NFL Wild Card Weekend Video games Go Sideways for Groups, Sports activities Bettors
There are winners and losers in each sports activities competitors, however few issues are worse than dropping after profitable. That’s what occurred in a number of of the NFL’s wild-card video games over the weekend, resulting in huge losses for groups and sports activities bettors.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) walks off the sector after giving up the wild-card sport to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The sport was simply considered one of a number of that noticed dropping groups come from behind to win. (Picture: Related Press)
Out of all of the upsets, the LA Chargers-Jacksonville Jaguars sport shall be one of many greatest of the season. Not as a result of the Jags don’t have what it takes to be a championship group, however as a result of the Chargers gave them the win.
The Saturday AFC sport began nicely for the Chargers as they took a 27-7 first-half lead. Maybe they need to have performed a tighter sport, as a result of they apparently relaxed an excessive amount of. At the very least one sports activities bettor – and loads of followers – won’t ever forgive them.
Video games Gone Wild
Wild Card Weekend is an applicable title for the NFL’s video games on Saturday and Sunday. Insane comebacks, loopy clock mismanagement, and referees trying the opposite means marked the video games.
Nevertheless, the Chargers had an actual shot at taking down the Jags after leaping out in entrance. One bettor was so assured at that time that he put up $1.4 million with DraftKings on LA to win. As an alternative of selecting up $11,200, he misplaced all the pieces when Jacksonville rebounded to win 31-30.
Trevor Lawrence didn’t do his Jags any favors. The QB threw 4 interceptions as he tried to search out his footing, however was capable of finding his composure within the second half. 13 factors within the third quarter and 11 unanswered factors within the fourth – all whereas preserving the Chargers to only a subject aim in each – confirmed sheer dedication.
Over within the NFC, QB Brock Purdy and operating again Christian McCaffrey are proving to be massively profitable items of the San Francisco 49ers offense. The Niners had some preliminary bother towards the Seattle Seahawks, however regained management and walked away with a 41-23 victory on Saturday.
The Niners had been trailing, though solely by a degree, at halftime. They pushed the chains on their opening drive of the second half, which appeared to frustrate Seahawks defensive again Johnathan Abram.
He took out his anger on San Francisco extensive receiver Deebo Samuel’s leg, apparently twisting it throughout a deal with. It didn’t draw a flag, but it surely drew the 49ers’ ire. From that time, the sport belonged to San Francisco.
Some will say that the percentages had been all the time towards the Seahawks. They’ve been targets of unhealthy refs this season, with even an NFL govt saying the Seahawks-LA Rams sport was the “worst officiated sport” of the season.
The Hits Preserve Coming
The 49ers had been heavy favorites to win in any respect sportsbooks, however oddsmakers had a tough time selecting between the Jags and the Chargers. For the New York Giants-Minnesota Vikings sport on Sunday, in addition they bumped into some issue.
Minnesota was in entrance at round -150 to +125, however the Giants proceed to show that they’re hungry. They performed regular, methodical ball all through the sport on the way in which to a 31-24 victory. Happily for the Giants, the refs’ erratic flag-throwing didn’t value them the sport.
For a group that has repeatedly been on the high of the checklist for Tremendous Bowl competition, the Buffalo Payments didn’t seem like a championship group towards the Miami Dolphins. The truth is, it’s attainable the Fins would have gained if it hadn’t been for sheer irresponsibility late within the sport.
This sport had the most important unfold in NFL wild card historical past at 14 factors. Bettors appreciated the percentages and didn’t waste time backing the Payments who, regardless of leaping out to a 17-0 begin, nearly misplaced.
Down by simply three factors, the Dolphins had an opportunity to tie issues up and even take the lead if they only labored well. They didn’t. As an alternative, with rookie QB Skylar Thompson attempting to carry issues collectively, Miami fell aside on fourth and inches, dropping all hope of overcoming the 34-31 deficit. A lot for the unfold.
Did Devin Singletary get the primary down? 🤔
(by way of @NFL)pic.twitter.com/YgsGftHcZU
— Sports activities Illustrated (@SInow) January 15, 2023
Ravens Come Up Brief
The Baltimore Ravens, in the meantime, had been inches away from pulling off the most important upset of the 12 months on Sunday evening. They had been tied with the Cincinnati Bengals, the large favorites within the sport, and solely wanted to cross the aim line because the fourth quarter started to unfold.
It wouldn’t occur, although. As an alternative, the Bengals stole the ball and returned it 98 yards for a TD. That may be the one rating of the fourth quarter, but it surely was sufficient to provide Cincinnati a 24-17 win.
Sam Hubbard takes the fumble 98 yards for the TD ‼️
📺: #BALvsCIN on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/PoVImXrfpz
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2023
Baltimore performed good ball behind backup QB Tyler Huntley, who proved greater than as soon as that he’s able to main the group. Nevertheless, even amid miscues and damaged (in addition to soiled) performs, the Ravens couldn’t muster what they wanted to drag off an upset.
Subsequent up, on January 21, the Jags face the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the AFC semifinals. The Giants and Philadelphia Eagles face one another within the NFC race on the identical day.
The next day, the Bengals and Payments meet for the opposite AFC sport, whereas the second NFC sport will see the Niners tackle the winner of Monday’s Dallas Cowboys-Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup.
