Before we get to the bad beat, let’s focus on the good. Tom Brady did it again last night. Down 16-3 at home to the New Orleans Saints with eight minutes left, Brady went to work. Leading Tampa on a ten play, 91 yard touchdown drive that lasted all of 2:21, the score was cut 16-10. After a Saints punt, Brady and the Buccaneers offense took the field with 2:29 left in the game. In typical Tom fashion, he methodically plotted down the field and finished it off by throwing the game tying touchdown pass to Rachaad White with three seconds left. After a Ryan Succop extra point, the Buccaneers led 17-16 and it was all over.
It was Bradys 57th regular season game winning drive in his career, increasing his lead by three over Peyton Manning in second place.
Fanduel Boost:
While Brady and the Bucs celebrated when the clock hit zero, there was a group of bettors in particular left with a sour taste. Fanduel Sportsbook, one of the most popular sportsbooks in the country, typically offers special boosts for primetime NFL games.
Fanduel partnering with Kay Adams, released this boost prior to the Monday Night Football game between the Buccaneers and Saints:
https://twitter.com/heykayadams/status/1599870867617771520?s=20&t=IACOVDwDhkZ-ZFFJHoqWug
Objective: Mike Evans, Chris Olave, and Chris Godwin to combine for 125+ receiving yards and one receiving/rushing touchdown. A receiving number that’s been hit in ten of ten games with at least two of them playing. The touchdown was going to be tricky part, as they’ve only been able to generate at least one touchdown in four of the ten games.
Early opportunity:
On the first drive of the game, Brady would lead the Bucs down the field for the first opportunity to cash the touchdown leg of the boost. On 2nd & Goal from the New Orleans five-yard line, Brady threw a pass to Chris Godwin that went for one yard and no touchdown. Tampa would eventually settle for a field goal. Bettors were hoping Godwin could sneak into the endzone early in the game, but an encouraging drive meant there should be opportunity throughout the game, or so they thought.
With the game turning into an absolute slugfest, points and touchdowns were at a rare premium. The pass at the five yard line Godwin saw with 7:51 left in the first quarter would be the only red-zone target any of the three players would see until 20 seconds left in the game.
Bad Beat:
The boosts life would be defined and killed on two separate instances late in the game leading to the bad beat.
Play 1: The Pass Interference
Down 16-3 with 3:10 left in the game, Tom Brady was in full chase mode. Needing to take some shots, Brady unloaded on a deep pass to Mike Evans from the New Orleans 45 yard line. Evans seemingly had Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo beat, and it looked like Evans would catch the deep ball. Until…
https://twitter.com/sportsnow12345/status/1599976262143180800?s=20&t=IACOVDwDhkZ-ZFFJHoqWug
Adebo was called for the pass interference, putting the ball on the one yard line. The Bucs would score a touchdown one play later with Brady throwing it to Cade Otton. If you thought that was a bad beat, we got one more coming to put a bow on it.
https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1599975680652890112?s=20&t=IACOVDwDhkZ-ZFFJHoqWug
Play 2: The holding call
After the missed would’ve been Mike Evans touchdowns, the boost was given a last gasp opportunity. Receiving the ball at their own 37 yard line with 2:29 left, Brady led the Bucs down the field with another chance for one of his two receivers to find the endzone.
Relive the full game winning drive that builds up the agony of defeat for boost bettors:
https://twitter.com/TomBradyDaily/status/1599993875552092160?s=20&t=IACOVDwDhkZ-ZFFJHoqWug
A Brady to Godwin touchdown with 16 seconds left sent Raymond James stadium and bettors into a frenzy. The celebration and bottle popping was cut short when a late flag was thrown on left tackle Donovan Smith for a holding penalty. This moved the ball back to the 15 yard line.
The silencer:
Brady would throw a six yard touchdown pass to Rachaad White three plays later to solidify the win.
https://twitter.com/PFF_Fantasy/status/1599979637441933312?s=20&t=IACOVDwDhkZ-ZFFJHoqWug
Game over. Boost over. Bad beat.
Devastation, heartbreak, and just another of countless examples that show how cruel and chilling the sports betting game can be.
You win this time, Fanduel.