What Does (-27) Handicap Mean in American Football?
A (-27) handicap means the favored team must win the game by more than 27 points for your bet to win.
This is also known as a point spread bet where:
- Favorite team: starts the game with -27 points
- Underdog team: starts the game with +27 points
Example:
Let’s say:
- Team A (-27) vs. Team B
- Final score: Team A 48 – Team B 20
Now apply the handicap:
- Team A: 48 – 27 = 21 (handicap-adjusted score)
- Team B: 20
Bet Result: Team A wins by only 21 (not more than 27) ➜ Your bet loses
If the final score was:
- Team A 60 – Team B 20 ➜ Team A adjusted: 60 – 27 = 33 ➜ Bet wins
Why Such a High Spread (-27)?
- Very strong favorite vs. a very weak team
- Common in college football or NFL mismatches
Betting Tips for (-27) Handicap:
- Evaluate Team Motivation:
- Is the favorite likely to play hard all 4 quarters, or will they ease off if leading?
- Blowouts are less likely in NFL than college football.
- Consider Backdoor Covers:
- The underdog might score late in a blowout and lose by less than 27 ➜ You lose your bet even if your team dominated.
- Check Injury Reports:
- If the favorite is missing key players, covering 27 points is tough.
- Weather Matters:
- Rain or snow slows down scoring. Avoid big handicaps in bad weather.
- Compare Team Styles:
- Teams that run the ball and control time may win big but not fast, making a -27 cover harder.
When to Bet -27:
- The favorite is explosive offensively
- The underdog struggles to score
- The favorite needs to impress (e.g., college playoff rankings)
- No signs of starters being rested
When to Avoid -27:
- Game could become one-sided early, leading to backups playing
- The underdog is scrappy or good in garbage time
- Conditions limit scoring potential
Would you like an example from college football or the NFL using real teams?