From Preseason Predictions to Super Bowl 2025 Payouts: Tracking My BetNow Success

Andy

Types of Betting

January 31, 2025

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Every NFL season starts with endless debates, bold predictions, and wild guesses about which teams will make it to the Super Bowl. But for me, the 2025 season was different. This year, I decided to do more than just talk about my predictions—I put my money where my mouth was.

I signed up for BetNow before the season even started, placed my first-ever futures bets, and followed my wagers all the way to Super Bowl Sunday. What started as a casual preseason experiment turned into one of the most exciting—and profitable—football seasons of my life.

Here’s how I tracked my bets from preseason long shots to Super Bowl 2025 payouts, proving that a little strategy and patience can go a long way in sports betting.

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The Preseason Futures Bets That Started It All

Futures betting was completely new to me, but after seeing some crazy payouts from people who correctly predicted the Rams’ Super Bowl win in 2022 or the Bengals’ 2021 playoff run, I knew I had to try it.

Before Week 1 even kicked off, I scrolled through BetNow’s futures market and locked in three bets that I believed had strong value:

1. Super Bowl Winner – Detroit Lions (+2500)

• The Lions were coming off a strong 2024 season, but few believed they could actually win it all. At +2500 odds (meaning a $100 bet would pay out $2,500), I couldn’t resist taking a chance.
• My bet: $50 to win $1,250

2. NFL MVP – Patrick Mahomes (+600)

• Betting on Mahomes felt like the safest play. He had already won multiple MVPs, and if the Chiefs dominated again, he’d be the clear front-runner.
• My bet: $100 to win $600

3. Rookie of the Year – Marvin Harrison Jr. (+850)

• The highly touted wide receiver was set to be a top pick, and I figured he’d have a massive impact on whichever team drafted him.
• My bet: $50 to win $425

At this point, I had $200 locked in futures bets, knowing that I wouldn’t see a payout until the end of the season—if I even won. But that’s what made it exciting. Every week, I followed my picks, hoping I had made the right calls.

The Regular Season: Tracking the Ups and Downs

The first few weeks of the season were a rollercoaster.

• The Lions started strong, proving they were legit contenders. Their odds shortened from +2500 to +1200, meaning I had snagged them at the perfect time.
• Mahomes, on the other hand, had a slow start. His MVP odds fluctuated as guys like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow put up big numbers.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. was dominating early, but a midseason injury threw his Rookie of the Year chances into doubt.

By midseason, I was feeling great about my Lions bet, unsure about Mahomes, and slightly worried about my Rookie of the Year pick. But one of the best parts of futures betting? The ability to hedge your bets midseason.

Hedging My Bets & Making Smart Adjustments

BetNow made it easy to place additional bets as the season unfolded.

• The Lions’ odds continued to drop, so I knew I had gotten insane value at +2500. But I wanted to hedge in case they fell short.
  • I placed a $50 bet on the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl at +550 as insurance.
• Mahomes’ MVP odds rebounded, and by Week 14, he was back in the top three contenders. Instead of cashing out, I decided to ride it out.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. was still in the Rookie of the Year race, but with his injury concerns, I put a $25 bet on another top rookie QB at +300 to cover my losses.

This strategy ensured that even if my original bets lost, I’d still have a chance to make money elsewhere.

Super Bowl 2025: The Big Payout Moment

Fast forward to Super Bowl Sunday, and my season-long bets were all coming down to one game.

1. The Lions were in the Super Bowl!

• My $50 bet at +2500 odds was just one game away from a $1,250 payout.
• Because I had also hedged with a Chiefs bet at +550, I was guaranteed some kind of profit no matter what.

2. Mahomes won MVP!

• After a strong December, Mahomes locked in the MVP award, cashing my $100 bet at +600 for a $600 profit.

3. Marvin Harrison Jr. finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.

• My original $50 bet on Harrison at +850 lost, but my hedge on another rookie at +300 hit, covering my loss.

At this point, I had already secured $600 in winnings—but the biggest bet was still riding on the Super Bowl outcome.

The Super Bowl Sweat: From Nerves to Payout

The game itself was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. I had never had so much money riding on one outcome, and every play felt like life or death.

• The game was tied in the fourth quarter, and I knew if the Lions pulled off the upset, my $50 bet would turn into $1,250.
• If they lost, I’d still collect my $275 from my Chiefs hedge, but it wouldn’t be the same.

With three seconds left, the Lions lined up for a 48-yard field goal to win the game. I was literally shaking. The kick went up…

And it was GOOD!

I jumped off my couch, screaming in celebration—not just for the Lions, but for my $1,250 payday.

Final Profit Breakdown

After tracking my bets from preseason to Super Bowl Sunday, here’s how it all played out:

✅ Lions to Win Super Bowl (+2500) – $50 bet → Won $1,250
✅ Mahomes to Win MVP (+600) – $100 bet → Won $600
✅ Rookie of the Year Hedge Bet (+300) – $25 bet → Won $75
✅ Chiefs Super Bowl Hedge (+550) – $50 bet → Won $275

Total Winnings: $2,200
Total Bets Placed: $275
Final Profit: $1,925

Not bad for my first season of serious sports betting!

Lessons Learned & Final Thoughts

What I learned from this experience:

✔ Futures betting is a long game, but the rewards are worth it.
✔ Hedging is key to minimizing risk and maximizing profit.
✔ BetNow’s live odds and midseason bets helped me make smart adjustments.
✔ Winning a season-long bet feels better than any single-game win.

Tracking my bets from preseason predictions to Super Bowl payouts made the 2025 NFL season the most exciting one I’ve ever watched. And after a year like this, you can bet I’ll be doing it all over again next season.

Now, the real question is: Who’s winning Super Bowl 2026?