{"id":292260,"date":"2023-10-02T14:40:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T19:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=292260"},"modified":"2023-10-02T18:25:56","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T23:25:56","slug":"bad-beat-mahomes-game-slide-tilts-jets-chiefs-bettors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/bad-beat-mahomes-game-slide-tilts-jets-chiefs-bettors\/","title":{"rendered":"Bad Beat: Patrick Mahomes’ Late-Game Slide Tilts Kansas City Chiefs Bettors"},"content":{"rendered":"

A game-ending slide by quarterback Patrick Mahomes locked up a victory for the Kansas City Chiefs over the New York Jets. But the bad beat cost bettors millions in lost wagers during Sunday Night Football.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Patrick
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, seen here sliding short of the goal line at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets, cost bettors millions of dollars in winning wagers. (Image: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Chiefs defeated the Jets, 23-20, but failed to cover the point spread when quarterback Mahomes opted to seal the game by sliding on the turf at the two-yard line instead of scoring an easy touchdown.<\/p>\n

Pop star Taylor Swift is dating Travis Kelce<\/a>, tight end from the Chiefs, in a well-publicized relationship. Swift attended a Chiefs game for a second week in a row to watch her new beau. She sat in a VIP suite at MetLife Stadium with other celebrities and dignitaries to watch the Jets host the Chiefs.<\/p>\n

The Chiefs\/Jets game on Sunday Night Football<\/em> had a little more excitement than usual because of Swift’s involvement. The NBC broadcast was more akin to Super Bowl coverage for a broader audience because of an influx of Swifties, a rabid legion of Swift fans, tuning in to watch Taylor’s boyfriend play in front of their pop queen. One analyst is convinced that the Swift\/Kelce relationship has boosted the sports betting industry<\/a> because of the involvement of Swifties.<\/p>\n

How Mahomes Irked Bettors with Bad Beat<\/h2>\n

Mahomes made a game-theory optimal decision to seal a victory for his team, but the move was a costly decision for bettors.<\/p>\n

The Chiefs led by three points late in the fourth quarter, but a touchdown against the Jets would’ve covered the point spread. The Chiefs\/Jets game opened at -8.5 in many sports books. The line was as high as -9.5 and as low as -7.5 at different moments during the week.<\/p>\n

If Mahomes scored a touchdown and the Chiefs kicked an extra point, they would’ve increased their led to 30-20 for a chance to cover all wagers for bettors backing the Chiefs with the point spread.<\/p>\n

Mahomes opted for a slide because the Jets did not have any time outs remaining and it would guarantee a victory with the clock running out.<\/p>\n

If Mahomes scored, the Jets would get the ball back. He could’ve given the Jets a chance to win the game — albeit the Jets would’ve needed two scores including a touchdown and two-point conversions plus and on-side kick recovery and additional score. However, a slide was the proper play to seal the victory regardless of gambling outcomes.<\/p>\n

In this instance, millions of dollars were at stake, with the public heavily backing the Chiefs in point-spread bets, in addition to parlays and teasers.<\/p>\n

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So many millions of dollars at sportsbooks hinged on this Patrick Mahomes slide pic.twitter.com\/GVWCXMmdgt<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) October 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n