How To Bet on NFL Point Spreads | NFL Spread Explained
Getting the NFL spread explained is an important first step toward understanding one of football’s most popular betting markets. Unlike moneyline wagers, NFL spread betting requires you to predict whether the favorite will win by more than a set number of points or the underdog will win outright or lose by fewer points than the listed margin.
So, how do NFL spreads work, and what makes them different from other football wagers? Sportsbooks use point spreads to create more balanced betting opportunities between teams, but factors like injuries, betting action, and matchup trends can cause these lines to move before kickoff.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to read NFL point spreads and odds, explain what it means to cover the spread, and walk through practical betting examples. We’ll also share strategies for evaluating matchups, understanding line movement, and finding better value on NFL spread bets throughout the November schedule.
How Does Betting on the Spread in the NFL Work?
Spread betting in American football is fairly easy to understand. Also known as NFL handicap betting, this market helps balance out an uneven matchup. The bookies give the favorite a point deficit, while the underdog receives a head start.
Here’s an example of spread betting in football and how it works:
| Team | Point Spread | Odds |
|---|---|---|
Kansas City Chiefs  | -7.5 | -110 |
Las Vegas Raiders | +7.5 | -105 |
In this example, the Kansas City Chiefs are favored to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders. The negative point spread signifies Kansas City as the favorite. To win the bet, the Chiefs must win by eight or more points.
As the moneyline underdog, Las Vegas has a positive NFL point spread. Betting on the Raiders to cover the spread means you predict that they’ll lose by seven points or fewer. Even if the Raiders lose the game, the second bet would land because the Chiefs failed to cover.
If you want NFL spread betting explained in a different format, we also dive deeper in our NFL betting guide.
Betting Against the Spread vs Covering the Spread
Essentially, there are two main options for NFL handicapping. The first is betting against the spread (ATS). The second is betting on the spread (covering the spread). It’s time to take a closer look at how each market works.
Betting Against the Spread
NFL betting against the spread involves wagering on a team to perform better than the bookies’ projection. For the bet to succeed, the moneyline favorite must win by a margin greater than the spread. The underdog must also win or lose by a smaller margin.
Example of Betting Against the Spread:
Let’s use the same example from before. If you bet on the Chiefs ATS, they must win by eight points or more for your wager to be successful. If you bet on the Raiders ATS, they must either win the game or lose by seven points or fewer.
With the Chiefs priced at -110, you must wager $110 to win $100. If you want to back the Raiders at -105, a $105 wager would return $100 as well.
Covering the Spread
When betting on an NFL spread, sportsbooks try to level the playing field by introducing a virtual points handicap. So, when you bet on a team to cover the spread, you’re backing them to perform well enough to make your bet successful.
Example of Covering the Spread:
For example, the Dallas Cowboys (-8) are favored to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8) in this week’s Thursday Night Football odds. If the Cowboys win 30-21, they win by nine points, covering the spread. If the Bucs lose 24-20, they lose by only four points, and also cover.
Half-Point and Full-Point NFL Spreads
If you’re already familiar with betting on the spread in the NFL, you might notice that sportsbooks offer half-point and full-point lines. Of course, it’s impossible to score half a point in football. But it makes sense from a betting perspective.
Bookmakers use half points to eliminate the possibility of a “push”, which returns a bet if the outcome is tied. When full points are used, there is a chance that neither team will win the spread market.
Half-Point & Full-Point Spread Examples:
Let’s say that the Pittsburgh Steelers (-4) are favored to defeat the Baltimore Ravens (+4). If the Steelers win by four points, they cover the number. If the Steelers win by only two points, they fail to cover. However, if the Steelers win by exactly three points, the bet will be pushed.
Meanwhile, a different sportsbook may list the line at 2.5. If the Steelers win by three points, they cover the spread. If the Steelers win by two points, they fail to cover. There is no possibility of a push in this instance.
