The season-opening matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers was a roller-coaster ride, especially if you had money on the over/under.
The total opened at 47 at most sportsbooks, but was bet down to 41 by kickoff due to weather concerns. The majority of public bets (61%) were on the under (see data for all Week 1 games here), which looked like an easy winner all game.
With the Steelers holding a 21-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter, under bettors were probably counting their money.
But, as we know, gambling is never that easy.
The Browns scored 14 unanswered points to tie the game at 21 and force overtime, which usually means the death of your under ticket. But that's when the wackiness started.
After a ton of three-and-outs to open overtime, the Steelers finally got in field-goal range with 1:48 to go. Then Chris Boswell missed the attempt, keeping hope alive for under bettors.
Boswell misses the game winning 42 yard field goal. pic.twitter.com/gIAmKUxIDj
— TheRenderNFL (@TheRenderNFL) September 9, 2018
But that hope was snatched away when the Browns recovered a Ben Roethlisberger fumble to set up their own potential game-winning field goal.
And then … T.J. Watt blocked Zane Gonzalez's field-goal attempt and ended the game tied at 21.
Under bettors rejoice! (Well, most.)
A blocked FG ends in a tie between the Steelers and Browns…
Browns (+3.5) did cash 💰pic.twitter.com/Kp4w9uN8bv
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 9, 2018
This was a good reminder that betting on the NFL is not for the faint of heart, and also why it is so important to shop around for the best lines. Most under bettors should have won or pushed due to this tie. But could you imagine if you had that 41 line and lost?
The highs and lows of gambling, baby. What a sweat!
