As with previous weeks, Week 9 had its moments of bad beats. Here, we'll look at three games so close to going the other way that those bettors are probably still shaking their heads.
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Let's check them out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
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Bad Beat: Rams +2.5
Like most Buccaneers and Rams games this year, the offense was minimal. There was just one touchdown for most of the game — a 69-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Rams were up 13-6 before a field goal by the Buccaneers made it 13-9 with about eight minutes to go. The Buccaneers were trailing, but we saw shades of the old Tom Brady on the game's final drive.
Following a Rams punt, the Buccaneers got the ball back on their 40-yard line with 44 seconds left. The drive lasted six plays, including a 28-yard pass and a defensive pass interference call. However, the pass interference call was, well, questionable at best. Looking at the play — no, we're not NFL referees, but it shouldn't have been called. Regardless, this led to a 1-yard touchdown pass from Brady to tight end Cade Otton with 0:09 left, resulting in a 16-13 win.
What a crazy ending.
Washington Commanders vs. Minnesota Vikings
Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
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Bad Beat: Commanders +3
Heading into the week, the Vikings were only 3-point favorites, which seemed like a high point spread considering the caliber of these teams.
Well, a push is what we got after all — funny how the bookmakers know these things. Regardless of what side you bet on, you still got a push — which is excellent. But those "sharp" bettors who took the Commanders were feeling pretty good about themselves for most of the game and into the fourth quarter.
It started with a field goal with just over 10 minutes left. The Vikings hit the field goal but were still trailing 17-10. Yes, this offense could only muster 7 points in the first three quarters. With 7:46 to go, Kirk Cousins delivered a perfect pass in the back of the end zone to running back Dalvin Cook. The game was tied 17-17. At this point, yeah, the +3 wager wasn't looking great, but there was still a chance with more time on the clock and potential overtime.
Well, nope, that wasn't the case. With 0:12 to go, the Vikings hit a field goal on a massive 15-play, 44-yard drive. The Commanders couldn't stop them across 15 plays and lost the game outright.
You got a push — but man, oh man, what a win that would've been.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bad Beat: Falcons +2.5
With minimal receivers, a popular bet this week was the Falcons over the Chargers. Earlier in the week, the line was around 3 or 3.5 points — so if you got it, you lucked out. However, it closed at 2.5 points, and now we see why: The Chargers pulled out a 20-17 win.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Falcons were up 17-14 in what was yet another low-scoring affair in the NFL. The Chargers then tied it up with just over five minutes to go at 17 apiece. And from there — oh boy, that's where the fun began for Falcons bettors.
See, on the game's final drive, the Chargers ran 10 plays before a fumble by running back Austin Ekeler. The Falcons recovered the ball — but then they fumbled. Yes, you read that right. The Falcons player who recovered it just dropped the ball while running it back — ouch. The Chargers then recovered the ball, ran a few more plays and kicked a field goal to win it. If the Falcons hadn't fumbled, they would've had the ball at around their 43-yard line. What a disaster.
