Covering the Spread: What It Means & How Results Are Graded

If you have ever heard someone say a team covered the spread or failed to cover, they are talking about whether that team beat the handicap set by the sportsbook. Covering the spread is the single most important outcome in point spread betting, and understanding exactly what it means is essential before you place your first bet.

This guide explains what covering the spread means, how bets are graded as wins, losses, or pushes, and what ATS (against the spread) records tell you about teams and betting value. We will walk through clear examples from the NFL, NBA, and other sports so you can see how different game scenarios affect your bet.

By the end, you should have a complete understanding of how point spread results work and how to use that knowledge to make better betting decisions. Sports betting should always be optional and affordable, so if you choose to bet, understand the risks first.

What Does "Covering the Spread" Mean?

Covering the spread means your team performed well enough against the handicap for your bet to win. The spread is the number of points the sportsbook adds or subtracts from the final score for betting purposes, and your team must beat that handicap to cover.

If you bet on the favourite:

• They must win by more than the spread to cover
• Example: Cowboys -7.5 → they must win by 8 or more points

If you bet on the underdog:

• They must either win the game outright or lose by fewer points than the spread
• Example: Giants +7.5 → they can lose by 7 or fewer, or win the game

The term cover comes from the idea that the team exceeded or beat the handicap. When a favourite wins by more than the spread, they covered. When an underdog loses by less than the spread or wins, they covered.

Covering vs Winning Outright

It is important to understand that covering the spread is different from winning the game outright.

Example:

• Cowboys are -7.5 favourites over the Giants
• Final score: Cowboys 24, Giants 20

In this game:

• The Cowboys won the game outright (24-20)
• But they only won by 4 points
• They did NOT cover the spread (needed to win by 8+)
• A bet on Cowboys -7.5 would lose
• A bet on Giants +7.5 would win

This is why point spread betting is about margin of victory, not just who wins the game.

How Point Spread Bets Are Graded (Win, Loss, Push)

After the game ends, your sportsbook will grade your bet as a win, loss, or push based on the final score and the spread.

Favourite Covers the Spread

Example:

• Spread: Ravens -6.5 at -110
• Final score: Ravens 27, Bengals 17
• Margin: Ravens win by 10 points

The Ravens won by more than 6.5 points, so they covered the spread. A bet on Ravens -6.5 wins.

Payout at -110:

• Stake: $110
• Profit: $100
• Total return: $210

Underdog Covers the Spread

Example:

• Spread: Dolphins +10 at -110
• Final score: Bills 24, Dolphins 17
• Margin: Bills win by 7 points

The Dolphins lost the game, but they lost by only 7 points. Since they were getting +10 on the spread, they covered. A bet on Dolphins +10 wins.

Payout at -110:

• Stake: $110
• Profit: $100
• Total return: $210

Underdog Wins Outright (Always Covers)

Example:

• Spread: Commanders +3.5 at -110
• Final score: Commanders 20, Cowboys 17
• Margin: Commanders win by 3 points

The Commanders won the game outright. Any time an underdog wins the game, they automatically cover the spread, no matter what the number is. A bet on Commanders +3.5 wins.

Push Scenario (Exact Tie on the Spread)

Example:

• Spread: Patriots -7 at -110
• Final score: Patriots 28, Jets 21
• Margin: Patriots win by exactly 7 points

The final margin lands exactly on the spread, which creates a push. Your stake is returned, and there is no win or loss.

Important: Pushes only happen on whole-number spreads like -7, -3, or +10. Half-point spreads (hooks) like -7.5 or +3.5 eliminate pushes entirely.

What Happens in Overtime?

In most sports and at most sportsbooks, point spreads include overtime. The final score used for grading your bet includes any points scored in overtime.

Example:

• Spread: Chiefs -3.5 at -110
• Score at end of regulation: Chiefs 24, Broncos 24
• Final score after overtime: Chiefs 27, Broncos 24
• Margin: Chiefs win by 3 points in OT

The Chiefs won by 3, but the spread was -3.5, so they did NOT cover. A bet on Broncos +3.5 wins.

Always check the specific rules at your sportsbook, as policies can vary.

What Is ATS in Betting? (Against the Spread Records)

ATS stands for against the spread. It is a measure of how often a team covers the spread in their games. ATS records are tracked by sportsbooks, media outlets, and sharp bettors as a way to identify trends and potential value.

How ATS Records Are Calculated

An ATS record shows wins, losses, and pushes against the spread over a specific period.

Example:

• Dallas Cowboys: 8-4-1 ATS this season
  • 8 games where they covered the spread
  • 4 games where they failed to cover
  • 1 game that pushed

ATS records can be broken down by:

• Season totals
• Home vs road
• Favourite vs underdog
• By opponent or division

Using ATS Records in Your Betting Strategy

ATS records provide context, but they should never be used in isolation. A strong ATS record might indicate a team that consistently outperforms expectations, or it might mean the market has adjusted and the team is now overvalued.

Example:

• A team that starts the season 7-1 ATS will often see tighter spreads and worse odds as the market adjusts
• A team that is 2-8 ATS might be undervalued, or they might simply be a bad team

Always ask:

• Is the market overreacting to recent ATS performance?
• Are there injury, schedule, or situational factors that explain the record?
• Does this team offer value based on the current spread, or is the ATS record priced in?

