This article explains the practical difference between the NFL point spread and the over/under, how operators create and grade lines, and what bettors should check before placing a wager. It focuses on settlement details that matter most: pushes, overtime treatment, vigorish and how to read line movement. The goal is to give sports fans and bettors a clear checklist and realistic examples so they can evaluate spread and totals markets with less guesswork and greater confidence.

The point spread handicaps a team margin while the over/under wagers on combined game points; they are separate markets with independent settlement.

Most U.S. sportsbooks include overtime in NFL spreads and totals and treat exact matches to whole numbers as pushes under their house rules.

Common pricing like -110 embeds vigorish, so bettors need a higher than 50 percent win rate to be profitable at that price.

Quick answer: what the point spread and the over and under are

Short definitions

The point spread is a margin handicap applied to one team to create an even betting matchup; it adjusts the final score by the listed number so bettors have a clear win condition for each side. The over/under, often called totals, is a separate market that wagers on the combined points scored by both teams in the game; bettors choose whether the final combined score will be higher or lower than the posted total. When you read a line, those are two independent prices: winning a spread bet does not require the over or under to hit and vice versa.

For quick clarity: a spread bet might read Team A -3, which means Team A must win by more than three points for a bet on them to win; a totals bet might read 45, meaning the combined points must be more than 45 for an over to win. These definitions and the distinction between the two markets are standard explanations used in betting guides and reference material Point Spread: What It Is and How It Works.

Why they are separate markets

Sportsbooks price the spread and the over/under independently because they reflect different expectations: the spread models the expected margin between teams, while the total models expected scoring. Operators can and often do adjust one price without moving the other when new information affects margin or scoring differently. Treat them as distinct tools when evaluating a matchup; they respond to the same news but measure different outcomes.

Confirm grading rules and market type first

Before placing a wager, confirm whether the market you are looking at is a spread or a total and check the operator's grading rules for pushes and overtime.

View challenge options

How sportsbooks set opening NFL spreads and totals

Inputs: power ratings, injuries, matchup data, weather

Bookmakers create opening numbers by combining power ratings, statistical models, matchup analysis and available news such as injuries or weather; these inputs form an initial expectation of margin and scoring that becomes the published opening spread and total. Descriptions of the process and the common inputs used by operators are summarized in industry explainers and educational material Sports Betting 101.

Power ratings are model outputs that convert team strength into point values, and operators layer those with qualitative information, including how specific injuries affect play calling or how weather might suppress scoring. The model output becomes the starting point; human traders and automated systems adjust for marketable numbers and known public tendencies.

Do sportsbooks include overtime in NFL spreads and totals rules

Most U.S. sportsbook house rules include NFL overtime in spreads and totals unless a market specifically states it excludes overtime; always verify the operator's published rules before placing a bet.

Why lines move after opening

Once an opening number is posted, sportsbooks move lines for several reasons: new public information, sharp (professional) betting action, and risk management needs of the operator. Movement does not always indicate a prediction change; it can reflect the operator attempting to balance exposure or reduce liability after one-sided money flows. Guides to risk and line movement emphasize that operators react to both news and market action when adjusting prices Sports Betting 101.

For bettors, significant early movement can signal that informed money is on one side, or that news such as a late injury materially altered the expected margin or scoring. Tracking line history helps distinguish routine market shifts from meaningful information-driven moves.

How pushes, grading and overtime typically affect NFL spread and total bets

What a push means and when refunds happen

A push happens when the final result exactly matches a listed whole-number spread or total, and most sportsbooks refund wagers when a push occurs under their published grading rules. Pushes are common on whole-number lines and are typically treated as ties, with stakes returned rather than a win or loss being recorded.

Because grading procedures determine how pushes are handled, bettors should confirm the operator's written rules for ties and refunds before placing a bet; those rules are part of the official house rules that govern wagering and settlement DraftKings general betting rules.

How overtime is commonly treated by U.S. sportsbooks

Most U.S. sportsbook house rules state that NFL spreads and totals include overtime unless the market explicitly says otherwise, so the final graded result usually reflects any overtime scoring. This is an important settlement detail because overtime can change whether a spread or total wins, loses or pushes (see NFL overtime betting guide).

Operators publish their treatment of overtime in their house rules and legal pages, so checking those documents is the authoritative way to confirm whether a specific market excludes extra periods. Several major rule documents list overtime inclusion as the standard approach for NFL lines FanDuel Sportsbook house rules. You can also read more on NFL overtime bets.

How sportsbook pricing works: vigorish, -110 and break-even percentages

What vigorish is and why it matters

Vigorish, often shortened to vig, is the bookmaker margin embedded in the quoted price; common market pricing like -110 on spreads and totals reflects that margin. That embedded fee changes the bettor's break-even win rate because the price pays less than a fair 50/50 return after the operator's cut is included.

