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"Against the spread," usually shortened to ATS, describes how a team did relative to the point spread instead of just whether it won or lost. A team can lose a game and still win against the spread. This post explains what the spread is, how an ATS result is graded, and how to read an ATS record, using a real game from this season.
What is the point spread?
A point spread is a handicap set to even out a matchup. The favorite gets a minus number and has to win by more than that many points. The underdog gets the same number as a plus and can lose by fewer than that many points, or win outright.
Example: in Week 8 of 2026, the Packers were 3.5-point favorites at home against the Panthers. That's written GB -3.5 and CAR +3.5 (our Panthers-Packers research post, using the Action Network consensus line).
How a bet against the spread is graded
To grade an ATS result, add the spread to a team's final score and compare it to the opponent's score.
The favorite
The Packers won 27-19 (ESPN box score). Green Bay's 27 minus 3.5 is 23.5, which is more than 19. The Packers covered.
The underdog
Carolina's 19 plus 3.5 is 22.5, which is less than 27. The Panthers did not cover. If Carolina had lost by 3 or fewer, or won, the Panthers would have covered.
Pushes
If a spread is a whole number and the margin lands exactly on it, the result is a push. A push is generally a refund of the stake, so check your sportsbook's house rules. A half-point spread such as 3.5 can't push.
| Final margin (GB minus CAR) | GB -3.5 | CAR +3.5 | GB -3 (whole number) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB by 8 (actual: 27-19) | Covers | Does not cover | Covers |
| GB by 4 | Covers | Does not cover | Covers |
| GB by 3 | Does not cover | Covers | Push |
| GB by 1 | Does not cover | Covers | Does not cover |
| CAR wins | Does not cover | Covers | Does not cover |
What the -110 next to a spread means
Spread bets usually carry a price, most often -110 on each side. That means you risk $110 to win $100. Because of that built-in cost, a spread bettor at -110 needs to win about 52.4% of bets just to break even (110 / 210). We walk through that math in our sports betting basics post, and in more detail in What Is Implied Probability in Sports Betting?
How to read an ATS record
An ATS record such as 6-2 means a team covered six times and failed to cover twice. Pushes are often listed as a third number (6-2-1). The record tells you how a team performed compared with market expectations, not how good it is. A strong team that is favored by a lot every week can have a losing ATS record. A weak team that keeps losing close games can have a winning one.
Two cautions. Small samples are noisy, and eight or nine games is a small sample. And past ATS results don't predict future ones on their own, because the spread adjusts as the market learns. That's one reason we're careful with our own numbers. The research model behind our weekly posts went 48.7% against closing lines in its 2021-25 backtest, which is not a proven edge (more on whether betting can be profitable).
Frequently asked questions
Can a team lose and still cover the spread?
Yes. An underdog covers when it loses by fewer points than the spread. At +3.5, a 3-point loss is a cover.
What does ATS stand for?
Against the spread. It means a result measured relative to the point spread rather than the straight win or loss.
Why do spreads use half points?
A half point, such as 3.5, means the game can't land exactly on the number, so there is no push. Every bet is either a win or a loss.
Research and education only. Nothing here is betting advice. Sources: ESPN, Panthers at Packers box score; line from the Action Network consensus as recorded in our Week 8 research post; legal status by state: American Gaming Association state gaming map; help: National Council on Problem Gambling.
21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Sports betting is legal only in some states. Check your state's law. Bet only what you can afford to lose.
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