What Does -8 Spread Mean in NFL Betting?

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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

BetMGM @BETMGM Oct 01, 2024, 5:21 PM

If a team is -8 in NFL betting at BetMGM, they’re favored by eight points. Their opponent, the underdog, would be +8.

To cover the spread (-8), the favorite must win by at least nine points. If they win by exactly eight points, it would be a push.

To cover the spread (+8), the underdog must lose by seven or less points, win the game, or tie (after overtime). If they lose by exactly eight points, it’s a push.

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

Example of -8 Spread in NFL Betting

Baltimore Ravens (-8, -110) at New England Patriots (+8, -110)

The Ravens are the road favorite (-8), and the Patriots are the home underdog (+8).

If Baltimore wins by at least nine points, they cover the spread. If they win by eight points, they push. And if they tie or lose, they don’t cover.

If New England loses by seven or less points, wins, or ties, they cover the spread. If they lose by eight points, they push. If they lose by nine points or more, they don’t cover.

Here are some score examples:

Ravens 30, Patriots 21: The Ravens win by nine points and cover the spread.

Ravens 22, Patriots 14: The Ravens win by eight points and push.

Ravens 24, Patriots 24 (OT): The Ravens tie and don’t cover.

Patriots 44, Ravens 34: The Patriots win by 10 points and cover.

Patriots 17, Ravens 17 (OT): The Patriots tie and cover.

Ravens 41, Patriots 33: The Patriots lose by eight points and push.

Ravens 34, Patriots 25: The Patriots lose by nine points and don’t cover.

Payout for -8 Spread in NFL Betting

Baltimore Ravens (-8, -110) at New England Patriots (+8, -110)

The odds accompanying the spread determine the payout. In this Ravens-Patriots example, the odds for each spread (-8 and +8) 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.