The NFL Championship title games are at hand. We thought we would take a look back at some of the most memorable ones from a betting perspective that left many football bettors shaking their heads in disgust.
2019 – New England at Kansas City, Total 56.5
In 2019, we had a classic quarterback matchup of the “old guard” versus the “new gunslinger”, with Tom Brady facing Patrick Mahomes.
This was anticipated to be a higher-scoring affair with a closing total of 56.5. The markets at NFL betting sites found the public and the vast majority of sharp action supporting the idea of many points scored and were backing the Over. Despite this, there was a savvy group of bettors who had a contrarian viewpoint and backed the Under. With New England ahead 17-7 over Kansas City after three quarters, this appeared to be a genius wager.
Then Mahomes found a groove and the Chiefs scored three consecutive touchdowns in the final quarter, Brady led his team to one and K.C. led 28-24, just before the two-minute warning.
Next, it was Brady’s turn and he was masterful in leading his team 65 yards for the go-ahead TD (31-28) with only 39 seconds remaining. It took five touchdowns in the fourth quarter for Under bettors to fall, a tough one to swallow.
In case you don’t remember, the Chiefs scored a tying field goal but lost in OT 37-31.
2007 – New England at Indianapolis (-3.5)
Twelve years prior, Brady was involved in another classic QB confrontation in the AFC title game with Peyton Manning. The Colts were listed as the favorite and a shootout was expected.
Those backing the Patriots were pleased after CB Asante Samuel nabbed a Manning pass 20 minutes into the battle for a Pick Six to give New England a 21-3 lead. Of course, the game was not over with Manning in his prime and he led a comeback.
In the first part of the final quarter, the contest was square at 28-28. Over the next 9:25, the rivals traded field goals with New England holding a 34-31 lead at 3:49 remaining. All Pats backers needed was one stop. It was not meant to be.
January 21, 2007: After falling behind 21-3, the Colts come back and beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/QeoafqM38A
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 21, 2023
In just two minutes and 49 seconds, Indy drove the length of the field, when Joseph Addai ran three yards for the Colts lead and Adam Vinatieri added the extra point with 60 ticks left. It was a rare occasion where Brady was outdone, leaving Patriots ticket holders forlorn.
2002 – Philadelphia at St. Louis (-10.5)
The year after winning the Super Bowl, the “Greatest Show on Turf”, the St. Louis Rams, were expected to repeat, and they were big double-digit home favorites to knock off Donovan McNabb and Philadelphia.
There was little doubt the Rams would win and most of that crowd believed Kurt Warner and company would rout the Eagles. Funny thing about football, what is supposed to happen doesn’t always happen and a disinterested St. Louis squad was trailing 17-13 at the half.
The Rams played with far more focus after the break and scored 17 unanswered points to take a 29-17 lead and those on the favorite were feeling good again with just over six minutes left.
Instead of playing aggressive defense as they had the whole second half, St. Louis went into a – prevent defense – and McNabb took what the Rams gave him, taking his club into the end zone with 2:56 on the clock.
The Rams were now in a five-point contest, but Warner and crew salted the game away, leaving St. Louis backers empty-handed.
2001 – Minnesota at N.Y. Giants, Total 42
Minnesota was loaded offensively with Daunte Culpepper under center and they had great weapons. Among them was Randy Moss. The New York Giants possessed a nasty strong defense and solid ball-control offense with Kerry Collins at the controls.
Just two minutes and 13 seconds into this NFC title tilt, Collins had a pair of TD passes and the Giants were up 14-0. With all the firepower the Vikings had, it was a given they would get back into the game. It never happened.
By halftime, the game was over with the Giants ahead 34-0. Big Blue scored on their first drive of the second half to take a 41-0 lead. With more than 27 minutes left in the game, those with Over tickets were planning what to do with their winnings, because somebody, anybody would at least kick a field goal or score a touchdown.
January 14, 2001: The Giants destroy the Vikings 41-0 at Giants Stadium in the NFC Championship Game
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 15, 2022
(🎥 Via NY Giants) pic.twitter.com/cFjK9lb44d
Turns out, that was wishful thinking as the Vikings basically quit and New York just wanted to get this blowout over and the score never changed. Talk about stunning disappointment!
1999 – Atlanta at Minnesota, Total 55
This NFC confrontation featured a 14-2 Atlanta crew traveling to 15-1 Minnesota. Each club was explosive on offense and did enough on defense to preserve leads when they needed to if their team was not way ahead.
A total of 55 points was a rarity back in those days. It was not unheard of, but offenses were more balanced, which featured more rushing attempts that kept the clock moving.
This confrontation was ahead of schedule at the half with Minnesota leading 20-14. Those holding Under tickets were thrilled Atlanta scored the only points of the third quarter and that was a field goal.
The Vikings went up 27-17 in the final stanza. Yet, Under football bettors still had reason for optimism because Minnesota was containing the Falcons.
January 17, 1999: The Falcons upset the Vikings 30-27 in Overtime in the NFC Championship Game.
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 17, 2021
Vikings Kicker Gary Anderson, who hadn’t missed a FG in two years, missed a 38-yarder with two minutes left in the 4th Quarter that would have sealed the game. pic.twitter.com/3DEnwkC9ho
With Atlanta down 27-20, QB Chris Chandler tried to mount a game-tying drive and hit Terrance Mathis for a short TD pass. Morten Anderson’s extra point tied the contest with 59 seconds on the clock, which squashed all those Under tickets, because someone had to score to break the tie, making the outcome an Over. (Falcons won 30-27 in OT.)