Understanding vigorish is essential for evaluating expected return: the price you take determines the long-run win rate needed just to break even, and different operators and markets can have slightly different vig levels based on competition and market depth Over/Under definition and examples.

Compute break-even win rate for a standard vig price such as -110

Enter Juice as 110 for -110

How standard pricing affects bettor break-even

For example, a common price of -110 implies a break-even probability of about 52.38 percent when vig is expressed as 110; that is the minimum long-run win rate a bettor must exceed to be profitable at that price. This arithmetic shows why beating the closing line or shopping prices matters: a small edge in price or win rate compounds over many bets.

Because pricing varies, savvy bettors compare vig across operators and account for it in expected value calculations. Educational sources on pricing and market structure explain how standard prices translate into break-even thresholds and why better than break-even performance is necessary for profit Sports Betting 101.

How line formats and half-point lines change settlement outcomes

Why sportsbooks publish whole numbers and half-numbers

Sportsbooks publish whole-number and half-number lines for practical reasons: half-point increments remove the possibility of a push by forcing the result to one side or the other, while whole-number lines allow pushes that are refunded per house rules. Operators choose formats that balance player preference, marketing, and the desire to avoid frequent pushes in a market.

Minimalist 2D vector close up of a phone showing a betting line display with spread and total indicators highlighted for half point and whole number nfl point spread over under

For totals and spreads alike, a half-point like 3.5 or 45.5 removes ties because game scores cannot end in fractions, so bettors either win or lose. That is why many operators offer both formats and move between them depending on pricing needs or customer demand Point Spread: What It Is and How It Works.

Examples: 3 vs 3.5 and 45 vs 45.5

If a spread is Team A -3 and the final margin is exactly three, the result is a push and wagers are normally refunded. If the line is Team A -3.5 instead, Team A must win by at least four points for a bet on them to win, and there is no push possibility. The same logic applies to totals: a 45 total can push if the game finishes 45, but 45.5 forces a decisive result.

Always remember to confirm whether each listed line includes overtime, because overtime scoring can change whether a whole-number result becomes a win, loss or push under the operator's grading rules DraftKings general betting rules. More explanation is available at OddsJam.

When the spread and the total interact: correlated outcomes and what to watch for

Scenarios where both markets move together

The spread and the total frequently react to the same news, so both markets can move in the same direction following an injury or a major weather update. For instance, a lost starting quarterback can lower a favorite's expected margin and also reduce projected scoring, moving both the spread and the total toward lower values. Recognize that market correlation is about shared inputs, not identical settlement rules.

Because each market is priced independently, a change that alters game script expectations may move one market more than the other, and traders sometimes adjust prices to reflect where exposure is highest. Education on pricing mechanics notes that operators aim to manage risk across both markets when action or news affects expected outcomes Sports Betting 101.

Funded Plays Challenges

View challenge options

How game script expectations affect both the spread and the total

Think of game script as the way a matchup is expected to play out. If you expect a low-scoring control game, the spread may tighten and the total fall; if you expect a fast, high-scoring shootout, the total will rise and the spread may move as teams with better tempo advantages gain or lose expected margin. Correlation helps with scenario planning but does not change the fact that each bet is judged and settled separately.

When evaluating correlated moves, focus on the driver of the change: a weather-related scoring reduction will usually affect totals more directly, while a single-side personnel change might alter the spread more than the total. Use that distinction when sizing or combining wagers.

Step-by-step checklist to evaluate an NFL spread and over/under before you bet

Quick pre-bet checklist

1) Confirm operator grading rules on pushes and overtime. 2) Check whether the posted line is a whole number or a half-point. 3) Review recent line movement and whether it came from public or sharp action. 4) Factor injuries, suspension notices and weather. 5) Compare prices across operators for vig and line value. 6) Save or screenshot the house rules and the line at the time of your bet.

These practical steps condense the essential checks every bettor should run before placing a spread or totals wager. The checklist brings together settlement considerations, market context and information that can change both pricing and grading outcomes Sports Betting 101. See the Funded Plays blog for additional reading.

Where to find authoritative house rules and line history

House rules are typically published on operators' help, legal or terms pages and contain the authoritative grading and settlement language you must follow in a dispute. Line history can often be found on sportsbooks' line tracking pages or third-party archives; review both to understand how a number moved and why.

When in doubt, save screenshots of the operator's posted rule and the line you bet; regulators advise keeping records when you plan to contest a grading outcome or need a timestamped reference for a later question Sports wagering regulations and guidance.

