Bad Beats #3
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:
1. NFL – Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons Spread and Moneyline (10/25/20)
Sunday was a tough day for the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were a 1-point favorite against the Detroit Lions. With 3:16 left in the game, the Lions went up 16-14 on a field goal. The Falcons were in the red zone with 1:04 left in the game. The Falcons had the option to either set up a field goal or take their time and score in the final seconds of the game.
Essentially the Falcons were not supposed to score, but Todd Gurley did…accidentally. With 1:04 left in the game, the Falcons made it 22-16 after a successful two-point conversion. This left plenty of time for the Lions to respond. Lions quarterback, Matthew Stafford, was able to throw an 11-yard pass to T.J. Hockenson for the touchdown. Detroit’s Matt Prater made the extra point, winning the game 23-22.
If you bet the Detroit moneyline, congratulations. If you picked the Falcons to cover the spread, I am so sorry for your loss. You were so close, but again, that only counts in horseshoes.
2. NCAA Football – Penn State at Indiana Hoosiers Moneyline (10/24/20)
Big Ten opening football weekend was a fantastic one for the Hoosiers. But not so fantastic for the Nittany Lions moneyline bettors. Prior to kickoff, the Penn State moneyline was -250. It’s safe to say that Penn State was fairly confident coming into this game against Indiana, as they were 5-0 against them since 2015.
The game was close the whole time, ultimately resulting in a tie, therefore overtime. Penn State took the lead on their drive, but then Indiana responded with a touchdown on their own. Then, Indiana head coach Tom Allen did some gambling of his own. Instead of kicking the extra point and forcing double overtime, Allen opted for the team to attempt a two-point conversion.
Michael Penix Jr. was just able to get the football to the pylon, and the two-point conversion was dubbed successful. Indiana upset Penn State 36-35, making it Indiana’s first win over a Top 10 team since 1987. Hoosiers moneyline at +210? Hope you bet it.
However, this Indiana win will haunt Penn State football moneyline bettors, fans and players for a long while.
3. NFL – Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals Moneyline (10/25/20)
Sunday Night Football…Russell Wilson versus Kyler Murray. Prior to Sunday night, the Seahawks were one of the undefeated teams left in the NFL. Wilson is an MVP front-runner, but he threw three interceptions against the Cardinals. The Cardinals were down 10 points in the fourth quarter, but were able to tie the game, forcing it into overtime.
Rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons intercepted with 1:04 left in overtime. The Cardinals were able to make it down the field, giving kicker Zane Gonzalez the chance to win the game. Gonzalez made the 48-yard field goal, giving the Cardinals a 37-34 win. Arizona also handed Seattle their first loss of the season.
This one was a bad beat for those Seahawks -185 moneyline bettors. However, if you bet the Cardinals on the moneyline at +165, then Sunday was your lucky day.
4. NFL – Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals Spread (10/25/20)
Ohio’s finest quarterbacks met on Sunday. Yes, I’m talking about Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bengals took the lead 34-31 late in the game, but Mayfield and the Browns were able to respond with 11 seconds left. Mayfield connected with Donovan Peoples-Jones for a touchdown, putting them up 37-34. However, Browns kicker Cody Parkey missed the extra point. Therefore, the Browns did not cover the 3.5-point spread.
So, congratulations to the Browns on their 37-34 win against the Bengals. But it’s a bad beat for those Browns spread bettors who unfortunately lost due to that missed extra point. It’s okay Cody, everyone makes mistakes.
