What Does -5.5 Spread Mean in NFL Betting?

min read

(AP Photo/Bart Young)

BetMGM @BETMGM Oct 15, 2024, 4:45 PM

If a team is -5.5 in BetMGM’s NFL spreads, they’re favored by five and a half points. Their opponent, the underdog, would be +5.5.

To cover the spread (-5.5), the favorite must win by six or more points.

To cover the spread (+5.5), the underdog must lose by five or less points, win the game, or tie (after overtime).

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

Example of -5.5 Spread in NFL Betting

Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5, -110) at Pittsburgh Steelers (+5.5, -110)

The Chiefs are the road favorite (-5.5), and the Steelers are the home underdog (+5.5).

If Kansas City wins by at least six points, they cover the spread. If Pittsburgh loses by five or less, wins, or ties, they cover instead.

Here are some score examples:

Chiefs 20, Steelers 14: The Chiefs win by six points and cover the spread.

Chiefs 30, Steelers 25: The Chiefs win by five points and don’t cover.

Chiefs 42, Steelers 42 (OT): The Chiefs tie and don’t cover.

Steelers 30, Chiefs 24: The Steelers win by six points and cover.

Steelers 21, Chiefs 21 (OT): The Steelers tie and cover.

Chiefs 25, Steelers 20: The Steelers lose by five points and cover.

Chiefs 34, Steelers 28: The Steelers lose by six points and don’t cover.

Payout for -5.5 Spread in NFL Betting

Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5, -110) at Pittsburgh Steelers (+5.5, -110)

The odds accompanying the spread determine the payout. In this Chiefs-Steelers example, the odds for each spread (-5.5 and +5.5) 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 betting 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.