NFL Underdogs Win Big in Week Four, Deliver Bettors Substantial Loss

Posted on: September 30, 2019, 11:30h. 

Last updated on: September 30, 2019, 11:17h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Week four of the NFL season was a big win for casinos and sportsbooks, as underdogs prevailed in a healthy majority of the games – typically a recipe for disaster in terms of the betting public.

NFL odds football betting Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns’ high-powered offense was too much for the Baltimore Ravens in week four of the NFL season. (Image: Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns)

Of the 13 games on Sunday, the underdogs covered the points spread in 10. And two of the covers involved teams largely considered the best in the league: the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Patriots were favored by a touchdown over the home team Buffalo Bills. An AFC defensive slugfest, and Tom Brady’s worst outing of 2019 led to the Pats fending off the underdogs, 16-10.

The game was marked by controversy when New England cornerback Jonathan Jones went helmet-to-helmet on Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the fourth quarter, causing a concussion.

The first thing that came out of my mouth on the sideline, ‘If one of us had did that to 12 (Tom Brady), we wouldn’t have been in the game anymore,'” Bills safety Micah Hyde said. “There’s no way we would continue to play in that game.”

Jones was flagged for unnecessary roughness, but was not ejected from the game.

Meanwhile, Kansas City was a seven-point favorite playing at the Detroit Lions. The underdogs put up a good fight, losing 34-30, but covering the spread. Caesars said more than 81 percent of the money wagered was on the Chiefs.

Dogs Pound Favorites

One of the Sunday underdogs was the Cleveland Browns playing away at divisional rival Baltimore. The Ravens were favored by a touchdown over Baker Mayfield’s star-studded roster.

The Cleveland faithful made their presence known at M&T Bank Stadium, as the Dawg Pound watched their team top Lamar Jackson’s. Mayfield had his best game of the season, completing 20 passes on 30 attempts for 342 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. He was supported by running back Nick Chubb’s 165 yards on 20 carries, which was highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that all but sealed the Browns’ 40-25 win.

An unnamed bettor at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City lost $506,000 on the Browns last week against the Rams. The person wasn’t fazed, however, and plopped down $275,000 on the Philadelphia Eagles being spotted four points by the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. This time the wager won, as Philly beat the Packers, 34-27.

The other underdogs that covered in week four were the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

MNF, Super Bowl Update

The Cincinnati Bengals make the short trip to Pittsburgh for tonight’s Monday Night Football. The game is a battle of the winless, and the Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers are favored by 3.5 points.

Following back-to-back wins with new QB Daniel Jones, the New York Giants’ Super Bowl odds have been cut from 300/1 to 100/1. The Patriots lead the way at 5/2, followed by the Chiefs (7/2), Cowboys (10/1), Saints (12/1), and Bears (14/1).

Now tied for the AFC North, the 2-2 Browns are at 40/1 – down from 60/1 before their Ravens victory.