edge to find betting opportunities and understand our model's predictions.

Key Concepts

What is Edge?

Edge is the difference between our model's prediction and the betting market line, measured in points. When our model thinks a game will have a different outcome than what sportsbooks are offering, that creates an "edge" or opportunity.

Example: If the market has Team A favored by 7 points, but our model thinks Team A should only be favored by 3 points, we have a 4-point edge on Team B (the underdog). This suggests Team B +7 points might be a good bet.

High Edge (A)
4.0+ points
Strongest opportunities
Medium Edge (B)
3.0-3.9 points
Good opportunities
Low Edge (C)
2.0-2.9 points
Use with caution

Model Spread vs Market Spread

Our model calculates its own predicted point spread based on team power ratings. This Model Spread is compared against the Market Spread (what sportsbooks are offering) to find discrepancies.

Model Spread

Our prediction based on team strength ratings, calculated from offensive and defensive statistics. This is what we think the spread should be.

Market Spread

The actual betting line from sportsbooks. This is what you'd bet against. When our model disagrees significantly, there's an opportunity.

Confidence Tiers

We categorize betting opportunities into three confidence tiers based on edge size:

  • A
    High Confidence (A): Edge ≥ 4.0 points

    These are our strongest recommendations. The model strongly disagrees with the market, suggesting significant value.

  • B
    Medium Confidence (B): Edge 3.0-3.9 points

    Good opportunities with solid model advantage. Still worth considering, but less confident than Tier A.

  • C
    Low Confidence (C): Edge 2.0-2.9 points

    Lower confidence opportunities. Use with caution and consider other factors before betting.

Power Ratings

Power Rating is a team's overall strength score combining offensive and defensive capabilities. Higher numbers indicate stronger teams.

How it's calculated: We analyze multiple statistics (yards per play, success rate, EPA, etc.) and combine them into offensive and defensive indices, which are then combined into an overall power rating.

Confidence score (0-1): Shows how reliable the rating is based on data quality. Higher confidence = more reliable predictions.

How to Use This Site

1. View Current Slate

Start at the Current Slate page to see this week's games with model predictions and edge calculations.

  • Look for games with High Confidence (A) edges
  • Compare Model Spread to Market Spread
  • Click on any game for detailed analysis

2. Review Game Details

Click any game to see detailed breakdowns including:

  • Team power ratings and confidence scores
  • Model vs Market comparison for spread and total
  • Edge analysis showing spread edge, total edge, and max edge
  • Recommended picks with edge calculations

3. Browse Past Weeks

Use Browse Weeks to review historical data and see how model predictions performed.

Important Notes

⚠️ Betting Disclaimers

  • Not financial advice: All predictions are for educational purposes only
  • Do your own research: Always verify information and consider other factors before betting
  • Bet responsibly: Only bet what you can afford to lose
  • No guarantees: Past performance doesn't guarantee future results
  • Market changes: Betting lines change frequently - edge opportunities may not last

Additional Resources