Bad Beats #10
Close only counts in horseshoes. If you’re betting on sports, being close is just a bad beat. Maybe you missed the over by a point. Maybe your team doesn’t cover the spread. Maybe the underdog actually won the game. Each week produces new sports betting upsets. This week’s bad beats were so outstandingly rough that instead of the usual four, there are only three.
Here’s a look at this week’s bad beats:
1. NFL – Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers Spread (12/19/20)
The Green Bay Packers went into Saturday’s game as a 9.5-point favorite against the Carolina Panthers. After Mason Crosby kicked a 51-yard field goal for the Packers with 3:39 left in the game, it seemed likely that the Packers would win and cover.
However, with 2:04 left in the game, the Carolina’s Joey Slye went for the field goal on 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 15 for a 33-yard field goal. This made the score 24-16, putting the Panthers only eight points behind the Packers. That Slye field goal seemed wildly unnecessary since the Panthers were going to lose regardless. It was also certainly very unwanted for those who bet on the Packers to cover at -9.5.
2. NFL – Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders O/U (12/17/20)
This Thursday night primetime game was quite the thriller. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr left the game early on with a groin injury. He is expected to be out for 10 to 14 days but is pushing for the Raiders’ December 26th matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Marcus Mariota, a former Oregon Duck just like Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, filled in for Carr on Thursday night. Mariota had an excellent showing, finishing with one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown on the night. Mariota’s 2-yard rushing touchdown came with 6:16 left in regulation, tying the game at 24 and ultimately forcing it into overtime.
The over/under was set at 52.5 prior to kickoff. Prior to overtime, the points total was at 48. The Raiders got possession first in overtime. Despite being unable to score a touchdown, Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson kicked a successful 23-yard field goal. If the game ended here, it would have been ideal for under bettors as well as Raiders moneyline bettors. But Justin Herbert went ahead and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 1:29 left in overtime, winning the game for the Chargers and pushing the points total over 52.5. Bad beat for those who bet the under. But hey, if you bet the Chargers on the moneyline, Herbert is your guy.
3. College Football – Stanford Cardinal at UCLA Bruins Moneyline (12/19/20)
The Stanford Cardinal were down 14 with 5:39 left in regulation. In the final two minutes, Stanford was able to come back and score two touchdowns, tying the game at 34. The first came with 2:34 left in regulation when Stanford quarterback Davis Mills passed it to Simi Fehoko for an 11-yard touchdown. UCLA then fumbled the ball, and Stanford scored with 18 seconds left after Mills connected with Fehoko again for a 21-yard touchdown.
The game was forced into overtime, and then double overtime. It was tied at 41 before the Bruins scored a touchdown on the final possession. UCLA quarterback Chase Griffin passed it to Kyle Philips for the touchdown. They needed an extra point to tie the game, but instead, they decided to go for the two-point conversion. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, and the Stanford Cardinal defeated the UCLA Bruins 48-47. Ouch. Close one for those who bet on the UCLA moneyline, but close only counts in horseshoes.
