What the Numbers on an NFL Moneyline Actually Mean
An NFL moneyline shows two numbers — one negative, one positive. The negative number tells you how much you need to wager to return $100 in profit; the positive number tells you how much profit a $100 wager returns. If the Kansas City Chiefs are listed at -160 and the Las Vegas Raiders at +140, the Chiefs are the favored side and
the Raiders are the underdog. A $160 wager on Kansas City returns $100 profit. A $100 wager on Las Vegas returns $140 profit. The math never changes regardless of the game's final score margin — you just need the team you backed to win outright. That simplicity is why NFL moneyline markets draw more first-time sportsbook action than point-spread wagers.