Rob Nelson, ESPN Staff Writer 5y

Tampa Bay's cover, Gurley's non-score among weekend's worst beats

College Football, NFL, null

It wasn't a typical Saturday like we've seen thus far in the college football season, filled with bad beats. Sunday's NFL action, however, had bettors going from joy to misery throughout the day.

Here are the weekend's worst bad beats:

Saturday

Florida International Panthers at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Line: Over/under 54

Those on the under had to feel good throughout this game. But as any bettor will tell you, an under is never safe until the final whistle.

There were 17 combined points at halftime and 31 entering the fourth quarter. Nine points later, Florida International led 31-9 with less than five minutes left. Western Kentucky proceeded to go on a 10-play drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown by D'Andre Ferby. In what turned out to be a crucial decision, the Hilltoppers went for two, and got it. Now trailing 31-17, Western Kentucky was unsuccessful on the ensuing onside kick attempt. For the first time all game, those on the under were sweating. Those nerves turned out to be warranted, as D'Vonte Price broke free for a 58-yard touchdown with 95 seconds left. Jose Borregales tacked on the extra point that gave some unlucky bettors out there a one-point loss.

Final score: Florida International 38, Western Kentucky 17 (total goes over)


Sunday

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Line: Over/under 47.5

The run of bad beats on Sunday began in Pittsburgh, where the Browns and Steelers had no business of going over the closing total of 47.5.

The Steelers led 26-12 with less than three minutes left and were a first down away from being able to kill most of the clock. But on third-and-3 from the Cleveland 22-yard line, James Conner got more than a first down, as he scored with 2:04 left. At that point, bettors on the under needed to avoid a late Cleveland touchdown. They still had to feel good about their chances, as the Browns had failed to put together a drive longer than 31 yards since their first possession of the game. Cleveland, of course, went on to go 75 yards in nine plays, capped off by a Baker Mayfield to Seth DeValve 24-yard touchdown on fourth-and-6. That final score pushed the total over with six seconds left. Ouch.

Final score: Steelers 33, Browns 18 (total goes over)


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals

Line: Bengals -3.5

The Bengals were in complete control of this game. Until they weren't.

Cincinnati led 34-16 entering the fourth quarter and appeared on its way to an easy win and cover. But the game changed when Jameis Winston was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who came in to ruin the day for those who bet the Bengals. Fitzpatrick led three scoring drives in the final quarter, tying the game with his 18-yard touchdown to O.J. Howard on fourth down and subsequent two-point conversion to Chris Godwin with 1:05 left. It was hard to watch Cincinnati's final drive that set up a game-winning Randy Bullock 44-yard field goal as time expired. The Bengals won by three, but failed to cover the closing line by half a point.

Final score: Bengals 37, Buccaneers 34 (Buccaneers cover)


Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams

Line: Rams -7.5, Over/under 57

Sure, you could argue that the "right sides' ended up winning. The Packers were covering for pretty much the entire game, while the Rams didn't score until getting a safety more than 27 minutes into the first half.

But come on. This still stung if you had either the Rams or the over. In the play that has had the gambling world buzzing, Todd Gurley elected to go down intentionally after getting a first down instead of scoring a touchdown in the final seconds. It marked the first ATS loss for the Rams at home this season, but was probably a more unfortunate loss for those on the over, who never got to see Aaron Rogers get the ball in the final five minutes.

Final score: Rams 29, Packers 27 (Packers cover and total goes under)


New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings

First half line: Saints -0.5

Hands down, this was the worst bad beat of the weekend. Those who had Vikings +0.5 in the first half on Sunday night couldn't agree more.

Minnesota led 13-10 and was in the red zone with less than two minutes left in the half. Then one play completely changed the game. Adam Thielen fumbled at the Saints' 14-yard line, while Marshon Lattimore proceeded to scoop the ball and return it 54 yards to the Minnesota 33-yard line with 57 seconds left. A Laquon Treadwell unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the ball to the 18-yard line, and it somehow became dicey for those on the Vikings. Two plays later, Alvin Kamara's touchdown gave New Orleans the lead with 30 seconds left. It was time to either go to sleep or watch baseball if you had the Vikings.

Halftime score: Saints 17, Vikings 13 (Saints cover)

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