Henry seems almost impossible to tackle. I have seen him score long TD runs just by stiff arming people all the way into the end zone.

I do not understand what those numbers mean.

I'd appreciate an explanation, and thanking you in advance.

Oh, and please give details. Pretend you are explaining to your grandmother who has suddenly become interested in the playoffs.

https://www.thelines.com/betting/point-spread/

The point spread is sometimes known as an equalizer for sportsbook operators. All teams aren’t created equally, so sportsbooks can create a point spread for a game so that each team playing has an almost even chance of winning the game.

In a way, the point spread will even the field for both teams.

The point spread gives a reason for bettors to risk money on both teams. The better team playing in the game is considered favorite. They have to win by the point spread offered by the sportsbook. The favorite in a game is listed as being minus (-) the point spread.

The worse of the teams playing in the game is called the underdog. The bettor wins if this team wins the game outright or loses by an amount smaller than the point spread.

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So, even though Minnesota is an underdog this weekend, I can bet with a sportsbook that they're good enough to make the score closer than a 6 1/2 point San Francisco victory -- say, 30 to 24, for example. If I guess (or reason) correctly, my payoff would be greater than if there were no spread at all.

If I were foolish enough to actually bet on NFL games, I might just take Minnesota in this instance. NFL coaches have a propensity to play conservatively when nursing 4th quarter leads, and this often results in last minute but meaningless scores by the opposition -- "meaningless" because they don't win the game, though any scoring might be just enough to beat the spread.

Makes sense?

But I also sometimes see a positive number, I think. Or should it always be a negative one and I'm mis-remembering?

the underdog is plus points.

So you and I are going to bet a dollar on this 49ers game. We agree I'm taking San Francisco, but because they are a slightly better team and are expected to win, you ask me to subtract 6 1/2 points from my point total OR add 6 1/2 points to your point total.

Me: San Francisco -6.5 points
You: Minnesota +6.5 points

Thanks..

There are no half points in football. Or any other game that I can think of. Even I know that a basic touchdown is worth six points, with 1 point to kick the ball through the goal posts after, or 2 points to run the ball into the end zone. So where to the half points come from?

to eliminate any chance of tie, also known as a “push.”

Tannehill was quite impressive! And Henry is just a BEAST with shoulder pads! I suspect they'll be coming to Kansas City next week, and with the Chiefs' defense, I'm a little worried! Granted, they have improved from awful (especially against the run!) to maybe, "well, kinda good"--but I could see a back like Henry just shredding them.