For more on how to use ATS data strategically, see our Point Spread Betting Strategy Guide.

Real Examples: NFL, NBA & Other Sports

NFL Covering the Spread Examples

Example 1: Heavy favourite covers

• Spread: 49ers -13.5 at -110
• Final score: 49ers 35, Cardinals 16
• Margin: 49ers win by 19
• Result: 49ers cover, Cardinals do not

Example 2: Underdog loses but covers

• Spread: Titans +6.5 at -110
• Final score: Chiefs 27, Titans 24
• Margin: Chiefs win by 3
• Result: Chiefs do not cover, Titans cover

Example 3: Push on whole number

• Spread: Packers -3 at -110
• Final score: Packers 24, Bears 21
• Margin: Packers win by exactly 3
• Result: Push, stake returned

NBA Covering the Spread Examples

Example 1: Favourite wins but does not cover

• Spread: Lakers -8.5 at -110
• Final score: Lakers 110, Suns 105
• Margin: Lakers win by 5
• Result: Lakers do not cover, Suns cover

Example 2: Late fouling affects the spread

• Spread: Celtics -6.5 at -110
• Score with 1 minute left: Celtics 105, Hawks 95 (Celtics up 10)
• Final score after intentional fouls: Celtics 109, Hawks 103
• Margin: Celtics win by 6
• Result: Celtics do not cover (needed 7+), Hawks cover

Late-game fouling in the NBA can cause spreads to swing dramatically in the final minutes. This is one reason NBA spread betting can feel more volatile than NFL.

MLB Run Line & NHL Puck Line Examples

Baseball and hockey use fixed spreads called the run line (±1.5) and puck line (±1.5).

MLB run line example:

• Spread: Yankees -1.5 at -120
• Final score: Yankees 5, Red Sox 3
• Margin: Yankees win by 2
• Result: Yankees cover the -1.5 run line

NHL puck line example:

• Spread: Maple Leafs -1.5 at +160
• Final score: Maple Leafs 4, Canadiens 3
• Margin: Maple Leafs win by 1
• Result: Maple Leafs do NOT cover (needed to win by 2+)

For more on how spreads work across different sports, see our Point Spread Betting Guide.

Common Misconceptions About Covering the Spread

"If My Team Wins, I Win the Bet"

Not true. Your team must beat the handicap, not just win the game. A favourite can win and still fail to cover if they do not win by enough points.

"A Strong Team Always Covers"

Not true. Spreads are designed to account for team strength. A strong team might be a heavy favourite, which makes it harder for them to cover large spreads.

"ATS Records Predict Future Performance"

Not reliably. Past ATS performance provides context, but it does not guarantee future results. The market adjusts to trends, and ATS records can be misleading without proper context.

"Pushes Are Rare"

Pushes are not that rare on whole-number spreads. Key numbers like 3, 7, and 10 in the NFL are common margins, which means pushes happen more often than bettors expect on those lines.

Tips for Understanding When Teams Cover

Watch for blowouts and backdoor covers:

• A backdoor cover happens when the losing team scores late to cover the spread without affecting the outcome of the game
• Common in NFL and NBA when favourites are up big and relax late

Late-game strategy matters:

• In the NBA, intentional fouling can swing spreads
• In the NFL, teams may kneel or run out the clock instead of scoring

Overtime counts:

• Most spreads include overtime, so a game that goes to OT can still cover or fail to cover based on the final margin

Check your book's rules:

• Some books have different grading rules for props, alternate spreads, or specific markets
• Always confirm before you bet

FAQs: Covering the Spread

What does covering the spread mean?

Covering the spread means your team beat the handicap set by the sportsbook. For favourites, this means winning by more than the spread. For underdogs, this means losing by fewer points than the spread or winning the game outright.

What is ATS in betting?

ATS stands for against the spread. It is a measure of how often a team covers the spread over a specific period. ATS records are used to track performance and identify betting trends.

Can a team win the game but not cover the spread?

Yes. If a favourite wins but does not win by more than the spread, they failed to cover. For example, if the Cowboys are -7 and win by only 3 points, they won the game but did not cover the spread.

What happens if the score lands exactly on the spread?

If the final score lands exactly on the spread, the bet is graded as a push and your stake is returned. Pushes only happen on whole-number spreads. Half-point spreads (hooks) eliminate pushes.

Do point spreads include overtime?

Yes, in most sports and at most sportsbooks, point spreads include overtime. The final score used for grading includes any points scored in overtime. Always check your sportsbook's specific rules.

What is a backdoor cover?

A backdoor cover happens when the losing team scores late in the game to cover the spread without changing the outcome. This is common when favourites are up big and relax late or when garbage-time scoring happens.

How do I use ATS records to find value?

ATS records provide context, but they should not be used in isolation. Look for situations where the market may be overreacting to recent ATS trends, and always consider injuries, matchups, and situational factors before betting.

Is covering the spread the same as beating the spread?

Yes, the terms are used interchangeably. Both mean your team exceeded the handicap required for your bet to win.