Common mistakes bettors make with spreads and totals and how to avoid them

Ignoring house rules on overtime and pushes

A frequent error is assuming overtime is excluded or assuming whole-number ties will be handled a certain way; failing to read the house rules can lead to unexpected refunds or losses. The simple fix is to read and save the operator's published grading policies before placing bets so you know how a market settles.

Because the treatment of pushes and overtime is an operator-level rule, what you expect from one site may not hold at another; check the specific sportsbook's rules for clarity DraftKings general betting rules.

Confusing correlation with causation between markets

Another common mistake is treating a move in the spread as a direct signal for the total without considering the underlying driver. Correlation means markets can move together, but the reason matters: a wind forecast that reduces scoring should primarily affect totals even if the spread moves slightly in response.

A practical corrective is to articulate the causal link before reacting: name the news item, decide whether it affects margin, scoring, or both, and then decide how to act. Also account for vig when calculating expected value rather than assuming a line move alone creates profit Over/Under definition and examples.

Practical examples: sample lines and how they would settle

Example A: whole-number push on totals

Example A: The posted total is 45 and the game ends 24-21 for combined points of 45. Under typical house rules that include overtime, a finish of 45 is a push and stakes on both the over and the under are refunded. That treatment is common in operator rulebooks and is the main reason some bettors prefer half-point markets to avoid ties.

Official house rules that describe pushes and refunds make this outcome explicit, and they are the ultimate reference if you need to dispute a grading decision FanDuel Sportsbook house rules.

Example B: spread and total both move after a key injury

Example B: A starting quarterback is ruled out on game day. The spread might move from -6 to -3 for the original favorite as the margin expectation narrows, and the total might drop from 48 to 44 if traders expect fewer scoring drives. Even if the spread and total both move lower, each market will settle independently based on the final score including overtime if the operator's rules include it.

That scenario shows why it is possible to win one market and lose the other: the new game script can reduce margin without entirely eliminating scoring potential, or vice versa, so treat each bet on its own merit Sports Betting 101.

How regulations and published house rules protect bettors and define settlement

What regulators typically require

State regulators require operators to publish clear house rules covering grading, pushes, cancellations and other contingencies so bettors can understand how wagers settle and how disputes are handled. These regulatory requirements mean that the operator's published rules are the authoritative reference when a question arises about how a bet was graded.

Regulatory summaries and guidance explain that jurisdictions expect transparent publishing of betting rules and that these documents are used in case investigations or disputes between a player and an operator Sports wagering regulations and guidance.

Where to find official house rules

You will typically find official house rules on an operator's help, legal or terms pages. Save or screenshot the rules at the time of your bet; regulators recommend keeping records if you later need to file a question or dispute about grading, cancellations or settlement.

If a settlement rule is unclear, contact the operator's support and reference the published rule, and if necessary consult the regulator in your jurisdiction for next steps. Having a saved copy of the rule and your bet record usually speeds resolution.

Conclusion: final checklist and responsible participation reminder

Short closing checklist

Final checklist: confirm whether overtime is included, check for half-point vs whole-number lines, compare vig and price across operators, review line movement and the reason for it, and save the operator's house rules and your bet record.

These steps summarize the practical checks you can do quickly to reduce surprises when spreads and totals settle. Remember that markets are separate but related and that settlement is governed by operator rules and applicable regulation Sports wagering regulations and guidance.

Responsible participation note

Participate responsibly: platforms and sportsbooks have different business models, and outcomes depend on your decisions and the rules that apply. If you use skill-based challenge platforms or sweepstakes to practice prediction, treat them as structured ways to develop discipline and track performance rather than guaranteed income sources.

For those exploring alternative models, FundedPlays describes evaluation challenges and funded account progression on its challenges page, which explains how its skill-focused programs work without promising specific results.

Do sportsbooks include overtime when settling NFL spreads and totals?

Most U.S. sportsbooks include overtime for NFL spreads and totals unless the market explicitly excludes it; always check the operator's published house rules to confirm.

What happens if a game finishes exactly on the posted total or spread?

If the final result exactly matches a listed whole number, that outcome is usually graded a push and stakes are refunded under typical house rules.

Why does -110 matter for break-even win rate?

-110 embeds vigorish, meaning the bettor must win more than 50 percent of the time to break even; -110 corresponds to a break-even win rate of roughly 52.38 percent.

Take a moment before you place a spread or totals bet to confirm the operator's house rules and check whether the listed line is a whole number or a half point. Those simple checks prevent most surprise refunds or unexpected settlements. If you want to practice reading lines in a structured environment, consider challenge-based prediction platforms that let you test decision-making with simulated funds and transparent grading, while remembering that outcomes depend on performance and the rules that apply.