What Does -6 Spread Mean in NFL Betting?

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New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) carries the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

BetMGM @BETMGM Oct 01, 2024, 5:19 PM

If a team is -6 in BetMGM’s NFL betting odds, they’re favored by six points. Their opponent, the underdog, would be +6.

To cover the spread (-6), the favorite must win by at least seven points. If they win by exactly six points, it would be a push.

To cover the spread (+6), the underdog must lose by five or less points, win the game, or tie (after overtime). If they lose by exactly six points, it’s a push.

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

Example of -6 Spread in NFL Betting

New York Jets (-6, -110) at Carolina Panthers (+6, -110)

The Jets are the road favorite (-6), and the Panthers are the home underdog (+6).

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

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

Here are some score examples:

Jets 21, Panthers 14: The Jets win by seven points and cover the spread.

Jets 26, Panthers 20: The Jets win by six points and push.

Jets 32, Panthers 32 (OT): The Jets tie and don’t cover.

Panthers 27, Jets 18: The Panthers win by nine points and cover.

Panthers 15, Jets 15 (OT): The Panthers tie and cover.

Jets 42, Panthers 36: The Panthers lose by six points and push.

Jets 28, Panthers 21: The Panthers lose by seven points and don’t cover.

Payout for -6 Spread in NFL Betting

New York Jets (-6, -110) at Carolina Panthers (+6, -110)

The odds accompanying the spread determine the payout. In this Jets-Panthers example, the odds for each spread (-6 and +6) 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.