Bad Beats #4
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. Last weekend was a huge one for underdogs throughout the NFL and college football. Each week produces new sports betting upsets.
Here’s a look at this week’s bad beats:
1. NFL – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles Spread (11/1/20)
The Philadelphia Eagles were a 10-point favorite prior to kickoff on Sunday night. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 23-9, but there was definitely some controversy involved. Philadelphia’s Rodney McLeod was given credit for a 53-yard fumble return for a touchdown. With this touchdown, the Eagles took the lead 21-9 with 5:18 left in the game. Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci fumbled the ball, and it was Vinny Curry who recovered it. However, he went down by contact after being touched by Connor Williams. Williams ripped the ball out after Curry was down, but it was then picked up by Rodney McLeod, who brought it home for a scoop and score.
The play was reviewed, but not overturned, which ultimately ended up screwing over those Cowboys spread bettors. If McLeod hadn’t gotten credit for that scoop and score, then the Eagles might not have covered the spread.
2. NCAA Football – Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Wolverines Spread, Moneyline and O/U (10/31/20)
Rivalry upsets are always fun. This game was full of Michigan bad beats across the board. East Lansing went crazy on Saturday after Michigan State defeated Michigan 27-24 in an upset win. Michigan was ranked 13th in the AP Poll prior to kickoff. True freshman Ricky White was Michigan State’s X-factor on Halloween, making eight catches for 196 yards and a touchdown.
The Wolverines were a 21.5-point favorite prior to kickoff. A double-digit favorite. In addition to that, the Michigan moneyline was -1600. Also, I hope you didn’t bet the over. The over/under was set at 51.5. The total just hit the under with 51 total points. Michigan spread and moneyline bettors and over bettors, I am so sorry for your loss. This really was a bad, bad beat.
However, congratulations to the Spartans and their bettors and fans! The Michigan State moneyline was +1000. Michigan State had a 6.6% chance of winning, but they pulled through, reclaiming the Paul Bunyan Trophy (a trophy that was introduced into the rivalry in 1953).
3. NCAA Football – North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers Moneyline (10/31/20)
The South’s Oldest Rivalry. North Carolina was ranked 15th prior to this matchup. North Carolina was an 8.5-point favorite, but here the underdog came out on top yet again. The Cavaliers defeated the Tar Heels 44-41 on Saturday.
Despite this being Virginia’s fourth straight win against North Carolina, the Virginia moneyline was +240 while the North Carolina moneyline was -280. Tough luck for the North Carolina moneyline bettors. This was a huge weekend in football for the underdogs.
4. NFL – Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals Moneyline (10/25/20)
Quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals upset the Tennessee Titans 31-20 on Sunday. The Bengals were a 7-point underdog. The Bengals did this without a few key players, including Jonah Williams, Trey Hopkins, Bobby Hart and Joe Mixon. During this first half of the season, Burrow has been completed 67% of his passes.
The Titans and Bengals moneylines were -320 and +260, respectively. Bad beat for the Titans moneyline bettors, but good win for the Bengals.
