What Does -5 Spread Mean in NFL Betting?

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

BetMGM @BETMGM Oct 01, 2024, 5:24 PM

If a team is -5 in NFL betting at BetMGM, they’re favored by five points. Their opponent, the underdog, would be +5.

To cover the spread (-5), the favorite must win by at least six points. If they win by exactly five points, it would be a push.

To cover the spread (+5), the underdog must lose by four or less points, win the game, or tie (after overtime). If they lose by exactly five points, it’s a push.

Overtime is included in the final score that determines if the team covers the spread.

Example of -5 Spread in NFL Betting

Buffalo Bills (-5, -110) at Las Vegas Raiders (+5, -110)

The Bills are the road favorite (-5), and the Raiders are the home underdog (+5).

If Buffalo wins by at least six points, they cover the spread. If they win by five points, they push. And if they tie or lose, they don’t cover.

If Las Vegas loses by four or less points, wins, or ties, they cover the spread. If they lose by five points, they push. If they lose by six points or more, they don’t cover.

Here are some score examples:

Bills 28, Raiders 22: The Bills win by six points and cover the spread.

Bills 15, Raiders 10: The Bills win by five points and push.

Bills 35, Raiders 35 (OT): The Bills tie and don’t cover.

Raiders 42, Bills 31: The Raiders win by 11 points and cover.

Raiders 27, Bills 27 (OT): The Raiders tie and cover.

Bills 22, Raiders 17: The Raiders lose by five points and push.

Bills 17, Raiders 10: The Raiders lose by seven points and don’t cover.

Payout for -5 Spread in NFL Betting

Buffalo Bills (-5, -110) at Las Vegas Raiders (+5, -110)

The odds accompanying the spread determine the payout. In this Bills-Raiders example, the odds for each spread (-5 and +5) are -110. The odds can vary for games; they could be +100, -105, -110, -115 or another value.

To calculate the potential payout, add a spread bet to your BetMGM Bet Slip.

With -110 odds, a winning bet with a $25 stake would return $38.18 (including stake).

At -105 odds, a winning bet with a $25 stake would return $39.05 (including stake).

If a spread bet pushes, the stake is refunded.

Parlays and sportsbook Odds Boosts are among the ways to change odds and lock in a bigger potential payout.

To build a parlay, add multiple bets to your Bet Slip and add a stake to the Parlays section.

To get an Odds Boost, check updated sportsbook promos or log in to your BetMGM account. If you don’t have an account, check your eligibility for a welcome offer or BetMGM Refer A Friend bonus.