Alternative NFL Spread Lines
Bookmakers normally offer one main NFL spread line, with odds ranging from -110 to +110. However, you can also find several other lines with higher and lower handicaps. These bets give you the chance to be more adventurous or conservative, depending on the odds.
Generally speaking, smaller point spreads have lower odds, while bigger ones have higher odds. Smaller spreads are easier to predict, meaning the bookies won’t offer big payouts. Larger NFL spreads are more difficult to predict, so you can expect to find more attractive odds.
Different Types of NFL Point Spreads
Now that you understand the NFL spread, let’s check out the other types of bets available. The traditional NFL point spread line relates to the entire game, but there are also alternative lines on specific portions of the game.
Bovada in particular has a large collection of alternate spreads to choose from. Let’s dive into the NFL point spread explained across three alternative markets.
The NFL Spread Explained in 2026
For bookmakers, determining the spread of football betting lines is a multi-step process. First, they study both teams by analyzing large sets of historical data. They look at current form, recent trends, head-to-head records, and other factors like injuries and home advantage.
For example, the bookmakers’ projections indicate that the Buffalo Bills will likely score 22.4 points against the New York Jets, who’ll likely score 17.5 points. The difference between the expected points is 4.9, so the bookies will initially set the main line at four points.
Sportsbooks also need to figure out how much money to place on each side of the spread. If they expect the same amount for both sides, they will keep the line around the initial mark and offer relatively close odds.
Meanwhile, if the bookmakers expect players to wager more money on one of the teams, they’ll move the odds or the line in the necessary direction. Ultimately, bookies aim to balance the books and allocate the bets equally. This ensures they make a profit, irrespective of the game’s outcome.
It is also worth remembering that odds for spread betting in American football nearly always fluctuate in the lead-up to the game. Sportsbooks will change their odds based on betting activity, so keep an eye on the NFL point spread days, hours, and minutes before the game.
For example, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the biggest fanbases in the NFL, and a lot of money comes in on them. That means the sportsbooks have to balance the lines to get equal money on both sides.
Best Sportsbooks for NFL Spread Betting
Bovada Top Choice for New NFL Bettors
Bovada offers competitive NFL odds and lines for the regular season, post-season and Super Bowl. Most odds range from even-money to -120 on spreads. With close to 400 overall betting markets for every NFL game and alternate lines ranging all the way to 9 points on the favorite and underdog, players can essentially choose the way they want to bet any game. First-half spreads and combo spread + total props give even more ways to bet.
The site is simple to use with a mobile-friendly interface, an excellent live betting section, and a range of deposit methods including crypto. The 50% up to $250 welcome bonus makes Bovada a great choice for new players interested in betting on the spread in the NFL.
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Everygame Great for NFL Spread Betting
Everygame offers a solid NFL betting experience with competitive odds, tons of weekly game lines, and a wide range of props. Not only does the site provide point spreads for every NFL game, but you’ll also find adjusted spreads for the first quarter and first half to give you even more action when betting on the spread in the NFL.
The sportsbook frequently runs NFL-specific promotions and parlay boosts that add extra value. New bettors will find the layout intuitive, while experienced players can appreciate the reliable NFL live betting and early odds releases each week.
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Limited cryptocurrency options.
NFL Point Spread Explained Top Tips
Building a profitable NFL spread betting strategy is possible, but you must consider several factors. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of beginner tips to help you get started.
1. Look at Offensive and Defensive Data
Studying offensive and defensive numbers will help visualize how the game might pan out. Some teams regularly score plenty of points, while others keep things tight in defense. Your job is to learn about the traits of the teams you’re betting on.
The official NFL website is a great place to find key offensive stats like total yards, passing, and rushing. Notable defensive stats include yards allowed, sacks, and turnovers.
2. Check the NFL Point Spread Stats for Both Teams
Thanks to the popularity of NFL point spread betting, there are tons of spread-specific stats available. You can find historical stats for every team in the NFL and consider their status as both favorites and underdogs.
