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.
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
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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
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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.
