CFL Betting vs NFL Betting: The Biggest Differences

The biggest barrier that stops people who like betting on American gridiron football from betting on Canadian gridiron football is that the rules seem confusing. In general, the differences in rules between both games mean lower scoring games, and fewer games are decided by three, four, six, seven, or ten points.

To make the rules less confusing, I have assembled a guide below on the differences between the CFL and NFL.

CFL: Three Downs Instead of Four

In the CFL, each team on offense has only three downs instead of four. That means that instead of three and outs, you have two and outs.

With fewer chances to keep possessions alive and the same number of yards to make up, CFL offenses tend to be pass-heavy. In 2021, 61.8% of CFL offensive plays were passing plays. Additionally, more teams go for it on third down in the CFL than fourth down in the NFL.

CFL: Bigger Field

CFL Fields are 110 yards long, 65 yards wide, have 20-yard endzones, and the field goal post is at the beginning of the endzone. NFL fields are 100 yards long, 53.33 yards wide, have 10-yard endzones, and have their field goal post at the end of the endzone.

This means more two-point conversion attempts, more special teams touchdowns, and it is easier to make field goals.

CFL: The Rouge

In the Canadian game, teams can score on one-point plays also known as singles or rouges. If a team misses a field goal and the opposing team doesn’t return it past the end zone, the kicking team gets a point. For punts, the punting team gets a point if the receiving team doesn’t return it past the end zone.