Example numbers, showing how this format plays. Not a live pool.
You score the margin, not the win. Beat the spread by 4 and you bank +4. Miss it by 6 and you drop −6. A blowout is worth real points — and so is getting buried in one.
BAL −9.5won by 14
Ravens17–31 · JAX at BAL+4.5PTS
PHI −7won by 14
Eagles20–34 · DAL at PHI+7PTS
NE −6won by 14
Patriots13–27 · NYJ at NE+8PTS
CAR +3won by 3
Panthers24–21 · CAR at ATL+6PTS
DEN +2.5won by 4
Broncos28–24 · DEN at KC+6.5PTS
NYG +4lost by 20
Giants10–30 · NYG at CHI−16PTS
TEN +13lost by 21
Titans14–35 · TEN at IND−8PTS
LAR −3won by 3
Rams24–21 · LAR at ARI0PTS
Week 11 total
The Giants pick cost you 16 on its own
+8
Cap it. One 40-point blowout can decide a whole season. Most margin pools cap a single game at ±14 or ±21 so the week is still winnable after one disaster. Commissioner sets it; off means no cap.
Ravens17–31 · JAX at BAL+4.5PTS
Eagles20–34 · DAL at PHI+7PTS
Patriots13–27 · NYJ at NE+8PTS
Panthers24–21 · CAR at ATL+6PTS
Broncos28–24 · DEN at KC+6.5PTS
Giants10–30 · NYG at CHI−16PTS
Titans14–35 · TEN at IND−8PTS
Rams24–21 · LAR at ARI0PTS