Many bettors began the 2018 NFL season with an ugly, ugly loss thanks to Harvard graduate Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The New Orleans Saints were a public darling on Sunday against the Bucs, closing as the biggest favorite of Week 1 and potentially the most heavily bet team on the spread, with 74% of bettors taking them at -9.5/-10 (Rams currently at 76% for Monday).
Bettors didn't shy away from their moneyline, either, as 70% of tickets were on them in the -500 range. Let's just hope those who took them bet "to risk" rather than "to win."
Fitzmagic absolutely got after it in the Superdome, throwing for four touchdowns and running for one on his own. By the time it was over, the Bucs nearly went over the closing total of 49.5 all by themselves, winning 48-40.
FINAL: Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the @Buccaneers to a WIN! #TBvsNO#GoBucspic.twitter.com/moXB3ZtU13
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
This wasn't just a normal bad beat for the public, though.
Think of all the parlays.
You know those parlays … the ones where you just add a big moneyline favorite to whatever else you're betting to get a bit better pay out.
Think of all the teasers.
And, gulp, think of all those survivor pool losses. Hate to say Travis Reed told you so, but Travis Reed told you so.
In ESPN survivor pools, the Saints were chosen in 28% of leagues, while in Yahoo they came in at more than 30% — both of which were easily good enough for best in the league in front of the Ravens.
Tampa's surprise performance on offense also led to DFS success for those brave enough to roster Fitzpatrick and Co.
On DraftKings, the pride of Cambridge was owned in just 1.29% of lineups in the Millionaire Maker contest and put up an astounding 45.28 points. His top pass catchers, Mike Evans (2.77% owned, 30.70 pts) and DeSean Jackson (0.88% owned, 34.60 pts) also went nuts.
So although Ryan Fitzpatrick taketh away from public bettors on the very first Sunday of the year, he's going to maketh somebody a millionaire.
