In the words of Al Michaels, the finish in the Steelers vs. Browns Thursday Night Football game may seem meaningless at its face, but it was "important to some."
A bad beat for many and perhaps a stroke of good fortune for some, Denzel Ward's game-ending fumble recovery for a touchdown had a big impact on betting outcomes.
When the Browns secured possession after a failed onside kick by the Steelers with 1:48 to play and the score sitting at 23-17, most wagers were all but decided.
All the Browns had to do was pick up a first down and the game was over. Even if they didn't, there would be so little time left on the clock that no more points could be scored.
Or so we thought.
In the wild world of sports betting, and particularly betting on the NFL, anything can happen, and in the final two minutes of the game, craziness ensued.
The Browns ran the ball three times, and on the third carry the refs signaled for a first down after bringing the chains out to measure. However, after review it was deemed that Nick Chubb was short of the line to make.
That's not all, the refs also announced that by rule, 10 seconds would be run off the clock with the new play clock starting at 25. This meant instead of a seven second game to play clock differential, there was now a 15 second difference.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski responded by sending out his punt team, and from there the rest is history.
SIGNIFICANT TO SOME
The total opened at 40.5…under ❌
Steelers teasers ❌pic.twitter.com/ojH2UtS71n
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 23, 2022
A meek attempt at a lateral play saw the Steelers throw a 10-yard out to Diontae Johnson, who tossed the ball to Chase Claypool before he then pitched the ball to Najee Harris – who tossed the ball into the end zone.
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward snagged the ball, scoring a touchdown for Cleveland and moving the score to 29-17.
The opening total of 40.5 proceeded to go over the number, some teasers were busted and Claypool's receiving yardage total of 35.5 went from being a sure thing at 41 yards before the play to a loss at 35 yards after the play.
For those that had over 40.5 tickets or the Browns D/ST to score at +600, this was a lottery ticket, but for many it was simply an all-time bad beat.
