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?
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