How do I play?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When is the deadline for each gameweek?

A. You have to confirm your picks 2 hours before the kick-off of the first game, usually around 6pm EST on Thursday. After this you cannot change your picks but will then be able to see what other players in your league have selected.

Q. What is the spread?

A. The bookmakers set a points handicap (e.g. -3) for the team they think is more likely to win and an equivalent head-start for the team more likely to lose, i.e. +3.
E.g. if the spread for a match is Baltimore (3) vs Kansas City (-3)
If you pick Kansas City and they win by more than 3 points, they beat the spread (or 'cover') and you win. If they win by exactly 3 points you tie. Otherwise you lose.
If you pick Baltimore and they lose by more than 3 points, you lose. If they lose by exactly 3 points you tie. Otherwise they beat the spread and you win.

Q. What is the bench?

A. Leading up to the game the spread can change, particularly if a key player is questionable for the game. If you can't choose between the spread in two different games, you can place one on the bench. At any time before the deadline for the week you can switch in your bench pick. The selection on the bench when the gameweek deadline passes will not score points.

Q. How are points awarded?

A. 1 point for a correct prediction, half a point for a tie (or when the spread is exactly the same as the acutal game result), otherwise 0 points.
The maximum points over the season is 36.

Q. How are tie-breaks settled?

A. Spread margin. This is the cumulative difference between your spread selections over the season and the results in those games. e.g if you selected Kansas City (-3) and they win by 10, your spread margin is +7. If they win by 2, your margin is -1

Q. How do I play with an entry fee and prize money?

A. Line-backer does not take payment. This needs to be managed by your league admin. They will set the entry fee and decide how the prize pool should be distributed between players. Up to the top 5 players can receive prizes, as can the holder of the longest spread-picking streak and even the winner of the wooden spoon!
(N.B. Wooden spoon contenders are penalised for making no pick in any gameweek).

Q. Can I play in multiple leagues?

A. You can join and create as many leagues as you like. You can make different picks in each if you choose to.

Q. Why is a selection unavailable?

A. Teams may be ineligible for selection for 4 reasons: the gameweek deadline is closed, the team has a bye week, the spread odds have not yet been published, you have picked the team in this strand in a different week.