Bad Beats #2
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.
Here’s a look at this week’s bad beats in the NFL and NCAA college football:
1. Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings Spread (10/18/20)
It would make sense if you bet on the Vikings to cover the 4-point spread against the Falcons. Prior to Sunday’s game, the Vikings were 4-0 against the spread in their four games versus the Falcons since the start of the 2014 season. However, the Falcons changed that to 4-1 against the spread when they defeated the Vikings 40-23 on Sunday. If you bet on the underdogs (Falcons) to cover the spread, then good for you! If you bet on the over (54.5), then again, good for you. The Falcons were 2-11 against the spread in October since the 2017 season, which is the second worst cover record over that span. However, after covering versus the Vikings, they are now 3-11. Way to go, Falcons! As those Atlanta fans say, "Rise up!"
2. Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Spread (10/18/20)
Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and Buccaneers quarterback, Tom Brady, played against each other for only the third time on Sunday. The Packers went into this one undefeated at 4-0, while the Buccaneers were 3-2. With two very talented quarterbacks and Green Bay chosen as the 1-point favorite, most fans and sports bettors assumed this would be a close game. Prior to facing the Buccaneers, the Packers were 4-0 against the spread, making them the only undefeated team against the spread left this season. However, they are no longer undefeated in general or against the spread after the Buccaneers defeated Green Bay a whopping 38-10. Tom Brady is now 10-1 against the spread as a starter and home underdog in his career.
3. No. 15 Auburn Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks Spread and O/U (10/17/20)
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This held true for the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon. Auburn didn’t play like trash per se, but everyone thought for sure the Tigers would not only cover, but also walk away with the win. I mean come on, South Carolina hadn’t won against Auburn since 1933. I’ll do the math for you. That’s 87 years.
Going into Saturday’s game, Auburn had covered 11 of their last 15 games as a favorite. The spread was Auburn -3 prior to kickoff. The Tigers won 30-22, so Auburn didn’t even cover. But this wasn’t just a sad day for the Auburn cover bettors. The over-under was set at 51.5. So, I really hope you bet the over because it hit just by half a point with 52 total points. If you bet the under, I am so sorry for your loss.
4. No. 5 North Carolina Tar Heels at Florida State Seminoles Spread (10/17/20)
It was a successful Saturday for you if you took the Florida State Seminoles on the moneyline. But it was not so successful if you bet on the North Carolina Tar Heels to cover the spread. The Tar Heels were a 13-point favorite going into Saturday’s game against the Seminoles. Prior to Saturday’s game, the Tar Heels had covered in five of their last six games as a favorite. Additionally, it was the third time that Mike Norvell (Florida State’s head coach) was a double-digit underdog in his first five games with the Seminoles. When Norvell coached at Memphis, he was only a double-digit underdog one time in his 54 games there. Florida State ended up defeating North Carolina 31-28 in an upset win.
