NFL Bad Beat of the Week: AFC West Features the Best of the Worst

Chargers, Raiders Feature in Worst Beats For Week 3

The AFC West was the AFC Worst when it came to betting for Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season. From the Chargers to the Raiders, at least three of the teams in the division had a hand in busting tickets.

These NFL Bad Beats would have all been avoidable. But we can pinpoint some suspect coaching, ill-advised throws, and just downright bad luck.

Sorry Vikings Bettors, But the Chargers Did Not Charger

Just when you expected Los Angeles to blow something, it did not. Rejoice, Chargers bettors! Los Angeles held on to win the game by intercepting Kirk Cousins in the endzone. The pick sealed a 28-24 victory for the Chargers and their backers. But that was a ball-buster for everyone else who took Minnesota and the ‘over’ on the total.

Cousins threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings quarterback is the NFL leader in the major passing stats. But all of that means jack squat when his most important pass led to the game-ender. With the pick, Minnesota failed to win the game and the total went under by one point.

“Purely on me trying to be too aggressive,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Looking back on it, I wish I would have just had him clock it.”

In an alternate universe, Cousins made the pass and Minnesota won. ‘Over’ bettors would be cheering. Alas, we live in a world where Minnesota is 0-3 and incapable of making the crucial plays and flaming out on the NFL odds this week.

The Raiders Pirate the Totals

Speaking of coaching gaffes, few can outdo what Josh McDaniels did with the Las Vegas Raiders. This team not only lost to the Steelers but is averaging just 15 points per game. Still, folks found a way to try and bet this team on the NFL scores and odds. That will teach ‘em. The game in question was a 23-18 loss to Pittsburgh. The total went under 43.5 points by 2.5. But there were more than a few NFL Bad Beats during the game.

The most damning is when McDaniels opted for a 26-yard field goal when they were down by eight (23-15) with two-and-half minutes left. Raiders fans, ‘over’ bettors, and almost everyone else could only groan in confusion.

Of course, that decision backfired in epic fashion as the Raiders could not get the ball back in time. When they did, there was barely 20 seconds left on the clock. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo then heaved one right into the hands of Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace.

Andy Reid Does Not Care About Your Player Props

The Chiefs also had a big role in this week’s NFL Bad Beats. While they easily beat Chicago 41-10, head coach Andy Reid tore up some player props by benching Mahomes after the Chiefs went up 41-0. Mahomes had 272 passing yards, which was three short of going over his 274.5 passing yards prop. Oof.

Reid didn’t just bench Mahomes. Travis Kelce did not record another catch after he scored Kansas City’s final touchdown. The superstar tight end then made plenty of news by being seen with Taylor Swift. Even Bill Belichick weighed in on it. But *bleep* all that because Kelce’s final total was 69 receiving yards, which was one yard short of going over 70 yards. Wow.

For NFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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