EV Analytics has data for each team’s ATS record and cover percentage. Before betting on NFL lines, check the historical data and evaluate each matchup individually.
3. Account for the Latest Trends
Sometimes, historical data isn’t enough. Once you’ve assessed the bigger picture, we recommend examining the latest trends. Teams frequently dip in and out of form, so you must be aware of the current situation.
Just because a team has recently dominated a matchup doesn’t mean the same outcome will occur next time. If you stay on top of the latest trends, you could get the better of the bookies in the football spread betting markets.
4. Follow the Latest Team News
Injuries and suspensions can have a big say in the outcome of games, how NFL spreads move, and even in NFL futures. The absence of star players can negatively impact their team, so make sure to check the latest NFL injury report before betting.
As mentioned before, bookmakers usually consider injuries and suspensions when setting their odds. Still, keeping up to date with the latest team news will only enhance your chances of winning money.
5. Account for Potential Stat Padders
Certain players, especially quarterbacks, use “stat padding” to improve their statistics for non-winning purposes. This involves players boosting individual metrics, despite their actions having little benefit to their team’s chances of success.
Stat padders can influence spread betting, so we suggest looking out for these players and accounting for their potential stat-padding patterns. For example, if the favorite’s QB is known for boosting his stats in winning games, you might want to bet on the favorite to cover the spread.
Understanding NFL Spreads: Key Takeaways
We’ve covered our top NFL point spread betting tips for beginners to know for the 2026 NFL season so that you can bet with confidence each week. Remember to consider these key factors when making your ATS bets this week.
- The point spread balances uneven football matchups by giving the favorite a virtual deficit and the underdog a head start.
- Half-point versus full-point NFL spreads matter, to avoid pushes and win more bets.
- Factors that shape creating the spread in the NFL include team stats, recent form, injuries, home field, and public betting behavior.
Now that you’re prepped with everything you need to now for NFL spread betting, fire up one of our best NFL betting sites and put everything you’ve learned into play!
FAQs
An NFL point spread is a handicap that gives the underdog points and requires the favorite to win by a certain margin. For example, a favorite at -2.5 must win by at least three points for a spread bet on that team to win. However, alternatively, a bet on the underdog at +2.5, means the team will win the wager if they win outright or don’t lose by more than two points.
Choose an NFL game, find the point spread market, and select either the favorite with the negative spread or the underdog with the positive spread. Enter your stake, review the odds and potential payout, and submit the wager before betting closes.
A -3.5 spread means the team is favored by 3.5 points. That team needs to win the game by four or more points for your point spread bet to cash.
A +7 spread gives the underdog seven points for betting purposes. Your bet wins if the team wins outright or loses by fewer than seven points, while an exact seven-point loss generally results in a push.
A push occurs in NFL point spread betting when the final margin equals a whole-number point spread, such as a three-point victory with the favorite at -3. Most football sportsbooks return your original stake when a spread bet ends in a push.
NFL spreads can move because of betting activity, injuries, lineup news, weather, or new information affecting how oddsmakers value the matchup. Comparing several sportsbooks before betting can help you find a more favorable spread or price.
Standard NFL spread bets are commonly priced around -110 on either side, although the odds can vary between sportsbooks and games. At -110, you would need to wager $110 to make a $100 profit when betting on a football point spread.
Neither favorites nor underdogs are automatically better point spread bets because the spread is designed to balance the matchup. Look at factors such as injuries, recent performance, matchup advantages, home-field conditions, and the number you’re getting before choosing a side.
Buying points allows you to adjust the spread in your favor in exchange for worse betting odds. To understand this type of NFL spread betting, consider an example where you might move a favorite from -3.5 to -3 or to -2.5 to get the spread under a field goal, but you’ll generally pay a higher price for the more favorable line.
There is no universally best time to bet on NFL point spreads, because NFL lines can move throughout the week. Betting early may help you secure a favorable opening number and closing line value (CLV), while waiting can provide more information about injuries, weather, and starting lineups.
