DraftKings Profits After Justin Herbert Touchdown Promotion Suffers Historic Loss

DraftKings Profits After Justin Herbert Touchdown Promotion Suffers Historic Loss article feature image

DraftKings ran their NFL Early Win promotion and paid out at least $75 million as a result.

They reaped back some of that through a promotion on Monday night.

For Monday Night Football's Broncos vs. Chargers, the sportsbook boosted Herbert's odds to throw a touchdown from -800 to +100.

Herbert had done so in 26 straight starts. The Chargers quarterback had thrown for a touchdown in 36 of his 37 overall games.

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The 2020 Rookie of the Year, meanwhile, had just one meaningful throw to the end zone all night, which was incomplete. The Chargers did score a TD on an Austin Ekeler run in the first half, but they resorted to four field goals en route to a 19-16 win in OT.

For DraftKings' promotion, bettors had maximum wagers up to $250. Other maximum wagers were at $100, $50, $25 and $10. Higher max bets indicated higher status at the sportsbook.

Sports bettors across the country expressed their frustration — and espoused unfounded conspiracy theories — regarding the boost.

A DraftKings representative confirmed to the Action Network that refunds would not be granted for the promotion.

Herbert's 57 pass attempts are the most in NFL single-game history for a quarterback that didn't throw a touchdown.

About the Author
Avery Yang is an editor at the Action Network who focuses on breaking news across the sports world and betting algorithms that try to predict eventual outcomes. He is also Darren Rovell's editor. Avery is a recent graduate from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He has written for the Washington Post, the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, (the old) Deadspin, MLB.com and others.

Follow Avery Yang @avery_yang on Twitter/X.

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