Postgame Update: Sportsbooks got slaughtered by the Kansas City Chiefs winning outright on Monday night as +150 underdogs, but it could have been worse.
The worst case scenario was avoided when the under cashed, after 80-90 percent of the money on the total was on the over. The total, which opened at 52, sat at 54.5 most of the week, before closing at 55.
“It was a real good loser instead of getting massacred,” said William Hill bookmaker Nick Bogdanovich.
The Chiefs and Ravens scored a combined 37 points in the first half, but only scored three in third and 14 in the fourth to hit 54.
A missed field goal and a missed extra point by Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker loomed large, especially for one BetMGM bettor, who plunked down $95,000 on the over of 54.5.
Said BetMGM’s Jason Scott: “We lose on the night, but it would have been a lot worse had they crossed 55.”
Bettors are salivating over Monday Night Football as they get the ultimate battle of offensive juggernauts — or at least what were the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses of 2019 — as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs. So it seems obvious what the public is betting on.
Yes, the over.
FanDuel says 89% of the money has come in on the over at 54.5 points, a number that opened at 52. And aside from the aggregate, BetMGM took a massive bet on the over Monday morning: $95,454 to net $86,776.
The majority of money is also on the moneyline. With a chance to get the Super Bowl champions — a 3.5-point dog at Baltimore (find real-time odds here) — for +150 to win outright, DraftKings says 78% of their moneyline bets are on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. They have, after all, won 20 of their last 25 games (counting the playoffs).
For the most part, sportsbooks and bettors each took a bit from each other on Sunday. The Bengals-Eagles tie, the Bears' outright win over the Falcons and the Lions beating the Cardinals were all good results for books. Bettors, meanwhile, won with favorites covering — namely the Patriots, 49ers, Steelers, Buccaneers and Seahawks.
PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said that, with the way the week has been, who will win and who will lose between the books and the public could come down to live betting, which is growing in popularity. The Chiefs have a reputation for coming back from large deficits, so if that manifests itself tonight, it could present an opportunity for either side.
Of FanDuel's overall handle as of Monday afternoon, $2 million of the more than $3 million has come in on DFS contests with FanDuel's promise to refund entry fees if both teams combine for 75 points.
