Bad Beats are part of sports betting and they tend to be more painful in NFL betting because of the volume of people wagering that suffer the anguish. Though everyone has their own stories to tell throughout the season, here are some lowlights (or highlights for those on the other side).
1 Week 1 – Fumble Causes Deep Anguish in Virginia
When the season began, Washington was thought of as a possible playoff team and Arizona a top candidate for the worst record in the NFL. Somehow, (It is all clear now with how the season played out) the Commanders only had a 7-6 lead over the Cardinals despite going up and down the field in the first half.
With only 62 seconds left in the first half and Washington having the ball with a chance to kick a field goal before the end of the half, those holding an UNDER 19 for the opening two quarters looked in great shape, or so they thought.
Quarterback San Howell dropped back to pass and had his arm hit and fumbled (we saw this numerous times the rest of the season) and Arizona pounced on at the Commanders’ two-yard line and rumbled into the end zone. A Redbirds’ extra point made the ticket a loser.
WHAT!!! @AZCardinals
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
📺: #AZvsWAS on FOX⁰
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2 Week 7 – Bettors Left Mumbling, but, but, but……..
At this point of the season, though the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City would go on to have disappointing seasons by their standards, The first battle in LA was thought of as a higher-scoring affair with Patrick Mahomes vs. Justin Herbert.
Both quarterbacks and teams delivered with a thrilling first 30 minutes that found the Chiefs leading 24-17. With two quarters to play and needing only eight more points, what could go wrong for those who put down money on the OVER 48.5 for the game?
Well, if you regularly watch Scott Van Pelt’s segment on ESPN, you know what is coming next.
The 3rd quarter was scoreless, which had to cause at least some trepidation for bettors. That pattern continued until just 3:30 was left in the game when Mahomes tossed a pass to Isiah Pacheco for an eight-yard touchdown.
That ended the scoring as football bettors came up one-point short despite 841 yards of total offense.
3 Week 10 – Anticipated Matchup Turns into Blowout and Over Bettors Come Up Short
One of the skirmishes everyone was looking forward to in Week 10 was San Francisco visiting Jacksonville. After starting 5-0, the 49ers went into a three-game tailspin. With San Fran having to travel cross-country and face a Jaguars squad on a five-game winning streak, this encounter was dripping with anticipation.
It turns out the Niners said enough was enough and from its opening drive led by Brock Purdy, San Francisco was ready for the big game and Jacksonville was not.
With how hot Trevor Lawrence was at the time, it felt like a foregone conclusion both teams would reach at least the low 20s and bettors gobbled up the OVER 44.
Jacksonville was no match for San Fran scoring three points and putting up just 221 yards in turning the pigskin over four times.
With Frisco ahead 34-3 and driving deep into Jaguars territory, instead of scoring another TD for at least a push, backup Sam Darnold kneeled three times, and the UNDER held up.
4 Week 12 – Chargers Play Good Enough to Lose (and not cover)
By this point of the season, it was clear Baltimore was a very good club and this was another head coach Brandon Staley Bolts version of – close but no cigar.
Somehow this turned into a low-scoring conflict in spite of Lamar Jackson taking on Justin Herbert. The Chargers were getting three points at home and thought they had committed four turnovers to none for the Ravens, they were down only 13-10 with 2:57 to play and having the ball.
After one first down, L.A. was one more first down from being in field goal range and possibly more. At this juncture, the Baltimore defense stiffened and held the Chargers and with 105 seconds left and Baltimore 44 yards from the end zone, a Push didn’t look so bad for Bolts’ backers.
The Ravens went with a little trickeration on third down and handed the ball to Zay Flowers and he burst through an opening and scooted 37 yards for the close-the-door score.
5 Week 18 – Popular Bet Blows Up
The final week of the regular season is a landmine for trouble. Teams that have to win to have a shot at the postseason and their opponents who have little to play for decide to show up.
Off their upset of Philadelphia, the week prior, Arizona was in the mood to ruin someone else’s party and they were just a three-point home underdog to Seattle, who needed a win and a Green Bay loss to snag the last NFC Wild Card.
There was an unusual amount of Arizona cash on them for the money line to upset their division rivals Seattle. The Cards were moving up and down the field (ultimately 466 yards) and after tying the game at 13-all the Redbirds took a 20-13 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining.
The Seahawks got the ball back with 2:56 left and had to travel 62 yards for the touchdown. After reaching the Arizona 34-yard line, Geno Smith tossed what appeared to be a pass that would be broken up but Tyle Lockett caught it for the TD. Seattle went for two and got it, giving them a 21-20.
With 1:54 left, Kyle Murray and company still had a shot and they got the ball to Seattle’s 34, giving noted long ball kicker Matt Prater a shot from 51 yards, but he missed it and it was like losing twice for the Cardinals ML backers.
The kick is wide right and the @Seahawks end the season on a high note. #SEAvsAZ pic.twitter.com/Oa2KpQS7Mp
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024
